The Kappa Delta Sorority is the successor to the Kappa Delta Society, founded at the New York State Normal College (now the University at Albany) on June 16, 1897. The Kappa Delta Society's purpose was to "promote social and literary advancement." Although inquiries into nationalization were made between 1919 and 1922, the Albany Kappa Delta was not a part of the national organization of the same name.

The constitution of the Kappa Delta Society stated that the object of the Society was "the attainment toward culture among its members." By 1930 the sorority's goal changed to the more contemporary "promotion of fellowship among its members."

Kappa Delta was incorporated in Albany in April 1922. The purpose of the Kappa Delta Corporation was to "promote fraternal, intellectual, and social pursuits among its members and to oversee the sale and upkeep of any property it may own." The corporation subsequently purchased a sorority house at 380 Western Avenue, which was occupied by the sorority until it was sold to the College of St. Rose in the 1960s.

Kappa Delta maintained certain traditions at various times in its history. Some traditions were eventually phased out, such as the purchasing of an engraved silver spoon for each baby born to a sister within five years of her graduation. Others, like the formal events held each fall and spring, stood the test of time even as they evolved and changed. And still others, like the annual alumnae luncheon, faded away only to be revived in later years.

Kappa Delta was dissolved in the late fall of 1979 or the early spring of 1980, because of limited interest in sororities on campus at that time. The Corporation continued after the folding of the active sorority as the financial vehicle for administering Kappa Delta funds, to be used for alumnae meetings and scholarships.