Winant, Marguerite

Marguerite Dawson Winant’s involvement with Delta Gamma extended over half a century. She was initiated into Omicron chapter at Adelphi University in 1908 and would later serve as chapter president. After graduating, she served as president of the local alumnae chapter. Additionally, Marguerite was a Delta Gamma convention chairman, district chairman of the Scholarship Fund, chairman of the Student Loan Fund committee, and second vice president.

During her tenure as second vice president, Marguerite suffered an attack of polio and paralysis from the waist down. Although she carried out her Delta Gamma responsibilities from her bed, she was determined to walk again—and did so: first with crutches, then two canes, then for several years with one, before ultimately walking unassisted.

Marguerite was elected president of Delta Gamma in 1932 and served until 1940. During her tenure as president, Delta Gamma adopted Aid to the Blind and Sight Conservation as the first national philanthropic project.

She also served as the Delta Gamma representative for the New York City Panhellenic House, a hotel designed to meet the needs of fraternity women who were coming to New York for the first time. She served as a director, a member of the building committee, and chairman of the furnishing committee. She also served as the Delta Gamma delegate to the National Panhellenic Conference.

Marguerite was known for her ability to work well with others, her enthusiasm, and the inspiration of her own example. Late in life, she said, “My interest in the young has continued through all these many years. My desire is to always have an important part in the welfare of the present generation.”