I know two women from the UGA chapter. One from early in the chapter and the other from closer to when they closed. They are both great women and have been supportive AXiDs. The early one has received their Order of the Rose (50 years, I think), is a breast cancer survivor and has showed me pictures from those early years. Think lining the sidewalk going up to the entrance with their white fifties style fluffy dresses and white gloves. She entered college with the intent to graduate and go to medical school. She was told women weren't doctors and many roadblocks were set up against her. She graduated with a degree in home economics and though she appreciates her degree, she said she has always regretted not going to medical school.
The later sister has a degree in dance though you would NEVER, EVER know!!! She doesn't tell many people. She's in IT and that totally makes sense if you met her. She has attended a number of AXiD National Conventions. She told me that you couldn't wear letters on campus during her active years. You could, but it was such an anti-Greek time in the 1970's that it could lead to much criticism from peers and faculty.
Both women stated that the chapter was not a strong recruiting chapter when Greek Life struggling to recruit in the first place. They told me that there was an opportunity to return in the 1980s and though I can't confirm that, they said that lack of housing one a primary reason for not returning. Gamma Phi Beta was supposedly offered the spot instead. They also didn't have housing, but a group of alum walked door to door down Milledge offering a sum of money to buy peoples homes (mansions) and one owner said yes! They now have a gorgeous house. Only a UGA Gamma Phi can confirm that story though. You have to love Greek folklore!!
I would love to have AXiD back at UGA as would these two alum. We can only hope it will happen one day and when it does.....$,$$$,$$$'s!!!!
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