You're welcome, Bishop Love.

I just knew you were going to quote that paragraph and say something! :)

LOL..... I mean, it's just really interesting to me.

Alpha Phi Alpha sent a letter of congratulations to Omega Psi Phi when they were founded. My history book does not quote my founders as saying anything negative about any other organization.

If the Omega founders didn't find what they were looking for, so be it. But don't say there was no brotherhood. If there wasn't, we certainly wouldn't have lasted for a century.

I'm relating what he said.This goes directly to the issue being raised in this thread. This is history. He said something in a speech I read ,not mentioning APhiA by name,which was a bit stronger. From what I've heard--from people I've known who met him and from his testimony--he was a good and gracious man who loved God and humanity, esp. young people, a scholar and a gentleman; but he also didn't mince his words. He was one who spoke his mind about what he believed, not out of pettiness or jealousy but out of his idealist convictions of what was right and wrong in his mind, whether it was taking to task those in one of his congregations for being misguided and falsely sanctimonious when the church elders got on him for putting a pool table in his church for the young people to keep them out of the streets or playing badminton with them on Sundays and the injurious nature of Fraternity politics to his views on communism and African American self-help philosophy.He verbally "wrecked."

Ok.

ALPHA XIDELTA

In the 1890s, Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois, admitted women students, but provided little for them other than academic programming. Physical facilities for women were limited and only a few cultural and spiritual programs were offered to them. In 1873, a local sorority named I.C. Sorosis had become a chapter of Pi Beta Phi National Fraternity, becoming the only organized women’s group on campus. Chapters of Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Nu provided fraternal life for the men on campus. Social activities and a nucleus of friendship were available to their members.

Harriet Luella McCollum had attended Lombard Preparatory School for two years, and in 1893 was a student at the college. Along with Cora Bollinger, she wanted to form a local sorority to encourage personal friendships, promote friendlier contacts with the entire student body, and be of active service to the college. Harriet and Cora shared rooms, one of them a sitting room sparsely furnished with a few straight backed chairs, two low rockers and a small table.

Harriet and Cora met in these rooms behind drawn shades with Lucy Gilmer, Eliza Curtis, and Frances and Almira Cheney. Before long, Bertha Cook, Julia Maude Foster, and Lewie Strong joined them and their secret planning became intense. Alice Bartlett, the youngest at only 15, completed the circle of ten. Attempts by other groups to organize societies had failed, and so secrecy was vital until the official announcement of their plans was to be made. Never more than two girls at a time would arrive at the rooms for a meeting, spacing their arrivals to avoid suspicion. When they saw each other on campus, they were very casual. Lucy Gilmer and Lewie Strong lived in rooms at Mrs. Hadley’s Boarding Hall. Most of the other girls living there were Pi Phis, so Lucy and Lewie ignored each other for fear of giving away their plans. Years later, Lucy and Lewie talked about ducking below the windows of the trolley on their way to planning sessions so that no Pi Phis would see them.

THE SIGMA NU CONNECTION
Since the Pi Phis and Phi Delts had been closely aligned, the idea of another women’s group was enthusiastically welcomed by the Sigma Nus. Several Sigma Nus assisted the fledgling group with organizational ideas. The Constitution and Bylaws were drafted and signed in Julia Maude Foster’s room because it was far from the campus and thought to be safe. A service had been written and a song, whistle and yell composed. Inspired by the familiar quote, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” Lewie Strong had designed the badge, a Quill. The design was given to a local jeweler in anticipation that the Quills would be ready for the girls to wear when they made their first public appearance and announcement. In case the sorority chose to affiliate with Kappa Kappa Gamma when it “went national,” the colors chosen were double blue. Cora and Lucy chose the pink rose as a complement to the white rose of Sigma Nu.

A committee chaired by Cora Bollinger called upon Professor John C. Lee, acting president of Lombard College, to present their plans. They received not only approval but also assurances that the faculty would be pleased to have a second women’s fraternity on the campus. Richard Brown, a leader of independent students, was told of the plans and also lent encouragement to their cause.

Although their badges were not ready, they set the date of April 17 to make their new Fraternity public. A few minutes before chapel time, the Founders met in the room of the Zetecalian Literary Society to pin on knots of double blue ribbon and pink roses, which had been smuggled into the room. With sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks, and proud postures, the ten young women entered the chapel after the faculty and students had been seated. They quietly sat near the back of the room. After a moment of startled silence, the Sigma Nus led congratulatory applause.

After chapel, the girls showed their spirit with the yell they had composed, with emphasis on the last two lines.

Delta! Delta! Alpha Xi Delta!

Anig Banan geefen way! (A collection of Anglo-Saxon syllables, not a sentence, pronounce as it looks.)

Sprechen sie wohl, Alpha Xi Delta! (German,meaning “You say well.” Pronounce spreck’en zie vohl.)

Avons L’intention rester! (French, indicating the intention of being a long-lasting group. Pronounce ah-vohn’ laan-tawn’see-ohn’ ress-tay’.)

Because the Sigma Nus wanted to do something nice for their new Greek sisters to mark this special occasion, two of them outraced two Phi Delts to buy up the box seats for a performance of “Othello,” being presented at the auditorium on April 25. The Alphas and the Sigs enjoyed the play immensely. The Quills were finally ready on April 26, and one of the Founders noted on the card to which these stickpin badges were attached, “too late for ‘Othello’.” Bertha Cook Evans recalled years later that the badges cost $1.25 each, dues were 25 cents a term, and each girl paid an equal share of expenses for parties. The parties were usually held at Alice Bartlett’s home because she was the only town girl in the group.

Bertha also told about a serenade at a Sigma Nu meeting, which was after 6 o’clock one evening. Young ladies were not permitted to be on campus at this hour. The next morning, telltale footprints made by the Alpha Xis in a patch of bare ground were noticed by a member looking out from the window of a classroom. A friendly Sig enlisted a kindly janitor to rake the ground before the footprints could be discovered by a faculty member. The Alpha Xis’ terrible crime remained a secret.

The ages of the Founders ranged from 15 to 26 years. It may be this diversity that explains the youthful enthusiasm coupled with mature wisdom displayed in the development of the enduring purpose, goals and organization of Alpha Xi Delta. In later years, Almira Cheney wrote that the Founders felt that the Universalist-Unitarian philosophy which seven of them embraced, and which stressed the individual worth of each human being, including women, had great bearing on the formation of the fraternity ideals, which have been enduring with the passage of time.

Only seven members returned to Lombard in the fall of 1893. Discussions were held about adding to their members and all agreed that they must choose carefully to assure that the ideals of the group would be maintained. Three new members were initiated that fall. Chapter growth was slow, with the chapter reaching a membership of only 23 even years later. The relationships of the young women were intense, primarily a sharing of friendship and pride. At the beginning of each school year, the Alpha Xi Deltas sponsored a party for all students at the college so that everyone could get acquainted, but especially to help the freshmen become comfortable in their new environment. The idea of joining a national organization was considered, but the members felt that they wanted to perpetuate the name of Alpha Xi Delta and the qualities that they felt were important for its members.

GOING NATIONAL

During the next several years, the chapter continued to grow in membership. Then in 1902, several women did the extraordinary thing of transforming a small local sorority into a national fraternity that would one day be known from coast to coast. Edna Epperson Brinkman and Marion Wrigley Fischer had the vision and the ability to succeed in nationalizing Alpha Xi Delta. During these early years, there always were a few members who thought that the group should join an existing national fraternity. But Marion Wrigley, who had come to Lombard from Chicago, believed that the Alpha Xis had so much to give girls that they should share it by becoming a national organization. In September 1901, she returned to school determined that Alpha Xi Delta should nationalize. As president of the group, Edna Epperson was startled by Marion’s stand and frequently asked her how the nationalization was to be accomplished. Marion wasn’t sure about the “how,” but continued to press for action.

Edna Epperson realized that plans should be kept under cover if they were to be successful. She asked her father who among his group of attorney friends could be trusted to help. He referred her to J.J. Welsh, a Sigma Nu. Alice Bartlett was chosen to assist in the effort. During the fall, winter and spring of 1901-1902, the two young women visited Mr. Welsh about ten times to build the plans and write the preliminary constitution.

In February, Edna and Alice submitted their plans. Later, contracts began with the girls in the PEO chapter in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. They had indicated they were interested in becoming the second chapter in a new women’s Greek letter organization. Marion recalled the thrill that she felt when she learned that Iowa Wesleyan had decided to become Alpha Xi Delta’s Beta Chapter. “What a lucky break that was for us! This group was one of a widely known organization, and had the experiences we sadly lacked. Their enthusiasm was unbounded and their loyalty unquestionable.” It was with the addition of Beta Chapter that a gold ribbon was added to the double blue.

Gamma Chapter at Mt. Union College soon followed, holding their own with the other groups on their campus and having the respect and support of faculty members. With the cooperation of these two new chapters, the young women from Lombard felt that nothing could prevent even further growth.

Taken from alphaxidelta.org

SAI is dicussed earlier in the thread, so here's Phi Sig's story:

The Founders
The story of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity actually begins well over
100 years ago. In 1892, the Missouri Beta Chapter of Phi Lambda Epsilon
was organized as the first fraternity at the State Teachers College at Warrensburg, Missouri (known today as Central Missouri State University). In the spring of 1914, the chapter was disbanded, but from its ashes rose a new group; an organization focused on strong academic achievement, service to mankind, and a celebration of fellowship. Several members of Phi Lambda Epsilon, along with other male students, took their plans for this new fraternity to the faculty.
At first, the faculty did not look favorably on this endeavor, mostly because of the recent closing of Phi Lambda Epsilon. However, three influential men gave their support and encouragement to this fledgling group. The faculty was swayed by these three men into granting the establishment of the new fraternity, and on February 14, 1916, Phi Sigma Pi was born. These three men were the fraternity’s founders, Dr. Eldo L. Hendricks, Dr. Claude A. Phillips, and Dr. C. H. McClure.

The Birth of Phi Sigma Pi
On February 14, 1916, Phi Sigma Pi was founded and originally named Phi
Sigma Pi Honorary Professional Fraternity. The three founders decided that
Phi Sigma Pi would stress not only scholarship, leadership, and fellowship, but
do so in a concept of an equal tripod dedicated to these three ideals. Dr.
Hendricks, the leading force behind the creation of Phi Sigma Pi, was the first
person to sign a Phi Sigma Pi roll book and is therefore known as Alpha 1. He
was followed by Dean Phillips and Professor McClure. In addition to the three
faculty members, the first chapter included ten undergraduate and honorary members.

Phi Sigma Pi Goes Co-Ed (1976 – 1979)
Late in 1975, East Carolina University contacted the Tau Chapter to inform
them they were in violation of Final Title IX Regulation Implementing Education
Amendments of 1972 Prohibiting Sex Discrimination in Education (hereafter
referred to as Title IX). After consulting with the United States Department of
Health, Education and Welfare, it was concluded that the national organization must allow Tau Chapter to admit eligible women or the chapter would cease to exist by July 1, 1976. Under Title IX guidelines, Phi Sigma Pi, as an honor
fraternity, would be required to become coeducational since remaining an allmale organization would have a discriminatory effect upon the future career
opportunities of eligible women (social fraternal organizations are exempt from
Title IX). At the October 7, 1977, National Convention in Washington, D. C., under the leadership of President Richard J. Donald, Iota 800, the National Constitution was amended to admit eligible women, thus ensuring that Phi Sigma Pi would remain an honor fraternity. Women were admitted into Phi Sigma Pi beginning in the fall semester of 1977. Alpha Chapter was reactivated coeducational and Brother Laura Abney became the first woman to be inducted. Tau Chapter was the first existing chapter to induct a female Honorary Brother, Clauda Pennock Todd, Tau 879. The other chapters gradually went coeducational, with Sigma Chapter being the last all-male chapter to admit women in the autumn of 1989. The word, “Brother,” would now come to mean both men and women. The decision to admit females had an enormous impact on Phi Sigma Pi, both in the 1970’s and today. This decision was not welcomed with open arms by the majority of the Phi Sigma Pi Brotherhood. In an excerpt from a letter to the National Office written by a chapter president, it was said “…we are signing our own bill of execution and are baring our necks to the axe. We foresee a fast-approaching end to a fine, outstanding sixty year tradition which has, on our campus, designated a body of exemplary men.” Barry Mitsch, Tau 826, was the initiate advisor when “Sweetheart” was inducted as an Honorary Brother into Tau Chapter. “We were entering the unknown, and it was a challenging time. The fraternity broke into two camps, one that did not want to admit women and was even willing to lose university recognition, and one that understood the need to change. I think the induction of Sweetheart was part of the healing process. I remember it as a joyous occasion. She was quite a remarkable lady in her own respect but usually stayed in the background. Dr. Todd had such big energy, and Sweetheart was the perfect sidekick.”
Today, of course, history tells us that admitting females had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the growth and development
of Phi Sigma Pi. But in the late 1970’s, this seemingly radical change
was difficult for many Brothers to accept. Many Brothers left the fold, and by
1980, only eight chapters remained; Theta, Iota, Pi, Sigma, Tau, Phi, Alpha Alpha and Beta Gamma Chapters.

The above taken from the "Scholar's Province"--the official pledge manual of the fraternity.

Long story short--In the years to follow, under the guidance of many dedicated brothers the fraternity saw many dormant chapters reactivated. And, by the 1990's we were growing by an average of 8 chapters a year.

This goes to pet peeve of mine:facile explanations about the origins of BGLOs. Usually, it goes something like this: They were founded as a response to exclusion by white GLOs--an awkward half-truth. If tis was the case, it could be argued that only APhiA, KAPsi and SGRho had reason to exist, and even then that would not be an accurate accounting of the rise of these groups.

Even in the first Omega history book by Dr. Herman Dreer the fact that there was a fraternity on Howard's campus when Omega was formed is not even mentioned; and the second by Dr. Robert Gill briefly,in passing, mentions the founding of Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and the social differences which occasioned the founding of Omega. This story (as the stories of all NPHC groups) have not been fully told, which is important, not for polemical purposes but to understand this movement in the context of the social history of the African American and Greek-Letter communities. I have a question which I can't answer: Why did Omega Psi Phi have such a difficult time with Howard's administration in getting recognition? From what I know--please correct me if I'm wrong!--neither APhiA, AKA, DST, PBS nor ZPhiB ran into any significant resistance from the powers that be at Howard. Bishop Love says that the three undergraduate Founders were threatened with expulsion at one point. History is about the 411--the story behind the story!

And you would be wrong. But maybe in your case it had something to do with Bishop Love's verbal "wrecking."

Please elaborate with evidence;enquiring minds want to know. Bishop Love was a real character. With the same verve, idealism and forthrightness he and his friends had in founding Omega they also supported and egged on some of their disaffected/disgruntled AKA friends who also wanted to do something different at Howard.

Since you know "this", then you should also know the problems we had in getting recognized, too. Oh and his "friends" were not disaffected nor disgruntled. After all they were the only collegiate members of the sorority. So how can they be disaffected from or disgruntled with themselves? Could it have just been that two of your four were merely supporting their girlfriends' visions of the future?

Please don't make it sound as if the Omegas were knights in shining armour, who after going through great turmoil to get recognized came to the defense of ladies in distress. Trust, those 22 didn't need egging on from anyone. And as a result of what they did and what the alumnae AKAs did there became two highly impactful sororities (growing to four) serving our community.

And I am just speculating that maybe your hard time was because of how the administration was approached. Your were the one who brought up Bishop Love's penchant for verbally "wrecking."

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
 

From www.sgrho1922.org:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven young educators: Mary Lou Allison Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Downey Martin and Cubena McClure. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University.

In a time when education for African Americans was difficult to attain, the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho became educators. They believed that the self-respect, knowledge and discipline gained through study would help individuals to recognize their duty and responsibility for their society. Thus, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the precept of education and continues to promote and encourage high scholastic attainment.

From seven young educators, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendships and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime.

Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress." The sorority has a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist, including OPERATION BigBookBag, a program designed to address the needs, challenges and issues that face school-aged children who are educationally at-risk in local homeless shelters and extended care hospitals. The objective is for chapters to provide their local homeless shelters and children hospitals with educational materials, equipment and supplies. Other national projects include Wee Savers, Project Reassurance and Habitat for Humanity, Sigma Gamma Rho built seven homes across the United States in Florida, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, California, and Texas.

The service of Sigma Gamma Rho from a global perspective includes Project Africa and Project Mwanamugimu. Through active participation in programs and through networking with other organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, Urban League and the NAACP, Sigma's legacy of service to improve the quality of life for all mankind continues.

The Story Behind the Founding of Alpha Phi Omega
 

ALPHA PHI OMEGA

The Story Behind the Founding
by Frank Reed Horton, Founder

During the first world war, I served as an ensign in the United States Navy aboard a minesweeper in the North Sea. Our ship and its partner exploded more than 1,000 magnetic mines. My law school background at Boston University led to my appointment to try court martial cases in our Division. When we reached ports some of the sailors ran wild. Many court martial cases resulted. I saw young boys in their teens getting into trouble.

Because of these experiences, I made a firm resolution within myself that if I returned alive, I would try to do two things and do them with all my power. First, do my best to help young people get the right start in life by holding up before them a "standard of manhood" that would withstand the test of time! Second and just as important, try to help the nations of the world settle their disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war.

After the war, I became a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. One evening, while attending an American Legion banquet during my sophomore year, I sat next to an inspiring man named Herbert G. Horton. We were not related but we became fast friends. He, too, had been a naval officer but was now serving as the local Scout Executive. He helped me to become a Deputy Scout Commissioner. One of the troops needed a leader, so I became a Scoutmaster as well.

Through these experiences, I found that the Scout Oath and Law were what I had been seeking - a standard of manhood that would withstand the test of time and a code of ideals created and accepted by some of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.

The summer of my junior year was spent as an Associate Camp Director at the Easton Scout Reservation. Here I was impressed with the religious tolerance in the hearts of the boys. This I have not found so easily among older people. Scouts of the Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths worked together in everything at camp, and everyone had an opportunity to worship on his Sabbath in his own way.

My Brothers in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity house, where I lived, who were outstanding for high ideals and clean living, were all former Scouts. I felt a college organization should be formed that would strengthen men in these ideals, and give them an opportunity for Leadership experience and for Service to others.

As a senior at Lafayette College, I talked to some of the men with a Scouting background and the response was good. These men would join an organization based on the ideals of Scouting. I created the name Alpha Phi Omega, the motto and the Greek words and their meaning and wrote the Ritual. Everett W. Probst designed the pin and drew the Coat-of-Arms. Thane S. Cooley suggested the handclasp. Ellsworth S. Dobson and Gordon M. Looney helped write the Constitution and Bylaws.

Fourteen undergraduates signed as charter Members. Scouting advisors were Dr. Ray O. Wyland and Herbert G. Horton.

The Lafayette College Faculty approved the petition for recognition. On December 16, 1925, I conducted the Ritual Initiation at Brainerd Hall, second floor, and Alpha Phi Omega was born.

My purpose was to make Alpha Phi Omega an organization for college men who cooperated with all youth movements, especially Scouting. I also anticipated that our Service program would expand to help people in need everywhere and to do service on the campus of each Chapter.

As Scouting is worldwide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be worldwide, gradually in the colleges and universities of all the nations. Alpha Phi Omega can help bring about, through the future statesmen of the world, that standard of manhood and international understanding and friendship that will lead to a better, more peaceful world in which to live and in which to make a living and a life.


The above is on our website here: http://www.apo.org/show/About_Us/His...d_the_Founding

It is included in our Pledge Manual. Its based on a more complete write up on our Founding that is available in a booklet from our Fraternity called "In the Begining" by Frank Reed Horton.

Thanks to all of you who have shared your organization's story so far. This has to be one of my favorite threads.

I was merely paraphrasing Paula Giddings' assessment of what occurred, as I remember reading it, which is basically in concert with your assertion, if you read what is written instead of reading between the lines. I'm make no value judgement on what they did;the results speak for themselves. The purpose of historical reconstruction is not necessarily for validation or disproval but simply understanding. The version of the Omega founding I related is not the "official" one; but it represents an important perspective by a Founder (and not the only one by any means!) to understand fully why the movement arose and its basic values, historically speaking, which transcends the "PR" material you'll find on any organizational website--which I pasted also.

The fact is this: for whatever reason the Delta founders were not satisfied with what AKA represented at the time; and presumably the graduate AKA members had a different assessment of the situation--along with later AKA historians? That's what I meant. And you may be right about why the Omega founders encountered such resistance--but I'm not interested in speculation, just evidence, historical evidence. I'm not an attorney; I don't ask rhetorical questions!:)

Kappa Kappa Gamma
 

Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded in 1870 at Monmouth College. The founding members of Kappa Kappa Gamma were Hannah Jeannette Boyd, Mary Moore Stewart (Nelson, Field), Anna Elizabeth Willits (Pattee), Mary Louise Bennett (Boyd), Martha Louisa Stevenson (Miller), Susan Burley Walker (Vincent).

As collegiates at Monmouth College, they were determined to form a Greek letter organization for women. Founders Minnie Stewart, Jeannette Boyd, and Louise Bennett first met around 1869-1870 in the Amateurs des Belles Lettres Hall, a literary society of which the women were active members when they first decided to form a new society. They determined that nothing short of a Greek letter fraternity, equal to men’s fraternities, would satisfy them. Since chapel exercises were required for all students, the founding members announced the formation of the new group by wearing their golden key pins to the Chapel service on October, 13, 1870; hanging back so that they would have to sit in front after the other students were seated.

From: http://www.sigmataugamma.org

Our Principles


Sigma Tau Gamma was founded with the understanding that all men are social creatures and that friendships made in college days are lasting ones. Believing that a social Fraternity must be dedicated to the highest ideals of manhood and brotherhood; to congeniality, the development of good personal characteristics and social poise; to good scholarship, mature thinking and action; to good citizenship, democratic principles and acceptance of responsibility; and, to loyalty and service to college, community, country and Fraternity; Founder Edward H. McCune authored a set of Principles. Embraced by our Founders and early members, these Principles have become our guide.


http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...principles.jpg

http://pbs1914.org/history/achap1914.jpg

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

The founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as "a part of" the general community rather than "apart from" the general community. They believed that each potential member should be judged by his own merits rather than his family background or affluence...without regard of race, nationality, skin tone or texture of hair. They wished and wanted their fraternity to exist as part of even a greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the "inclusive we" rather than the "exclusive we".

From its inception, the Founders also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families, the founders of Phi Beta Sigma held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity's motto, "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity".

Today, 93 years later, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, the Fraternity has now established the Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Housing Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, and the Phi Beta Sigma Charitable Outreach Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization. No other fraternity and sorority is constitutionally bound as Sigma and Zeta. We both enjoy and foster a mutually supportive relationship.

Is there anything in your history regarding a Sigma Nu connection?

Erin already covered OPhiA's History for me, so here's Coyote's (from www.gtcoyote.org) :


Chi Omega Tau started in the Fall of 2000. Interested in starting a new sorority, the four original members met with Greek Advisors to determine what options were available to them through Georgia Tech and the Panhellenic Council. They petitioned the Student Government Association for a charter as a student organization, but were turned down by the Graduate Student Senate because membership selection discriminated on the basis of sex. Undeterred, the friends pushed forward, determined to make Chi Omega Tau a reality.

In the Spring of 2001, the sisters began their weekly meetings at Fellini's, a local pizza parlor in Atlanta, and held information sessions in the freshman dormitories on campus. They petitioned the Student Foundation for recruitment funding, and petitioned the Georgia Tech Panhellenic council for sponsorship as a local sorority. On April 24th, 2001, Chi Omega Tau was accepted into the Georgia Tech Panhellenic Council as the 10th Tech Sorority, with Associate Memeber status. On April 26th, thirty-seven official members were inducted and the first officers were elected. Over the following summer, the true spirit of Chi Omega Tau began to take form. Constitution and By-Laws were revised, Fall recruitment was planned, and members began their Fundraising. The sisters of Chi Omega Tau continue to make the sorority grow and continue to achieve new heights with every passing semester.

officially no, but I was told by Kevin that Wilson C. Morris, who help our founders as advisor, is a member of Sigma Nu.

Omega Phi Delta was founded September 2006 by two young ladies who were aiming to create a diverse organization that could be attractive to every women student on its campus. It was founded to provide a single race dominated greek system, a more colorful option. The founders wanted to emphasize a diverse sister hood, and the importance of being a sister in the greek community. Today OPD stands as a diverse service group to the city of philadelphia. Providing all secondary educated women a diverse group to become a sister and to perform community service.

I don't think I've ever heard the rejected names/mottos either but I might have a guess;) at a few of them!

Tiffany's in New York has archives of all the jewelry they ever manufactured. The original design is probably there. You have to pay for the research service, so I wonder if IHQ ever asked them to donate whatever they have! Headquarters does have an amazing collection of historical badges and other items but I can't remember seeing badge designs when I was there.

Interesting that originally, the member did not have to have a black enamel crescent. Some were white, and turquoise chips were popular as jewels on the badge. Sometime later, they made the black crescent uniform. Today our International officers have white enamel crescents. Their badges are larger than the standard badge, and they are really stunning!

Sigma Chi's founding - significantly generalized.

There was a disagreement in the DKE house at Miami of Ohio. Resulted in 6 members being expelled/resigning from the fraternity to begin their own. Joined later by one non-DKE member. The fraternity was founded on three ideals - Friendship, Justice, and Learning.

Our founders are Benjamin Piatt Runkle, Thomas Cowan Bell, William Lewis Lockwwod, Isaac M. Jordan, Daniel William Cooper, Franklin Howard Scobey, and James Parks Caldwell.

Always willing to share more details if anyone's curious. Great thread though. Keep it up.

From www.psiu.org
 

Schenectady, New York was a tranquil place in the early 1800s. It was originally founded as a settlement at one of the last navigable points on the Mohawk River. The town grew after the Revolution, and finally grew large enough to support a college. The college founded was called Union and was intended to be someplace special. Unlike the colleges founded along the coast, such as Harvard or William and Mary, Union was founded as a non-sectarian institution. Union taught its students classical literature, Greek and Latin, but almost uniquely at the time, Union also offered history, science, modern language and mathematics. It was in this extraordinarily liberal environment that Psi Upsilon was founded. The early days of Union are well described by Dr. Dixon Ryan Fox, the twelfth president of Union College:

Most of the time from 1825 to 1850 Union College was the largest in the United States. Several different years Yale got ahead of it, but Harvard and Princeton were behind and Columbia was much behind. There is no question but that in 1833 Union was the leader. This was not due so much to its location or its fine buildings as to its faculty and particularly its President, Dr. Eliphalet Nott.

Union College’s student body of 232 made it the largest college in the country, and the men lived in boarding houses near the school. It was difficult for them to socialize outside of class, and there were few organized extracurricular activities. Six fraternities were founded at Union, more than any other school.
In the early 1800s, as at other schools, literary societies played an important role in the life of Union College. The faculty encouraged these groups; they presented debates and orations, produced plays and maintained libraries. They also provided forums for discussion and social interaction, which could not be found in the classroom. There was much rivalry for membership, literary supremacy, and political dominance on campus. The oldest of these, the Adelphic Society, was founded in 1792 and lasted into the nineteenth century. The Philomathean Society, which began in 1798, still exists.

http://www.psiu.org/images/founders.gif
Psi U Founders: Robert Barnard '37, Samuel Goodale '36, Sterling G. Hadley '36, George Washington Tuttle '36, Edward Martindale, (no photo for Merwin Henry Stewart '37), and Charles Washington Harvey '37. The Delphian Society was started in 1819 and was known as more secretive and close knit than other societies. In 1833, five sophomore and two freshman members had become close friends. Their names were Samuel Goodale, Sterling Goodale Hadley, Edward Martindale, George Washington Tuttle, Charles Washington Harvey, Merwin Henry Stewart, and Robert Barnard. By the fall of 1833, the group of seven men had begun to meet regularly to read poetry and to exchange essays they had each written. It became a tradition to meet one night each week for these literary exercises. One night, after a particularly enjoyable session, Samuel Goodale said to Sterling Goodale Hadley, “Goodnight thine cordially.” In response, Hadley said, “Goodnight thine always.” This ritualistic farewell was repeated at each session thereafter.
By November, the seven men realized that they had something special: a group of people, with common interests and aspirations, sharing special times. They wanted somehow to capture these moments and make them permanent, not just as a club for themselves, but as a special association that would welcome new members, and that would continue long after they graduated from Union. Following the examples of the organizations founded at Union and Hamilton, they decided to found Psi Upsilon.
But they did not found our fraternity immediately, for they were not sure exactly what form they wanted it to take. On November 24, 1833, these seven men pledged to one another to found a new society as soon as school commenced the next term. In the interim, they would consider the manner in which the society would be organized. The thought that went into the founding of Psi Upsilon has served us well. Their Constitution was written with great care before they held their first meeting. The new society became very well known at Union, and it was admired for the quality of its membership.

The history of Beta Sigma Phi or the "Friendship Organization" is unique in that we have a founding father. Here's some information from our national website that might explain a little about us.

"In 1931, during the Great Depression, there was a need for an organization that could bring women together and expose them to a social, cultural and educational climate that was not available in those difficult times.
Most important, there was a need for friendship and support from other women. Beta Sigma Phi was created out of this need. It did not take long before Beta Sigma Phis were helping others.
Members worked together to raise $22 million in war bonds during World War II. The 1950s brought peace and prosperity to the world, and Beta Sigma Phi membership doubled.
This era was filled with grand balls, elegant teas and the growing strength of sisterhood as thousands of women joined Beta Sigma Phi. As the times have changed, so has Beta Sigma Phi.
The 1960s and 1970s found our organization less formal, but the ideals were the same. Now in the 21st Century, our over 165,000 members find the more we grow, the more valuable we become to our sisters and to our communities. The Beta Sigma Phi woman will continue to face challenges and cherish opportunities as she moves into the future.
Typical chapters enjoy socials that range from informal gatherings to gala affairs that often include friends and family. Fascinating cultural programs offer insight into subjects that range from the arts to gardening to in-home businesses. Membership in our organization provides opportunities to contribute to your community, develop lifelong friendships, and polish leadership skills.
Our members raise more than $3 million for local charities and donate over 200,0000 volunteer hours in an average year. Each chapter determines its own service projects and participation is always voluntary. Chapters have created their own International Funds that donate millions of dollars to health research groups, hunger projects, and other worthwhile causes.
Members and their families can receive assistance through our International Loan, Scholarship and Disaster Funds. What Makes Us Unique? Unlike a college sorority, our organization has members of all ages and educational backgrounds. Our sisterhood constantly redefines itself through the diversity and vitality of its members who share their ideas, talents and enthusiasm."

I am blessed to call more than 200,000 women of different cultures, races, ages, and educational backgrounds across the world my sisters. I hope that snippet gave a little insight on my sorority's founding. :D

Our website: www.betasigmaphi.org

Let me give you all the Cliff Notes version because I know I don't like to read long things cut and pasted from a website.

Five young men started a local fraternity called The Knights of Classic Lore. Phi Delta Theta had been inactive at this time at Illinois Wesleyan and at the suggestion of some Phi Delt Alums, tried to seek affiliation with Phi Delta Theta. They adopted the name TKE to make themselves more attractive to Phi Delt's national council. Supposedly one of the petitions came within one vote of being accepted, but ultimately the five men decided to stop petitioning PDT and instead build their own fraternity. They wanted a brotherhood where men were judged not by wealth, rank, or honor but by inner character. On January 10th, 1899 Tau Kappa Epsilon was born at Illinois Wesleyan.

Many, many thanks!

A brief history of ALPHA PHI ALPHA Fraternity, Inc.
 

A brief history of ALPHA PHI ALPHA Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was founded on the campus of Cornell University on a cold Tuesday, December 4th, 1906 by seven African American men affectionately referred to as the jewels. The Founding Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. were not ordinary achievers. Given the racial attitudes on campus during this period their accomplishments were monumental. As founder Henry Arthur Callis euphemistically stated—because the half-dozen African American students at Cornell University during the school year 1904-05 did not return to campus the following year, the incoming students in 1905-06, in founding Alpha Phi Alpha, were determined to bind themselves together to ensure that each would survive in the racially hostile environment. They came together meeting at various homes initially started as a social studies club. It later became a literary society to support the black students on campus in a retention effort and finally became a Fraternity. The organization grew rapidly through out the United States and even became international in 1908 with its Delta chapter being established at the University at Toronto. Alpha prides its self on service and scholarship and has been blessed to have many illustrious members grace the halls of Alpha since its founding.

Old Gold # 3
The “Phinest” men are made in Cambria

The Founding
 

From our website, this is what I can tell you about the birth of my one true love, The Sigma Chi International Fraternity…….


In the fall of 1854 a disagreement arose within the Kappa chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. This chapter consisted of 12 men. Six of them, led by Whitelaw Reid, supported one of the members for Poet in the Erodelphian Literary Society. Four of the other six members, James Parks Caldwell, Isaac M. Jordan, Benjamin Piatt Runkle and Franklin Howard Scobey, refused to vote for the brother because they knew him to lack poetic abilities. The man they did favor for that office was not a Deke. Thomas Cowan Bell and Daniel William Cooper were not members of Erodelphian, but their relation to the disagreement was unqualified endorsement of the four. Thus, they became six.

The chapter of 12 was evenly divided in a difference of opinion that ordinarily would have been decided one way or the other and immediately forgotten. But both sides considered it a matter of principle, and could not reach a compromise. During the ensuing months, the groups disagreed so much that their friendship grew distant.
Chapter meetings, or attempted chapter meetings, occurred for months with the breach constantly widening. In February 1855, at an Oxford restaurant, a dramatic dinner meeting between the dissenting groups set the stage for Sigma Chi's founding. Bell, Caldwell, Cooper, Jordan, Runkle and Scobey hosted the event, hoping to mend ways with the other six. They were on hand early, awaiting developments with anticipation. Of the meeting, Brother Founder Benjamin Piatt Runkle said, “With the kindest of intentions, we determined to give a dinner in their honor. I remember that the feast was prepared at the village restaurant, the guests invited, and on the appointed night we gathered and waited for the guests. They did not come for a long time, and then only Mr. Reid and with a stranger. He took into his confidence Minor Millikin (an alumnus of the fraternity from nearby Hamilton, Ohio) and the two decided on strenuous proceedings.”
Millikin lost no time. “My name is Minor Millikin,” he said. “I live in Hamilton. I am a man of few words.” He then passed judgment on all of the matters in dispute. Since he had heard only one side of the story, his verdict was against Runkle, Scobey and the others who had originally opposed election of the DKE as the Poet in the literary society. Millikin found them guilty.

Next, Millikin unfolded a plan he and Reid had concocted by which “justice” could be satisfied with the formal expulsion of the leaders in the rebellion (undoubtedly Runkle and Scobey), after which the others, having been properly chastised, could remain in the chapter.

At this dramatic moment Runkle stepped forward, pulled off his DKE pin, tossed it upon the table and said to Millikin, “I didn't join this Fraternity to be anyone's tool. And that, sir, is my answer!” Runkle stalked out of the room, and his five colleagues followed.


The final meeting of the 12 active members of Delta Kappa Epsilon was held in Reid's room in the “Old Southeast” building several days later. After a strenuous effort, led by Reid, for the expulsion of the six, with six against six on all vital issues, the meeting broke up in considerable disorder.

A rather prolonged correspondence ensued with the Delta Kappa Epsilon parent chapter at Yale, resulting in the April 1855 expulsion of Bell, Caldwell, Cooper, Jordan, Runkle and Scobey. It was at this time they began making plans to found their own fraternity.

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One of the best moves the first six Founders ever made was to associate themselves with William Lewis Lockwood. He had entered Miami early in 1855 but had not joined a fraternity. He was the “businessman” of the group and possessed a remarkable organizing ability. More than any other Founder, he was responsible for setting up the general plan of the Fraternity, much of which endures to this day.

During the latter months of the 1854-55 academic year, Runkle and Caldwell lived in a second-floor room of a building near Oxford's public square on High Street-now known as the birthplace of Sigma Chi. The Founders held many of the earlier organizational meetings of Sigma Chi in this room, and it was there that Runkle and Lockwood designed the badge.
The Founders' unfortunate experience in Delta Kappa Epsilon, which they saw as a group focused on conformity for political gain, stirred their hearts and their spirit. They found it a necessity to allow and accept differences in points of views and opinions, realizing that doing so brought opportunities and pleasures. This “spirit” became documented as The Spirit of Sigma Chi…….: The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders more than 152 years ago yet visible and alive today, is based on the theory that friendship among members, sharing a common belief in an ideal, and possessing different temperaments, talents, and convictions is superior to friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents, and convictions; and that genuine friendship can be maintained without surrendering the principle of individuality or sacrificing one’s personal judgment.
Though The Spirit calls for men who are inherently “different,” it is expected that the members, in their differences, remain responsible, honorable, gentlemanly, friendly-indeed all those characteristics that are also listed in The Jordan Standard.......

Six of the Founders were familiar with the general outline of fraternity constitution . They were considerably influenced by Lockwood, who had known little of DKE or its differences. With all of their plans formally completed, the Seven Founders of the new Fraternity announced its establishment by showing themselves and wearing their badges for the first time in public on Commencement Day at Miami University, June 28, 1855.

#1SPO 06
Friendship, Justice, and Learning since 1855.