PSAC History

A History of the Philadelphia Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Gamma

Philadelphia area Delta Gamma alumnae met for the first time in 1903 at the home of organizer Emily Berry Howland, Chi Chapter, and seven other women. Soon after this, Dr. Jeannette H. Sherman, one of the charter members of the Psi chapter, joined them. They functioned as an informal group until 1908 when a group of girls from Swarthmore College began petitioning Delta Gamma for a charter.

 On February 18, 1911, the alumnae formed an association called Psi Phi and plans were made to have lunch together on the first Saturday of each month at Wanamaker's Tea Room. Years later, at the Convention in 1912, the collegiate group at Swarthmore finally received its charter. With the installation of Alpha Beta chapter at Swarthmore, the Philadelphia alumnae began a new era.

The Philadelphia alumnae appointed the first chapter advisory board to assist Alpha Beta in 1912. The alumnae chapter's main responsibility became the "bringing up" of the new collegiate chapter and the absorption of the alumnae of this group. Then on November 14, 1914, the Psi Phi association became the Alpha Beta Phi alumnae chapter. Alpha Beta was added since future membership would largely be drawn from the local Alpha Beta collegiate chapter at Swarthmore. 

Sometime in the later 1930s or early 1940s, the alumnae chapter was rejuvenated by Elizabeth Welch Ingerle, Iota Chapter, and her Fraternity Project, Work for the Blind. Under her leadership, the chapter took a new lease on life and worked hard to raise money to furnish a lounge for the Overbrook School for the Blind. Membership increased along with interest and enthusiasm. In 1963 the chapter changed its name to Philadelphia Suburban.