Tag Archives: Women’s fraternities

What’s the Difference Between a Women’s Fraternity and a Sorority?

“Why are some National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) groups women’s fraternities and some are sororities?” is a question I am often asked. It’s a tough one because the 26 NPC organizations are typically referred to as sororities in everyday conversation (i.e. … Continue reading

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Women’s Fraternities, Sororities, and Dr. Frank Smalley

“Why are some National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) groups women’s fraternities and some are sororities?” is a question I am often asked. It’s a tough one because the 26 NPC organizations are typically referred to as sororities in everyday conversation (i.e. … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Fran Favorite, Gamma Phi Beta, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Northwestern University, Syracuse University, The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta, University of Michigan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Women’s Fraternities, Sororities, and Dr. Frank Smalley

Baird’s Manual of American College Fraternities Debuted 135 Years Ago

My thanks to Christopher Walters, a fraternity history enthusiast and a member of Phi Mu Alpha, for writing this blog post. In 1879 a revolution occurred in the fraternity world. It was in March of that year when a little booklet, … Continue reading

Posted in Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, Beta Theta Pi, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, NIC, North-American Interfraternity Conference, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Baird’s Manual of American College Fraternities Debuted 135 Years Ago

100 Years Ago – 12/12/1912 in Fraternity and Sorority History

Today is 12/12/2012. One hundred years ago, on 12/12/1912, a Thursday, the world was a different place. Taking a glimpse into what was happening in the Greek-letter organization world a century ago offers a wonderful insight. While life is vastly … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Omicron Pi, Amherst College, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, University of Idaho, University of Illinois, University of Maine, University of Minnesota, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fraternity History and Sorority History Do Matter!

It’s been a year since I started this blog. Some people stumble upon it while trying to find out which presidents were fraternity men, or which Olympic athletes were sorority members, or any odd number of searches that will lead … Continue reading

Posted in Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, Calvin Coolidge, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Knox College, Men's Fraternities, Mount Holyoke College, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, P.E.O., Presidents, Sorority History, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Syracuse University, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fraternity History and Sorority History Do Matter!

Doctors Who Wore Badges: Fraternity Women in Medicine 1867-1902

In 1870, there were 525 female doctors in the United States (Newcomer, 1959).   Among the fraternity women who became physicians were founders of two NPC groups, Rachel Jane “Jennie” Nicol, a founder of Pi Beta Phi, and Eleanor Dorcas Pond … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Boston University, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, DePauw University, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Goucher College, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Iowa Wesleyan College, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Alpha Theta (magazine), Kappa Kappa Gamma, Knox College, Lombard College, Monmouth College, National Panhellenic Conference, Northwestern University, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Syracuse University, The Anchora of Delta Gamma, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma, The Trident of Delta Delta Delta, University of California at Berkeley, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of Vermont, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Doctors Who Wore Badges: Fraternity Women in Medicine 1867-1902

The Second NPC Meeting – September 19, 1903

The second National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) meeting took place on September 19, 1903 with two additional groups, Chi Omega and Alpha Chi Omega, joining the original seven – Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Fran Favorite, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, The Eleusis of Chi Omega | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Second NPC Meeting – September 19, 1903

The University of Nebraska Women’s Fraternity System through 1902

After autumn 1882, 12 female students at the University of Nebraska formed a club they called T. T. T., an acronym for the “The Tempest Tossed.”  The club disbanded at the end of the school year and two of the … Continue reading

Posted in Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Fran Favorite, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The University of Nebraska Women’s Fraternity System through 1902

2012 Olympics – The Power of National Panhellenic Conference Women!

Congratulations to the NPC women who brought home medals from the London Olympics: Gold medal Kristin Armstrong Savola, U.S. Cycling, Kappa Kappa Gamma, University of Idaho Rachel Buehler, U.S. Soccer, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Stanford University Erin Cafaro, U.S. Rowing, Pi … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy Birthday Inez Smith Soule, Pi Beta Phi Founder!

Inez Smith Soule was known as “the prettiest girl in Monmouth” during her time at Monmouth College. That statement was usually followed by “there can never be a lovelier one in character and in manner.”     Inez Smith Soule … Continue reading

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