The History of our Quill

There is no other symbol that holds greater importance to our dear Fraternity and its members than the Quill. It is a visible link that binds our Sisterhood together. "The pen is mightier than the sword" served as inspiration for its creator and Alpha Xi Delta Founder, Lewie Strong Taylor. This simple, yet timeless, statement is still relevant for Alpha Xi Delta Sisters more than 124 years later.

Alpha Xi Delta's Quill badge is a conventionalized golden quill with the Greek letters AXiD in raised and brushed gold on the barbs of the feathers. This sacred Badge is worn proudly by Alpha Xi Deltas everywhere who share their pride and passion for our great Fraternity. 

The Founders' original Quills were seven-eights-of-an-inch long and mounted on stick pins. You can see Lewie Strong Taylor's original Quill badge to the left. It is the only original Quill badge that is in the Fraternity's possession.

Founder Cora Bollinger Block was the recipient of the original jeweled Quill badge, hosting three jewels in the shaft - a sapphire with turquoise stones on each side.

At our fifth National Convention in 1909, a need for a standardization of our Quill badge was expressed by Grand President Ella Boston Leib. Two years later an official dye, jeweler and stones were chosen to be the national standard for our Quill badge. 

To this day, Alpha Xi Delta Quill badges are not mass produced. Master craftsmen at Herff Jones' facility in Providence, Rhode Island, make each badge by hand. Each badge is as unique as the Sister who wears it, and members have the ability to have their badges customized and adorned with different precious stones. 

In order to purchase a Quill badge, a person must be an initiated member of the Fraternity and in good standing. Alpha Xi Delta badges must be ordered through Herff Jones, the Fraternity’s official jeweler.