Category Archives: Fran Favorite

100 Years of the Phoenix Panhellenic Association, Virtually

On June 13, 2020, the Phoenix Panhellenic Association made this announcement about its Centennial celebration: We have made the difficult decision to go virtual on August 8th and move to the evening. The restrictions for social distancing in a ballroom … Continue reading

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Monmouth College in 1870

What was life like for women the women  who founded Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma at Monmouth College, in 1867 and 1870, respectively? It certainly was quite different than it is for the women enrolled in Monmouth College … Continue reading

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On Alpha Gamma Delta’s Founding Day

Alpha Gamma Delta was founded at Syracuse University on May 30, 1904 at the home of Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, a Syracuse University professor.  It is the youngest of the Syracuse Triad, the three National Panhellenic Conference organizations founded at … Continue reading

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What’s the Difference Between a Women’s Fraternity and a Sorority?

“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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What Happened to Sororities at Wesleyan College?

Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, is the founding home of Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu. About 100 years ago the sororities were forced to close.

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WAVES and Grace Coolidge on Memorial Day

When America was in the midst of World War II, women had limited opportunities to be of service. Some women became WAVES. Established by Public Law 689 on July 30, 1942, the official name of the WAVES, the acronym for … Continue reading

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Happy 118th Birthday, NPC!

May 24, 1902, is a special day for the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the umbrella organization of 26 women’s fraternities/sororities. I’m posting this a day early, so tomorrow can be a celebration. A first meeting of seven women’s organizations happened … Continue reading

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RIP Phyllis George, Zeta Tau Alpha

Phyllis George “brought great honor to both local and national Zeta chapters when she was first crowned Miss Dallas, then Miss Texas and finally Miss America,” according to the Zeta Tau Alpha page in the 1971 Yucca, the yearbook of … Continue reading

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On Alpha Delta Pi’s Founders’ Day

Alpha Delta Pi was founded as the Adelphean Society on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia. In 1905, the sisterhood changed its name to Alpha Delta Phi and installed its second chapter at Salem College in … Continue reading

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The Sorority Quad at Northwestern University

The first time I saw the sorority quadrangle at Northwestern University in the early 198os, I was enthralled by its vibe. I had the opportunity to work with the Pi Phi chapter at Northwestern and fell further in love with … Continue reading

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