Sigma Delta Tau History
On March 25, 1917,
seven young women who exemplified self-confidence and
the willingness to take a chance, founded a new sorority
at Cornell University. The name chosen, Sigma Delta Phi,
was soon changed to Sigma Delta Tau when the women
discovered the letters belonged to another Greek
organization. Most of the seven had experienced the
subtle, but very real, discrimination practiced against
religious minorities by many Greek organizations at the
time. In response to the closed doors, and as a way to
meet their own social and housing needs, these young
women established a sorority which would respect the
individuality of its members. The personal growth and
social development of each individual was the basis upon
which the new organization would be built.
On June 16, 1917, the seven founders and their Ritualist
were welcomed by Cornell administrators and faculty and
representatives of the seven National sororities on
campus--Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta,
Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Kappa
Delta--as their guests of honor at the Installation
Banquet of Alpha Chapter of Sigma Delta Tau. Pledges
Frances Bayard and Frances Brock also were present for
the banquet.
Dora Bloom Turteltaub
Dora Bloom was "the
leader." She was the first chapter president and was
calm and placid throughout the hectic first year of
Sigma Delta Tau. Dora married John Turteltaub and at
the time of her death, in March 1970, lived in West
Orange, New Jersey. She was a community-minded
woman, an extensive world traveler, and a proud
mother and grandmother. Dora served as President of
the Theresa Grotta Home for many years and was
Secretary of the Conference of Jewish Women's
Organizations.
Amy Apfel was the "personality-plus coed." She
married Alexander Tishman and made New York City her
home for many years. Amy was a member of many worthy
charity organizations and a devoted mother and
grandmother. Upon her death, in 1982, the Tishman
family bequeathed to the Sigma Delta Tau Foundation
a scholarship in Amy's name to be awarded to
deserving members of the Alpha Chapter of Sigma
Delta Tau.
Amy Apfel Tishman
Amy Apfel was the "personality-plus coed."
She married Alexander Tishman and made New York City her
home for many years. Amy was a member of many worthy charity
organizations and a devoted mother and grandmother. Upon her
death, in 1982, the Tishman family bequeathed to the Sigma
Delta Tau Foundation a scholarship in Amy's name to be
awarded to deserving members of the Alpha Chapter of Sigma
Delta Tau.
Marian Gerber
Greenberg
Marian Gerber was considered "the brain" and was
more interested in her studies than campus activities. She
was graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors in History. Marian
married David B. Greenberg and they co-auth ored
two books on travel: What to Buy in Europe and What to Buy
in South America. Marian earned international recognition
for her volunteer work as the first American Chairman of
Hadassah's Youth Aliyah. Marian taught courses at the
University of Massachusetts in the Judaic Studies
Department.
Grace Srenco was the "campus queen." Grace was a freshman,
assigned to a dormitory with a sophomore roommate. This
roommate was Dora Bloom. Grace said, "This chance meeting
led to many happy events in my life: the founding of Sigma
Delta Tau and my marriage to a Philadelphia lawyer." She
helped found the Beta Chapter and met her future husband, J.
Grossman, at their installation banquet. Grace devoted much
of her time to the American Red Cross and to her hobby,
painting. Grace had two sons and a daughter, Nancy, who
joined SDT at the University of Pennsylvania.
Grace Srenco Grossman
Grace Srenco was the "campus queen." Grace was a freshman,
assigned to a dormitory with a sophomore roommate. This
roommate was Dora Bloom. Grace said, "This chance meeting
led to many happy events in my life: the founding of Sigma
Delta Tau and my marriage to a Philadelphia lawyer." She
helped found the Beta Chapter and met her future husband, J.
Grossman, at their installation banquet. Grace devoted much
of her time to the American Red Cross and to her hobby,
painting. Grace had two sons and a daughter, Nancy, who
joined SDT at the University of Pennsylvania.
Inez Dane Ross
Inez Ross was considered "the sophisticate" and
helped Dora Bloom get the idea of Sigma Delta Tau rolling.
Inez became a prominent social worker in New York City.
During the Depression era of the 1930s, she was associated
with several state and federal relief agencies where her
outstanding efforts came to the attention of Eleanor
Roosevelt, who honored her at the White House. It was Inez
who designed our National crest and selected the colors of
"cafe au lait and old blue."
Regene
Freund Cohane
Regene Freund called herself "the activity girl." She
balanced her work in campus organizations and her pre-law
studies very well. After graduating from law school, she
married Louis Cohane. They maintained law offices in Detroit
the
 entire
period of their marriage. In 1924, they earned the
distinction of being the first married couple to try a case
before the United States Supreme Court. Regene served as
Sigma Delta Tau's first National President from 1918-1922.
She continued to serve as SDT's National Counselor, a
volunteer position she held for 35 years. Regene has been
honored many times over the years for her leadership roles
in civic and social welfare organizations, as well as for
her contributions to Sigma Delta Tau. Regene was chosen one
of Detroit's "Women of Achievement" and her portrait has
been placed in the Detroit Historical Museum. Sigma Delta
Tau honored Regene in 1991 by establishing the Regene Freund
Cohane Outstanding President Award.
Lenore Rubinow
Lenore Rubinow was known as "the idealist." She
studied dance during college and dreamed of a career on the
stage. Lenore studied sociology in graduate school at
Columbia University. She became a successful social worker
in Newark, New Jersey. She organized and directed the
Department of Social Service of the Neward Beth Israel
Hospital. In connection with her profession, she spent three
years in Germany after World War II as part of the displaced
persons' program.
RITUALIST
Nathan Caleb House
"Brother Nat"
Through Dora Bloom, the services of an idealist and poet
were sought to write a ritual worthy of the philosophy of
Sigma Delta Tau. Nathan House was such a person and he wrote
the ritual keeping in mind the personalities of the seven
young women. After leaving Cornell, Brother Nat was "lost."
In a chance look through the New York City phone book, Nat
was "found" and brought as a surprise to the 1958 National
Convention. From that time until his death, Brother Nat
attended almost every Biennial Convention and maintained
corresondence and visits with many alumnae and collegiate
chapters. Brother Nat was the only man to wear the Sigma
Delta Tau gold Torch pin.
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