In 1913, Beulah Armstrong entered Baker University in Kansas. There she joined the Sigma chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha in a pledge class of eight women. According to a report inThemis of Zeta Tau Alpha:
While in school, Beulah took part in athletics, was a member of several religious and literary organizations, was on the Y. W. C. A. Cabinet, graded papers for the mathematics department, taught a mathematics class part of the time, was treasurer for the fraternity a year, and in addition to all that, she did as much work in the fraternity as any other girl, and much more than some girls even cared to do.
In 1917, Armstrong graduated with honors, and she was elected to Baker’s honorary scholastic fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma. She won a fellowship to the University of Kansas where she earned a Master’s degree in 1918.
Armstrong entered the University of Illinois where she began her doctoral studies. The first year she was on scholarship and for the following two years she had a fellowship.
At Illinois, she was a charter member of its Sigma Delta Epsilon chapter, a fraternity for graduate women in science, now known as Graduate Women in Science. She was invited to join Kappa Delta Pi, which was then an honorary educational sorority. She was initiated as an associate member of Sigma Xi.
As she was in the midst of her doctoral work, a member of her chapter described Armstrong as:
ready for new fields of conquest, for wherever she may be, she will always be a worker. To be happy, Beulah must be busy, and as it is her habit to keep busy, she radiates happiness and contentment. All who know her love her, and are proud to be named among her friends.
She became Dr. Armstrong in 1921. Her dissertation was titled, Mathematical induction in group theory. She stayed where she was and began her career as an instructor. She worked her way up the academic ladder, retiring as associate professor emeritus. Many of her students became math teachers.
At the University of Illinois, she continued to be active with Zeta Tau Alpha. She was an advisor, an alumnae association member and an ever present example of finer and nobler womanhood.
Armstrong retired in 1963 and she died on February 22, 1965, at the age of 64. The University of Illinois Zeta Tau Alpha chapter dedicated a study in the chapter house as a memorial to her.
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