[SWTXBelle]

Sigma Kappa (as you know) celebrates Nov.9 (1874) as Founder's Day.
Gamma Phi Beta celebrates Nov. 11 (1874). So Sigma Kappa can claim (at least officially) a two-day headstart on Gamma Phi. Gamma Phi Beta was never officially referred to as a fraternity. It was mentioned in The University Herald as "a new ladies' society" (1875) and the minutes of Alpha Chapter mention the First Anniversary of "The Gamma Phi Beta Society". Like many of the NPC orgs, Gamma Phi sprang from a "literary society".

As to the issue of the word "sorority" -
"In the summer of 1882, when Gamma Phi Beta extended to another university, Alpha Chapter celebrated the creation of Beta Chapter with an event, which was mentioned in the local social column. One who read the news was Professor Frank Smalley of the Department of Latin at Syracuse University, who mentioned to a member of Alpha Chapter that , "I presume that you young women feel very elated over being members of a sorority". The members of Alpha Chapter found this new term most attractive and accurate, and since that time Gamma Phi Beta has been a sorority and affirmed as the first women's fraternity to be referenced as such." (The Legacy of Gamma Phi Beta, pg.27)

I collect NPC org histories, but alas, do not have a Sigma Kappa book to cross-reference. (I'm looking for a Sigma Kappa song book too - HINT HINT if anyone wants to sell me them - after my departure to the Chapter Eternal my collection of songbooks and histories will go to Gamma Phi IHQ). At any rate, I'd love to know the official Sigma Kappa word on this.