Sorority women in the White House

[oldu]

The recent death of Margaret Truman Daniels brought to mind that she was the first to join a sorority while residing in the White House. She enrolled at nearby George Washington University and joined Pi Beta Phi. I am trying to ascertain how many other wives or daughters of presidents were Greek.

Eisenhower son, John, married a Kappa. One of the Johnson daughters joined Zeta Tau Alpha and lived in the Texas chapter house while her father was president. She or her sister married a Chi Phi. Barbara Bush was initiated into Pi Phi after they left the White House. Laura Bush and at least one of the twin daughters are Thetas.

Prior to the Truman administration the only sorority member I can find was First Lady Grace Coolidge, a Pi Phi.

That leaves many presidential wives, daughters, sons and in-laws. Cany anyone add to the list?

[joliebelle]

Here's the listing for one of Woodrow Wilson's daughter's on the Gamma Phi Beta website. I think that she was also married in the White House

Sayre, Jessie Woodrow Wilson,
Zeta Chapter - Daughter of President Woodrow Wilson

[alum]

Both Bush twins are Thetas, one from the Yale chapter, one from the UT chapter.

[ISUKappa]

Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, was an honorary initiate into Kappa in 1880.

[angelove]

Grace Goodhue Coolidge was a charter member of the Vermont Beta chapter of Pi Beta Phi. In her official portrait (where she is wearing a red dress with a white dog), she is wearing her Pi Phi badge. According to a Time Magazine article dated September 3, 1923, she was in fact the first sorority woman to be First Lady.

[SthrnZeta]

That's kinda cool - all the Bush women in the White House right now are all in the same group I hope I have a daughter someday who pledges ZTA - then I can be like FSUZeta!

[lilzetakitten]

One of President Ford's daughters is a ZTA, but she was an Alumnae Initiate, so I don't know if that counts.

Incidentally, President Johnson's Zeta daughter was named Lynda.

[Zeta13Girl]

AHH... lilzetakitten beat me to it!

[LaneSig]

Lou Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover, was a Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was initiated at Stanford.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by lilzetakitten

One of President Ford's daughters is a ZTA, but she was an Alumnae Initiate, so I don't know if that counts.

Incidentally, President Johnson's Zeta daughter was named Lynda.

I won't swear to it, but I thought that Luci Baines Johnson had been initiated into ZTA, and opened the door for Lynda to obtain ZTA alumnae initiation?

[PageantDiamonds]

Originally Posted by lilzetakitten

One of President Ford's daughters is a ZTA, but she was an Alumnae Initiate, so I don't know if that counts.

Why wouldn't it count? Are Alumnae Initates treated differently?

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by lilzetakitten

One of President Ford's daughters is a ZTA, but she was an Alumnae Initiate, so I don't know if that counts.

Gerald & Betty Ford only had one daughter, Susan.

[Scandia]

Julia Gardiner Tyler, John Tyler's daughter, was one of the founders of Kappa Delta.

Lynne Cheney is a Kappa Alpha Theta. So are Laura and Jenna Bush.

[dukedg]

From DG's website:

In 1881 Delta Gamma offered a bid of membership to the wife of President Garfield - however, the president was assassinated before she could reply.

[wear-a-kite-LSU]

Senator John Mccain who is currently vying for the republican presidential nomination, is married to a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Cindy.

That means we could have another Theta first lady!