Category Archives: Women’s Fraternity History

There’s Celebrating in Columbia, SC – #‎SisMullisishappyhappy‬!

Two years ago, I made a promise to Joanne and Brenda, two Pi Phi friends. We were in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, celebrating the centennial of Pi Beta Phi’s commitment to literacy. A statue was being unveiled on the Arrowmont property and as … Continue reading

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Steeped in New England Sensibilities – Mount Holyoke College and Sigma Kappa

A bit more than 250 miles and 37 years (and a day) separates the founding of Mount Holyoke College and Sigma Kappa, yet both share roots in New England. The story of each of  their foundings reflects the New England sensibility of doing what needs to … Continue reading

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The Mysterious 1941 Columbus Convention, Disney, and NPC’s 2014 Meeting

A reader of this blog recently purchased the photo which appears below. She found it at the Covered Bridge Festival which takes place every year in Parke County, Indiana, the “Covered Bridge Capital.” There is handwriting on the back of the … Continue reading

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Founders’ Day! From A to Z (AXΩ and ZTA) With a Touch of Ida Shaw Martin’s “The Sorority Handbook”

October 15 is the day on which both Alpha Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha celebrate Founders’ Day. In 1885, Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Thirteen years later, in 1898, Zeta Tau Alpha was founded … Continue reading

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Betty Buckley, ZTA, the Public Theater, and Sweeney Todd

When I am in the car, I usually listen to the Broadway Channel on satellite radio. I remember hearing Seth Rudetsky, one of the channel’s hosts, tell a story about Betty Buckley. As I was driving at the time, I … Continue reading

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Sorority Women Who Have Won Pulitzer Prizes

In sorting books for the upcoming Friends of Carbondale Public Library Book Sale, I came across a vintage copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. It has a “Pulitzer Prize Novel” prominently displayed on it. That got me to thinking about sorority women … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Colby College, Delta Delta Delta, Fran Favorite, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Northwestern University, Phi Mu, Sorority History, Syracuse University, University of California at Berkeley, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History, Zeta Tau Alpha | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sorosites = Sororities = Fraternities for Women = Women’s Fraternities

I found this gem in an 1880’s University of Kansas student publication, the Helianthus (Helianthus annuus is the common sunflower, the most ubiquitous flower in Kansas). The word “sorosites” was used in contrast to the word “fraternities.” It also tells some interesting history of … Continue reading

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Kudos, Condolences, and a New View of the Moon Walk

I spent the past few days with Pi Phis at our first College Weekend. It’s an off convention year. A Leadership Academy for chapter officers took place in February and an Alumnae Leadership Summit was held last month. The College Weekend … Continue reading

Posted in Carrie Chapman Catt, Fran Favorite, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Nu, Women's Fraternity History, Zeta Tau Alpha | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Kudos, Condolences, and a New View of the Moon Walk

Happy 110th Birthday, Alpha Gamma Delta!

Alpha Gamma Delta was founded at Syracuse University on May 30, 1904 at the home of Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, a Syracuse University professor.  It is the youngest of the Syracuse Triad, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Gamma … Continue reading

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A Dancing Kelly on ΘΦΑ Founders’ Day While GLO Members Lobby in D.C.

Theta Phi Alpha celebrates Founders’ Day on April 30, the Feast Day of Saint Catherine of Siena.* Saint Catherine is the patroness of the organization and her motto, “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring,” is Theta Phi Alpha’s motto as … Continue reading

Posted in Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, NIC, North-American Interfraternity Conference, Sorority History, Theta Phi Alpha, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A Dancing Kelly on ΘΦΑ Founders’ Day While GLO Members Lobby in D.C.