Why was your org started?

[AngelPhiSig]

A lil copy and paste for the full PHI SIG history- taken from the *cougholdasdirtcough* website!! (wheres the one we picked at LTS this past summer?!)

In 1913, when college was primarily for wealthy men, academic women were a new breed and skirt lengths were no higher than six inches above the floor. In this climate, ten Hunter High School lunchmates, committed to strength in friendship and the act of giving, founded Phi Sigma Sigma at Hunter College in New York City.

There were several sororities at Hunter College in 1913, including Gamma Tau Kappa, Omega Iota, Phi Sigma Psi, Epsilon Phi, Omega Theta Pi, J.A.P., Pi Sigma, Kappa Delta, Sigma Phi Omega, Phi Delta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Gamma, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Pi Delta Theta, and Zeta Pi. The Hunter College Panhellenic Council was founded in 1912, just one year before Phi Sigma Sigma was founded.

The Founders of Phi Sigma Sigma came from a variety of religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. They wished to stay together as the group they had become while still in high school, but found that because of their varied backgrounds they all could not join one of the existing sororities on campus. Lillian Gordon, Ethel Gordon, Josephine Ellison, Shirley Cohen, Fay Chertkoff, Claire Wunder, Estelle Melnick, Rose Sher, Jeanette Lipka and Gwen "Rae" Zaliels approached Dean Higgenbottem, the Dean of Women at Hunter College, and inquired about starting their own sorority, one that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background.

Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff, the first Archon of Alpha Chapter, the Founders obtained permission and Phi Sigma Sigma was born on November 26, 1913, quietly, unobtrusively, and without thought of expansion. Phi Sigma Sigma was the first non-sectarian sorority, the only one open to diverse membership from its inception with a ritual not based in scripture. First in the minds of these ten women were the twin ideals which endure today. To the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain, each Founder extended herself to her fullest capacity to live up to the mottoes the group chose.

The Founders attained high scholastic standing in an effort to stress the importance of scholarship and the advancement of womanhood. Each served in philanthropic activities such as filling baskets for the needy, assisting in hospital nurseries, and volunteering in homes for the aged. Phi Sigma Sigma's Founders affiliated with and raised money for the Godmother's League and Foster Mothers of America. The Founders also donated to a variety of charities consistent with Phi Sigma Sigma's character as a nonsectarian sorority.

The Fraternity's symbols were chosen because they were appealing to the Founders. It is said that Shirley Cohen Laufer chose the Sphinx because historically it was a mythological figure of mystery and secrecy for women. The American Beauty Rose was chosen because of its statuesque beauty, and because of the balance of sharp thorns and soft petals. The first ritual was written by Fay Chertkoff, Gwen Zaliels Snyder and Estelle Melnick Cole, who literally locked themselves in a room together to write it. Gwen Zaliels Snyder designed the familiar sapphire-eyed Sphinxhead pin.

For five years, Alpha chapter was content to continue locally without thought of expansion. Then a friend of Rose Sher Seidman who attended Tufts College contacted Rose with interest in the sorority. The thought of expansion not only became an idea, but a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed Beta chapter at Tufts College and Gamma chapter at New York University. The year 1918 also saw the first national convention, held in New York City, at which Fay Chertkoff was elected as the first Grand Archon of Phi Sigma Sigma.

This laid the foundation and planted the seeds which enabled Phi Sigma Sigma to grow and blossom into a garden of roses spread across North America and Canada. Clearly, as Phi Sigma Sigma prospers today, the Fraternity is as meaningful and exciting as it was on the day it was founded.

[ThetaGirl1997]

In 1837, the Methodist Church established Indiana Asbury (now DePauw University) in Greencastle, Indiana.

Indiana Asbury officially opened its doors to women in 1867, but not without great uproar from the male students. The first women students at Indiana Asbury were looking for ways to make friends and find support and encouragement for their academic pursuits. They were reviled by their teachers, taunted by their classmates, and ignored by their girlhood friends who did the "right" thing and attended conservatories for girls. It took these brave pioneers three years to found Kappa Alpha Theta, the first Greek-letter Fraternity for women.

To be sure, there were societies for women before 1867, and some of these had secret rituals with badges, passwords, mottoes, 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."

[FHwku]

avec la brièveté, i don't know why FarmHouse Fraternity was founded. I wasn't there, and not all of the pieces I find completely and absolutely correlate. So I may draw my own conclusions, as I think many others may well have done.

I do know it was organized in 1905, and founded as a club; recognized as a fraternity 2 years later, i believe. chartered at Western Kentucky Univ in '95, as a proud chapter of the terrific international organization FarmHouse Fraternity!!! woohoo.


look! a big tractor!!

[DeltaSigStan]

Delta Sigma Phi was one of the first GLO's to be open to men of all races, religons and cultures. Dec 10, 1899.

[nauadpi]

ADPi history from the Epsilon Xi Chapter Website:

Founded on May 15, 1851 at Westlyn Female College in Macon, Georgia; Alpha Delta Pi became the first secret society in the world for college women. It began as the Adelphean Society founded by Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald. The six founding members were Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald, Ella Pierce Turner, Octavia Andrew Rush, Mary Evans Glass, Sophronia Woodruff Dews, Elizabeth Williams Mitchell. In 1904 the sorority went national, and in 1905 changed its name from The Adelphean Society to Alpha Delta Phi. Trying to avoid confusion with the fraternity Alpha Delta Phi, in 1913 the sorority desided to change its name to Alpha Delta Pi. Then in 1979 Alpha Delta Pi desided to take on The Ronald McDonald House as its national philanthropy. Now there are more than 170,000 initiated members of the sorority worldwide and more than 130 collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

[PsychTau]

The first school west of the Allegheny Mountains was established at Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1849. The name was changed to Michigan State Normal College in 1889 and to Eastern Michigan University in 1959.

One name at Ypsilanti that has not changed is Alpha Sigma Tau. It has been on that campus since November 4, 1899 when a group of girls met at the home of Ruby Pratt on Huron Street to organize a little club or sorority.

As told by founding member Harriet Marx Pfeiffer, "There were present at this first meeting, Helene Rice, her sister Adriance, Eva O'Keefe, Harriet Marx, May Gephart, Mayene Tracy, Mable Chase and Ruth Dutcher. There were then in existence on campus three other sororities: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi (now inactive). The name Alpha Sigma Tau was chosen and purple and gold were chosen for the colors. Thus it was Alpha Sigma Tau, the third oldest educational sorority, was organized. A dozen or more very enthusiastic girls were present at this meeting.

The next meeting was a little party at the home of Mrs. Depew on Forest Avenue where Helene and Adriance Rice, Eva O'Keefe and Harriet Mark roomed. The part was indeed gay and festive with decorations of gold and purple. Even the cake was golden with purple icing. Here it was decided that the next day should witness the introduction of a newly born sorority to the world at large and to the student body in particular. Accordingly the members attended chapel en masse, everyone wearing the chosen colors. Imagine their surprise and chagrin when the members of the Zeta Phi informed them that the Alpha Sigma Tau had appropriated their colors. The group then chose emerald green and gold.

Mrs. E.A. Lyman was chosen patroness. During the first year of its existence the sorority did not display any marked activity. The charter was not received until the second year when Edith Silk, Myrtle Oram, Zoe Waldron, Grace Townley, Marie Gedding, Louise Agrell and Mable Pitts had joined the organization and with the organizers were the charter members. On the suggestion of Mrs. Lyman, Miss Pearce and Miss Norton were asked to be patronesses. The charter members were very, very close friends and have ever remained so ..."


Regarding my chapter. . .
We were founded in 1946 at Henderson State University. From what I can discover, the University wanted all of the female organizations to affiliate with National Sororities. I cannot find any mention of local sororities. I looked at yearbooks from that time (which didn't seem to make a big deal out of these new sororities on campus). At the time, we had a Philomeathean Society and an Adelphian (I think) society that were social clubs. By comparing 1945's yearbook and 1946's yearbook, it seems that our chapter was half Adelphian and half Philomeathian members. I don't really know any more info than that.

I think I've read somewhere that Philo's became Phi Mu somewhere, and Adelphians became Alpha Phi? Alpha something? (I dunno. . .can't remember for sure!)

Guess the Arkansas girls didn't get that memo!!!! (JOKE!! )

[AXWhoah]

"Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The first appearance of the seven founders – Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard was in Meharry Hall, wearing scarlet and olive ribbon streamers attached to their dresses."

Hehehe, I'm lazy too! I copied that from our National Website. And though the name of the man escapes me I know a member of Beta helped with our founding. Do any of my AX sisters know what his name was? Or even any Beta's? Also our name was chosen because we were the first music sorority (Alpha) and expected to be the last (Omega) and then connected the words with the greek word for and, "kai", which we later changed to Chi so that it was a greek letter.

[AngelPhiSig]

Originally posted by FHwku
look! a big tractor!!

Ahh the tractor makes me feel like Im back in good ol Clarion... eh Shelia?!

[ShaedyKD]

I know that KD, ZTA, Tri Sigma, and ASA were all founded at Longwood College, (formerly State Female Normal School), but are there any other universities that have 2 or more GLO's founded there? I guess Longwood just had a bunch of classy women who had great ideals and values!

[NoShame_Gamma]

National History:

Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority was the first Hispanic founded sorority on the campus of Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona. Founded on January 25, 1993 with a strong desire to serve the Hispanic community and a quest for higher learning by five determined collegiate young women Michelle Seanez, Amy Alvarez Patsy Guardado, Clara Lopez Michelle Mendoza known today as our Most Honorable Founding Madres. These visionary young women formed this community service based sorority in conjunction with their benevolent vision. Their focus was not only on social issues, as manytraditional sororities before them, but also as a dynamic and altruistic group of advanced women, to excel in school, motivate others, generate role models, and eventually yield considerable Hispanic community leaders.


Local History:

On October 2000, seven women came together to discuss the possibility of establishing a Latina based sorority on the HSU campus. At the time of their meeting, there was only one other Latino interest organization on campus. Noticing the lack of Latino representation, these women formed the Interest Group of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. and began meeting on a regular basis.


Our purpose is to promote and instill in every member of our sorority the values of Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Scholarship, and Unity. These pillars have become the foundation of our organization and a symbol of devotion to our purpose. By encouraging these admirable characteristics, each member enriches her life with these lifelong attributes. We strive not only to be an asset to our community, but to also strengthen the bonds that are present within our sisterhood.

Check out our websites:
www.gammaalaphaomeganationals.homestead.com
www.humboldt.edu/~gaopg
www.humboldt.edu/~greek

[Lisa Fishman]

ShaedyKD- Syracuse Univ. Syracuse, NY- Alpha Gamma Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, and Alpha Phi were all founded there.

[aephi alum]

Originally posted by ShaedyKD
I know that KD, ZTA, Tri Sigma, and ASA were all founded at Longwood College, (formerly State Female Normal School), but are there any other universities that have 2 or more GLO's founded there? I guess Longwood just had a bunch of classy women who had great ideals and values!

AOII and AEPhi were both founded at Barnard College.

[mdman]

Howard University in Washington DC was the founding place of the following:
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc

[pirate00]

THE STORY BEHIND THE FOUNDING: Told by Frank Reed Horton, Founder, Alpha Phi Omega

During the first world war, I served as an ensign in the United States Navy aboard a minesweeper (SS Whipporwhill) in the North Sea. Our ship and its partner exploded more than 1,000 magnetic mines. My law school background at Boston University led to my appointment to try court martial cases in our Division. When we reached ports some of the sailors ran wild. Many court martial cases resulted. I saw young boys in their teens getting into trouble.

Because of these experiences, I made a firm resolution within myself that if I returned alive, I would try to do two things and do them with all my power. First, do my best to help young people get the right start in life by holding up before them a "standard of manhood" that would withstand the test of time! Second and just as important, try to help the nations of the world settle their disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war.

After the war, I became a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. One evening, while attending an American Legion banquet during my sophomore year, I sat next to an inspiring man named Herbert G. Horton. We were not related but we became fast friends. He, too, had been a naval officer but was now serving as the local Scout Executive. He helped me to become a Deputy Scout Commissioner. One of the troops needed a leader, so I became a Scoutmaster as well.

Through these experiences, I found that the Scout Oath and Law were what I had been seeking - a standard of manhood that would withstand the test of time and a code of ideals created and accepted by some of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.

The summer of my junior year was spent as an Associate Camp Director at the Easton Scout Reservation. Here I was impressed with the religious tolerance in the hearts of the boys. This I have not found so easily among older people. Scouts of the Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths worked together in everything at camp, and everyone had an opportunity to worship on his Sabbath in his own way.

My Brothers in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity house, where I lived, who were outstanding for high ideals and clean living, were all former Scouts. I felt a college organization should be formed that would strengthen men in these ideals, and give them an opportunity for Leadership experience and for Service to others.

As a senior at Lafayette College, I talked to some of the men with a Scouting background and the response was good. These men would join an organization based on the ideals of Scouting. I created the name Alpha Phi Omega, the motto and the Greek words and their meaning and wrote the Ritual. Everett W. Probst designed the pin and drew the Coat-of-Arms. Thane S. Cooley suggested the handclasp. Ellsworth S. Dobson and Gordon M. Looney helped write the Constitution and Bylaws.

Fourteen undergraduates signed as charter Members. Scouting advisors were Dr. Ray O. Wyland and Herbert G. Horton.

The Lafayette College Faculty approved the petition for recognition. On December 16, 1925, I conducted the Ritual Initiation at Brainerd Hall, second floor, and Alpha Phi Omega was born.

My purpose was to make Alpha Phi Omega an organization for college men who cooperated with all youth movements, especially Scouting. I also anticipated that our Service program would expand to help people in need everywhere and to do service on the campus of each Chapter.

As Scouting is worldwide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be worldwide, gradually in the colleges and universities of all the nations. Alpha Phi Omega can help bring about, through the future statesmen of the world, that standard of manhood and international understanding and friendship that will lead to a better, more peaceful world in which to live and in which to make a living and a life.

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by ShaedyKD
I know that KD, ZTA, Tri Sigma, and ASA were all founded at Longwood College, (formerly State Female Normal School), but are there any other universities that have 2 or more GLO's founded there?

Well, aside from the Farmville Four and others mentioned above, there are:

The Union College Triad: Delta Phi, Kappa Alpha Society and Sigma Phi

The Miami College Triad: Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi

The Lexington (Virginia) Triad: Sigma Nu and Alpha Tau Omega (at VMI) and Kappa Alpha Order (at Washington and Lee next door)

The Wesleyan (Georgia) Duo: Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu

The Monmouth Illinois Duo: Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma

The University of Virginia Duo: Pi Kappa Alpha and Kappa Sigma