Gamma Phi Beta’s Founders’ Day and Its Only Chapter Founded by a Founder

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

A church oyster supper was the first social event Frances Haven (Moss) attended after enrolling in Syracuse University in 1874. Her father, Dr. Erastus Otis Haven, had been recently elected Chancellor of the university. At that supper, she met the man who would later become her husband, Charles Melville Moss. She also met two members of Alpha Phi, a women’s fraternity founded at Syracuse in October of 1872. Instead of accepting the invitation to join Alpha Phi which had been offered to her, she joined with three other women – Mary A. Bingham (Willoughby), E. Adeline Curtis, and Helen M. Dodge (Ferguson) –  and they found an organization of their own. The date was November 11, 1874. The organization is Gamma Phi Beta, the first of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations to use the term “sorority;” Syracuse Latin professor Frank Smalley suggested the word to the young women.*

Frances Moss was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and grew up in Evanston, Illinois, as her father was associated with both the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. Although the Big 10 athletic conference was not in existence when she was in those two towns, she spent most of the rest of her life in a third Big 10 town, Urbana, Illinois, where her husband was on the faculty of the University of Illinois.

This past weekend, the Omicron Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at the University of Illinois celebrated its Centennial. The chapter was originally founded as a local organization, Phi Beta. Its intent, from the beginning, was to become a Gamma Phi Beta chapter. Frances Moss and Violet Jayne Schmidt, a member of Gamma Phi’s Beta Chapter at the University of Michigan, spearheaded the effort. Petition books were created and sent to chapters and alumnae clubs for during the early 1900s, petition books were integral in the process by which local organizations were accepted into membership. Dr. Moss, as a faculty member, added a letter to the petition book endorsing Phi Beta’s efforts. The petition was approved. On May 24, 1913, the Omicron chapter of Gamma Phi Beta was installed. It was  the only Gamma Phi chapter to be founded by a founder. Alida Helen Moss, the Moss’ youngest daughter, became a member of the chapter. Alida is the only daughter of a Gamma Phi Beta founder to become a Gamma Phi herself. Frances and her husband helped the chapter obtain a house.

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To read more…..

* For more on Dr. Frank Smalley and the word “sorority,” see http://wp.me/p20I1i-ZH.

Since today is Veteran’s Day, here is a link to a post about Grace Banker, a Gamma Phi who aided in World War I efforts, http://wp.me/p20I1i-t6.

For more information on Dr. Erastus Haven, the father of Frances, see http://wp.me/p20I1i-e5.

For more information about the history of Gamma Phi Beta,  http://wp.me/p20I1i-6h. This link includes a picture of an early Gamma Phi house on Irving Avenue in Syracuse.


 

© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Posted in Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Sorority History, Syracuse University, University of Illinois, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gamma Phi Beta’s Founders’ Day and Its Only Chapter Founded by a Founder

On Sigma Kappa’s Birthday – a Wimbledon Champ Who Was National President

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

On November 9, 1874, Sigma Kappa was founded by five young women, the only females enrolled at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. They received a letter from the faculty approving the organization’s petition, which included a constitution and bylaws.

The five founders of Sigma Kappa are Mary Low Carver, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Fuller Pierce, Louise Helen Coburn and Frances Mann Hall. In Sigma Kappa’s first constitution, chapter membership was limited to 25 women. The original chapter is known as the Alpha chapter. After Alpha chapter’s membership reached 25, a Beta chapter was formed. A Gamma chapter soon followed. Although there were some early joint meetings, the members did not think it feasible to continue that way. In 1893, a vote was taken to limit Alpha chapter to 25 members and to allow no more initiations into Beta and Gamma chapters. In due time, Beta and Gamma were no more.

The Delta chapter was installed at Boston University in 1904. In 1905, Sigma Kappa became a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Sigma Kappa’s Alpha chapter closed in 1984 when Colby College banned all fraternities and sororities from campus.

In 1910, Sigma Kappa’s Lambda Chapter was founded clear across the country at the University of California – Berkeley. Anna McCune (Harper) became a member of the chapter. She and her sister Lucy played a lot of tennis growing up in Pacific Grove, California. Harper told an interviewer that she and her sister entered the California State Tennis Championships because “we thought it would be cheaper to see all the matches as participants rather than pay for spectators’ tickets.” They did well in the ladies’ singles competition and won the doubles competition. Tennis took a bigger role in their lives after that.

She graduated in 1924 with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Shortly afterwards became Mrs. Lawrence Harper.  She also joined the pro tennis circuit. She was in the U.S. top ten players for five consecutive years (1928-32) and she was top ranked in 1930. She won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 1931. Her tennis career was cut short when she returned home due to an illness in the family.

A mother of three, she found time to serve Sigma Kappa as National President from 1939-42. Harper was induced into the California Athletic Hall of Fame. Each year  a Scholarship is given in her honor to a UC-Berkeley student who is an outstanding athlete and scholar.

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(c) Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

 

Posted in Colby College, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, National Panhellenic Conference, Sigma Kappa, Sorority History, University of California at Berkeley, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On Sigma Kappa’s Birthday – a Wimbledon Champ Who Was National President

Happy 100th Birthday, Alpha Epsilon Pi!

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Although the celebration took place in New York City this past August, today is the day when Alpha Epsilon Pi turns 100 years old. A century ago, the seven men who decided to found a fraternity of their own received word that their organization was a recognized fraternity on the New York University campus.

The idea came to them earlier, likely sometime in late 1912 or early 1913. Charles C. Moskowitz enrolled in night classes at New York University (NYU) after studying at City College of New York where he played basketball.  His reputation as a basketball player preceded him. At NYU he was immediately rushed by one of the established fraternities. Moskowitz was given a bid, but before accepting, he asked if bids could be extended to a circle of his Jewish friends with whom he ate dinner before going to night classes. The fraternity said the bid was just for him.

The men who juggled a day job and night classes made the decision to band together. They decided to start an organization for Jewish men. In addition to Moskowitz, the Alpha Epsilon Pi founders are I.M. Glazer, Herman L. Kraus, Arthur M. Lipkint, Benjamin M. Meyer, Hyman Schulman, Emil J. Lustgarten, Arthur E. Leopold, Charles J. Pintel, Maurice Plager, and David K. Schafer.

They chose the name Alpha Epsilon Pi likely unaware that four years earlier a sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, had been formed in New York City at Barnard College.

The Centennial celebration took place this past August on the NYU campus with a gala at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Alumnus Wolf Blitzer served as the banquet’s master of ceremonies. Best wishes to Alpha Epsilon Pi as it begins second century!

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(c) Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Posted in Alpha Epsilon Pi, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, New York University, NIC, North-American Interfraternity Conference | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Happy 100th Birthday, Alpha Epsilon Pi!

Sensational Shopping at Sorority Alumnae Fundraisers

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Christmas Village, one of Nashville, Tennessee’s oldest philanthropic events, takes place from November 15-17, 2013, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. This will be the 53rd Christmas Village. It started in 1961 when Pi Beta Phi alumnae Berenice Miller Denton and Barbara White Fridrich came up with the idea of a one-day, one-stop, shopping opportunity with local merchants.

I once served on a Pi Phi committee with Martha Ann “Monk” Baird; she was president of the Nashville Alumnae Club when the first Christmas Village took place. Two years ago I attended Christmas Village at her invitation. What an incredible event it is!

Martha Ann "Monk" Baird, served as President of the Pi Beta Phi Nashville, TN, Alumnae CLub when Christmas Village was created.

Martha Ann “Monk” Baird, served as Pi Beta Phi Nashville, TN, Alumnae Club’s President when Christmas Village was created.

On the Christmas Village website, Denton described the effort that went into getting vendors to be a part of that first event, “Barbara Fridrich and I called on prospective customers to convince them of our idea of Christmas Village. At that time there were no shopping centers, malls, etc. Our idea was hard to present. We were both pregnant at the time, and we had many stores tell us that if we would just leave they would be in our show, as they didn’t want the babies to be born in their shop! We certainly used this to the best of our ability! Our ‘Christmas Village’ babies were born just before the first Christmas Village in November.”

The first Christmas Village raised $1,000. The 2012 Christmas Village tally was $480,000. During its 52 years, more than $8.5 million has been given away. The recipients of the largest donations have been Vanderbilt’s Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt’s Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute, and the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. See http://www.christmasvillage.org/ for more information.

The "You Are Here" map of Christmas Village, 2011

The “You Are Here” map of Christmas Village, 2011

Other National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) alumnae organizations also offer additional shopping opportunities this holiday season.

Chi Omega alumnae in the Dallas area sponsor the 36th Chi Omega Christmas Market, with  175 merchants participating. More than $6 million has been donated to Dallas charities and scholarships over the years. It will take place in Fair Park from November 20-23, 2013. See http://www.chiomegaxmas.org/ for more information.

St. Louis residents can buy a Christmas tree, wreaths, and holiday decorations from Delta Gamma alumnae at their 58th annual Shining Light Tree Lot and Holiday Boutique. Out-of-towners can order wreaths for shipment. All proceeds benefit the Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments. The lot is located at 1341 N. Rock Hill Road in St. Louis. The lot is open from  November 27 – December 20. See http://www.dgckids.org/treelot/index.php for more information.

More shopping opportunities can be had in St. Louis by visiting the Sign of the Arrow, a needlepoint and gift shop located at 9740 Clayton Road. A project of the Pi Beta Phi St. Louis Alumnae Club, the shop opened in 1966. Its specialty is needlepoint including belts, custom canvases, yarn, finishing etc. as well as general gift items. All proceeds benefit charities. More than $3.5 million has been given to 178 causes over the years. On-line shopping options feature sorority needlepoint ornament canvases. See http://www.signofthearrow.com/ for more information.

Houston’s Theta Charity Antiques Show is a fundraiser of the Kappa Alpha Theta Houston Alumnae. It began in 1952 and is a five-day event. More than $6.5 million has been raised and 90 organizations have benefited from the show’s proceeds. The 2013 show will take place on November 21-24, 2013, with a preview party on November 20. It will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall A. See http://thetacharityantiquesshow.com/show-events/ for more information.

While not a shopping opportunity, Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae in the Kansas City area have been doing a Holiday Homes Tour since 1952 and have contributed more than $2 million to charities and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. See http://kappahomestour.com/ for more information.

The Dayton Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi is hosting its 10th Annual Floral Fantasy on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 7:oo p.m. It will take place at the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville. For more information see  https://sites.google.com/site/daytonff/Index.

The Tucson Area Alumnae Panhellenic sells poinsettias to raise funds for scholarships. See http://www.tulsapanhellenic.org/poinsettia-sale/ for more information.

If there are more NPC alumnae club holiday shopping fundraisers coming up, please let me know and I will add them.  I am also interested in compiling a list of the long-running style shows, luncheons, galas and other fundraising events of that type. Please feel free to send me information.


 

(c) Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

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

Alpha Phi Delta’s 99th Birthday and the Fraternity’s Connection to Frank Sinatra

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

As a Syracuse University alumna and an American whose roots are Italian,* I offer Alpha Phi Delta best wishes upon its 99th birthday.

Alpha Phi Delta was founded on November 5, 1914 when seven young men, all of Italian descent, formed the organization. Its history goes back a few more years than that. Italian immigrant Cesidio Guarini entered Syracuse University in 1911. Syracuse University, with its Methodist roots and traditions, especially after the turn of the century, must have seemed like a foreign land. Guarini met Ferdinand DiBartolo, another immigrant and a quick friendship was formed. They sought out other Italian-Americans men enrolled at Syracuse. On May 5, 1913, the men organized Il Circolo Italiano at the home of Charles W. Cabeen, a Syracuse professor of French language and literature.

Nicholas Frunzi, one of the members of Il Circolo Italiano, suggested the men form a fraternity. More than 20 men’s fraternities had been established at Syracuse by that time. Di Bartolo, who was by now working as an instructor at Syracuse, requested administrative permission for the fraternity’s formation. Ninety-nine years ago today, Frunzi, DiBartolo and five other men – Joseph Cangiamila, Dominic Ciolli, Otto Gelormini, Cesidio Guarini, and Anthony Frascati – became Alpha Phi Delta’s founding fathers.

In the fall of 1915, four Columbia University students of Italian descent formed a similar fraternity; they named it Sigma Gamma Phi. In January 1916, Frunzi left Syracuse for New York City where he enrolled at Columbia. He told the Sigma Gamma Phis about Alpha Phi Delta.  Correspondence took place between the Syracuse and Columbia men. A meeting took place in June 1916 and a merger was discussed. The group honored the name of the older chapter. Sigma Gamma Phi became the Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Delta.

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In 1967, Honorary Membership was conferred upon Frank Sinatra after he performed a Sunday afternoon concert in Pittsburgh, PA. The Alpha Phi Delta chapter at Youngstown State University sponsored the honorary initiate. 

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While Alpha Phi Delta had its beginnings as an Italian-American heritage fraternity, for more than four decades it has been open to men of all backgrounds.

* http://wp.me/p20I1i-Ru

© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Posted in Alpha Phi Delta, Columbia University, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Syracuse University | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Alpha Phi Delta’s 99th Birthday and the Fraternity’s Connection to Frank Sinatra

Alpha Sigma Tau and Delta Upsilon Celebrate Founders’ Day on the Same Day

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

On November 4, 1899, Alpha Sigma Tau was founded by eight young women, Mable Chase, Ruth Dutcher, May Gephart, Harriet Marx, Eva O’Keefe, Adriance Rice, Helene Rice, and Mayene Tracy. The event took place at the Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The organization became a national one in October 1925.  In 1926, Alpha Sigma Tau joined the Association of Education Sororities (AES). Alpha Sigma Tau became a full member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) when the merger of AES and NPC was formalized in 1951.

Since 1945, Alpha Sigma Tau members have helped support the Pine Mountain Settlement School in Harlan County, Kentucky.*  In 2004, Habitat for Humanity was adopted as a national service project. Each year Alpha Sigma Tau members volunteer with Habit for Humanity in their local communities. Members get involved in several ways. They can help with the actual building/renovation, provide meals, donate food and water, or help with Habitat’s fund-raising efforts. 

* To read more about the Pine Mountain Settlement School see http://wp.me/p20I1i-rw

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Delta Upsilon

Delta Upsilon, was founded by thirty men on November 4, 1834 at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It is the oldest non-secret fraternity.

Ten freshmen, ten sophomores and ten juniors met in the Freshman Recitation Room  of Old West College. They met in opposition of the activities of the two secret societies then at Williams. The name they chose was “Anti-Secret Confederation” (ACS).

Union College men established a chapter in 1838, followed by the Middlebury College group in 1845. In 1847, groups at Hamilton College and Amherst College were formed. The Convention of 1864, adopted the name “Delta Upsilon,” a name which several of the chapters had been using.

Among its distinguished members is football coach Lou Holtz, a member of the Kent State chapter. Hear Coach Holtz offer leadership advice to his Delta Upsilon brothers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKAu3UuVaow&feature=player_embedded

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© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com. 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Posted in Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Upsilon, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Williams College | Tagged , | Comments Off on Alpha Sigma Tau and Delta Upsilon Celebrate Founders’ Day on the Same Day

Happy 104th Birthday Lambda Chi Alpha!

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Lambda Chi Alpha was founded at Boston University on November 2, 1909 by Warren Albert Cole. Most Greek-letter organizations celebrate Founders Day on the date of the founding.  Lambda Chi’s official Founders Day is March 22, according to the Fraternity’s website, “but celebrations typically occur at any time during the spring semester.”

Lambda Chi’s Historian Mike Raymond wrote a terrific article in the March 2011 Cross & Crescent. It is entitled “Why We Have Two Founders Days.” The second date, March 22, was originally called “Lambda Chi Alpha Day.” March 22, 1913 was the date of “the first assembly with representatives from more than one chapter, it was also the place where sweeping changes were made in the fundamental nature of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.”

The October 11, 1939, acquisition of the 24 chapters of Theta Kappa Nu made it the largest fraternity merger that time. Theta Kappa Nu had itself been created when 11  established local fraternities joined together on June 9, 1924. Theta Kappa Nu’s expansion was quick and the pattern of acquiring established locals continued; by the time of the merger, more than 50 Theta Kappa Nu chapters had been established and the fraternity had almost 6,000 members. The Great Depression caused collegiate membership to decline in both organizations (as well as in most fraternities and sororities). The merger documents were signed at Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Alabama. 

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Happy Founders’ Day, Sigma Phi Epsilon!

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

“Mommy, what’s that?” my daughter said as I pinned on my husband’s Sig Ep badge under my Pi Phi arrow while getting ready for an alumnae event. “It’s Daddy’s fraternity pin,” I said. “I didn’t know Daddy was a pirate,” said my daughter, who was three or four at the time, after seeing the skull and crossbones on the badge. This conversation took place more than two decades ago, and a smile comes to my face every time I think about it.

Today, November 1, is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Founders’ Day. Twelve young men at the University of Richmond, one of whom, Carter Ashton Jenkins, was a Chi Phi member from Rutgers University, founded the fraternity in 1901. Jenkins first sought a charter from his fraternity, but the request was declined because the Baptist school was considered too small.

Jenkins then found 11 Richmond men who were also eager to share a brotherhood built upon “the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood.”  They named the organization Sigma Phi unaware that there was already a men’s fraternity by that name. The group added another Greek-letter to the name and became Sigma Phi Epsilon.

One of my favorite Sig Eps (next to my husband, of course) is Theodor Seuss Geisel who is better known as Dr. Seuss. A member of Dartmouth College’s Class of 1925, Geisel was a member of the New Hampshire Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. To read more about Geisel, see the post at http://wp.me/p20I1i-bh.

Sig Ep’s red door tradition had it start at my Alma Mater, Syracuse University. To read more see http://wp.me/p20I1i-rk.

Sig Ep Badge black


 

(c) Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

 

Posted in Dartmouth College, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, NIC, North-American Interfraternity Conference, Sigma Phi Epsilon, University of Richmond (Westhampton College) | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Founders’ Day, Sigma Phi Epsilon!

NPC History for $200, Alex / Jean Mrasek, Elizabeth Dyer, Mary Love Collins, Jobelle Holcombe

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

If Jeopardy! ever had a category called National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the answer/question would be “Which Chi Omegas have served as NPC Chairman.”

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) wrapped up its meeting about two weeks ago, The newly installed NPC Chairman Jean Mrasek is a Chi Omega. Forty-eight years ago, another Chi Omega, Elizabeth Dyer presided at the 39th biennial NPC meeting which took place from October 27-31, 1965.

The site of the 1965 meeting was Williamburg, Virginia, where the first social fraternity (now an honorary fraternity), Phi Beta Kappa, was founded. According to one account printed in an NPC member’s magazine, “The atmosphere of history in this charming town was a vivid reminder of the heritage of free people and recalled the words of Goethe, ‘What you have inherited from your fathers earn over again for yourselves, else it will not be yours.’” 

The Research and Public Relations report was given by Mrs. Mary Love Collins, Chi Omega, who had previously served as NPC Chairman from 1919-21.

Dyer was employed by the University of Cincinnati from 1924-52. She served the university as director of the School of Household Administration and Dean of the College of Home Economics. In addition to serving as NPC Chairman, Dyer was Chi Omega’s National President from 1952-70.

Elizabeth Dyer (Photo courtesy of the University of Cincinnati Archives)

Elizabeth Dyer (Photo courtesy of the University of Cincinnati Archives)

Founder Jobelle Holcombe also served as NPC Chair in 1907. She is the only founder of a current NPC to have served as Chairman.*

In a 2012 post on NPC’s Sorority Parents website, Mrasek wrote, “My first sorority convention was 30 years ago. I was chapter president and arrived at the national meeting totally wide-eyed and anxious to learn more about Chi Omega’s history and teachings. It was an incredible experience that taught me that the sisterhood circle was much larger than I ever imagined. I was impressed with the intergenerational aspect of the gathering – collegians and alumnae of all ages. I left inspired as a Chi Omega chapter officer who could make a difference on my campus. I did not dream that my degree of impact one day would be widespread as an elected national officer of my beloved fraternity. And I did not realize the number of lasting friendships that would be formed as a result of my involvement with NPC.  Indeed, the sisterhood circle is much larger than I ever imagined. Not only do I have a special bond with my Chi Omega sisters, but I have a special bond with my Panhellenic sisters who also share common values and standards.”

Best wishes to Chairman Mrasek as she begins her service in as NPC Chairman!

* see http://wp.me/p20I1i-11k for more information. (Early readers of this post will note that  Jobelle Holcomb’s name was omitted for an hour or so. My apologies for the oversight and thank the Lord for the “update” button!)


 

© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Posted in Chi Omega, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Mary Love Collins, National Panhellenic Conference, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on NPC History for $200, Alex / Jean Mrasek, Elizabeth Dyer, Mary Love Collins, Jobelle Holcombe

Edith Head, Delta Zeta’s 1968 Woman of the Year

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Fashion designer Edith Head was born on October 28, 1897. She was Delta Zeta’s 1960 Convention initiate as a member of Mu Chapter at the University of California-Berkeley. Head was a Berkeley graduate and had a master’s degree from Stanford University. She started as a teacher, took a few art courses so she could teach art, and by happenstance, applied for a job at one of the studios. Her hard work and perseverance paid off.

In 1968, she was Delta Zeta’s Woman of the Year. She had an unprecedented 35 Oscar nominations, of which she won eight. Moreover, she had 400 film credits over the course of her 50-year career. She was the first female head of a movie studio costume design department.

She lent her many talents to the Southern California Council of  Delta Zeta for their Lamplighters’ Flame Fantasy fashion show and luncheon during the 1960s and 1970s. The February 1968  show took place in the Century Plaza Hotel. More than a 1,000 alumnae and their friends attended the show. According to pre-event publicity, “Delta Zeta’s own Edith Head, Academy Award winning costume designer and noted author, will commentate the couturier show which will feature original California designs.”

Betty Davis called her “one of Hollywood’s greatest designers. She was an amazing woman in a field that was dominated by men in the 1930s and 1940s. While other designers were busy starring their clothes in a film, Edith was making clothes to suit a character; for her, the character always came first.”

Delta Zeta’s Foundation awards a scholarship in her name. Members studying fashion design or a related field are eligible. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6504 Hollywood Blvd.

Head died in 1981, four days shy  of her 84th birthday.

220px-Edith_Head(c) Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Posted in Delta Zeta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, Sorority History, Stanford University, University of California at Berkeley | Comments Off on Edith Head, Delta Zeta’s 1968 Woman of the Year