On October 13, 1870, Kappa Kappa Gamma made its debut at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. It has been said that Kappa’s organization took place earlier in the year, but its public appearance didn’t take place until October “because they were unable to secure their badges more promptly.” Having walked the Monmouth campus and downtown many times, I always try to envision what life was like for those 1870 coeds. It never fails to amaze me that Kappa and its Monmouth Duo partner, Pi Beta Phi, are here today. Both were forced to cease operations when the college banned all fraternal organizations in the late 1870s.
In those days, the Alpha Chapter, the Mother Chapter, was typically the head of governance of the organization. It issued charters and ran the show. Lucky for both Kappa and Pi Phi that the women who joined the other young chapters of the organizations took charge of things and continued without their respective Alpha chapters. Those who follow the founders often don’t have their status or glory, but their work as “builders” is of vital importance to the organization.
One of the most influential of early Kappa builders was Tade Hartsuff of the Mu Chapter at Butler University. As an undergraduate she advocated for a Grand Council governance model and she proposed the founding of a fraternity magazine. She served as Kappa’s first Grand President while still an undergraduate. During her term of office, Kappa invited six groups to a meeting in Boston. It was the first attempt at Panhellenic cooperation. She was Grand President from 1881-1884. She graduated the same year that she left office.
In 1886, she married John Bugher Kuhns, a member of Phi Delta Theta. She loved attending Kappa conventions and she was at the 50th anniversary celebration on Mackinac Island. At the Golden Jubilee Tade Hartsuff Kuhns gave to Kappa Kappa Gamma the full length portrait Elizabeth Gowdy Baker painted of her. I’ve seen it in person and it is breathtaking. Baker, an alumna of the Monmouth College Kappa chapter, captured Kuhn’s spirit, and the painting is simple and yet elegant at the same time.
The 50th Anniversary of Kappa Kappa Gamma was celebrated in 1920 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. Although two founders, Louise Bennett Boyd and Jeannette Boyd were still alive, they were unable to attend the festivities. No only were the two Kappa sisters, they were also sisters-in-law, Louise having married Jeannette’s brother. The two wrote a letter which was published in The Key:
Dear Kappa Sisters: Permit us to thank you for the many kind words spoken of the early Kappas, and especially of the ‘Founders’ at the recent Convention, and also for the lovely invitation to be their guests during the Convention and ‘in transitu.’ We regretted very much that we could not accept the hospitality of the Kappa girls and have a part in all the interesting ‘doings’ of the Convention. We more than ever regret it since meeting a number of those who attended and who have given us such glowing accounts of the gaities they enjoyed. I presume we might have contributed a unique group at the ‘bal masque’ as the greatgrandmothers of the order – any way, we should have enjoyed looking on.
We very highly appreciate the favor done us in giving us an honorary connection with the ‘Students’ Aid Fund’ which will prove such a blessing to many an ambitious girl of the future and we trust that it may grow into a rival of the Carnegie Fund in the coming years. If we can be of any service in the way of information at any time, we shall be glad to know of it. With greetings to all the Kappa girls we are, very sincerely, Yours in the Kappa bonds.
Helen C. Shepherd, a member of the Upsilon Chapter at Northwestern University, wrote of her convention experience. Although 100 years have passed, I think her words are as true today as they were then:
The greatest impression which I received was the ‘spirit’ of Kappa. I had never realized or thought how big Kappa really is, and I believe there are others like me. It seemed to me that Kappa was centered only around the chapter in which I was initiated and the alumnae of my own chapter. I was very much startled when I realized that all the girls in the big dining room of the Grand Hotel at Mackinac knew the secrets and ideals of Kappa Kappa Gamma….So many new ideas that other chapters have tried I have brought home, and the one which stand out the foremost — is the ‘spirit’ of Kappahood. I hope that I can express to my chapter that which seemed most impressive to me.
The pictures from the convention which were published in The Key were wonderful. Here are a few of my favorites. I was glad to see that Tade Hartsuff Kuhns, one of Kappa’s greatest builders, was there to enjoy the festivities.
Happy 150th, Kappa Kappa Gamma. With love from a member of your Monmouth Duo partner.
