Marguerite Shepard

Marguerite Shepard was born at Forestville, New York. After graduating from the Teachers’ Training Course she taught at a rural school for a year. Marguerite entered Syracuse University in the fall of 1900. After completing two years work she taught another year in Dunkirk, New York, but returned to college in 1903. The next spring Alpha Gamma Delta was founded. Marguerite served as chapter vice-president until her graduation, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She helped write and made many valuable suggestions for both the Ritual and Constitution. Marguerite was First Grand Vice-President from 1907-1909 and Second Grand President from 1909-1910.

“I shall remember as one of the great sensations of my life the beautiful Initiation at the Athens Convention. I kept saying as the inspiring service proceeded, ‘Yes, Jennie wrote that; that was Georgia’s work; why, I thought out that myself. And here are girls from all over the Union, one with us in aspiration and purpose, repeating our words!’ Would any group of college girls today think they could successfully launch a new fraternity without a single party dress or dance? I don’t believe we thought we could, either. That’s why this great sisterhood of ours is such a wonder to us still.”

Marguerite Shepard entered Chapter Grand on December 13, 1947.