Shaw enlisted the help of Dorcas Pond, stating, "Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

Earnestness of purpose, energy and enthusiasm had brought them both success in college and why should not these same qualities bring assurance of good fortune to the new venture."

Inspiration came from Ancient Egypt, Greek mythology, Hindu, and astronomy, reflecting Shaw's varied interests.

The colors of Tri Delta are silver, gold, and cerulean blue (made famous in The Devil Wears Prada), while the pearl is its jewel.

Tri Delta's official member badge is the diamond and pearl-studded, gold Stars and Crescent pin, consisting of three golden stars and a crown set with pearls, within a gold crescent of three hundred degrees bearing three deltas in black enamel.

This pin consists of three deltas made of gold inside a golden circle, surrounded by six spherical triangles in blue.

In the early 1970s, a national survey established that Tri Delta chapters were interested in children, hospitals, and cancer.

[10] On July 4, 2014, Tri Delta announced a new philanthropic goal to raise $60 million over 10 years, the largest single commitment by a partner of St. Jude in the history of the hospital.

Every Tri Delta member also participates in "Sincerely Yours", an international writing campaign to raise money for St Jude.

[14] The Ginger Hicks Smith Museum and Archives is based out of Tri Delta's Executive Office in Dallas, showcasing the founding and development, and housing some of the organization's most precious historical items.

Besides campus housing managed by Tri Delta Housing, the fraternity offers scholarships and emergency grants,[17] annual conferences and conventions,[18] varied leadership development programs including LeaDDDer.org,[19] platforms like My Tri Delta alumni directory,[20] ConnectDDD.org for online networking,[21] mental health programs, a resource library of bylaws, policy standards (i.e. no hazing),[22] other standardized document guides for varying subjects (i.e. rituals, event planning),[23] etc.Beyond the competitive bid process (for which Wall Street Journal reported on the $4,500 sorority consultant market) which requires a recruitment registration fee,[24] Tri Delta requires a minimum GPA and annual collegiate chapter dues (varies from $1,348-13,690+ including new member fees for state schools in Virginia and Iowa),[25][26] with higher expenses at higher-tuition schools or cities with higher costs of living.

Active members of each Tri Delta chapter may join a committee or be slated into an office in order to serve the organization and develop leadership skills.

Each subsequent office is organized into one of the following teams, each headed by a Vice President: Administration, Chapter Development, Finance, Public Relations, and Membership.

After graduation, alumnae may continue to support Tri Delta and stay active within the Greek community via means such as joining an alumnae chapter, attending and hosting philanthropy events, donating to the Tri Delta Foundation's scholarships, contributing to The Trident, writing reference letters for potential new members, and volunteering.

[22] In 2011, the chapter at the University of South Carolina was placed on probation after a party they hosted resulted in 31 citations for underage drinking.

[33] Serious allegations of hazing were charged against women of the sorority, and the Tri Delta national executive board refused to release specific details of the investigation.

Pledges were blindfolded and taken off-campus, where they were given an excessive amount of alcohol, causing some women to need medical attention after the incident.

"[37] The national organization declined to specify further, but noted that the chapter had "been on probation for three consecutive semesters, and each time was asked to take responsibility for their actions.

Each time ... the chapter chose to ignore advice and recommendations, sending a strong message that they had no intention of making positive change.

"[38] On January 20, 2019, a member of Tri Delta sorority at the University of Oklahoma was removed from the organization after posting a video in which her friend appears wearing blackface and saying a racial slur.