Theta Question!!!
 

Hello My Lovely Kittens,

I am a new baby Theta, and I have been on several greek websites. On these websites I have seen that some Theta sign at the end of paragraphs to other Thetas YBM. I was wondering if anyone can private message me the meaning of that phrase. I can definitely prove that I am a Theta by answering any questions via private message.

Thanks,

Sarah

*Lane Swerve*

Can't say for sure, as I'm not a Theta, but it might be something you learn after you initiate? Congrats on joining, I've heard nothing but amazing things about your org!

*Back into my lane*

Hey you guys, I got the answer thanks to ThetaKelsey!

<3

Just a thought -- why don't you ask some of your chapter sisters instead of asking on an internet forum?

My thoughts exactly. ;)

Also, I cringe at the word "kittens" being used to describe new Thetas. Ick.

Agreed.

This phrase, FWIW, has zilch to do with initiation.

Since when do we have "babies"? Bettie Locke was very much opposed to mascots, according to everything I've read or been taught.

Since calling them "pledges" is hazing and apparently damages their self esteem to the point that they can't put on their pants in the morning. Calling them "baby insertmascotheres" is SOOOOOOOOOO much more dignified. :rolleyes:

Incidentally, not just Theta, but across the board. Then again, this is the generation that keeps Hello Kitty in business.

We were never baby doves or anything, but our New Member educator would refer to us as her babies purely out of a sort of affection. It wasn't a universal term for all of us though.

It happens in our chapter. Though, we're not called baby squirrels. I understand it for Alpha Gam, we have sister-mothers; actual mothers call their children babies, so I think it works. I was in no way offended by it.

The "Theta baby" thing was becoming popular the year after I graduated. Can't say I care for it, but considering new members can't be called "pledges" anymore... whatever floats.

I have never heard the "Kittens" term. Huh.

YBM stands for "You Before Me." It is not part of ritual and has no real significance other than it is simply a signature greeting used when signing off on emails/notes, like "Sincerely." Not all chapters use it and I would venture to say that most do not.

This is a greeting that should be used among members who know each other quite well, not advisors, alumnae chapter correspondence, or those you'd consider acquaintances.

Just out of curiousity, why was she? (If you can share)

thanks for asking, 33girl. Here's the official version, taken from the official Theta website:

"Bettie Locke—the daughter of a professor—was among the first women to enroll at Indiana Asbury in 1867. During her sophomore year, a member of one of the Greek-letter fraternities asked Bettie to wear their badge. When she learned, however, she would not become a member—simply a welcomed supporter of the group—she declined the opportunity."

The unofficial version is that Bettie Locke's brother was a Phi Gamma Delta and his fraternity asked her to be a supporter, a "mascot" as it were. No way, Bettie replied (politely of course); if she couldn't be fully initiated into the fraternity, she would not wear the badge or be a mascot. There's much more to this story, including a silver cake basket that was given to the founders of Kappa Alpha Theta by the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta.

Here's what's commonly found on many Theta websites (this one comes from a Texas page)

"To be sure, there were societies for women before 1867, and some of these had secret rituals with badges, passwords, mottos, and other symbols. But in 1870, Theta became the first women's Greek-letter fraternity because its primary founder, Bettie Locke, wanted full membership in a male fraternity. When the men asked her to wear their fraternity badge as a "mascot," she responded, "If you won't initiate me into your fraternity, I'll start my own." Thus Kappa Alpha Theta was established on January 27, 1870."

Again, the Phi Gamma Delta website has some great stories/history on the early days of Kappa Alpha Theta, including a delightful (if apochryphal) story about the first wearing of the Theta badge.

Long story short: we have no mascot. Bettie Locke was, IMO, a proud and fiercely independent woman who was way ahead of her time.

I don't care for it when I see it listed that a "Cat" is our mascot. I'm sure some chapters consider it their unofficial mascot... but that is a individual chapter thing, does not apply to everyone. A Cat has no significance to me, aside from "Cats" (the broadway musical) was the theme of the skit round during rush my freshman year.