When was pi beta phi founded

Pi Beta Phi is proud of its heritage as a pioneering organization for women. Throughout the Fraternity's history, Pi Phi has been the first to establish a number of original frameworks and governing institutions. A sample of such accomplishments are listed below.

Its name was I. The courageous founders set the stage for a thriving organization continuing to enrich the lives of many other women during their collegiate years and beyond. Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women distinguishes itself in the fraternity and sorority world by leading the way as one of the first of seven founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference NPC.

Pleasant, Iowa, with the intention of starting an I. She was successful, and on December 21, , the second chapter of I. Sorosis came into being. The next year Nannie Black founded the chapter at the Mt. Pleasant Female Seminary, and in Kate F. Preston left Mt. Sorosis had already been established. It was quite generally believed that we were a chapter from an Eastern College … a secret we kept for 15 years. Then, it was our greatest secret; now, however, that we are Alpha Chapter is our greatest pride.

The first I. The term so pleased the I. At the Burlington Convention, it was voted to publish, when funds permitted, a Fraternity magazine. Miller Barnes was elected Editor. Also at the Burlington Convention, a committee on Fraternity colors reported and as a result, Iowa Zeta Ella Ham Robinson moved "that we adopt the dregs of wine and light blue. It was 20 pages and did not have advertisements. The title page read: " The Arrow , official organ of I.

Sorosis, Pi Beta Phi. Pi Beta Phi's first literacy service project took place when Nebraska Alpha established a library in York, Nebraska, with books. When the chapter closed in , it gave more than 1, volumes to the city to help start the city's library.

By convention vote, the name of the organization was changed from I. Sorosis to Pi Beta Phi. Some chapters had already been using the Greek motto for years before the change was officially made. Convention was held in Galesburg, Illinois.

By convention vote, April 28 became known as Founders' Day to celebrate the founding of the Fraternity. A national Alumnae Department was organized.

It was Pages and contained 78 songs. It was the first official songbook compiled and published by the Fraternity. Anna Nickerson Robinson was Massachusetts Alpha's delegate. Today, there are 26 member organizations.

The Pledging Ceremony was adopted by the convention body, although its use was optional at that point. The convention body adopted a uniform pledge pin of an arrowhead in Roman gold mounted with the Greek-letter Beta in burnished gold. By convention vote, a plan was adopted to establish a Settlement School in the Appalachian Mountains.

A committee was appointed to outline and develop the project. School began with 14 students and closed three months later with 33 students.

The Coat of Arms crest was copyrighted. It was previously adopted at the Swarthmore Convention. Today, some chapters sing the song, while others recite the words aloud. The newspaper was distributed to convention attendees and mailed to those who subscribed to it. By convention vote, it was decided each alumnae club would meet at least four times per year.

One meeting was to be devoted to the nearest chapter, a second to Founders' Day a third to the interests of the Settlement School and a fourth to the Constitution, historical documents and examination questions. The Golden Anniversary Convention celebrating 50 years was canceled abruptly due to the U. It would have taken place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, from June 23—30, More than 1, members and Pi Phi mothers attended the portrait presentation. The portrait hangs in the China Room of the White House today.

A ritual for pledge meetings was approved at the Pequot Convention. Founder Margaret Campbell placed the doctoral hood upon her. At the Yellowstone Convention, it was voted that bronze markers should be placed on the graves of the founders. At the Yellowstone Convention, it was voted that there should be just 12 links in the chain of the badge, one for each founder.

Regional winners received a special guard designed by Lloyd G. Balfour with three modeled feathers in flight stemmed with a sapphire. The overall winner received a gold charm in the shape of the Fraternity crest with a diamond in the center. On April 26, , Holt House officially opened. At her death, she was the last surviving founder. She served in the role for two years. During her term, she oversaw the merger of the Association of Education Sororities into the Conference. Originally, the carnation guard was the symbol of the Order.

The vision of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to be recognized as a premier organization for women by providing lifelong enrichment to its members and contributing to the betterment of society.

These courageous women set the stage for a thriving organization continuing to enrich the lives of many during their collegiate years and beyond. Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women distinguishes itself in the fraternity and sorority world by leading the way as one of the first of seven founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference NPC.