Distinguished Deltas: Donna Axum

Happy Tri Delta Tuesday Deltas! In today's Pansy Post, we wanted to start a series all about our most distinguished Deltas. This will showcase all of our past and present sisters who are well known, esteemed, and even famous, if you will. The only correct way to start this series is by looking at Donna Axum.

The Start

Axum was born and raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, where she graduated high school in 1959. Fun fact, we have a few current members of Delta Iota who also graduated from El Dorado High School too. They have more ties to Donna Axum than they may realize. Axum then started her collegiate journey at the University of Arkansas. It was in these years that she would get her undergraduate and graduate degrees, become a member of the Delta Iota chapter of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and even play a big part in the UARKettes singing group on campus. She was very involved and committed to everything she put her mind to.

History Made

In 1963, Axum was crowned Miss Arkansas. It was less than one year later when she was crowned Miss America. She was actually the very first Arkansan to be named Miss. America, so it is super special to get to call her one of us.

The University of Arkansas wrote an article about Axum where Savvy Shields, Miss America 2016 and graduate of the University of Arkansas, remembers Axum, calling her after she won the title, "make sure you get some rest, love everyone, and make sure you do it all for Arkansas." Axum loved her home state and it showed!

Axum was chosen as one of the "Top 100 Tri Delts in the First 100 Years" by the national Tri Delta organization. These women are recognized as "trailblazers" each with their own "unique accomplishments and unselfish leadership."

Now

Axum passed away in 2018 and left a big legacy behind. Now, she has many different scholarships available for students, aspiring pageant contestants, and two scholarships through Tri Delta. As for her name on campus at the University of Arkansas, we have the 'Donna Axum Fitness Center' located in the HYPR building.

There are many things we can learn from Donna Axum: her commitment, her lifelong love for Arkansas, and her loyalty to our chapter to name a few. It truly is so special to share a sisterhood with someone like Donna Axum. If you ever want to see her in the house, just go to the President's Study Room. A quiet place named after her with photo hanging on the wall explaining everything she's done for our chapter.