Mary Love Collins of Chi Omega
 

NutBrnHair reminds us that there was another sorority alumna who was a significant figure in developing the sorority world as we know it today -- Mary Love Collins.

Her involvement with Chi Omega began in 1910 shortly after graduating from law school (in itself a real rarity in those days). She first became business manager for the sorority and then executive secretary...and ruled Chi Omega with an iron hand for more than sixty years! Intimidating and a smart no-nonsense business woman, she had many officers and boards of directors over the years but there was never any question as to who ran the organization. To the good fortune of Chi Omega she took what was at best an average sorority and made it into the largest and one of the most prestigious odf all NPC groups.

In 1947 because of her thrifty business management and shrewd negotiating ability, she moved the Chi Omega executive offices into a spectacular estate overlooking the Ohio River on the east side of Cincinnati where she resided with her long-time assistant, Elizabeth Dyer, until she died in 1972 at the age of 90. She held the title of executive director for 57 years, a record unequalled by any other fraternity or sorority member. I think I am correct that she was also Chi Omega's NPC representative for a record 64 years.

It is safe to say that Chi Omega can credit its envious standing to this one fanatically ardent sister.

Thanks, oldu!
 

Mary Love was the first woman to have Baird's Manual dedicated to her. The 18th edition (1968) was dedicated in her honor.

That's quite a coup! I can remember walking into a college library (not mentioning any names!) and asking to see a Baird's Manual. They hadn't a clue about what Baird's was!

and ruled Chi Omega with an iron hand for more than sixty years!

there was never any question as to who ran the organization.

That sounds sisterly.:rolleyes:

As did the Founder of Alpha Delta Pi, Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald.

You seem to have chosen an accurate screen name.

I remember hearing that it was Mary Love Collins who suggested/presented the quota/total system to NPC. I haven't found that documented, but it makes sense to me. With her sharp legal mind, I can see her presenting a persuassive argument for this process.

Since Chi Omega was not the oldest sorority, by any means, quota/total allowed Chi Omega to "catch up" in size with the larger groups and in time, surpass them in size.

Because size matters?

LOL

I don't really think quota/total rules were what helped Chi Omega grow. That had more to do with its expansion onto new campuses, IMO.

Oh that's absolutely true. It amazes me how quickly expanson happened in the first 15 years (1895-1910) at a time when communication and transportation were difficult. In 15 short years, Chi Omega had expanded from North to South, East to West. Mary Love did not come on the scene until 1910. She served as National President from 1910-52 and still had great control, with the title Administrative Councilor, until her death in 1972

Not that it was or is anyone's business in particular, but am I correct in catching the implication that a) they were a long-term loving couple, and b) pretty much everyone in the sorority's "power structure" knew it? Just sounds like another of those (increasingly old-fashioned, but quite likely necessary at the time) don't ask, don't tell relationships.

There was an actual term for it - "Boston Marriages".

I kind of though the same thing exlurker...

Is Chi Omega headquarters still in Ohio? I was under the impression that it was in Tennessee (though I could have pulled that state out of thin air).

Chi Omega Headquarters
 

They have a beautiful HQ in Memphis, around the corner (more or less) from Kappa Delta, and just a stone's throw from Pi Kappa Alpha HQ.

Ahh, thanks SWTXBelle, I thought I was right and now I realize that I knew they were close to Pike too.

Yes! Thanks for reminding me of that term.

Just to be clear, as I understand it, Boston Marriages might or might not have included sexual intimacy. In other words, a Boston Marriage was two women living together and supporting themselves (in other words, not dependent upon men), typically with strong emotional intimacy. Some Boston Marriages were platonic, others included sexual intimacy.

Boston Marriges
 

Yes, MC - thanks for the clarification. Many women combined resources simply in order to be able to live independently. Because of the language used amongst friends in the 19th century, even reading journals or letters doesn't make it clear if a relationship was romantic/sexual or platonic.

Yes, Mary Love Collins and Elizabeth Dyer both lived at the Chi Omega Executive House on Grandin Road in the Hyde Park section of Cincinnati, OH, overlooking the Ohio River. It was indeed a "grand" house and became known as the White House of Chi Omega. Elizabeth was also a National Officer of Chi Omega and suceeded Mary Love as S.H. (National President) in 1952. Elizabeth also had an outstanding career as a professor at the University of Cincinnati, where a campus building was named in her honor. Upon Mary Love's death in 1972, at the age of 90, the property had to be sold because the home was in a residential area and not zoned for business. The office was moved to Carew Tower in downtown Cincinnati, where it remained for the next 20 years.

In 1992, plans were announced to relocate to Memphis, TN in the Southwind development. Our beautiful HQ is across the street from Pi Kappa Alpha and close to the Kappa Delta HQ.