Ivy Kellerman Reed, Ph.D., Tri Delta, Ardent Esperantist

Among the women in attendance at the first National Panhellenic Conference meeting in Chicago in May 1902 was Tri Delta’s representative, “Miss Kellerman,” as noted on the postcard that Margaret Mason Whitney sent to the delegates (see picture below).

An accomplished linguist, Ivy Kellerman Reed, Ph.D. was a charter member of the Nu Chapter of Delta Delta Delta at the Ohio State University. Her father was the head of the Botany Department at the University.

She earned a Master’s degree from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In addition, she studied abroad at the Royal University of Berlin. She was also a graduate of the Washington College of Law (now American University) and was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 1935.

Her specialties were Latin, Greek, Persian and Sanskrit as well as several modern languages. She was an ardent proponent in the movement for an international language, Esperanto. She wrote Practical Grammar of the International Language, first published in 1915, which is still in use today. She also translated many books into Esperanto, including Winnie the Pooh. She served as chairman of the Esperanto Association of North America.

She taught at Iowa State University, did legal research, and was a magazine and government editor. Her husband, Edwin C. Reed was a lawyer who served as executive secretary of the Esperanto Association of North America. Their son, Dr. Erik Kellerman Reed, was an archaeologist.

She also served as Grand Treasurer of Delta Delta Delta from 1900 until 1902.