Founders & people who made our orgs great!
 

OK! I know we all remember our founders on Founder's Day and we make our new members memorize them. However, some founders did not help the organization expand or did not stay very active in the organization after the founding. Or, they graduated, got married etc. and could not be invovled. While all these people are still wonderful and great, I have a multi part question.
1) Who are the ladies that have really had an impact on your organization and it's stregnth and expansion?

2) How are these women recognized?

3) What did they do specifically?

4) are there any ladies that impacted your organization in a way that made it what it is today (ex. writing a new ritual, proposed changing the purpose or scope of the sorority, changed the rules some how, changed/ developed programming or symbols/ colors etc.)

I am specifically looking for things that maybe aren't common knowledge or on the national website already (as long as it is not secret stuff of course!)

Re: Founders & people who made our orgs great!
 

In Phi Mu, we of course had/have a number of amazing women. In our case there were a few outstanding women in the past that are really noteworthy. Some from our very early years that come to mind are Sarah Bardwell Wright, Alpha Chapter as the designer of our badge, Grace Lumpkin, Mu Chapter as the author of our creed, Louise Monning Elliot, Alpha as the first National President, Zenobia Wooten Keller, Theta Chapter as the longest serving Executive 'Director' leading Phi Mu through many moves of the Executive Office and changes in the organization.

In Delta Phi Epsilon, gosh there are tons. Off the top of my head:

1. Harriette Hirsch
2. Marion Miller
3. Judith Rodin
4. Faye Silverman
5. Ofira Navon
6. the five founders of course
7. our current international president
8. Barbara Boxer
9. The three California congress members from UCLA
10. Harriett Macht

What did they do though for DphiE and how did it help your organization? Do you honor them like you do the founders? If so, how? Thanks!

Re: Founders & people who made our orgs great!
 

1) Who are the ladies that have really had an impact on your organization and it's stregnth and expansion?

There are so many, from our 6 founders in 1851, to 1000s of amazing collegians and alumnae who have brought leadership and ideas to our organization!

2) How are these women recognized?
We give special awards at our bi-annual convention, yearly scholarships and leadership awards, etc. Some of these awards, like the Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award, have been named iin honor of outstanding alumnae.

3) What did they do specifically?
Read our book, Sisters, published in 2001, for more information.

4) are there any ladies that impacted your organization in a way that made it what it is today (ex. writing a new ritual, proposed changing the purpose or scope of the sorority, changed the rules some how, changed/ developed programming or symbols/ colors etc.)

Absolutely! There are so many that they are almost too numerous to mention. And today there are so many outstanding collegians and alumnae effecting amazing change and leadership in our organization :)

Re: Founders & people who made our orgs great!
 

Well, not to be reverse sexist, but remarkably enough, our founders were men:

Cameo on Founders (from www.delts.org)

Alexander C. Earle the youngest of the group of eight founders, went on to become a Captain in the Second South Carolina Volunteers, where he commanded his own company. For many years his whereabouts were unknown and he was believed dead, but he was finally located living in Arkansas. Earles' spirit of courage is one we emulate today. He also set an excellent example for us through his commitment to lifelong learning and growth by attending three Karneas.

Richard H. Alfred, at 26 the oldest of the group, became a minister and a physician. His involvement with Delta Tau Delta stemmed from a sense of moral duty to the truth, and his activities later in life continued this commitment.

William R. Cunningham, 25, was only a freshman at the time Delta Tau Delta was formed. Because he was older and had become a Mason, however, he exerted much influence in the group. Cunningham, the picture of integrity, was probably responsible for much of the early language in both the Constitution and Ritual. He served as President of the Karnea in 1883. He was also a minister and held public office in the state of Washington.

John L.N. Hunt was the scholar of the group. Yet another testament to the value of lifelong learning and growth, after graduating from Bethany, Hunt went on to become the valedictorian of his class at New York University's School of Law. He then served for several years as New York's Commissioner of Education.

Jacob Lowe hosted the first meetings of the group in his quarters in a rooming house which has now become an international shrine for the Fraternity. Lowe, who became a professor and later a college president, helped facilitate the initial bonds of brotherhood which still sustain us.

Eugene Tarr, a "local boy" whose home was only six miles from Bethany, stayed in West Virginia after college. A strong proponent of strengthening his community, Tarr became a noted speaker, lawyer, and editor of the newspaper.

John C. Johnson was also a native West Virginian (although at that time the area was still a part of Virginia). He became a lawyer and politician, a career which clearly displayed power. He was the political advisor to John W. Davis, the Democratic nominee for President in 1924. One of Johnson's favorite pastimes was conducting tours of Bethany and pointing out the room where Delta Tau Delta was founded. He outlived the other founders by eight years.

Henry K. Bell, a Kentuckian, lived only six years after graduation. His contribution to the Fraternity was immense; without him, there would be no Delta Tau Delta today. Bell responded to a call for help from the last remaining members of the Bethany chapter who were leaving to join the armed forces. It was Bell's faith, integrity,and understanding of the importance of maintaining brotherhoodand a strong community that lead him to two Jefferson College students. Bell initiated Rhodes Standbury Sutton and Samuel S.Brown during a raging snowstorm on February 22, 1861. Upon thecollapse of the Bethany chapter following its' members departure,the new Jefferson chapter took over management of the Fraternity.

Was this question ment for a National Founding Member or the Local Chapter?:)

Little known fact:

The Original Founder was Expulled and after many years had his name added to the Rolls once again to The Fraternity of LXA!

The Person who originally designed LXA Badges, Pledge Pin, Coat of Arms. Well another situation crops up!:)

With the merger of TKN into LXA, many things were redone, including the Badge, Pledge Pin, The Coat of Arms, and The Ritual.

As The Founder of The Local, I designed all of this which lasted for 9 Months before We were Affiliated with LXA!

I Still have One of The Sets if National still has a set of Beta Chi Active Badge and Pledge Pin!:) It is Mine and will be until the day I die, then to the Chapter!

Roots is a very important part of any National or Chapter!

While I was The Founder, I was just a Cog in the wheel that made it go!:)