Category Archives: Sorority History

“Hazing as Girls Practice It” – The University of Chicago’s Esoteric Club, 1896

“What objection can Miss Talbott (sic) make to a national fraternity in the face of this?” was written on a page that had an undated article entitled “Hazing as Girls Practice it.” It was in with some late 1890s correspondence … Continue reading

Posted in American Association of University Women, Bradley University, Davida Harper Eaton, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Panhellenic Conference, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, University of Chicago, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Hazing as Girls Practice It” – The University of Chicago’s Esoteric Club, 1896

Happy Founders’ Day, Kappa Alpha Theta!

On January 27, 1870, Bettie Locke [Hamilton] stood before a mirror and repeated the words of the Kappa Alpha Theta initiation vow she had written. She then initiated Alice Allen [Brant], Bettie Tipton [Lindsey], and Hannah Fitch [Shaw]. In 1867, … Continue reading

Posted in DePauw University, Founders' Day, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Notable Sorority Women, Phi Gamma Delta, Sorority History, Women's Fraternities | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Founders’ Day, Kappa Alpha Theta!

George Banta and the Delta Gamma / Phi Delta Theta Connection

There are a few men who names emerge in the history of women’s fraternities/sororities. These men include Dr. Wesley P. Coddington, Dr. Charles Richardson, Dr. Guy Potter Benton, and the Right Reverend Edward D. Kelly. The man most influential in … Continue reading

Posted in Delta Gamma, Fran Favorite, Franklin College, Fraternity meetings, George Banta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Phi Delta Theta, Sorority History, The Anchora of Delta Gamma | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on George Banta and the Delta Gamma / Phi Delta Theta Connection

Alumnae Panhellenics: The Foundation for Sorority Success

My thanks to Jane Sutton, Alpha Xi Delta and National Panhellenic Conference Chairman, for being today’s guest blogger. Jane also has her own blog at http://alphaxideltanpc.blogspot.com/ As chairman of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and previously as the national president … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Fraternity meetings, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, University of Colorado, University of Denver, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Alumnae Panhellenics: The Foundation for Sorority Success

Happy Founders’ Day, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated!

There is an updated post for 2016. See http://wp.me/s20I1i-9537. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, the first Greek-letter organization for African-American women, was founded on January 15, 1908 by nine young female Howard University students. They were led by the vision of Ethel … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Kappa Alpha, First Ladies, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Howard University, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Notable Sorority Women, NPHC, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Happy Founders’ Day, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated!

Happy Birthday, Carrie Chapman Catt!

“Carrie Chapman Catt, the person who was instrumental in getting women the right to vote, was in a sorority? You’ve got to be kidding me!,” exclaimed a student in the women’s studies discussion session I led years ago as a … Continue reading

Posted in Carrie Chapman Catt, Chi Omega, Founders' Day, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Grace Coolidge, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday, Carrie Chapman Catt!

“My Sorority,” A Surprise Gift

A surprise gift from my Alpha Gamma Delta and P.E.O. friend, Nann Blaine Hilyard, set me on a quest to find out more about her delightful gift. It was wrapped in star paper and tied with a yellow ribbon, harkening, … Continue reading

Posted in American Association of University Women, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, P.E.O., Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Chi, Sorority History, University of Illinois, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on “My Sorority,” A Surprise Gift

The Circle of Sisterhood – Sorority Women Helping Women Worldwide!

“Why can’t we have a sisterhood (society/sorority) of our own?”  is a theme that can be found in most of the histories of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) women’s fraternities/sororities. It was a similar kind of thought that led to … Continue reading

Posted in Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, Sorority History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Circle of Sisterhood – Sorority Women Helping Women Worldwide!

Maria Leonard, Alpha Lambda Delta Founder and Illini Dean of Women

Maria Leonard was an alumna of Butler University. After studying voice at Butler, she earned a Master’s degree in mathematics from Colorado College. Her intention was to be a mathematics teacher. Educational administration was then a relatively new field and, … Continue reading

Posted in Butler University, Colorado College, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, University of Illinois | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Maria Leonard, Alpha Lambda Delta Founder and Illini Dean of Women

Happy Birthday to My Favorite First Lady, Grace Coolidge!

January 3 is the birthday of Grace Goodhue Coolidge. Gracious and humble, she was a dedicated member of Pi Beta Phi, having been a charter member of the chapter at the University of Vermont. She also served as Alpha Province … Continue reading

Posted in Boston University, First Ladies, Fran Favorite, GLO, Grace Coolidge, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Notable Sorority Women, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Beta Phi, Presidents, Sorority History, University of Vermont, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday to My Favorite First Lady, Grace Coolidge!