Our History

Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc was founded on February 28, 1943 on the campus of Lewis Business College in Detroit, Michigan. The founders of this UNIQUE organization are known as our 13 Original Pearls. The main initiators were the late Elizabeth Garner a teacher at Lewis Business College and her blood sister the late Dr. Violet T. Lewis the owner of Lewis Business College. These visionary women not only founded a college, but founded a sisterhood as well.

The main purposes for the sorority were to unite students for charitable, educational, and fraternal purposes. In 1943 few opportunities were available to minority women other than domestic work. Lewis Business College helped its students learn very valuable skills for the times. This sisterhood helped its members network and attain a more professional skill set.

Lewis Business College is the only HBCU (Historically Black College and University) recognized in the state of Michigan. Gamma Phi Delta’s Founder, Violet T. Lewis is only one of three women who had the ability to start a HBCU in history.

Our National Headquarters