Gamma Phi Beta

Sunday, September 05, 2010

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International Gamma Phi Beta

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History of Gamma Phi

History of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority

Gamma Phi Beta is one of the ten oldest women's organizations in the United States. Four women, Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, Eunice Adeline Curtis, and Mary A. Bingham founded Gamma Phi Beta on November 11, 1874 at Syracuse University in Syracuse New York. These young women enlisted the help of Dr. E.O. Haven, Frances' father and Syracuse University's chancellor, as they fought to establish a group solely for women on the male dominated Syracuse campus. These four were imaginative and courageous risk takers who cooperated unselfishly as they worked to achieve the same ideals Gamma Phi Beta emphasizes today. They started an organization that encourages women to seek their full potential as well as everlasting friendships. Our founders believed in hard work, dedication, and loyalty to each of our sisters.

Universities and colleges admitted few women students in the 1870s, and those that were admitted received a rather reluctant welcome from administrators and faculty. Yet Dr. E.O. Haven, Syracuse University Chancellor and former president of the University of Michigan, maintained that women should receive the advantages of a higher education. Thus, he enrolled his daughter at Syracuse University.

Instead of joining the two-year-old Alpha Phi society, Frances asked three friends to join her in organizing a new society. The minutes of their first meeting on November 11 state, "Miss Dodge was appointed to draft a constitution." It was the beginning of Gamma Phi Beta.

After the installation of the second chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, the Beta chapter at the University of Michigan in 1882, Syracuse professor Dr. Framl Smally coined the word "sorority" especially for Gamma Phi Beta. Organizations created following the footsteps of Gamma Phi Beta have been called sororities ever since. Thanks to the efforts of Helen M. Dodge, Francis E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, and Mary A. Bingham, Gamma Phi Beta now has an international membership of over 200,000 members, with 128 collegiate chapters and 156 alumnae groups.

Symbols
International Colors: Brown and Mode
The colors of brown and mode are in honor of Dr. J.J. Brown at Syracuse University, whose study was used for the very first Gamma Phi Beta chapter meetings.

Symbol: Crescent Moon



Flower: Pink Carnation



Badge: Designed by Tiffany & Co. and voted" Most Beautiful" Sorority Badge


Coat of Arms


Magazine: The Crescent

Objective:
To promote the highest type of womanhood through education, social life, and service to community and humanity.

Creed:
Love, Labor, Learning, Loyalty

Open Motto: "Founded Upon a Rock"

Mission Statement: Our mission is to foster a nurturing environment that provides women the opportunity to achieve their potential through life-long commitment to intellectual growth, individual worth, and service to humanity.

Anthem: Fidelity

Tagline: Connect. Impact. Shine.

Conventions: Held biannually in even years

Responsibilities of Membership:

-To meet all financial obligations

-To keep Gamma Phi Beta business confidential

-To attend all meetings

-To vote responsibly at meetings

-To abide by the rules of the sorority

Historical Highlights

·1874- Founded November 11 at Syracuse University

·1875- First initiate, Clara Worden, initiated in March

·1882- Beta Chapter installed at the University of Michigan

Dr. Frank Smalley coins the word “sorority” for Gamma Phi Beta, making it the first women’s society to be known by that name.

·1883- First Convention

Password adopted

·1884- Signature adopted

·1887- First song book compiled by Beta Chapter

·1888- Carnation adopted as official flower

·1892- First alumnae chapter chartered, Chicago, Illinois

·1896- Official seal adopted

·1900- The Crescent first published in June

·1902- Official pledge pin established

Gamma Phi Beta and six other sororities founded the National Panhellenic Conference

·1915- Coat-of-arms designed

·1919- Gamma Phi Beta becomes an international Sorority with the instillation of Alpha Alpha Chapter at the University of Toronto

·1921- First history of Gamma Phi Beta written by Lindsey Barbee

·1924- Province system established

·1927- Sorority business office established at Zeta Chapter (Goucher College) and then at Epsilon Chapter (Northwestern University)

·1929- Camping adopted as international philanthropy

·1936- First Pink Carnation Banquet at Convention

·1940- Honor Roll established

·1943- Gamma Phi Betas sold $15 million in war bonds to finance hospital planes

·1950- Pink designated as official carnation color

·1952- Service Award established

·1956- Golden Crescent (50-year) Award established

·1958- Gamma Phi Beta Foundation established

Mother's pin established

·1965- Central Office (International Headquarters) moved to Kenilworth, Illinois

·1970- Merit Award established

Endowment-Loan Fund established

·1971- Gamma Phi Beta’s 100^th collegiate chapter installed, Delta Delta Chapter, California State University-Fullerton

·1974- Carnation Award established

Centennial Convention in Kansas City, Missouri

TranSISter Service established

·1979- Central Office (International Headquarters) moved to Englewood, Colorado

·1982- PACE (Personal and Chapter Enrichment) established

·1984- SisterLink Service established

·1985- Gamma Phi Beta hosted the first meeting for Sorority Foundation leaders

·1988- A*SISTER established

·1990- International Collegiate Board established

·1992- Sorority-owned International Headquarters dedicated in Englewood, Colorado

Program Department established