Alpha Delta Chi started at theUniversity of California, Los Angeles in 1925.[1][2] Its ten founders wanted to create a way for women to participate in Greek life without compromising theirChristian values.[3] Thesorority was originally namedAreta, which is Greek for "virtue".[3]
The focus of Alpha Delta Chi was for its members to grow spiritually, reach their full potential scholastically, and develop socially by forming Christian friendships.[4][2] The sorority is Christian, but nondenominational.[1][5]
A second chapter,Beta, was established on February 4, 1929, by two members who were attending graduate school at theUniversity of California, Berkeley.[3] The sorority held its first annual convention inBerkeley, California, in April 1939.[3] During the meeting, the sorority voted to become a national organization, forming The National Association of Areta and its National Executive and advisory board.[3]
At the June 1943 annual meeting, the sorority's name was changed to Alpha Delta Chi.[3] It was incorporated in the State of California in 1946.[3] In 1992, its first chapter was chartered outside of California atMurray State University.[1]
By 2019, Alpha Delta Chi has chartered 26 chapters.[1] As of 2024, it has four active chapters, a National Alumnae Association (ADX NAA), and local alumnae chapters.[6][1][7]
Alpha Delta Chi's colors are flame red and blue.[8][3] Its flowers are thegladiolus and thedelphinium.[3][8] Its mascot is the lamb and its jewel is the pearl.[8][5] Its motto is "As in a Mirror".[3][8] Its Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 3:18.[2][5] The sorority's online newsletter isThe Arête.[9] Its nickname is A-D-Chi.[10][3]
Potential members must be churchgoing Christians of any denomination.[11][5][12] Members must agree to forgo smoking, illegal drugs, and premarital sex.[11] Drinking alcohol is allowed in moderation, so as not to reflectly badly on Christians.[12] A committee works with members who break these rules.[12]
^The university kicked the sorority off campus in 1964, indicating that its membership requirements were against the university's new anti-discrimination policy. The sorority was restored once the university reversed its decision.
^Chapter formed from Lamba Nu (local), established in 2001.
In 1964, the University of California, Berkeley banned the sorority, saying that its requirement for members to be Christian was against the university's new anti-discrimination policy.[13] On other campuses, the sorority was not allowed to be a member of thePanhellenic Council because its Christian requirement is considered to be discrimination.[5] The UC Berkeley chapter was allowed to return and join the Panhellenic Council in 1987.[13]
In 2012, the sorority was involved inAlpha Delta Chi v. Reed, a lawsuit against theUniversity of California, San Diego which had determined that the Christian sorority would have to accept an atheist leader.[17] The case was appealed to theSupreme Court of the United States who declined to review the case.[17]
