Category Archives: Pi Beta Phi

Francis and Grace Lass Sisson – Grand Presidents Who Lived in a Castle

Knox College graduates Grace Lass, a member of the Illinois Delta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi, and Francis Hinckley Sisson, a member of the Xi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, were married in Galesburg, Illinois, on June 16, 1897. Grace … Continue reading

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Imogen Cunningham, Pi Phi Pioneering Photographer

Imogen Cunningham was a pioneer in the field of photography. She was also a charter member of the Washington Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi. Her interest in photography was aided by the opportunity presented by a Pi Beta Phi … Continue reading

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The Grand President Who Was a Kappa Before She Was a Pi Phi

Emma Harper Turner, one of Pi Beta Phi’s most influential early Grand Presidents, started her fraternity life as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.  “How can that be?” you say. “There are rules against that!” It’s quite simple; the National … Continue reading

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“We Trust Nothing Will Prevent Your Being Present” – The First NPC Meeting, 1902

I just rediscovered this copy of a postcard sent by Margaret Mason Whitney to the women who were scheduled to attend the first National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) meeting on May 24, 1902. This one meeting was the stopping point of my … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Panhellenic Patriots of Company Q

Co-eds at the University of Minnesota were organized into a Women’s Military Company.  According to a report in the March 1889 Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma, “Soon after drill began for the men, the faculty petitioned that a like favor … Continue reading

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Before 210 Walnut Place – New York Alpha’s Euclid House

I just came across this postcard of the house that the New York Alphas lived in from 1920-39. This seems to have been on Euclid between Comstock and Ostrom. My guess is that it was on a lot that Shaw … Continue reading

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We Wave Thy Colors Brave on High – Happy Founders’ Day Pi Beta Phi!

On April 28, 1867, a college society of women modeled after men’s Greek-letter fraternities was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois.  Its name was I. C. Sorosis and its grip, the  handshake of its members, was accompanied by the … Continue reading

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Before 210 Walnut Place, Syracuse, New York

Before the New York Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi moved to 210 Walnut Place in the late 1930s, the chapter members called several other places home, including the house pictured above at 801 Ostrom Avenue. It was designed by … Continue reading

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A Rare Glimpse of the Monmouth Duo of First Ladies

This is an absolutely wonderful blog about Calvin Coolidge and includes many pictures of and information about Grace Coolidge. For a rare glimpse of the Monmouth Duo of First Ladies, take a look at the video. At 29 seconds there is … Continue reading

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The Key, The Arrow, and The Kappa Alpha Theta Debut – Lawrence, Kansas, 1880s

The University of Kansas holds a unique distinction within the fraternity magazine world. Three of the seven founding National Panhellenic Conference organizations had the first issue of their magazines published by their respective chapters at Kansas. The three groups are … Continue reading

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