In the spring of 1997, a group of eleven Asian-American women at the Johns Hopkins University came together, united with similar goals and interests. They belonged to a campus that possessed a unique quality of exceptional diversity, where four thousand students represented a variety of religions and ethnicities. However, although twenty-five percent of these students were Asian, organized in numerous independent interest groups, no collective yet existed which focused on the needs and dreams of Asian-American women.
Consequently, these women took the initiative to establish a special Asian-interest sorority that would not only bring attention to the Asian experience, but also promote awareness of the Asian-American woman. They believed that sisterhood, scholarship, leadership, and service were keys to their goal. Understanding the importance of personal development, the national sorority of alpha Kappa Delta Phi was chosen because it best represents the ideals and visions of these women.
On October 19,1997, in the Hospitality Room of the University One complex, the following young women took the Pledge Oath to commit themselves as pledges of alpha Kappa Delta Phi: Jeannice Angela, Cyndie Chang, Chun Hsu, Chi-Hee Kim, Juliette Kim, Anna Lui, Angela Sung, Marcia Suzuki, Hoyin Tjio, and Diana Tse. Diverse in their background but unified in their passions, these young women promised to establish a strong bond of sisterhood, trust, and love with each other.
On January 31, 1998, their dream became a reality and alpha Kappa Delta Phi became the first Asian-American interest Sorority of the Johns Hopkins University.