Gamma Phi Beta Puget Sound Alumnae Chapter

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About Gamma Phi Beta

History

The history of Gamma Phi Beta, which has been in existence for over 100 years, is a long one. The appropriate medium for learning the history of Gamma Phi Beta is the sorority's own history book, The Legacy of Gamma Phi Beta. However, a few highlights from the past are captured below. For more information, see the Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters web site.

Higher Education for Women

The idea of Greek-letter friendship societies for women was conceived when colleges and universities slowly and grudgingly permitted women to enroll. In 1832, the first such school to admit a woman was Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, the forerunner of Syracuse University. Because college women at this time encountered opposition from their conservative families, faculty, and male fellow-students, it was natural for these women to form small support groups.

Founded

The sorority was founded by four young women on November 11, 1874, at Syracuse University, New York. These four women were Helen Mary Dodge, Frances E. Haven, Eunice Adeline Curtis, and Mary Alice Bingham.

Motto

The founders of Gamma Phi Beta sorority chose the Greek letters GFB, which translates into the name, or motto, of the sorority. This motto embodies the principles upon which Gamma Phi Beta was founded and which members learn at the time of initiation.

Open Motto

Soon after the sorority's creation, as the founders shared their ideals with those outside the sorority, they saw the need for an open motto that would reflect what the Gamma Phi Beta sisterhood meant in their lives. The founders chose a phrase from the Book of Matthew in the Bible as the open motto of the sorority, "Founded Upon a Rock." In the words of founder E. Adeline Curtis, "Since the rock is the firmest and most enduring substance, able to withstand the ravages of time, and offering the strongest protection, it seemed fitting that Gamma Phi Beta should be thus founded. Matthew, Chapter 7, Verse 25, "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

Colors

Gamma Phi Beta's original colors were light and dark blue. However, in 1875, the sorority changed its colors to light and dark brown, in honor of Dr. J. J. Brown, who had allowed Gamma Phi's to use his study for meetings.

The Word "Sorority"

In 1882, after the installation of Beta chapter at the University of Michigan, Dr. Frank Smalley of the Syracuse University faculty coined the word "sorority" especially for Gamma Phi Beta. Until that time, all sororities had been known as "fraternities."

Signature

In 1884, the Greek words of the signature, which has been used by Gamma Phi's ever since, were adopted.

Flower

In 1888, Gamma Phi Beta adopted the carnation as its flower, although color was not specified.

National Panhellenic Conference

In 1891, Gamma Phi Beta was one of seven organizations to attend the first meeting of women's fraternity representatives. This meeting lead to the foundation of the Inter-Sorority Conference in 1902, which was re-named to the National Panhellenic Conference in 1911. For more information on the National Panhellenic Conference, see the National Panhellenic Conference web site.

Alumnae Chapters

At the 1892 Convention, the concept of alumnae chapters and the procedures for their establishment were approved.

Newsletters

Although a sorority newsletter in the form of letters written by each collegiate chapter to the others existed since 1883, 1902 saw the creation of The Crescent.

White House Wedding

In 1914, Jessie Wilson (Z), daughter of United States President Woodrow Wilson, was married from the White House, with many Gamma Phi sisters in attendance.

Crest

Gamma Phi Beta's crest, a.k.a. "coat-of-arms," was established after a contest scheduled for the 1915 Convention. The one selected as most harmonious with the ideals of the sorority was created by Gertrude Comfort Morrow (H).

Internationality

In 1919, the sorority's first Canadian chapter, Alpha Alpha, was installed at the University of Toronto. With this installation, Gamma Phi Beta became an international sorority.

Philanthropy

Although the social service work of Gamma Phi Beta has assumed many forms and addressed diverse needs, Gama Phi Beta's social service activities have largely centered around service to camps, children, women, and the community. In 1929, Gamma Phi Beta selected camping for underprivileged girls as the focuse of its international philanthropy.

World War II

Before and after the U.S. entered World War II, Gamma Phi collegiates and alumnae were hard at work raising funds, volunteering on the home front, and serving overseas. Organizations in which Gamma Phi's served included the Women's Motor Corps, American Red Cross, Women's Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Naval Service, WAVES (Women Accepted for Emergency Volunteer Service), WACs (Women's Army Corps), and SPARS (U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve).

Creed

The creed was introduced to the sorority at the 1948 Gamma Phi Beta Convention. The creed elaborates on how the members use the ideals of the motto to enrich their lives. The four ideals of Gamma Phi Beta (Love, Labor, Learning, Loyalty) are taken from the creed.

The Creed of Gamma Phi Beta

Gamma Phi Beta from the past

Has given a heritage that makes a fuller life.

Gamma Phi Beta in the present

Bids us strive for lasting values and ideals.

Gamma Phi Beta in the days to come

Will prove that fundamentals can endure.

Therefore we shall embody in our lives

The truths that make for finer womanhood.

Once more we pledge a loyalty that means

Adherence to all true and noble things;

A learning that enriches all our days

With magic gold that is foreber ours;

A labor that each hour will glorify

The simple, common task, the common cause;

A love that will be strong and great enough

To encompass and to pity all the world.

Camp Sechelt

In 1950, Gamma Phi Beta purchased Camp Gamma Phi Beta at Sechelt in British Columbia. This camp, known as Camp Sechelt, became the permanent of home of Gamma Phi Beta's girls camp. Camp Sechelt hosted about 100 girls each year, ranging in age from 9 to 12, and was staffed and supported by many dedicated Gamma Phi's over the years. Unfortunately, due to the increasing challenge in finding qualified volunteers and staff, the decision was made in 2002 to close Camp Sechelt. Camp Sechelt was sold in 2003.

Flower Color

In 1950, pink was designated the official color of the sorority's flower.

Foundation

In 1958, Gamma Phi Beta established an important fund: the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation. This trust was organized solely for the promotion and encouragement of educational and charitable purposes.

TranSISter Service

In 1971, Gamma Phi Beta established the TranSISter service. Alumnae volunteers served as TranSISters for their areas. A sister who was considering a move to an area, or who had recently moved to an area, could contact a TranSISter for information about alumnae activities, local services (e.g., church, school, stores, etc.), and all other areas of concern. The TranSISter service was absorved into the SIsterLink Global Resource Network in the 1990's.

Alumnae Chapters

At the 1972 Convention, the concept of crescent circles and the procedures for their establishment were approved.

Logo

At the 1974 Convention, in celebration of Gamma Phi Beta's centennial, those in attendance established the official logo of the sorority.

SisterLink Global Resource Network

In 1984, Gamma Phi Beta established the SisterLink service, which was later renamed the SisterLink Global Resource Network. SisterLink started as a career networking service, where volunteers contributed information about their careers, which were then entered into a database. Any sister could then access this database in order to contact other sisters in their desired profession and/or geographic area, in order to discuss various professional issues and ideas. The SisterLink Global Resource Network now comprises the Career Network Service (from SisterLink), the Travel Service and the Relocation Service (both from TranSISter), and the Mentor Service (from A*Sister).

A*Sister Service

In 1986, Gamma Phi Beta established the A*Sister service. Alumnae volunteers served as A*Sisters for their areas. A sister who faced a challenging transition or "crossroad" in her life could contact her area's A*Sister and receive assistance in her search for local resources to further address her needs. Elements of the A*Sister service were absored into PACE and the SisterLink Global Resource Network in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively.

World Wide Websites

In the late 1990's, Gamma Phi Beta constructed the sorority's web site. Since then, many collegiate chapters, alumnae chapters, and regions have created their own local web sites, which are available from the sorority's headquarters web site.

Camp Fire USA

At the 2002 Convention, Gamma Phi Beta voted to collaborate with Camp Fire USA in providing camping experiences for children that will enhance and enrich their lives.

Girl Guides of Canada

At the 2008 Convention, Gamma Phi Beta announced its collaboration with Girl Guides of Canada in providing camping experiences for girls that will enhance and enrich their lives.

Honors

It would be impossible to list all the honors that Gamma Phi Beta has received, and all the Gamma Phi's who have distinguished themselves at the local, national, and international level. For more information, see the Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters web site. A few noteworthy Gamma Phi's and honors earned by Gamma Phi Beta are:

Laurel Blair Salton Clark (G)

A doctor in the U.S. Navy and a NASA astronaut, who died on February 1, 2003 on the space shuttle Columbia.

Florence Marshal (D)

Who was appointed to head the Women's Bureau of the Red Cross in World War I.

Florence M. Patterson (E)

Who, in World War I, was assistant director of nursing for the Red Cross. She was sent to Roumania as head of a nursing unit for a hospital of five hundred beds, and was decorated by Queen Marie of Roumania for this work.

Charlotte Hoffman Kellog (H)

Who President Wilson appointed to the Committee of Belgian Relief in World War I. Charlotte was the only woman on the committee, and her book, "Women of Belgium," attracted wide interest throughout the U.S. The profit from the sales of this book went to the Relief Fund.

Ann Dingle Woodward (K)

An American Red Cross staff assistant, who was killed in the line of duty.

Margaret Sanford Oldenbury (H)

Serving in the Women's Air Force, who was killed in the line of duty.

Marguerite Higgins (H)

Who won a Pulitzer Prize for her brilliant reporting on European and Pacific war fronts.

Patricia Griffin (AK)

A Flight Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, who was decorated by King George VI of England with the Order of the British Empire.

Lucille S. Spalding (F)

A nurse with the rank of Major, who was cited and awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in France.

Lucy Tait Gibson (R)

Who was chairman of a committee for Army and Navy Relief societies.

Two U.S. Treasury Department Citations

That were awarded to Gamma Phi Beta, for the sorority's World War II Service Project "Bonds Buy Mercy." In the four fundraising drives that Gamma Phi Beta carried out during World War II, the full total of funds raised was just under fifteen million dollars.

Sybil Bauer (E)

Who was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in 1967.

Chartelle Jennings

Who coached the synchronized swimming team that won the first Olympic gold medal.

Judith Lynn Morley Martin (O)

Who served as the U.S. Secretary of Labor, sworn in by President George Bush.

Lane Carlson (AD)

Head of Public Affairs for the U.S. Army, who, in 1968, was the first woman to be named a full Colonel in the U.S. Army.

Cecilia Hoffman Eifert (BA)

Who was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

Kristin Brandt Riske (GD)

Who, 1995, became the first Gamma Phi to receive the College Fraternity Editors Association's Evin C. Varner award for "fraternal spirit amd the achievement of peer respect with a spirit ofd assistance and kindness."

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