Delta's name, often associated with the Greek letter, has deeper roots connected to the Mississippi Delta region. The suggestion came from Catherine FitzGerald, a trusted associate of airline founder C.E. Woolman. She proposed "Delta" as a tribute to the area where Huff Daland Dusters, the airline's predecessor, began its operations.
FitzGerald moved to Monroe, Louisiana in 1926 after Huff Daland relocated there with its fleet of bi-planes. Following Woolman's purchase of the company in 1928, FitzGerald became assistant treasurer and served as Woolman's secretary until his death in 1966. She retired in 1968 after over four decades in aviation.
During her tenure at Delta, FitzGerald was one of few women on the company's organizational charts and even served on Delta's Board of Directors from 1930- 1934. A recommendation letter from a former boss highlighted her financial acumen: "I can tell you one thing, you won’t need an adding machine while you got her. "