Kappa Alpha Theta was the first sorority, though it was started even before the word "sorority" was coined. Theta was founded as the first Greek-letter fraternity for women in 1870 and was established to give women a support group in the then mostly-male college world at what is now DePauw University. The founders of Kappa Alpha Theta were Bettie Tipton Lindsey, Bettie Locke Hamilton, Alice Allen Brant, and Hannah Fitch Shaw. It is one of the top five largest sororities and is among the top of the Greek community in supplying scholarship awards to collegiate members. Kappa Alpha Theta's philanthropy is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Its colors are black and gold; its symbols are the kite and the twin stars, and its flower is the black and gold pansy. Its nickname is simply "Theta" and its headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Famous Thetas include Sheryl Crow, Laura Bush, Lynne Cheney, Rue McClanahan, Jenna Bush, Ann-Margret, Mary Ritter Beard, Sarah Clarke, Anna Dickinson , Jennifer Jones, Mary Wells Lawrence , Julie Moran , Mary Kay Place, Melissa Stark , Keri Strug , Ida Tarbell, and Amy Grant.