On November 26, 1913 the Alpha Chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma was founded at Hunter College in New York. Its 10 founding members; Lillian Gordon Alpern, Josephine Ellison Breakstone, Fay Chertkoff, Estelle Melnick Cole, Jeanette Lipka Furst, Ethel Gordon Kraus, Shirley Cohen Laufer, Claire Wunder McArdle, Rose Sher Seidman, and Gwen Zaliels Snyder had a very clear vision about the type of sorority they wanted to establish. They wanted to establish a nonsectarian sorority and welcomed women of all faiths and backgrounds. In fact, Phi Sigma Sigma was the first collegiate sorority of this kind. The founding members were definitely pioneers of their time.

According to the official Phi Sigma Sigma website, their core values are:

Lifelong Learning
As new members, as collegiate members and as alumnae, learning is a priority and we encourage our sisters to make the most of educational opportunities at our colleges and in our communities. Through education and challenging ourselves to reach new goals, we become women of influence and substance.

Inclusiveness
An inclusive sisterhood prepares its members for a world filled with diversity. By embracing our differences, we become a stronger organization that benefits not only our members, but those around us. We seek out and include women of various races, cultures, levels of ability, socioeconomic origin, backgrounds and perspectives.

Leadership through Service
Phi Sigma Sigma believes that a woman who serves is also a woman who leads. By serving others, our members become more valuable citizens, students, parents, workers and community leaders.

 

 

 

 

 

As stated in the Phi Sigma Sigma core values, philanthropy is exceptionally important to teaching leadership. The official philanthropy is the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation. This foundation provides scholarship and educational grants among other assistance for the members and alumnae. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation also contributes to the National Kidney Foundation. It's members also work hard to raise funds and donate their time to local organizations as well.

Phi Mu ~ ΦΜ

Open Motto: "The Faith Sisters.
Mascot: The Lion "Sir Fidel"
Symbol: Quatrefoil
Colors: Rose and White
Flower: Rose Colored Carnation

Phi Mu is the second oldest women's fraternity in the nation. It was originally founded as  the secret society Philomathean Society on January 4, 1852 at Wesleyan College. It was founded by three dynamic young women who were pioneers of their time; Mary Elizabeth Myrick (Daniel), Mary Ann DuPont (Lines) and Martha Bibb Hardaway ( Redding). The came together to form this society to support and encourage one another, for friendship and sisterhood and to challenge each other academically. After many very successful years of growth and development, the Philomathean Society had achieved a lot of respect, recognition and prestige. August 1st, 1904 they were granted a charter to become a national and they adopted the Greek Letters Phi Mu. Mary Ann DuPont (Lines) was the only one of the three founders to see the Philomathean Society become Phi Mu. In 1911 Phi Mu became a proud member of the National Panhellenic Conference. There are currently 115 chapters and they boast over 175,00o collegiate members.

THE CREED OF PHI MU FRATERNITY

To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.
To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.
To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.
To be to others what we would they would be to us.
To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just,
Thus being true to the womanhood of love.

To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.
Being steadfast in every duty small or large.
Believing that our given word is binding.
Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.
Being honorable, courteous, tender,
Thus being true to the womanhood of honor.

To serve in the light of truth avoiding egotism, narrowness and scorn.
To give freely of our sympathies.
To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.
To minister to the needy and unfortunate.
To practice day by day love, honor, truth.
Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu. 

From the official Phi Mu website ~ www.phimu.org

The members of Phi Mu do so much to help each other, their community and the Children's Miracle Network. Phi Mu strives to raise 500,000 annually for Children's Miracle Network, which they donate to one of the 170 CMN hospitals nationwide. They contribute their time, treasure and resources to assist those in need.

Kappa Kappa Gamma ~ ΚΚΓ

Open Motto: N/A
Mascot: Owl
Symbol: Fleur-de-Lis, Key
Jewel: Sapphire
Colors: Dark Blue and Light Blue
Flower: Fleur-de-Lis

On October 13th, 1870 Kappa Kappa Gamma women't fraternity was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. It is said that in the late 1860's two friends Mary Louise Bennett and Hannah Jeannette Boyd were frustrated that there weren't any women's organizations similar to men's fraternities.  At a time when very few women were encouraged to seek higher education, the women who were at these colleges and universities needed the support and sisterhood that a women's organization could provide.  Soon after their initial discussion the recruited 4 other women; Mary Moore Stewart, Anna Elizabeth Willits, Martha Louisa Stevenson and Susan Burley Walker. As noted on the official Kappa Kappa Gamma website:

"Kappa's six Founders were exceptional young women who believed they could take on the world and create something totally new. Taught to love learning and literature, these educated ladies not only originated the idea of Kappa Kappa Gamma but wrote its constitution, planned its motto and chose its badge and name."

There are strict regulations regarding the Kappa Kappa Gamma badges, which since it's founding have been golden keys. Member are discouraged from loaning their badges to those who are not initiated members because they represent membership. As noted on the KKG website, it is strongly recommended that badges be returned to the main headquarters upon a member's death. This is to help ensure that only initiated members are in possession if these keys.

Currently there are 138 chapter and over 240,000 collegiate members nationwide. They are all strong women who support each other through their endeavors and they also active members in their community through their philanthropy. In addition, these caring women have also partnered with RIF - Reading is Fundamental. They share their time, treasure and talent to help young people discover the joys of reading.

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  Kappa Delta ~ ΚΔ

   

  Open Motto: "Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful and highest
  Mascot: Teddy Bear
  Symbol: Nautilus Shell, Katydid, Dagger|
  Jewel: Diamond, Emerald, Pearl 
  Colors: Olive Green and Pearl White
  Flower: White Rose

  
  

  
  

  In the fall of 1897, four friends gathered together to found the sorority Kappa Delta. In Farmville, Virginia  - at the State  Female Normal School  (now Longwood University) -  Lenora Ashmore Blackiston, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson, Sara Turner White and Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick came together to found Kappa Delta. Their objective, as stated on the official Kappa Delta website, was (and is):

  "The object of Kappa Delta Sorority is the formation and perpetuation of good fellowship, friendship and sisterly love among its members; the encouragement of literature and education; the promotion of social interest; and the furtherance of charitable and benevolent purposes."
  

  

   

  On October 23rd, 1897  Kappa Delta officially became a sorority. It is noted that Kappa Delta was the first sorority to be accepted to the National Panhellenic Conference as soon as they petitioned to join. Today there are 142 active chapters and 516 alumnae chapters and they are now headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. There are also more that 230,000 members throughout the world.

   

  Philanthropy is a huge part of Kappa Delta life. They work hard in their community and for each other. They also support four national charities; Prevent Child Abuse America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Orthopaedic Research Awards, and Children's Hospital of Richmond, Virginia.

Kappa Alpha Theta ~ ΚΑΘ

Open Motto: "Faith, Hope, Love."
Mascot: Kite
Symbol: Key
Colors: Black and Gold
Flower: Black and Gold Pansy

Kappa Alpha Theta was founded in 1870 and was the very first Greek-Letter organization for women. At a time when it was rare for women to obtain a higher education, there were those who knew their potential, wanted to pursue their dreams and knew that they could do great things with the education they would receive if just given the chance. At what is now DePauw University (formerly Indiana Asbury) four women came together to start an organization where women could support and encourage one another. The original founders of Kappa Alpha Theta were Elizabeth McReynolds Locke Hamilton, Alice Olive Allen Brant, Elizabeth Tipton Lindsey, and Hannah Virginia Finch Shaw.

Elizabeth (Betty) Locke was the one who originally decided to establish a women's fraternity. She had contacts with two of the fraternities  on campus; Beta Theta Pi which was her father's fraternity and Phi Gamma Delta which was the fraternity her brother belonged to. The members of Phi Gamma Delta had asked Betty to wear their letters as a supporter (not an actual member) for the fraternity but she did not feel comfortable doing that since she was not privy to the secrets and purposes that the letters represented. Instead - with her father's encouragement - Betty decided to start a women's fraternity and along with the other three founders started Kappa Alpha Theta. They got their constitution drawn up and badges designed, which  they wore them proudly. In March 1870 Kappa Alpha Theta became the very first Greek-letter women's organization.

Today Kappa Alpha Theta boasts over 170 college chapters and 190 alumnae chapters throughout the Unites States and Canada. They have 210,00o+ collegiate members.  As noted on the official Kappa Alpha Theta website their values consists of "Scholarship, service, leadership, personal excellence, and friendship/sisterhood." Of course, philanthropy is a huge part of Theta life and in 1989 they partnered with CASA  - which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate - as their international philanthropy.  CASA is made up of community volunteer who fight to protect the rights and dignity of children.

Gamma Phi Beta ~ ΓΦΒ

Open Motto: "Founded Upon a Rock."
Mascot: White Seal
Symbol: Crescent
Colors: Brown and Mode
Flower: Pink Carnation

Gamma Phi Beta was founded at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY -- November 11, 1874. During a time when it was looked down upon - or thought unnecessary - for women to receive a higher education, four women banded together to provide support for each other and others like them by forming a sorority. Gamma Phi Beta's four founding members were Helen M. Dodge, Francis E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis and Mary A. Bingham.

Dr. Erastus Haven - chancellor of Syracuse University at the time - enrolled his daughter into the school and maintained that women should have the opportunity to receive a higher education. Francis Haven was approached by the Alpha Phi Women's Fraternity (the only such organization at Syracuse at the time) but instead Haven decided to ask three friends if they would be interested in starting their own women's organization. They were delighted for the opportunity and with the help of Francis' father Dr. Haven, their brothers, two members from existing fraternities and college faculty they were able to form Gamma Phi Beta.

Gamma Phi Beta is part of the Syracuse Triad, which refers top the three sororities - or women's fraternities - founded at Syracuse University; Alpha Phi founded in 1972, Gamma Phi Beta founded in 1874 and Alpha Gamma Delta founded in 1907. All three of these sororities maintain a close bond.

There are currently 173 active chapters and 175+ alumnae chapters and 180,000 initiated members. The main goal of Gamma Phi Beta's philanthropic mission is to raise funds to support local camps. They have also partnered with Camp Fire USA and Girl Guides of Canada. According to the official Gamma Phi Beta website camping is very important to its members because:

"We strongly believe the experiences gained at camp play the same vital role in the lives of young girls today as they have in the past. Studies have shown a camping vacation benefits girls in ways that are remembered for a lifetime, and for that reason, it's a cause we resolutely support."

Delta Zeta ~ ΔΖ

Open Motto: N/A
Mascot: Turtle
Jewel: Diamond
Colors: Rose Pink and Nile Green
Flower: Pink Killarney Rose
Badge: Roman Lamp

1902 was an exciting time for the women of Oxford, Ohio who wanted to obtain higher education from Miami University. When Dr. Guy Potter Benton was elected as the  president of the University one of his first actions was to allow women into Miami University in the fall of that year. It didn't take long for a group of six very bright young women; Alfa Lloyd Hayes, Mary Jane Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle May Minton, and Anne Dial Simmons to come together with common goals and ideals and form Delta Zeta. It was to be the first women's fraternity to be established at Miami University in Oxford, OH - which is known as the "Mother of Fraternity" because many prominent men's fraternities that originated there.

It wasn't an easy go for the founders of Delta Zeta. It is reported that at one point their constitution was stolen but Dr. Benton was able to get the offenders to return it and on October 24th, 1902 it was formally established by the state of Ohio. The Delta Zeta Creed really explains so much about this women's fraternity and her members:

Delta Zeta Creed

To the world,
I promise temperance and insight and courage,
To crusade for justice,
To seek the truth and defend it always:
To those whom my life may touch in slight measure,
May I give graciously
Of what is mine;
To my friends,
Understanding and appreciation;
To those closer ones,
Love that is ever steadfast;
To my mind,
Growth;
To myself,
Faith
That I may walk truly
In the light of the Flame.
–– Dorothy Mumford Williams, Alpha Zeta (Adelphi University) (1939)

(Via Wikipedia)

 Another important aspect of the women's fraternity Delta Zeta, is philanthropy and service. They have made speech and hearing their main priority and Delta Zeta has nationally partnered with The Starkey Hearing Foundation, Gallaudet University and the House Research Institute. Each chapter also helps to support local organizations that are committed to this cause. 

Delta Zeta's other national philanthropy is The Painted Turtle, which helps to provide a camp experience for children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. According to the official Delta Zeta website:

Delta Zeta supports The Painted Turtle camp as one of its national philanthropies through fundraising, donating items on The Painted Turtle's wish list, and via our collegiate and alumnae members who volunteer their time to the camp, helping the children that it serves.

Visit The Painted Turtle camp at http://www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle/

Delta Delta Delta ~ ΔΔΔ

• Open Motto: "Let us steadfastly love one another."
  Mascot: Dolphin
  Jewel: Pearl
  Colors: Silver, Gold, Cerulean Blue
  Flower: Pansy

The women's fraternity Delta Delta Delta is also known as Tri Delta. It was founded in November 1888 by Sarah Ida Shaw, Eleanor Dorcas Pond,  Florence Isabelle Stewart and Isabel Morgan Breed At Boston University. During this time in history women were just starting to slowly enter the world of higher education. Many of these young women came to rely on others like them who were paving the way for a whole new generation of women. This was a time when public opinion was that women didn't need higher education because there were very few women in the workplace at this time; in fact women weren't even allowed to vote.

Although there were already three women's organizations on the Boston University campus Sarah Ida Shaw wanted to start a women's fraternity that was different from the others. It is noted on Tri Delta's Official Website  that she said to her friend Eleanor Dorcas Pond:

"Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

So the two enthusiastic friends set out to create the organization they both envisioned. They got to work writing the constitution, rituals and designing an emblem. From the very beginning these two friends pour their heart and soul into the sorority. They set a strong foundation before the official founding took place. Delta Delta Delta was also the first organization to be founded without the help of a men's fraternity. Tri Delta was not a weak struggling sorority -- instead their numbers grew and quickly surpassed a new chapter of Gamma Phi Beta. They were a strong tightly knit group of devoted sisters.

Today Delta Delta Delta has 180 Chapters (in the US and Canada) and since it's founding in 1888, it has welcomed 235,000 members into the Tri Delta Sisterhood.

As noted on the Tri Delta website their purpose is:

"THE PURPOSE OF DELTA DELTA DELTA shall be to establish a perpetual bond of friendship among its members, to develop a stronger and more womanly character, to broaden the moral and intellectual life, and to assist its members in every possible way.

IT SHALL ALSO BE THE PURPOSE OF DELTA DELTA DELTA to promote and develop mutually beneficial relationships between the Fraternity and the colleges and universities where the Fraternity has established chapters, to develop qualities of unselfish leadership among its members, and to encourage them to assume, with integrity and devotion to moral and democratic principles, the highest responsibilities of college women." 

The Tri Deltas also do all they can to help their members and to give improve their community. They volunteer their time and talents to many causes and their national philanthropy is Children's Cancer Research and they partner with St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Chi Omega ~ ΧΩ

Open Motto: "Hellenic Culture and Christian Ideals."
Mascot: Owl
Jewel: Diamond, Pearl
Colors: Cardinal and straw
Flower: White Carnation

Chi Omega women's fraternity was founded April 5, 1895 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The women founders, Ina Mae Boles, Jean Vincenheller, Joebelle Holcombe and Alice Simonds came together during  new and promising time in history. They embraced their independence and moved forward to blaze a trail for all the other women who would come after them Dr. Charles Richardson of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity also helped to found Chi Omega. According to the official Chi Omega website Dr. Richardson was a dentist by trade and crafted the first badge of dental gold.

According to Chi Omega's official website, the women's fraternity was originally founded with the intent of becoming a national organization and expanding all across the country. Each time a new chapter was established, current members would write warm letters of welcome and congratulations. In the 1900's philanthropy was of the greatest importance to the women's fraternity. They gave of their time, talents and raised money to help local organizations as well. It was also the first organization of it's kind to make a substantial gift to a University.

Today Chi Omega has 174 collegiate chapters and over 230 alumni chapters. The Chi Omega Foundation was established in 1982 to help fund the educational goals of the women's fraternity. The organization has always put philanthropy at the top of their to-do list. From the very beginning they worked hard to make a difference in their communities but in 2002 they announced the Chi Omega/Make-a-Wish Alliance. So, in addition to helping out in their communities they are also making a difference nationally through Make-a-Wish. According to the Chi Omega website they have donated over 6.4 million dollars and 400,000 volunteers hours to this worthwhile organization.

Chi Omega provides its members with the tools they need to excel in the real world and to become successful in whatever they choose to do. They will have enormous support from members and alumnae throughout their lives.