Action Plan and Progress

Tri Delta’s LEADDD Now work is guided by a comprehensive action plan designed to address systemic racism. The LEADDD Now plan is built on three pillars:  

• BRAVE – Activities designed to identify and dismantle systemic racism  
• BOLD – Programs and efforts to promote education, understanding and healing among our sisters 
• KIND – Tools and resources to equip our members in the fight for equality and justice  

Progress

July 2021

• As part of our diversity audit, our consultants at Culture Shift Team began hosting reflective dialogues to hear honest perspectives from our members about their membership experiences in Tri Delta. These conversations will help guide our continued work and help inform the outcome and recommendations of our enterprise-wide diversity audit that has been ongoing since March.   

• LEADDD Now Conversation: Tri Delta CEO Karen White, Georgia, hosted a conversation with Melanie Velasquez, San Francisco. Melanie found a way to use her voice through Epsilon Rho’s DEI committee. Her work with the committee helps educate her chapter members and community about having uncomfortable conversations, and how that ultimately creates humanity. Melanie discusses how she defines allyship and why self-education is imperative to being an ally to any marginalized community. Epsilon Rho was the first Panhellenic chapter at USF to have a DEI committee and is now partnering with other chapters on campus to promote education within their communities. She reflects that her leadership and efforts in Tri Delta have shown her how to make positive change and use her voice in an effective manner. Listen now. 

June 2021

• To enhance the membership experience, Tri Delta established new affinity groups on CONNECTDDD for Tri Deltas looking for a safe space for open, comfortable conversation and community with other sisters. Our affinity groups are formed around shared interests, common goals and similar backgrounds, lived experiences and personal identities. New or existing affinity groups include: Sisters of Color, DDD Allies, DDD LGBTQ+ Members and LEADDDNow: Tri Delta’s DEI Efforts.  

• LEADDD Now Conversation: Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Southern Methodist, hosted a conversation with Lauren Whitman, Delaware. After the racial unrest of 2020, Lauren took it upon herself to create DEI programming for Epsilon Upsilon Chapter to open communication among chapter members, even with difficult conversations. A key part of her programming is a self-reflection exercise, used for members to assess their own DEI journey before and after they participate in training. Lauren designed the chapter’s resources and training with a focus on growth mindset, and it’s already having an impact on members. Learn more about the work of our collegiate members like Lauren and Epsilon Upsilon Chapter by listening here or watching here. 

May 2021

• LEADDD Now Conversation: Vice President of Marketing and Communications Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, hosted a conversation with one of our 33 Under 33 Alicia Russell, Furman, Alicia has been singing as long as she could sit still in church. Coming from generations of singers, Alicia found early passions for the stage through musical theater performances. After being encouraged to pursue opera, she quickly discovered what would become her career. Having served as a resident artist at companies around the country, Alicia has also been able to promote arts education to young people and introduce them to the world of opera. She has been able to showcase BIPOC professionals in the arts and participate in telling more diverse experiences through her art. Listen to Alicia’s interview here. 

April 2021

• Tri Delta’s Executive Board has unanimously voted to eliminate collegiate chapter legacy policies, effective July 31, 2021. For many of our sisters, this comes as a welcome change, as chapter-level legacy policies have caused a great deal of confusion and have been a barrier to membership for some. And for many of our sisters, we understand that this decision may cause concern and disappointment as these are cherished relationships that we look forward to sharing with our family members. We also share that while Tri Delta legacies will no longer receive preferential treatment during recruitment, we will continue to recognize and celebrate these cherished relationships when family members join our sisterhood. Read more on this decision and listen to leaders share their personal experiences in this video.  

• LEADDD Now Conversation: Vice President of Marketing and Communications Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, hosted a conversation with Ainslee Harrison the collegiate chapter president at Tri Delta’s Theta Zeta Chapter at the University of Texas. Theta Zeta eliminated preferential treatment of legacies during recruitment before Tri Delta made this organizational change. They have created a third-party reference for potential new members during recruitment to reduce barriers. As DEI leaders in the Texas Panhellenic community, Theta Zeta hopes that more accessibility will soon make campus sororities truly reflect the university population. Listen now.

• In preparation for a new volunteer term, Tri Delta has edited the Volunteer Agreement and Position Descriptions to require completion of Tri Delta’s DEI training, Brave & Bold Dialogues, available on LEADDDer.org.  

• Tri Delta Executive Office staff expanded their DEI training efforts by participating in Culture Shift Teams Identity and Privilege training and completing the Brave & Bold Dialogues on LEADDDer.org.  

March 2021

• Tri Delta’s highest honor – Woman of Achievement — was awarded to Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne, Pennsylvania. Gayle spent years in mergers and acquisitions, as an international lobbyist, in corporate philanthropy and as a venture capitalist. She walked away from what many would call a dream job at JP Morgan to follow a calling to support and invest in women entrepreneurs of color, specifically in the tech space, co-founding the WOCstar Fund. Learn more about Gayle in this video. 

• DEI Training for All Tri Delta Members: An important part of the BOLD pillar of our LEADDD Now Action Plan focuses on education, understanding and healing among our sisters. Every Tri Delta sister now has access to Brave & Bold Dialogues on LEADDDer.org made possible by Tri Delta’s Foundation. Brave and Bold Dialogues is an interactive online course developed by our partner PreventZone. This training walks you through real-life scenarios to increase your awareness and understanding of the complex issues surrounding racism, built on a four-step approach: Be Aware, Be Considerate, Express Understanding and Talk About It. This training will be incorporated into the member experience in all our chapters, and completion of the course will be required of leaders, volunteers and staff at all levels within Tri Delta.  Access the course at LEADDDer.org.

• Tri Delta’s Executive Board acknowledged seven of our collegiate chapters who are leading the way and proving to be exceptional examples for us all with their innovative, creative DEI programs. Each has received a $250 grant from Tri Delta’s Foundation to continue enhancing, expanding and scaling their efforts. The chapters and efforts are: 
  • Epsilon Nu, Chapman – Deltas for DEI 
  • Epsilon Upsilon, Delaware – DEI Workshop: To See the Change We Need to Be the Change 
  • Gamma Beta, Villanova – DEI DIYs 
  • Alpha Mu, William & Mary – Bring You…Yes All of You 
  • Alpha Epsilon, Brenau – Anti Racism Zoom Meeting 
  • Epsilon Rho, San Francisco – Diversity and Inclusion Programming 
  • Theta Xi, Southern California

• Collegiate Leadership Conference 2021 (CLC): Tri Delta’s annual training weekend for collegiate leaders, CLC, was held March 5-7. During the event there were several opportunities to hear from Sisters of Color and for members to learn and grow on their DEI journeys. 
  • We hosted an inspiring panel of 33 Under 33 sisters that included Chinh Doan, Oklahoma, TV Anchor; Jaelin Palmer, Cal State/Northridge, patient advocate and member of the LGBTQ+ community; and Alexa Young, Florida, past campus Panhellenic President. Learn more about these women on our Distinguished Deltas page.  
  • Amanda Goodenough led a workshop session on equipping ourselves with the tools to effectively communicate and interact with others on the topics of equity, inclusion and justice where she discussed the concepts of bias and disrupting, interrupting and challenging strategies. 
  • Dustin Evatt-Young led a workshop session exploring the concept of allyship and how our personal identities and experiences shape our understanding of the term. The session discussed what responsibility and accountability looks like and feels like as an ally.  
  • Our keynote speakers for CLC also brought diversity in experience and expertise. Friday night’s executive session was kicked off by Erica Dhawan who spoke about leading in a digital age. Saturday morning CLC was kicked off with St. Jude partner and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez who shared her story of resilience. 

February 2021

In recognition of Black History Month, we celebrate the accomplishments of our Black sisters and role models and look for new opportunities to learn and grow. As part of our efforts this month we have engaged in the following activities: 

• Promoted attendance at the National Civil Rights Museum book discussion on Four Hundred Souls featuring Ibram Kendi and other authors
• Updated our resource list for education and growth located at https://www.tridelta.org/our-story/leaddd-now/resources/ 
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: VP Marketing and Communications Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, was joined by Tri Delta’s Foundation Trustee Ashley Baskerville, Cal State/Long Beach. As a mental performance coach with the Armed Forces, she discusses what it means to have hard conversations and the trust involved. By having these conversations and connect is a great way to get goals and understanding accomplished. She talks about blending our sisterhood through different experiences and backgrounds challenge the status quo. This allows us for showing and reflecting true diversity in Tri Delta.  Watch the video here or listen to the podcast here.
• In a Facebook Live conversation Dr. Mari Ann Callais, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Sister of Color Sabur Woldu, a Chapter Development Consultant from the Epsilon Theta Chapter at the University of Texas/Dallas, talk about “The Power of Friendship” by sharing the story of how they responded to last year’s racial unrest together. 
• 33 Under 33 Podcast Series shines a spotlight on recent alumna Christine Murrain, Oklahoma, who is starting her career in entertainment, seizing opportunities to create a more inclusive space to tell stories like hers. Listen to From OU to Hollywood: Working for diversity on both sides of the camera. 

January 2021

• Tri Delta celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King by partnering with the National Civil Rights Museum as a Corporate Associate. Tri Delta is excited to financially support the museum and to join in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally. The museum, located at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN holds a special place in our Tri Delta hearts as many of our members visit the museum each year when we celebrate our partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, also located in Memphis. The museum offers an amazing, interactive experience with endless opportunities to learn about the history of racism and the fight for equity, equality and justice. Its location at the Lorraine Hotel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, creates a powerful experience for all who visit.  

• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: CEO Karen Hughes White, Georgia, hosted Tri Delta Housing Director Caroline Chin Goldwater, James Madison, who inspired by Tri Delta’s LEADDD Now plan and raised her hand to lend her experience and skills to the highest levels of leadership within our organization. By putting herself forward, she knows it will bring her voice and competencies to affect positive change. With a wealth of professional experience in project management, she is excited to see how our LEADDD Now plan will be broken down to determine priorities and targets for progress. Watch the video here or listen to the podcast here.

December 2020

• Tri Delta Executive Office staff completed training focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace as employees and managers. 
• Krystal Clark, Maryland, chair of the NPC’s new Access and Equity Advisory Committee provided an update to NPC organizations on the work of the committee. The results of several listening sessions were shared by the committee and Krystal shared the continuing work of the committee will include 1) auditing unanimous agreements, policies, best practices and template documents, 2) working toward broadening the pipeline of Panhellenic women interested in board service, and 3) identifying barriers created by norms and practices at the campus level. 

November 2020

• Tri Delta launched a newly refreshed website at tridelta.org with an eye toward inclusivity. After reviewing written and graphic content, the website strives to offer a more diverse perspective on our members and our member experience. We know there is always room for growth and improvement and feel this new website is a step toward a more diverse and inclusive invitation to and representation of our sisterhood. 
• Tri Delta’s Resource Library – accessible to Tri Delta members – has a newly built out section on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and our LEADDD Now plan and progress.  The section also includes shared ideas and best practices from chapters actively engaged in DEI work on their campuses. 

October 2020

• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Tri Delta’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, hosted a conversation with Candy Rivera Evans, Adelphi, where she shares how her journey to embrace her identity as an immigrant empowered her. They also dive into Candy’s two new leadership roles: chair of Tri Delta’s Ritual Committee and a board member for the Northeast Greek Leadership Association. Listen to the podcast or watch here.
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Tri Delta’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, hosted a conversation with Cristina Dominguez, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where she shares her experience as a Latinx Tri Delta who is also a member of the LGBTQ community as well as her role on the committee working to select a partner for Tri Delta’s organization-wide diversity audit. Listen to the podcast or watch here.

September 2020

• We are seeking competitive proposals from consultants experienced in DEI to conduct a comprehensive enterprise audit and provide specific recommendations to guide our work in advancing DEI. The request for proposals was distributed on Sept. 1 and we hope to select a partner in November.  
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Board Director Lenora Oeters, Cincinnati, hosted new Board Director Tycely Williams, Wake Forest. They discuss our LEADDD Now plan, transformational change and creating inclusive and equitable spaces for all Tri Delta members. Listen to the podcast or watch here.
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Tri Delta’s CEO, Karen White, Georgia, hosted new Board Director Emily Greer, Rhodes. They discuss how diversity helps shape an organization for more success and how Tri Delta is leading the way to make a more inclusive and equitable experience for all members. Listen to the podcast or watch here.
• The Tri Delta Housing Board and Tri Delta’s Foundation Board of Trustees followed the Executive Board’s lead and on Sept. 29 announced the addition of three Sisters of Color to those boards. Caroline Chin Goldwater, James Madison, was elected to the Tri Delta Housing Board and Ashley Baskerville, Cal State/Long Beach, and Diane Petersen, Ohio Wesleyan, are new Trustees on Tri Delta’s Foundation Board. 
• As Tri Delta’s collegiate chapters transition to a new officer structure this fall, the position of Vice President, Community Relations now has responsibility for diversity, equity and inclusion and serves as the chair of the DEI Standing Committee.   
• Diversity, equity and inclusion education was incorporated into training for Tri Delta’s new volunteer leaders. 

August 2020

• On Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, Tri Delta announced its new seven-person Executive Board including two Sisters of Color, Emily Greer, Rhodes, and Tycely Williams, Wake Forest. 
• Krystal Clark, Maryland, was named the chair of the NPC’s new Access and Equity Advisory Committee. This 14-member group has been formed to provide recommendations and guidance to the NPC Board of Directors about how to eliminate the structural and systemic barriers blocking women from access to the sorority experience. 
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Tri Delta’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, hosted a conversation with Krystal Clark, Maryland, focused on her passions for diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education and her new role as chair of NPC’s Access and Equity Advisory Committee. Listen to the podcast or watch here.

July 2020

• LEADDD Now Business Resolution was adopted by Tri Delta’s 59th Biennial Convention body on Saturday, July 11. 
• The Convention body voted to approve the Amendments to the Bylaws of Delta Delta Delta to expand the size of the Executive Board by two Directors effective Aug. 1, 2020.  
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Past Fraternity President Kimberlee Sullivan, Pepperdine, hosted Diane Petersen, Ohio Wesleyan, Tri Delta’s first Black member. Listen to the podcast or watch here.
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Dr. Mari Ann Callais, Tri Delta’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, hosted a conversation with Lexi Leggs, Millikin, and Sabur Woldu, Texas/Dallas, both recent graduates and Sisters of Color to discuss their thoughts on Kimberlee and Diane’s conversation. Listen to the podcast or watch here.
• LEADDD Now Conversation on Racism: Fraternity President Megan James, Millsaps, hosted a conversation with Zakiya Young, Pittsburgh, about her career, her membership journey and her experience as a Black woman in Tri Delta. Listen to the podcast or watch here.
• We created the email inclusion@trideltaeo.org for sisters to share input, resources and ideas for how Tri Delta can LEADDD Now. 

March 2020

• Prior to the murder of George Floyd and the other tragedies that focused the nation’s attention on racial justice, Tri Delta took a serious look at its history around diversity and inclusion. Read more in the Winter/Spring 2020 issue of The Trident.

This information is up to date as of July 17, 2021.