Category Archives: National Panhellenic Conference

ΘΥ, ΒΣΟ, ΦΩΠ, the 1939-41 NPC Executive Committee – Whatever Happened to Them?

The 1937 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) meeting took place at the Beekman Tower (Panhellenic), the New York City hotel built by NPC women, originally for NPC women.* The meeting was chaired by Harriet Williamson Tuft, Beta Phi Alpha. The next … 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

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Sorority Members Rush To and Fro in the Summer of 1910

Has Fran finally lost it? Why is she using this picture? It looks like a hot mess all the way around. In 2013, taking a candid picture is not at all noteworthy. But back in the summer of 1910 when … Continue reading

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E. Jean Nelson Penfield, KKG, and Carrie Chapman Catt, ΠΒΦ, the Monmouth Duo of Suffragists

Eliza Jean Nelson (Penfield), who was born and raised in Greencastle, Indiana, graduated from DePauw University in 1893. While a student, she became a member of the Iota chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She attended the 1891 Panhellenic meeting in … Continue reading

Posted in Carrie Chapman Catt, DePauw University, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on E. Jean Nelson Penfield, KKG, and Carrie Chapman Catt, ΠΒΦ, the Monmouth Duo of Suffragists

A Kite, a Key, Some Arrows, and Two Alpha Phis, 1890 Panhellenic Spirit in D.C.

In the summer of 1890, a group of women who belonged to Pi Beta Phi’s two-year-old chapter at George Washington University spent the summer in D.C. “It has been our good fortune this summer to meet with members of other … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Fran Favorite, George Washington University, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Kite, a Key, Some Arrows, and Two Alpha Phis, 1890 Panhellenic Spirit in D.C.

“Unworthy of Womanly Dignity,” Recruitment Rules, University of Kansas, 1888

In 1870, only eight state universities were coeducational; the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, was one of the eight. Its women’s fraternity system dates to April 1, 1873, when the Kansas Alpha chapter of Pi Beta Phi** was chartered. … Continue reading

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120 Years Ago Today, Fraternity Men and Women Gathered in Chicago at the World’s Fair

Chicago was the place to be in the summer of 1893. The World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, was taking place. July 19, 1893 also has the distinction of being the first time the men and … Continue reading

Posted in Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, Conventions, Delta Delta Delta, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Men's Fraternities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Panhellenic Conference, NIC, North-American Interfraternity Conference, NPHC, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 120 Years Ago Today, Fraternity Men and Women Gathered in Chicago at the World’s Fair

NPC Women Meet for Lunch at Marshall Field’s, Chicago, July 1912

On July 1, 1912, ten years after the first National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) meeting in May of 1902, and nine months after the 1911 annual meeting, eighteen women representing eight of the sixteen NPC organizations met for lunch. The Pan-Hellenic … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Chi Omega, Conventions, Delta Delta Delta, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on NPC Women Meet for Lunch at Marshall Field’s, Chicago, July 1912

Phi Sigma Sigma Celebrates Its Centennial in NYC

From July 10-14, 2013, Phi Sigma Sigma members will gather at the 2013 convention and celebrate the organization’s Centennial. The convention will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Times Square. The festivities will include a trip to Hunter College, … Continue reading

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All Aboard!! Special Trains to Conventions – the Fun Before the Fun!

The collegians and alumni/ae who are headed to conventions this summer will likely drive or fly to their destinations. Imagine what it must have been like when rail travel was the way people got to where they were going! “Specials,” … Continue reading

Posted in Conventions, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment