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Facebook Our Founders

History 101 The following pages contain a picture and brief biography of each Alpha Gamma Delta

Founder. Information about incorporating these pages into an icebreaker activity is listed in the TLC Icebreakers document in Member Services. To make the photo size for each Founder larger, right click your mouse on the image and select “Format Picture.” Then,

select the “Size” tab and increase the size accordingly.

Marguerite Shepard............................................................................................................. 2 Estelle Shepard Beswick..................................................................................................... 3 Georgia Alberta Dickover................................................................................................... 4 Jennie Titus Smith Morris................................................................................................... 5 Ethel Brown Distin ............................................................................................................. 6 Grace Mosher Harter........................................................................................................... 7 Edith MacConnell Hickok .................................................................................................. 8 Mary Louise Snider............................................................................................................. 9 Georgia Otis Chipman ...................................................................................................... 10 Emily Helen Butterfield.................................................................................................... 11 Flora Knight Mayer........................................................................................................... 12

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Marguerite Shepard

The “first founder” of Alpha Gamma Delta, Marguerite Shepard was responsible for a lot of the Fraternity beginnings. Dr. Coddington was inspirational to her, and as a senior in college, she began the foundation of the Fraternity. In addition to Marguerite, her freshman sister, Estelle, and close friend Georgia Dickover were the first three to begin initial conversations; Jennie Titus Smith came next and Ethel was shortly thereafter. Marguerite graduated magna cum laude and was the Fraternity’s first Phi Beta Kappa. Always having initiative, Marguerite was described as being very thorough, conservative, dedicated, courageous and highly intelligent. Her sister, Estelle Shepard Beswick, was a founder as well. Marguerite Shepard entered Chapter Grand on December 13, 1947.

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Estelle Shepard Beswick

Estelle Shepard Beswick is known for her enthusiasm, keen sense of humor and ability to always lighten the mood. A Phi Beta Kappa with keen intellect and wit, Estelle was the first editor of the Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly. Her sister, Marguerite Shepard, was the “first founder” of the Fraternity. Estelle Shepard Beswick entered Chapter Grand on January 9, 1944.

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Georgia Alberta Dickover

Every successful organization needs members who are selfless, meaning they have little desire for personal glory. Georgia Alberta Dickover, a calm, efficient woman, possessed these qualities. She was the Fraternity’s National Historian for 18 years, and wrote The History of Alpha Gamma Delta – 1904-193, which provided insight into much of the Fraternity’s early days. Georgia was very interested in theater and community affairs and was close friends with Edith MacConnell Hickock. Georgia Dickover entered Chapter Grand on October 3, 1965.

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Jennie Titus Smith Morris

The first president of Alpha Chapter and the Fraternity’s first Grand President, Jennie Titus Smith Morris expressed extreme loyalty to not only the Fraternity, but anyone she came in contact with. She was chosen as one of the original Fraternity organizers by Dr. Coddington, likely due to her warm personality, helpful manner and pioneering spirit. She wore the first Badge and treasured it dearly. Her joy came from hard work and busy days, and she always maintained personal contact with her sisters. A calm, confident woman with the ability to solve problems, Jennie was never ruffled in times of distress. She had no children, but helped neighbors who were sick or need as if they were kin. The first alumnae meeting was held at her home. Jennie Titus Smith Morris entered Chapter Grand on May 30, 1958.

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Ethel Brown Distin

Ethel Brown Distin, nicknamed “Brownie,” was a charming woman who took genuine interest in the other Alpha Gamma Deltas. Her strong connection to Emily Butterfield and non-Alpha Gamma Delta Fan Simson was evident, as they called themselves “The Three Musketeers.” She admired Jennie Titus Smith. A born storyteller and very popular, Ethel loved to travel and participate in skiing, skating and camping. Ethel’s father gave valuable aid and advice to the women, especially in furnishing Alpha chapter’s first house. Ethel Brown Distin entered Chapter Grand on February 21, 1959.

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Grace Mosher Harter

Grace Mosher Harter, or “Midge,” as she is known by many Alpha Gams, was the socialite of the Founders. Almost every weekend, Grace would gather her friends and travel to her hometown to host parties. A delightful, vivacious and energetic woman, Grace befriended Georgia Otis Chipman and the pair were lifelong friends. She kept the other Alpha Gams entertained with her surreptitious love affair with Glen Harter, a boy who lived across the street from her. Later in life, Glen and Grace owned a general store and Grace tended to her seriously ill daughter, Dorothy. Even at close to age 90, Grace could be seen driving her red Buick Wildcat. Grace Mosher Harter entered Chapter Grand on July 25, 1978.

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Edith MacConnell Hickok

A close friend of Georgia Dickover, Edith was absent during much of the initial Fraternity planning due to a fall on ice. She never returned to college after her hospitalization, but remained active in alumnae groups and with collegiate chapters throughout her lifetime. Georgia visited her in the hospital, and together they wrote much of the Ritual. A minister’s wife, Edith was a fantastic public speaker and gave presentations across the United States. Edith holds the titles of the first Alpha Gamma Delta baby and the first Alpha Gamma Delta twins. Edith MacConnell Hickok entered Chapter Grand on July 1, 1973.

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Mary Louise Snider

Mary Louise Snider, another one of Alpha Gamma Delta’s fearless leaders, was a patient, altruistic woman. When the Alpha Gamma Deltas were preparing for Initiation in the early days of the Fraternity, Mary Louise was the one who would good-naturedly practice being the initiate numerous times without complaining. She was away from college for two years; however, she was described as earnest, serious and loving in Fraternity relations. The first Alpha Gamma Delta to be a missionary, Mary Louise adopted a young girl from Chile. She never married and lived with a person who was blind. Mary Louise Snider entered Chapter Grand on June 9, 1960.

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Georgia Otis Chipman

A quick, witty, and capable young woman, Georgia Otis Chipman took great care in the happenings of Fraternity life. In the Fraternity beginnings, Dr. Coddington approached her in the hallway, whispered in her ear, asking her to come to his house for the first official meeting of Alpha Gamma Delta. Her painstaking care for the Fraternity and its members is evident in her practice of making lists of items needed to be completed on a frequent basis. Many of the women would hide from her so they didn’t have to run the errands that Georgia wanted completed. Georgia and Grace Mosher Harter, roommates, were inseparable and lifelong friends. Her keen sense of humor led her to participate in theater and vaudeville. An avid Yankees fan and political enthusiast, Georgia could always be found reading the sports and politics sections of the newspaper. Georgia Otis Chipman entered Chapter Grand on August 17, 1981.

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Emily Helen Butterfield

Emily Helen Butterfield was a remarkable woman who not only provided many services to Alpha Gamma Delta, but also to other Greek organizations and womankind. Her talented heraldry abilities led her to construct the coat of arms for several other fraternities and sororities. She designed the coat of arms, crest and pledge pin for Alpha Gamma Delta. In addition, her architecture abilities led her to design the Alpha and Chi Chapter houses and the Summer Camp Lodge. The first woman architect, Emily was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Her puckish wit and love of practical jokes made her a source of entertainment for other Alpha Gamma Deltas. In addition, Emily painted many beautiful watercolor paintings. Emily Helen Butterfield entered Chapter Grand on March 22, 1958.

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Flora Knight Mayer

The early days of Alpha Gamma Delta were filled with songs about the Fraternity and its ideals. Dubbed the “musical founder,” Flora Knight Mayer, the chapter pianist, played Alpha Gamma Delta songs for hours and hours so the women could practice for various ceremonies. A tall, slender woman with a lovely manner, Flora was a quiet woman who eventually became a church organist for 40 years. Flor has been described as a faithful worker with a serene spirit. Only her closest friends would see Flora’s brief episodes of droll humor. Although she never held an official position besides chapter pianist, she served on important committees and always did her part in Fraternity activities. She had no children and died from Parkinson’s’ Disease. Flora Knight Mayer entered Chapter Grand on March 3, 1959.