Category Archives: Women’s Fraternity History

Q. “Which Is the Best Fraternity? A. “And There You Are!”

The academic year is gearing up on campuses all across the country. For some, it means that fraternity and sorority recruitment time is near. Best wishes to the young men and women making decisions as to which organization they will … Continue reading

Posted in Fran Favorite, George Banta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Q. “Which Is the Best Fraternity? A. “And There You Are!”

“The Best Man/Woman in the Chapter” With Thoughts of Thomas Arkle Clark

One of my all-time favorite magazines is Banta’s Greek Exchange. Sadly, it has not been published since 1973. For 60 years Banta’s Greek Exchange printed information from fraternity and sorority magazines along with feature articles and other items of interest to … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Alpha Phi Quarterly, Alpha Tau Omega, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, University of Illinois, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , | Comments Off on “The Best Man/Woman in the Chapter” With Thoughts of Thomas Arkle Clark

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

Posted in Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, University of Kansas, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Unworthy of Womanly Dignity,” Recruitment Rules, University of Kansas, 1888

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

A Centennial Convention for Delta Sigma Theta; D.C. is Awash in Crimson and Cream

This morning, Friday, July 12, 2013, at 6:45 a.m., Delta Sigma Thetas and their friends and families began gathering in front of the Lincoln Memorial for a 5K Centennial Walk and Health Fair. Sponsored by the Delta Research and Educational … Continue reading

Posted in Conventions, Delta Sigma Theta, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Howard University, NPHC, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , | Comments Off on A Centennial Convention for Delta Sigma Theta; D.C. is Awash in Crimson and Cream

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

Posted in Conventions, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Hunter College, National Panhellenic Conference, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Phi Sigma Sigma Celebrates Its Centennial in NYC

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