Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, Vol. 20 no. 3
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA Published by the Fraternity Edited by Clara E. Fanning JANUARY MARCH MAY NOVEMBER TABLE OF CONTENTS March, 1906 Beginnings of Kappa Alpha Theta at DePauw. Dr. John Clark Ridpath - 173 History of the Orand Counoil. Winifred Seroombe . 176 History of the Journal. Ceoelia A. Law and Philena Skinner Peck • - 179 Historical Resume. Ednah Harmon Wickson and Ruth Wilder ... 182 Chapter Histories . 200 Publications of Kappa Alpha Theta. Compiled by L. Pearle Green > - 246 Founders . - . 251 Complete Chapter Roll . 251 Alumnae Chapters . . 252 Officers of Grand Convention . - 252 Offioers of Grand Chapter and Editors of Journal . 258 Grand Councils ............ 254 Printed by the A. B. Farnham Printing and Stationery Com¬ pany, Edison Building, Minneapolis, Minn. tar All material intended for publication must reach the Editor before October 5, December 5, February 5, April 5. TERMS: $1.00 per Year, payable in advance; 25 cents Single Copy; Sample Copy Free. Kappa Alpha Theta will be sent to all subscribers until ordered discontinued and arrearages paid, as required by law. Entered as second-class matter September 23, 1905, at the postoffice at Minneapolis, Minnesota, under the Act of Con¬ gress of March 3, 1879.
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The Grand Convention of 1905 provided that one of this year’s issues of the Journal should be an historical number. In accordance with that decision this issue is given entirely to historical material. An effort has been made to outline the growth of all de¬ partments of the fraternity and to publish this information in a shape convenient for reference. If any readers can supplement this issue by additional de¬ tails suitable for the Historical Handbook, such matter will be gladly received by the editor of the Journal.
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Kappa Alpha Theta Vol. XX MARCH, 1906. No. 3 Historical Number THE BEGINNINGS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA AT DEPAUW (Reprinted from Kappa Alpha Theta, May, 1890, Vol. 4, PP- S8-59-) The germination of Kappa Alpha Theta is a thing of much interest, and will be of greater interest hereafter. The birthday was in the winter of 1870. The circumstances which gave rise to the fraternity are still preserved in the memories of some who were witnesses of the event. It is well that these memories, now passing into tradition, should be preserved. At the date of the founding of the fraternity, only a few colleges and universities had been opened for the admission of women. Among these, Asbury university, now DePauw, was one of the first. It was the peculiarity of the event that the gate was opened half way ; and the first girls were allowed to squeeze in as if by the compression of their skirts. Nor was the welcome altogether cordial. The University authorities had agreed that ladies might be admitted, but had laid the restriction upon them that only the college classes proper, and that in the classical department, were open to the girls. This made it necessary that the applicants should have preparation in Greek and Latin. So the com¬ ers at the first were few and far between. But they were also courageous. Otherwise they could by no means have endured the fight. It was on the side of the
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174 KAPPA ALPHA THETA students that the greatest opposition was experienced. The Alumni were also known to look with much disfavor on the new departure. The result was that the few ladies who en¬ tered the University in the fall of 1867 were met with a frown. They were set in the corner and scrutinized with something of the same interest which is given to curiosities in a museum. The prejudice against the women students was quite intolerable for several years. It was the hope of many that the enterprise would prove a failure — that no girls would venture to run the gauntlet, or if they should make the trial that they would be scowled out of the contest. The event proved otherwise. A few brave girls entered the Freshman class, and presently made their way toward Se- niordom. Nor was the evidence apparent that they were lacking in scholarly attainments. The circumstances here sketched produced their natural results in the minds of the young ladies who had now taken a permanent place as stu¬ dents of the University. They learned many things in the first two or three years of their journey through College. Among the rest, they clearly perceived the advantage of fra¬ ternal organization: They could but observe the workings of the family of fraternities. It was plain that those who were protected by such a relation fared better, and perhaps lived longer in College, than they could otherwise have done. This, perhaps, was the first suggestion of a ladies’ fraternity at DePauw. The women perceived that they might as well have the advantages of organization and sisterhood as those who were at the time their persecutors. Many incidental circumstances conduced to the founding of the fraternity. Social courtesies were not extended by the classmates of those who were foremost among the ladies, or at least not extended to all ; and it was rumored that at least one favorite member on the girls’ side of the hall had been initiated into one of the men s fraternities ! It was un¬ der these circumstances that Betty McReynolds Locke, Alice O. Allen, and Mary E. Simmons, of the Junior class of
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BEGINNINGS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA 175 1870, and Betty Tipton, of the Sophomore class, conceived the project of establishing a woman’s fraternity. The enterprise was embarrassed with many difficulties. How could four girls make a secret fraternity anyhow? There was nothing with which they could affiliate, and only a few to whom they could safely appeal in such a trying crisis. But the founders of Kappa Alpha Theta had discre¬ tion and wit. They sought counsel of a few friends, and learned how such things were done. Among those who were thus consulted and who sympathized with the project were Dr. John Clark Ridpath, at that time professor of Belles Lettres and History, and Dr. John W. Locke, professor of Mathematics. The latter was the father of Betty McReyn- olds Locke, who may be regarded as the leader of the enter¬ prise. After learning the primary lessons in such business, the young ladies drew up their Constitution, obtained the address of a competent badge maker, and set up house. The intent of the parties was well concealed, so that the appari¬ tion of the fraternity had all the brilliancy of a new morning risen on noonday. Every circumstance attending the in¬ stitution of the fraternity was auspicious; and it must be confessed that the result was favorable both to the young ladies themselves and to the rank and file of the girls in college. The ladies thus associated in Kappa Alpha Theta found themselves at once under the protection of fraternal bonds. They had no difficulty in getting recognition from the Fac¬ ulty and a place at Commencement. This gave opportunity ; and opportunity is the thing most needed under such circum¬ stances. The fir,st anniversary after the establishment of the fraternity was observed in public; and though the old preju¬ dice had not yet fully abated, the ladies who appeared, wear¬ ing their badges in honor of the new sisterhood, acquitted themselves in such manner as to win universal applause. It thus happened that the appearance of Kappa Alpha Theta subserved a double purpose. It gave vent and opportunity
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176 KAPPA ALPHA THETA for the natural disposition of the women students to asso¬ ciate themselves in fraternal relations, and at the same time made sure their position in college. After the establishment of Alpha chapter, it was never seriously questioned at De- Pauw University that the women would hold their place, that they would be admitted henceforth to all the advantages and honors of the Institution, and would share equally in all particulars the benefits which it gave. Dr. John Clark Ridpath. HISTORY OF THE GRAND COUNCIL It was quite natural that with the development of Kappa Alpha Theta from a single chapter into a national fraternity that the advance in internal organization hardly kept pace with the rapidly lengthening chapter roll. The really useful machine is the result of a present need, and the need had not yet been felt. At first the government of the fraternity was entirely in the hands of Alpha chapter, but later, when it seemed ad¬ visable that the chapters have some representation, the Grand Chapter was organized. This was a body made up of one member chosen by each chapter to act when called upon. It had no power and accomplished very little. It was as if, today, the corresponding secretaries of the chapters formed the Grand Council. Alpha's Grand Chapter member acted as President, with the power to sign charters. The office of secretary belonged to the chapters in turn, in the order of their establishment. This was the condition of affairs in 1891 when the con¬ vention met at Burlington, Vermont. There were few of the delegates who understood. There were no officers, no plans. A member of the entertaining chapter presided over the meetings, which were delightfully informal. There were those who felt that there must be something more, something we did not understand, some power that could do things , and we waited almost breathless for it to reveal itself.
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HISTORY OF THE GRAND COUNCIL 177 The awakening came, of course with the discussion of finances. Mystery fades before the dollar. Each delegate rose and gave the items of her expense account to the con¬ vention. The amounts were added, then and there, and the sum apportioned among the chapters, according to the mem¬ bership previously reported. This was in July. In Septem¬ ber the delegate must report its assessment to her chapter, must collect the money, reimburse herself, and if there were a surplus, forward it to some chapter less fortunate. It was often January or later before the delegate received the money expended by her for convention expenses. All this was a great surprise to the one who did not under¬ stand. Where was the treasurer? There was none. Who paid the running expenses of the convention? There were none. Was there no money anywhere? There never was any money. It was always collected afterward. To the western girl, more self-reliant, more accustomed to the business world and business ideas and methods than her eastern sister, such a condition of affairs seemed almost im¬ possible — certainly unendurable. There was a whirl of in¬ dignant protest ending with : “If that is all, there is no use in amending the old constitution any longer. Let us have a real organization, officers who are real officers, a president who presides, a secretary who attends convention meetings, and, above all, a treasurer.” Then for a few minutes things moved with such rapidity that the speaker never knew how it happened that she found herself, a committee, with power to appoint assistants, to draw up a plan of government and a constitution, and re¬ port to the convention the next morning. Perhaps those two girls didn’t work that night ; they cer¬ tainly didn’t sleep, but the next morning found them ready with their plan. Of course, it was crude, the mere outline of a government to be filled in and polished as experience gave clearer vision to future workers. The officers of the fraternity were essentially as they are
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178 KAPPA ALPHA THETA today, though there were no districts and consequently but one vice-president; the Grand Council was to be composed of the officers, with power to act between conventions; a treasurer with power to collect money in advance for neces¬ sary expenses and a little over for emergencies, — were the special features of the new plan. It was adopted almost without dissent. Then, that everything might be done with¬ out haste and in order, a committee was appointed to write the new constitution in proper form and report to the next convention. The next two were strenuous years for the new officers, and strenuous, too, for Kappa Alpha Thetas everywhere, es¬ pecially in matters financial. For, you see, there were two conventions to be paid for, that Convention of 1891, and, under the new arrangement, the coming Convention of 1893. There were the new plans to put in operation all along the line. There was the new constitution to prepare, and in that Alpha did heroic work, holding a convention, at her own expense, of all the near-by chapters, to discuss, add to, or modify the document before its presentation to the Con¬ vention of 1893. That was really the beginning of district work in the fraternity. And so the new plan began and so it has continued, im¬ proved from year to year, until today, your business affairs are conducted promptly, smoothly, and in order. In the Convention number of Kappa Alpha Theta the one predom¬ inant note is the benefit of organization, praise of the busi¬ ness-like, carefully-planned, well-conducted meetings. To the looker-on, with memories of that vigil of 1891 and of the beginnings of order in chaos in 1893, the glimpse of the work of 1906 opens up a wonderful future for Kappa Alpha Theta. If so much has been done in the last fifteen years, what may not be accomplished hereafter ? Winifred Sercombe. i
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HISTORY OF THE JOURNAL For the first fifteen years of her existence as a fraternity Kappa Alpha Theta published no journal. At the conven¬ tion held at Ann Arbor, Mich., in March, ’85, it was decided that a fraternity journal should be published and Kappa chapter at Kansas State University was the first to be put in charge of this new undertaking on behalf of the fraternity. Since that time the chapters in the following order have been responsible for the Journal : Kappa from ’85 to ’89 ; Upsilon from ’89 to ’91 ; Lambda from ’91 to ’95 ; Iota from ’95 to ’01 ; Alpha Gamma from ’01 to ’03 ; Alpha Beta from ’03 to 05 ! Upsilon, ’05 — . The names of the editors-in-chief are : Vol. I, Agnes Emery, Kappa; Vol. II, Mary E. Wilder, Kappa; Vol. III. Harriet Haskell (Mrs. McDonald), Kap¬ pa; Vol. IV and V, M. Emma Kemp (Mrs. Byron Timber- lake), Upsilon; Vol. VI-IX, M. Philena Skinner (Mrs. Edson M. Peck), Lambda; Vol. X-XV, Cecilia A. Law, Iota; Vol. XVI-XVII, Edith D. Cockins, Alpha Gamma; Vol. XVIII-XIX, Caroline F. Comly, Alpha Beta; Vol. XX, Clara E. Fanning, Upsilon. The Journal made its first appearance in September of 85. It was at first published as a quarterly having a black cover with the title in gold letters. The subscription price per annum was $1.25. The Convention of ’86 decided that thereafter the volume should consist of three numbers. This and the placing of the number, volume and date in gold letters upon the cover, were the only changes made during Kappa’s incumbency. The first number of Vol. IV issued by Upsilon appeared in a new cover design in which the pin and the pansy are both incorporated. The fifth volume was much simpler in appearance, a yellow cover with a gold line enclosing the name, volume, number, date, and the table of contents. From that time the cover has given only the name, volume, number and date of the issue, and has de¬ pended for decorative effect upon the black and gold letter-
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180 KAPPA ALPHA THETA ing and the color of the cover, which has been in turn white or cream, blue grey, and the present brown, which was first used by Alpha Beta. The early years of editorship were very trying ones to the editors, who wished, as sincerely and earnestly as any who have followed them, to do justice to their undertaking. They lacked the experience and self-confidence and also the financial backing, that has made such radical and busi¬ nesslike changes not only in the Journal, but throughout the whole fraternity. Until the Convention of ’91, the Journal was in the hands of the undergraduates. At that time Lambda was made the editing chapter, and it was decided that thereafter the editor-in-chief should be a graduate and receive a salary for her work. During the four years that Mrs. Peck, of Lambda, was the editor, the Journal was again issued as a quarterly with no change in the price. At the Convention of ’95 Iota was appointed editing chapter, the price was reduced to $1.00, and it was decided to publish only three numbers in a volume. At the Convention of ’97. more radical changes were made. The Journal again be¬ came a quarterly, as it has since remained, the appropriation for publishing was increased and it was decided to impose a fine upon chapters not fulfilling the requirements in re¬ gard to their contributions. This put the Journal upon a much more businesslike footing, and for the first time the ed¬ itor felt free to make plans for her work with some hope of being able to carry them to a successful conclusion. The first Journals were very largely made up of chapter letters. To this were added papers of most varied interest. The subjects might be of special fraternity interest or re¬ lated to some phase of woman’s work in college or out of it, or they might be purely literary. More and more the feeling grew that the Journal was primarily a fraternity publication ; that its first object was to be a medium of communication between the chapters and that it should be limited entirely to fraternity interests. The first number issued by Iota an-
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HISTORY OF THE JOURNAL 181 nounced that there would no longer be room for purely lit¬ erary papers. At times the Journal gives up a number to the work of keeping the history and catalogue records up to date. The first suggestion of an historical number, although it was probably never before referred to by that name, was No. 3 ■of Vol. IV, published in 1890 by Upsilon. It contains an article from Alpha chapter, entitled “The Story of Kappa Alpha Theta,” and one entitled “The Beginnings of Kappa Alpha Theta at DePauw,” by Dr. John Clark Ridpath, a member of the faculty at DePauw when Theta was estab¬ lished. In May, of ’99, No. 4 of Vol. XIII was issued by Iota as an historical number. It contained articles upon the his¬ tory of the various departments of the fraternity, and his¬ tories of the chapters, active and alumnae. In May, ’96, Vol. X, No. 2, a list of names and addresses of the active members was published in order that the catalogue published the year before might be kept corrected. At the same time it was decided to publish once a year, in the May Journal^ the names and addresses of the initiates for the past year. After the publication of the regular catalogue in 1901 this plan was dropped. The Convention of 1903, at Minneapolis, decided to publish one number of the Journal each year as a catalogue number, to contain a complete list of names and addresses of the members of Kappa Alpha Theta. Accord¬ ingly, in May, 1904, Alpha Beta published No. 4, of Vol. XVIII as a catalogue number. At the same time the editor of the Journal was instructed to keep a card catalogue of the chapters and it was also decided to send the Journal to each member of the Alumnae chapters as well as to the individual members of the active chapters. The convention of July, 1905, transferred this card catalogue to the hands of the keeper of the national archives. At the same time, to quote from our Grand Secretary, “The Journal editor was au¬ thorized to appoint a business manager, thus dividing the heavy duties connected with the Journal. Furthermore the
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182 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Grand Council is to elect four district editors, each one to collect news of Thetas in her district, solicit subscriptions, provide Journal articles and in every way aid the editor in her work affecting her district.” At the same time provision was made for the present historical number of the Journal. Cecilia A. Law, Philena Skinner Peck. HISTORICAL RESUME The desire uppermost in the minds of those who have gathered material for this outline has been to assist our mem¬ bers in their fraternity education work. We merely present the facts as they appear in the minutes of our past Conven¬ tions, making no attempt to adequately indicate their rela¬ tionship. We give the data to our chapters, hoping that the facts will be fruitful of discussion and that the members will themselves trace the growth thus indicated. In the near future our members may expect a fraternity history wherein there shall be a complete exposition of what is here merely jotted down in topical form and in this we shall look for a full treatment of the many points of interest which it has been impossible for us even to touch upon. The first Grand Convention was held in 1876, the second, in 1879, and from that time conventions have convened biennially. THE GRAND CHAPTER (The years in the margins refer to Grand Convention dates.) ’79. — At the Grand Convention of 1879, a Grand Chapter was formed consisting of delegates from the respective chap¬ ters ; each chapter appointed its member in the Grand Chap¬ ter. The Grand Chapter was given judiciary power in all matters and had control of the arrangements for convention. Length of membership was limited to two years. After the Convention, the Grand Chapter retired, elected officers and
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HISTORICAL RESUME 183 transacted business. The officers were president and cor¬ responding secretary. '86. — There was a called meeting of the Grand Chapter at Wooster, Ohio. (This meeting has often been termed a “called convention.,,) ’87. — It was ruled that the president of the Grand Chapter should always be a member of one specified chapter, and elected by that chapter, and that the office of corresponding secretary should be given to the various chapters in the order of their establishment. The Convention voted that Alpha chapter should hold this permanent presidency. THE GRAND COUNCIL *91. — The Convention of 91 marks the point of greatest divergence between any two periods of our fraternity gov¬ ernment. However, in as much as in the old form the grand conventions were the legislative body and the Grand Chap¬ ter the executive and judicial body between conventions, it will be seen that no very radical change was instituted. After the Convention of ’91, the Grand Conventions continue and the Grand Council, the judicial and executive body be¬ tween conventions, is formed. It differs chiefly from the Grand Chapter in that it is merely a body of officers (who are also officers of. the succeeding Convention), instead of being, as the Grand Chapter was, a committee whose mem¬ bers were representatives, one from each college chapter. The Grand Chapter had its own president and secretary, who were distinct from the officers of Convention. The duties of the Grand Chapter were not fully defined, as are the duties of the Grand Council, and yet its function was very evidently the same. The chief fact of note in the con¬ stitutions following ’91, is the carefully worded provision made, as Convention follows Convention, for the various departments, so that duties, privileges and powers become fully defined. The Convention of ’91 failed to refer with exactitude to
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184 KAPPA ALPHA THETA “Grand Council,” which body it named and called into ex¬ istence ; in the minutes it is repeatedly used to refer also to “Grand Convention.” We have quoted from the minutes using the words as the Convention very evidently intended : ’91. — Legislative and judicial power of Kappa Alpha Theta shall be vested in the Grand Convention, which shall be held every two years. The officers for the ensuing Coun¬ cil shall be elected at the last session of each Convention and shall enter upon their duties immediately after election. The officers are president, recording secretary, correspond¬ ing secretary and treasurer. The president and treasurer shall submit to the chapters an annual report of business under their supervision. Each chapter shall send to the Grand Convention at least one delegate. The first Grand Council was ordered to assemble, understanding that more than three days should be given to business if necessary. ’93. — The presidents of the districts are appointed vice- presidents of the Grand Council and the editor of the Jour¬ nal is made a member of the Grand Council for the first time. The duties of the recording secretary of the Grand Council are to send the minutes of Conventions 30 days after Con¬ vention, and two reports a year to each chapter concerning Grand Council business. The officers of the Grand Council shall be officers of Grand Convention ; they may hold bien¬ nial meetings in years between Grand Conventions. ’95. — The recording secretary and corresponding secre¬ tary of Grand Council were merged into the one office of Grand Secretary. DISTRICTS AND DISTRICT CONVENTIONS ’89. — Iota suggested that the fraternity be separated into an eastern and western branch. No action was taken. ’93. — Districts were inaugurated as a part of our fraterni¬ ty government and the chapters were divided into three dis¬ tricts: Alpha district to contain all chapters in Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania; Beta district to contain all
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HISTORICAL RESUME 185 chapters in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kansas ; Gamma district to contain all chap¬ ters in California. The presidents of the districts must be alumnae and they shall “visit each college chapter in the dis¬ trict.” District conventions were provided for. ’95* — (Discussion of a national traveling secretary and probable cost of such an officer. We mention this to show the development of the idea of personal inspection.) 97* — (Discussion of subject of traveling president is re¬ ferred to the Grand Council.) ’oi. — It is ruled that the district presidents shall visit once between Grand Conventions each chapter in their districts. (These visits were made and the cost met by assessment upon the chapters in the districts. This was found to be manifestly unfair inasmuch the tax in some districts was much larger than in others, owing to the greater distance to be traveled by certain officers in making their rounds. The solution of the problem came in 1903.) ’03. — The cost of visits made by the district presidents is to be met by the Grand Treasury. DISTRICT CONVENTIONS ’93.— In March, 1893, the chapters in the states of Mich¬ igan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana decided to hold a Con¬ vention. The Convention met March 28, at Greencastle, Indiana. This was a few months before the Grand Con¬ vention which definitely divided the chapters into three dis¬ tricts. ’98. — First Convention Beta District, held Oct. 19, 1898, at Kappa Alpha Theta Hall, Evanston, Illinois. ’oo. — Second Convention Beta District, held Nov. 27, 1900, at Townshend Hall, Columbus, Ohio. '03. — First Convention Gamma District, held Feb. 28, x9°3» a* Omega Chapter House, Berkeley, California. 03- — Grand Convention divided the chapters into four districts namely : Alpha district, to include all chapters in
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186 KAPPA ALPHA THETA the states of the Atlantic coast through Florida; Beta dis¬ trict, to include all chapters in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Alabama; Gamma dis¬ trict, to include all chapters in the states along the Pacific coast or in “the Pacific Coast States ; Delta district, to in¬ clude all chapters in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minne¬ sota, Kansas, Nebraska and other states between the Mis¬ sissippi river and Montana. SONG BOOK ’81. — Committee of three chapters appointed editors of new song book. Chapter at Bloomington to oversee the publication. ’87. — Carried to have a new edition of the song book. Beta to attend to the same and have it published by October, 1887. ’89. — Beta reported that song books were in the hands of the publishers (black covers with Kappa Alpha Theta in gold), and that $150 must be raised before they could be published and another $150 before they could be pro¬ cured. Of the first payment $70 already raised by assess¬ ment of chapters, $10 per chapter. ’91. — Beta reported the books now ready, but last assess¬ ment of 30 cents from each member must be paid before they can be forwarded to chapters. ’93. — Carried, to publish a new song book. Chi ap¬ pointed in charge. ’95. — Publication of song book deferred until next con¬ vention. Whatever surplus there is at the next convention shall be used as a song book fund. ’97. — Carried, that the publication of song book remain in the hands of Chi and that the fraternity assume all re¬ sponsibility ; that the material and a financial report be sub¬ mitted to the Grand Council before the book goes to print. Each chapter pledged itself to take as many song books as there were members at the time of publication.
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HISTORICAL RESUME 187 ’99. — Convention decided that no song book be published until 100 accredited songs have been collected. 9 02. — Song book issued (last up to present date). Miss Baldwin, of Chi, acting as editor. CATALOGUE '86. — Data from chapters to be sent directly to Green- castle, where the printing of catalogue will be done. '87. — Alpha reported progress of catalouge. Expenses to be met by assessing each chapter. '88. — Catalogue published. ’89. — Alpha reported catalogue expenses all paid. Tau elected to publish next catalogue. Covers to be of leather, and funds necessary to be raised by assessment of chapters. ’90. — Second catalogue published. *91 • — Catalogue to be issued every four years instead of two. Iota to have charge of next edition. ’93. — Report on catalogue given by Iota. Plans for its construction and publication left to Iota. 95- — Carried, Miss Caldwell's (Iota) recommendation that each chapter procure a book in which the records of the members be kept and that blanks for the same purpose be purchased and distributed by a committee. '95. — Third catalogue published. '97. — Catalogues still unsold to be distributed, one to each chapter. Compilation of a new catalogue in the hands of Iota. Carried, that two blanks be filled in reference to each member, one for the fraternity archives, the other for the catalogue. '99. — Miss Edith Bell, Alpha Gamma, editor of catalogue. ’oi. — Catalogue issued Oct. 1, 1901. ’oi. — It was ordered that each chapter have a catalogue recorder to compile data for the fraternity catalogues. Miss Davidson, Alpha Gamma, elected editor. '03. — The short-comings of the fourth catalogue seemed to be due to an inadequate plan of procedure, in fact, a
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188 KAPPA ALPHA THETA book catalogue is usually out of date before it is through the press. Therefore the following plan was adopted : To issue a registry of members as a yearly number of the jour¬ nal, to subscribers without extra cost. Each chapter is re¬ quired to keep a card catalogue of its members, on uniform cards in uniform boxes. The fraternity cataloguer keeps a card catalogue of all members, and on an established date, once a year, the chapter cataloguer forwards to the chief cataloguer cards for all new members, or for those whose old cards are in any particular out of date. ’04. — The first catalogue under this new system was issued by Miss Comly, of Alpha Beta, in May, 1904. It was a decided success and proclaims in itself the advantages of the card method. It is completely and systematically in¬ dexed, giving the roll of members in chapters, alphabetically, and in geographical sections. ’05. — Instead of the proposed yearly edition, a supplement of additions, only, appeared in the May, 1905, Journal. ’05. — It was recommended that the catalogue be issued only once in two years, by an elected cataloguer (not the Journal editor) under the Journal management. THE "KAPPA ALPHA THETA" ’85. — The Grand Convention held at Ann Arbor voted to establish a fraternity journal and entrusted it to Kappa chapter. Agnes Emery, editor-in-chief. The price per annum was fixed at $1.25. >86. — At the called session of the Grand Chapter, in 1886, the report of Kappa was read and the meeting carried that each chapter be held responsible for $1.25 for each active member, toward the journal's support. ’8 7. — Convention ruled that the Journal be called "Kappa Alpha Theta," and be issued three times a year, Kappa still editing it. Four alumnae editors were appointed. ’89. — Upsilon appointed editing chapter. Carried that the names of chapter corresponding secretaries be pub-
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HISTORICAL RESUME 189 lished ; the subscription price not to exceed $1.25 ; two-thirds of each chapter must subscribe. The control of journal finances was placed in the hands of the publishing chapter and the bill rendered at convention. Kappa reported a sur¬ plus of $28 which was voted to the Grand Chapter. ’91. — Upsilon recommended a salaried editor, convention ruled that the editor be made a salaried officer, the chapter to which she belongs being held responsible for the busi¬ ness management. $600 was allowed for the salary and expenses for the ensuing two years, the editor to receive whatever more can be made. The editorship was given to Lambda. *93. — Lambda elected to publish the journal for another two years. It was voted that the editor's salary be $100 per annum and the appropriation $550 (for 2 years), the business manager to secure one-third of the money from advertising. All money received should be placed in the hands of the Grand Treasurer, and disbursements made by her as follows : To the editor $25 per quarter, and to the bus¬ iness manager $68.75 f°r running expenses. Carried, to issue the journal quarterly, the Grand President contribut¬ ing an article for each issue; that the editor be chosen by the Grand Council. '95. — The business manager reported a balance of $131.41. The subscription price was reduced to $1 per year. $70 was appropriated to publish each number. Carried, to issue journal three times a year, in Nov., Feb., May. The publishing for next two years was given to Iota. '97. — Iota is again given charge of journal. Voted that it is to be a quarterly publication (March, May, November and January) ; that $500 be appropriated annually for the publication of the journal, $100 of which is to go for the editor's salary. '99. — Iota again given editorship of journal with the same appropriation. '01. — Alpha Gamma was elected to edit the journal.
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190 KAPPA ALPHA THETA ’03. — Carried, that the editor of the Journal be as well, the editor of the catalogue. Alpha Beta selected to take charge of these publications. ’05. — Miss Fanning, of Upsilon, appointed journal editor. Carried that the editor-in-chief shall appoint a business manager. The journal editor shall be assisted by four dis¬ trict editors, appointed by the Grand Council, whose duties, extending over two years, shall be to collect material from their districts for each issue of the Journal. Adopted that each Theta at the end of her college chapter life be re¬ quired to subscribe for three years after leaving college, this to apply for the first time to the class entering college in the fall of 1905. The chief fact with relation to our government here is the passing over in ’93 of the Journal finances into the con¬ trol of the Grand Treasury and disbursements made there. The changes from a tri-annual to a quarterly publication are worthy of notice. FINANCE ’87. — A bill of expenses of the Convention shall be pre¬ sented to the Convention at its last session by the entertain¬ ing chapter, and an assessment be levied on the various chapters sufficient to cover these expenses. *89. — Bill of $10 for the secretary be paid, one-half by the $5 in the treasury of the Grand Chapter and the remain¬ der be raised by immediate assessment ! The income of the Grand Chapter shall consist of the charter fees of the newly established chapters and 25 cents from each initiation fee of each new member. ’91. — Lambda assumed the entire expense of entertain¬ ment and was therefore relieved of the tax of traveling ex-» penses. Adoption of method of collecting per capita tax same as the present constitution specifies. Treasurer shall make an estimate of expenses for two years, and assess each chapter according to membership for
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HISTORICAL RESUME 191 an amount sufficient to cover said estimate ; such assessment to be paid during January of each year. '93- — Grand Treasurer was directed to give bond, and send semi-annual reports to chapters. The amount of per capita tax is to be determined at each Convention, by the Grand Council. ’95- — Adopted that the alumnae tax be abolished and each alumnae chapter send a delegate to each Convention, the Convention paying one-half of the traveling expenses of such delegate. The annual per capita tax shall be $3.50. It was carried that the money necessary to defray the bill for Convention be taken from the coming tax. The Con¬ vention accepted with thanks Iota's offer to loan the money to pay the debt. ’97. — The active chapter per capita tax was again fixed at $3.50; alumnae chapter per capita to be $1, the fraternity paying, as before, one-half the delegate's convention ex¬ penses. The Grand Treasurer was required to give bond for $1,500 within thirty days after her assumption of office. '99. — The alumnae tax was raised to $2 per year, this amount to include a subscription to the Journal. College chapter tax, $3. '03. — Voted that each initiate pay into the fraternity at the time of her initiation $3; that all moneys thus received be placed at interest, and be known as the Kappa Alpha Theta Endowment Fund. The system of alumnae and active chapter taxation, now in vogue, was inaugurated at this Convention. It seems scarcely necessary to comment on the progress of our financial system. Its development even in the last ten years is marked. Instead of the entertaining chapter carrying the burden of financial planning and the burden of the cost of entertain¬ ing the Convention, this is assumed by the Grand Council
Page 22
192 KAPPA ALPHA THETA and Grand Treasury. Instead of the estimate of expense for the same being made at Convention and assessments being levied then to defray the cost, there is the change to the saner plan of the forecast being made and money collected in ad¬ vance. Then followed the perfection of the system when all branches of expense are estimated by Council for the suc¬ ceeding two years and an adequate tax levied to cover all possible expense, so that no assessment is necessary. After various fluctuations the amount of taxes and fees seems to be at least temporarily settled. We reach our climax in the establishment of an endowment fund to be used by the fraternity in cases of emergency and by the chapters, we hope, as a building and loan association. This, no doubt, is proof of a well regulated and adequate system. BADGE, CUT, FLOWER, CHARTER ’8i. — Moved that a plan be devised so that no one but a Theta can procure a badge. Instructions sent to Mr. New¬ man. ’87. — (1) Committee appointed by Grand Chapter to pro¬ cure a universal fraternity cut. Cuts of each chapter to be sent to this committee as a help toward the new design. (2) Heggie directed to make a perfect badge so that we can use it as a model. 89. — Fraternity flower — black pansy with gold center. Delegate appointed to notify the three jewelers that they send badges only on receipt of the prescribed form. Forms of initiation found to be different. Committee appointed to make a universal form subject to variation in no essentials. Call adopted : c, g, g, e, flat. Carried, that Newman's die be adopted. '91. — Invert pins for 30 days in mourning for a member. Carried, that Carter & Carrick, Boston, be appointed our stationer and that our plate be removed from Dreka. Com¬ mittee appointed on flag and seal.
Page 23
HISTORICAL RESUME 193 93. — Carried, that Heggie, of Ithaca, and Miles, of Cleve¬ land, be struck from the list of jewelers. 93. — Mrs. Smith, of Stanford, appointed chairman of the committee on “cry.” Jewelers elected: Newman, of New York City, Bunde and Upmeyer, of Milwaukee. ’95. — Old charters recalled, new ones to be issued. Offi¬ cial jewelers appointed: Shreve, San Francisco, Wright, Kay, Detroit; Auld, Columbus; Heggie, Ithaca; Newman and Tiffany, New York. ’97. — Recommended that the subject of the cry be dropped. New charters approved and were to be issued to all chapters signed by present officers and dated Oct. 8, 1897. Carried, that the fraternity adopt as its seal the design of Dreka. ’oi. — Carried, to adopt the design on the charter as Kappa Alpha Theta coat of arms, and to adopt an official pledge pin. The use of the badge in metal shall be restricted to the official badge and stick pins. Jewelers the same as ’95. Pins may be procured only on presentation of printed blanks (which enumerate the official jewelers) properly signed by the secretaries of active chap¬ ters. ’03. — Carried, that the Council determine the proportion for three sizes of the badge and that jewelers be required to use these dies. '05. — A uniform place for wearing the pin was adopted; suggested that the pins be more nearly uniform in size and jeweling. Jewelers: Auld, Clegg, Wright, Kav, Heggie, Burr and Patterson. A RECORD OF SOME CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES. "76. — The chapters are named by states as: Indiana Al¬ pha, Illinois Alpha, Ohio Alpha, etc.
Page 24
194 KAPPA ALPHA THETA ’8 1. — The word “grand” was henceforth to be used in¬ stead of the word “national” as: Grand Convention. The chapters are now to be named in the order of their establishment without regard to states. No preparatory student shall be initiated into this frater¬ nity. The pledge for new members shall be universal as fol¬ lows: (written and signed). ’86. — The Grand Corresponding Secretary in addition to carrying on the correspondance of the fraternity must send reports to all the chapters at the beginning of the months of December and May. ’89. — The request made at this time by one of the chap¬ ters for permission to initiate a special student, shows the standard of membership Kappa Alpha Theta held; a stan¬ dard which she is endeavoring to maintain by special regu¬ lations. '91. — Double letters are used in naming new chapters. '93. — Each chapter must send to all other chapters and to the members of the Grand Council, December and May re¬ ports. Provision made for amendments to the constitution be¬ ing submitted by the Grand Council to the chapters before Convention. No pledging of preparatory students is allowed except by written license of the officers of the district. Evanston is made the headquarters. ’95. — The oath of office, as still used, adopted. Honorary membership forbidden. It had previously been granted by Convention in rare instances but always allowed full initiation. FRATERNITY EDUCATION ’97. — It was carried that the report of Alpha on frater¬ nity education be referred to a standing committee on that subject to be appointed by the next Grand Council. An examination was sent out to the chapters but there had been
Page 25
HISTORICAL RESUME 195 no previous arrangements made for it with the chapters and the examination merely served to show that plans were nec¬ essary before the idea could be carried out successfully. ’98. — The Grand Council appointed Ednah Wickson, Omega, and Caroline Comly, Alpha Beta, the committe on education. ’99. — The second committee on education was appointed by the Grand Convention of ’99, Ednah Wickson, Omega, chairman, Nina Angel, Iota, and Jane Pollack, Eta. It was carried at this Convention that the examination be made per¬ manent and that the time for holding the examinations should be left to the discretion of the committee on educa¬ tion. It was suggested that answer papers be made uniform in size and arrangement. ’oi. — The report of the committee on education for ’99- ’oi was read. Carried, that an article be incorporated in the By-laws enforcing fraternity examinations. The date for examinations was fixed in the last week in February. It was carried to adopt the plan proposed by the educational committee, namely: The Grand Convention authorizes the general education committee to require of the active chap¬ ters that an education committee be immediately appointed in each chapter to plan the work for the coming year. This plan, together with a list of meetings set apart for the work, must be submitted to the education committee of the whole fraternity during the latter part of October; a statement that such work has been done must accompany the examina¬ tion answers in the spring of each year. Miss May Flan¬ nery, Alpha Beta, Miss Annie Seward, Alpha Zeta and Miss Jeannette Post, Rho, are appointed the committee on educa¬ tion for 1901-1903. ’03. — Miss Flannery reported that the education committee in the fall of 1903 sent to every active chapter a plan of fraternity study, including constitution, by-laws. Grand Council reports, journal and general fraternity policy asking the chapters to follow it. She recommended that chapter
Page 26
196 KAPPA ALPHA THETA reports be sent to the educational committee and that the members of the educational committee be within reach of each other so as to avoid cross-country correspondence, and that the chairman be allowed to choose her committee. Convention again placed the time for examination in the last week in February. Carried, that every undergraduate mem¬ ber of a chapter shall take the examination except such as have received a grade of 90 per cent or above in two pre¬ vious examinations, such members to be exempt from ques¬ tions in Sec. A. ’05. — Report by Miss Flannery showing that in October, 1903 and 1904, the committee wrote to every active chapter asking them to appoint a committee on fraternity education and to form a plan of study for the year, a copy to be sent to the general committee at once. In February a set of questions was sent to each chapter. All papers in answer were received by the committee on time and in good form. The committee recommended a plan of study to extend over two years. A study program committee from Phi chapter carefully outlined a plan of study which is found in the '05 minutes. The Convention ratified the recommendation of this committee that the general education committee pre¬ pare a syllabus for a two years' course of study. Record of examination held spring 1899, see January, 1900, Journal. Record of examination held spring 1900, see November, 1900, Journal. Record of examination held spring 1902, see May, 1902, Journal. Record of examination held spring 1903, see Minutes of 1903 Convention. Record of examination held spring 1905, see May, 1905, Journal. EXTENSION ’79. — Each chapter is virtually made an extension com¬ mittee of one to examine the institutions of one state, defi-
Page 27
HISTORICAL RESUME 197 nitely named, with the view of presenting recommendations for new chapters. It was carried that chapters be endowed with the power of establishing chapters with the consent of the National (Grand) Chapter in all institutions that stand in the front rank of American Colleges, whether co-educa- tional or restricted to women, it being requested that the colleges of the latter character be equal in breadth of cul¬ ture, extent and variety of course and number of students to those colleges where chapters now are. ’8 1 & '86. — Colleges were again distributed to the chap¬ ters to secure data and make recommendations. 89. — Plans for extension in certain colleges are now placed in the hands of specified members of definitely se¬ lected chapters to examine. '89. — Eligible colleges were limited to those thought worthy by the Grand Chapter, having not less than 100 students in the collegiate department. The correspondence concerning new chapters is now placed in the hands of the Corresponding Secretary of the Grand Chapter. The method of submitting the matter for vote of chapters is now formulated. (Just like our present system.) *9i- — Blanks for application of charters were made out by a committee (the statements on the blank are given in the minutes). The requirement of 100 students is raised to 300 before a college is eligible. It was found impossible to enter the leading women’s colleges owing to faculty super¬ vision. These fields were carefully examined. 95- — A committee on fraternity extension is appointed. ’97- — Demands made concerning the organization of the applying group, definitely stated. INTER-FRATERNITY ’91- — The recommendations of the first Pan-Hellenic Con¬ vention of Women’s Fraternities were read section by sec¬ tion at our ’91 Convention and adopted as given in the Con¬ vention number of our journal. The first Convention of wom¬ en’s fraternities was held in Boston, April 16 and 17, 1891,
Page 28
198 KAPPA ALPHA THETA convened at the call of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The fol¬ lowing delegates from Kappa Alpha Theta were present: Margaret Smith, Alpha, Annie Florence Moon, Iota, and Mittie P. Skinner. The recommendations of the committee on fraternity courtesy were adopted as follows: (i) The annual publication of an inter-fraternity directory in which shall appear the names of the general secretaries of each fra¬ ternity and the names of the governing boards of such fra¬ ternities as do not object to their publication ; also, the names of the secretaries of the individual chapters of each frater¬ nity. (2) That each fraternity at large and each of the indi¬ vidual chapters in some way make formal expression of their opposition to the practice of “lifting” which term shall be defined as follows : The extending of overtures by one fra¬ ternity to a member in full connection with another. (3) That each fraternity make formal expression of its opposi¬ tion to double membership without honorable dismissal. (4) The abolition of the practice of pledging and initiating pre¬ paratory students. The committee on Greek Journalism re¬ ported as follows : That the fraternities exchange quarter¬ lies throughout the chapters. That there be uniformity in the date of publication, issuing the quarterlies in October, January, April and July. That at the next Pan-Hellenic Convention one delegate from each fraternity be appointed from the editorial staff. The following recommendations were adopted by the Convention. (1) “That greater modi¬ fication be exercised in rushing and that chapters be more watchful that they pursue no method that could be consid¬ ered questionable or underhanded. (2) That the woman’s fraternities of each college appoint a committee to decide upon regulations for the control of pledging in that college. (3) That greater importance be attached to individual opin¬ ion and judgment in college politics. (4) That in order to facilitate inter-chapter communication all chapters in a col¬ lege be notified of the election of a new corresponding sec¬ retary in any chapter. (5) That in case of dismissal or ex-
Page 29
HISTORICAL RESUME 199 pulsion of a member by any fraternity, notification of the same be given to all other chapters in the college.,, '93- — Subject of Pan-Hellenism read by Alpha delegate. Motion carried by our '93 Convention to exchange with other fraternities’ journals according to agreement in Pan- Hellenic Congress. ’95* — Carried at our ’95 Convention that it be recom¬ mended to each chapter to do its utmost to establish an inter- fraternity compact for asking day. The first meeting of the Inter-Sorority Conference (a re¬ viving of the previous Pan-Hellenic congress) was called by Mrs. Margaret Mason Whitney, President of Alpha Phi. The meeting was held May 24, 1902, at the Columbus Mem¬ orial Building, Chicago. Mrs. Norton, of Eta chapter, and Delta Alumnae chapter, represented Kappa Alpha Theta. Mrs. Norton was chairman of this Conference. The sec¬ ond Inter-Sorority Conference met Sept. 19, 1903, at the Columbus Safe Deposit Vaults, Chicago. Mrs. Norton, our representative, was again chairman. The third Inter- Sorority Conference met Sept. 16, 1904, at the Columbus Safe Deposit Vaults and at the Victoria hotel, Chicago. Mrs. Norton again represented Kappa Alpha Theta. The fourth Inter-Sorority Conference met Sept. 15, 1905, at the Victoria hotel, Chicago. Mrs. Norton was our delegate. Ednah Harmon Wickson, Ruth Wilder.
Page 30
CHAPTER HISTORIES Alpha District IOTA — CORNELL UNIVERSITY The Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was established at Cornell University in January, 1881. The charter mem¬ bers are Olga Neyman (Glucksmann), a senior, and Jessie Boulton (Thorpe), and Josephine Baum, sophomores. The opposition to women's fraternities at Cornell was very strong at that time, and Iota, as the pioneer, secured no additional members during the first year. In the fall of 1 88 1 Jessie Boulton was the only Theta to return to college. It seemed as though Iota chapter must eventually perish and that its survival was only the matter of a few months, but by June 1882, Miss Boulton had reaped the reward of her courageous labor and had saved the day for Iota; the chapter was flourishing and Kappa Alpha Theta was firmly established at Cornell with eleven strong members. Iota has never had a chapter house because the trustees of the University have made an inexorable rule that no woman’s fraternity should occupy a home on the campus; which rule was must rigidly enforced at the time when Iota was offered Andrew D. White’s palatial home during his absence in Germany. In 1882, Iota made herself at home in a cosy chapter-room in Sage College, but eight years later the building became so crowded that a separate chapter- room had to be given up. Since then the members occupying one of the large corner rooms in the college have hospitably opened their doors to the chapter. In 1883, Iota welcomed a chapter of a sister fraternity, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and a strong bond of friendship, based on mutual respect, has always existed between the
Page 31
CHAPTER HISTORIES 201 two. The feeling between the Greeks here has always been of the best and Delta Gamma in 1885 and Alpha Phi in 1889, found a warm welcome. Iota has always interested herself in Pan-Hellenic affairs and it was at her suggestion that in 1887 the plan of a pledging compact was tried. Although broad in inter-fraternity spirit, Iota has always favored con¬ servatism in fraternity affairs. Following the action of the Inter- Sorority Conference a Pan-Hellenic was established at Cornell, in 19041 which has since secured the sincere co¬ operation of all four sororities here represented. The year 1886 was a critical one for this chapter, for it was then that the Ann Arbor chapter, owing to differences of opinion concerning the general policy of the fraternity, became a college branch of Sorosis. Iota, in close touch with the Ann Arbor chapter, was strongly urged to follow her example, but finally decided for the right. From 1893 to 1895 I°ta prepared the catalogue and from 1895 to 1901 edited the Journal. Of the one hundred and sixty-four members, one hundred and ten have received university degrees ; twenty-one have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa and nine to Sigma Xi. Perhaps the greatest of Iota’s blessings and the corner¬ stone of her chapter-life is the cordial feeling existing be¬ tween active and alumnae members and the sweet hospitality of those alumnae whose homes are in town or on the cam- Pus- Helen Willoughty Underwood LAMBDA - UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT In looking over the records of our University we find that young women were allowed to enter the University of Vermont at the opening of the college year, 1871. During that first year one girl alone braved the displeasure of the college men. The next year two more entered and the num¬ ber has kept on increasing from year to year. In 1874, so say the chronicles of Alpha Rho, the local so¬ ciety which was the basis of Lambda chapter, “The young
Page 32
202 KAPPA ALPHA THETA women of the University of Vermont feeling their need of a more general culture than was afforded by one curriculum of study, a wider sympathy with the more progressive spirit of the age; a more extensive knowledge of the results of modem thought, and believing that they might derive bene¬ fit from the contact of mind with mind in the mutual com¬ parison of ideas and friendly criticism; formed themselves into a society for the purpose of intellectual improvement.” These girls had many things to contend with but they were “true hearted” and determined to carry through their scheme. The surprise occasioned by their success is well ex¬ pressed in one stanza of a song composed by an Alpha Rho girl: The college saw with wondering eyes By magic hands the fabric rise, And stood in great surprise to know That a ring was the badge of Alpha Rho. These girls were intellectual and if you doubt it just look over, with us some of the subjects upon which they debated ; Resolved, That men of thought are of greater service to the world than men of action. Resolved, That the genius which survives prosperity is nobler than the genius which survives adversity ; and many others of a like nature. As we read on a little further in the Chronicles we find that one evening is given up to a lecture on dress, and another to a talk upon the use of bad grammar and slang, and again we find an evening or evenings de¬ voted to Thackeray and Shakespeare. That the element of fun was not wholly lacking is shown by the fact that “Breach of Promise” cases and some other equally ridiculous ones were tried before an Alpha Rho judge and jury. It was to such girls as these that Kappa Alpha Theta granted a charter in 1881, and gave them the right to be called Lambda. This chapter was the first woman’s national fraternity to be founded at Vermont. In 1893 a chapter of
Page 33
CHAPTER HISTORIES 203 Delta Delta Delta was installed and shortly afterwards a chapter of Pi Beta Phi, so that we now have two other good sized fraternities as well as a goodly number of non-frater¬ nity girls. Up to the time of the coming of Lambda the girls had used the “Ladies Reading Room” in the “Mill,” as our main college building is called, for their meetings. Now a greater need was felt, a need of meeting in a less public place and in one where their affairs would not be in danger of being over¬ heard. A room was engaged on College Street, and our older members tell us that the furnishings were meagre in¬ deed to what we now have. In 1885, was built, with the aid of Mrs. Julia Spear, the little chapter house, which was the “Rats’ Kradle” until 1897. Then it seemed best to find a home which would be less care to the girls, because the house was not used as a lodge. The majority of the girls, in the chapter at that time lived at their homes in Burlington, so the fraternity house was opened only for meetings Sat¬ urday evenings. Lambda moved back to College Street and has since had a few other pleasant homes, but never a more delightful one than that we now have with one of our alum¬ nae, Miss Crooker, on North Prospect Street. The ninth Biennial Convention of Kappa Alpha Theta was held with Lambda chapter in 1891. At this Convention the Grand Council was inaugurated and provision was made for Alumnae chapters. This Convention also made Lambda the editing chapter of the Journal. Mittie Skinner now Mrs. Edson Peck, of Bristol, Connecticut, was the editor in chief. Lambda has not been lacking in her share of honors. Since the time of her installation at Vermont, twenty-five Thetas have worn the key of Phi Beta Kappa. Among our members may be found physicians, lawyers, artists, authors, teachers, librarians, trained nurses and stenographers. Many of our women have become well known in the intel¬ lectual world. We prize highly the memory of such names as that of Clara French who was one of the first members of
Page 34
204 KAPPA ALPHA THETA our chapter. She left Vermont University and graduated from Smith College. She then went to England for post¬ graduate work with her friend, Vida Scudder. There the two young women visited Toynbee Hall and were so in¬ terested that they returned to America, and were among the pioneers of the college settlement movement in New York City. Miss French accepted the chair of English Literature offered her at Wellesley but died very suddenly. Her life was short, but richly influential. Miss Platt has done note¬ worthy work, in biology, both at home and abroad while that charming book entitled “Freshman and Senior” is enough to recommend Mrs. Jessie Wright Whitcomb to any society. Among this list of women who have been a credit to the chapter may be placed the name of Anna Clark. Miss Clark has done most excellent work in our own University and has taken her second degree at Columbia College. She is now at the head of the department of Natural Science in the Teacher's College at Columbia. Bessie Howe has done very commendable work as a dramatist and teacher. Let hope that Lambda's future may boast of as many suc¬ cessful women as her past. Mary A. Murphy. Sigma — Toronto University Sigma chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was founded in 1887 at Toronto University, a charter being granted to a group of four girls. The number of women students at the University then was very small, moreover there was a de¬ cided anti-fraternity feeling. The result of this was that the chapter did not prosper and became inactive in 1888, the charter being returned. In the spring of 1903, a local fraternity, Delta Theta, made formal application for the renewal of the charter. The Delta Theta fraternity was founded in 1902, and from the outset the hope of its members was to become a chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. This hope was not in vain. After two
Page 35
CHAPTER HISTORIES 205 years of steady work and anxious waiting, in May, 1905, the good tidings reached Delta Theta that the charter was grant¬ ed, and that in her, Sigma chapter was to be re-established. The majority of the members attended the July Conven¬ tion in Philadelphia, and Monday evening, July 3d, the in¬ stallation service was held at Swarthmore College. Kappa Alpha Theta is the only international woman’s fra¬ ternity in Toronto or any Canadian university. This is not likely long to be the case, but Kappa Alpha Theta will have the honor of being the pioneer in the movement, and Sigma that of being the first chapter of an international woman’s fraternity .established in Canada. CHI — SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY It was in March, 1889, that a little group of enthusiastic girls of Syracuse University conceived the idea of applying for a charter of Kappa Alpha Theta. With the zeal and determination which has characterized the growth of Chi, they decided to bend every effort toward the kite, and, as a first step, formed themselves into an organization under the name of Kappa Delta Phi. Through the help of Iota and the recommendations of some of the professors and deans of our University, the pur¬ pose of the society was brought before the Grand Chapter, and, after innumerable communications, on October 10, 1889, Kappa Delta Phi became Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. The charter members are: Katharine Van Ben- schoten Hinman, Florence A. Larabee, Ada B. Parker, Louise Graff Lewis, Jessica B. Marshall, Marcia Carpenter Piper, Lulu Kern Smith, May Brown Torrey, Elsa L. Ames, Martha A. Beecher, Pauline Jennings, Mary A. Day. In 1872, Alpha of Alpha Phi, was established here; two years later, Alpha, of Gamma Phi Beta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma in 1883. When our chapter was founded, these fra¬ ternities were firmly established as active chapters, and with strong alumnae associations. So the odds to be contended
Page 36
206 KAPPA ALPHA THETA against to make Chi worthy to be a chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta were by no means insignificant. But the period of struggle was not long, for the spirit in which the chapter had its birth, lived and grew, and Kappa Alpha Theta won her rightful place at the top. For several years, Florence Larabee, whose home was al¬ ways open to Theta for business or pleasure, gave the chap¬ ter the use of a room in her house for a chapter hall. But finally one of the audacious spirits of the chapter suggested having a house. At that time only Alpha Phi owned one. It seemed like a tremendous undertaking, but the aforesaid spirit was like the “leaven which leavened the lump,” and soon the whole chapter was filled with the idea. As a re¬ sult, in 1894 Chi was located at 808 University Avenue. We, who are enjoying our comfortable chapter home, can scarce¬ ly realize the sacrifices that were made and the difficulties overcome to furnish and run the house. The Grand Convention was to be held the next year, 1895. Chi invited the fraternity here and the invitation was accepted. We have little detailed information about this event in the chapter life, but we know everyone worked with the usual loyal spirit, and the Convention proved very successful. The girls soon found that their house was not adequate for the needs of the chapter, and the following year they moved to 720 Irving Avenue, the present chapter house. Since then there has been no great change in our chapter life. We have felt the need of a breadth of development, — socially, intellectually, morally, — and are striving to at¬ tain it. In looking over the records of the members, we find a good proportion of honors, summa and magna cum laude and cum laude. We have got eight Phi Beta Kappas. Two of our graduates from the College of Fine Arts have won scholarships, — one in music and one in painting. Three of our alumnae are practicing physicians. One of our char¬ ter members and a graduate of the College of Fine Arts,
Page 37
CHAPTER HISTORIES 207 Pauline Jennings, is giving lectures on music before the Board of Education in New York. May Brown Torrey, another charter member, held the office of Grand Treasurer and also the Presidency of Alpha District. Our song-book was edited by one of Chi's members, Lucile Baldwin Van Slyke. Our only author is Jennie Bingham, who has writ¬ ten several books and contributes short articles to maga¬ zines. Though not an eventful record, still we feel we can hon¬ estly say that Chi has always stood for those things which tend to make a college woman a true woman, and has striven to keep in view the high ideals of our fraternity. Beulah B. Throop. ALPHA BETA — SWARTHMORE COLLEGE During the year 1890, a society called Phi Delta Pi, was founded at Swarthmore College. Its badge was a penny cut in half, polished on one side and marked with the Greek letters. In its beginning this club was characterized by good fellowship and a desire for pure fun; but it had been or¬ ganized but a short time when three of its members deter¬ mined to work definitely for a national fraternity charter, and that charter to be from Kappa Alpha Theta. The pre¬ dilection for Kappa Alpha Theta was due to the fact that the sisters and cousins of several of them had become mem¬ bers of the fraternity at Cornell. After much talking and planning, the girls decided to confide their project to the Dean. She listened quietly to them and then said : “Three other girls have had the same thought, you had better see them before you take further steps." Acting on her suggestion, after the first surprise was over, the six met in the Dean's parlor and there, in the greatest secrecy, agreed upon asking several mutual friends to join them as charter members. From that time, until October, 1891, were many prepara¬ tions made for the establishing of Alpha Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, the first woman's fraternity at Swarth-
Page 38
208 KAPPA ALPHA THETA more. The initiation was conducted by the Cornell chapter, in the home of two of the girls in Swarthmore village, when the charter was given to Hannah H. Clothier, Dora Lewis, Ellen Atkinson, Ellen Pyle, Annie Hilborn, Sarah E. Wil¬ liams, Jane Atkinson, Anna Atkinson, and Helen R. Hil¬ born. From that day to this, the history of the chapter has been one of eminent success. As active members, o'ur girls have held honors, both socially and scholarly, and as alumnae, they have been constantly influential in furthering the col¬ lege interests. Our life does not differ, I suppose, from that of other Eastern chapters who have no fraternity house. For a short time, it is true, we did have that delightful experience and sent our letters from the West House, one-time home of the famous artist, Benjamin West, but the building was soon needed for other purposes, so now, we all live in one large dormitory, Parish Hall. This may seem to some of you a great disadvantage, but in a small college, where the stu¬ dent-body rarely exceeds three hundred, it is the only means of making our college and fraternity interests identical. ALPHA DELTA — WOMAN’S COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE Alpha Delta has not yet reached her tenth birthday, so she is a quite a young member of Kappa Alpha Theta, and her history therefore is brief in comparison with that of our older chapters. In the fall of ’95, a literary society of eight girls : Emma Weeks, Eva May Blake, Maud Kingman, Elizabeth Sooy, Cora Gardner, Phoebe Appleyard, Mary Elizabeth Sears and Onnolee Countryman, applied to Kappa Alpha Theta for a charter of membership, as a college chapter of the fraternity. Then came that experience which comes to all societies applying for admission, the inspection of their little circle, followed by the long anxious waiting for an answer to their application. Not only did they have to wait for an answer from Kappa Alpha Theta, but also from the Board
Page 39
CHAPTER HISTORIES 209 of Control of our college, which at first refused to add an¬ other fraternity to the four then in existence here, thinking five would be too many for the size of the college at that time. But our girls persevered until the permission was given and after awhile came the glad news that the charter of Kappa Alpha Theta would be granted them. We owe a great deal to those girls who stood so firmly and so closely together, in the end winning for us the grand privilege of; having Kappa Alpha Theta in our college. The chapter was installed on a bright sunshiny day, May the fifteenth, ’96, at the home of Edith Lamb, of Alpha Beta. It was not long before the college closed for vaca¬ tion, but I am sure that these girls must have been making plans during the summer for their first rushing season. They added seven to their number that year and went to work with a vim to lay the strong foundations, and to start up the walls of a structure which has grown in strength and stability every year. The building material has always been of the best, and often brilliant in nature. On the walls of this structure are engraved many records such as these, — “President of Students’ Organization,” in three places; “Class President year — ” in six places ; “Editor of Donny- brook Fair,” our college annual occurring thirteen times, and seven times, “Kalendo Board”, which is the editing board of our college paper. All these records are brightly and clearly cut, but here and there we see those which at¬ tract our especial attention, those telling of scholarships to Woodsholl and college scholarships, and one the most shin¬ ing of all, a little gold key. We are building ever higher each year, and are trying to to engrave such records as will be worthy of Kappa Alpha Theta, and will make Alpha Delta a credit to her. Christie Y. Dulaney. ALPHA EPSILON — BROWN UNIVERSITY Women were first admitted to Brown University in 1891.
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210 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Very soon after that date they formed a society, to which all were invited at the close of the Sophomore year. In 1893, however, a class of twenty-seven women entered the college, and so this local society decided not to invite all the class, but only its most prominent members. This was the beginning of societies among the women at Brown. A certain well-known sorority (not Kappa Alpha Theta) heard of this group of girls, and in 1895, one of its members came here to see it. The dean of women called some of the most prominent sophomores into his office, and there this girl told them about national fraternities and inspired them with the idea of forming a chapter of one at Brown. But fearing the seemingly heavy responsibilities of membership in a national organization, these girls decided not to petition for a charter, whereupon many entered the local society. Yet there was one girl of stronger purpose, and to her Alpha Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta largely owes its existence. Martha Briggs, now Mrs. John L. Hood, saw the great advantages that a national sorority has over a local society, and so she would not wait for an invitation to the local, as she was told to do by one who was already a mem¬ ber of it, but she, with Ida Waite and others whom they ask¬ ed to join them in their undertaking, continued the corre¬ spondence already begun with the before mentioned soro¬ rity girl. Following her advice, they formed themselves into a local society with a Greek letter name. This name was K. K. K., and it meant “Karacter, Kulture, Know- ledge.” At this critical moment a Vermont Theta came to Provi¬ dence to visit her cousin, Ida Waite, and told this group of Tri-Kappas about Kappa Alpha Theta. Her words, com¬ ing as they did from one not wholly a stranger, influenced the Tri-Kappas greatly, and they decided to inquire into the merits of Kappa Alpha Theta. There were now eigh¬ teen in this group, and they presumptuously wrote to the presidents of all the colleges where Kappa Alpha Theta had
Page 41
CHAPTER HISTORIES 211 a chapter! Either the president or dean of every college answered, and in every case the Kappa Alpha Thetas^were said to be either equals to or superiors of the other girls in college. One president, after praising the chapter in his college, added that the “Kappa Alpha Theta girls almost always marry professors.” Whether it was this latter that determined the Tri-Kappas I do not know, but anyway they decided to try for Kappa Alpha Theta, and, according¬ ly, applied to become a chapter of that sorority. Miss May Brown, the president of Alpha district at that time, visited and won the hearts of the Brown girls. Then came months of uncertainy, fearing waiting. The greatest obstacle seemed to lie in the fact that so many did not know there were women at Brown University. At last, in January of 1897, after about a year of waiting, came a letter from Miss Brown, containing these joyful words: “Have just this moment received a letter from our president an¬ nouncing that all votes are in on Brown U., and all affirma¬ tive. Eureka!” Many letters were written and received then in preparation for initiation, before the date was finally set for February twentieth. Six Thetas came to Provi¬ dence for this, to us, so vital an event. The initiation service was in Ida Waite’s home that Saturday afternoon. It was followed by a happy Theta banquet, the forerunner of many such events, and then by a reception to the profes¬ sors and their wives. It is in commemoration of this chap¬ ter birthday of ours that Alpha Epsilon gives its annual dance in ‘February. That is the way that Kappa Alpha Theta came to be re¬ presented at Brown. Yearly we have grown to love and appreciate the full worth of our fraternity more and more, and we are ever striving to attain more nearly to its high ideals. Socially, Kappa Alpha Theta has always stood well at Brown, with an abundant share of college and class honors. Intellectually, we are able to make two boasts to¬ day, first, that we have a larger per cent of Phi Beta Kappa
Page 42
212 KAPPA ALPHA THETA girls than any other society in college, and second, that the only two girls who have ever made Sigma Xi at Brown, are Kappa Alpha Thetas. Furthermore, we have tried to grow in inner value as well as in numbers and strength, and have ever found Kappa Alpha Theta a great help to us, as well as a great joy. For several years, we have rented one or two rooms where we have our regular chapter meetings, whither we invite freshmen in the rushing season, and which we use in every sort of a way. We miss the Theta dormitory life here and the closer comradeship that it means, but we make up for this lack, in part, by our annual summer house party, held for a week in July or August, at the seashore or in the coun¬ try. As yet, Alpha Epsilon is one of Kappa Alpha Theta's younger children. It is our hope that she may be a child who will win glory and honor for that great fraternity we all love so tenderly and deeply. Hope Davis. ALPHA ZETA — BARNARD COLLEGE It was early in February, 1898, that a letter fraught with significance, was received by a very anxious band of ten girls at Barnard College. The letter contained news of the granting of a charter and the establishment of Alpha Zeta, chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. The joy which the news brought with it was appreciated all the more keenly because of the long period of suspense which had elapsed since six of those girls: Katharine Hawkins, '98 ; Ida May Demarest, '99 ; Elizabeth Maplesden, ’99 ; Ruth Overton, '99 ; Aurelie Reynaud, '99, and Florence Lippincott, 1900, had first applied for consideration from Kappa Alpha Theta. In October 1897, these girls concluded to make an effort to obtain a charter from some national fraternity, and im¬ mediately set about inquiring which one was in the lead. Queries were made in many quarters, as to the status of the
Page 43
CHAPTER HISTORIES 213 several women’s organizations. Finding that all author¬ ities conceded pre-eminence in the Hellenic world to Kappa Alpha Theta, they immediately took steps to secure a char¬ ter from that fraternity. The usual formalities were gone through and the dreaded investigating committee of three, made its visit to the anx¬ ious group. The date set was Thursday, December 16, 1897. On that afternoon, Mrs. L. A. Best, of Brooklyn, Mrs. Hold, of New York, and Miss Titus, of Long Island, came, and, by their gracious kindliness changed the pre¬ vious fear of criticism which had filled the hearts of the girls, to a feeling of confidence and of having “passed mus¬ ter.” During the months which ensued the girls were not idle, but with untiring efforts were building up a nucleus for the future chapter. The zeal which characterized the work of this faithful group, has ever since been the inspiration of the girls who have come into the fellowship, of Alpha Zeta. At this time Barnard had just begun to feel at home in her new buildings on Morningside Heights. The accommo¬ dations seemed so spacious after the small house on Madison Avenue, that Dean Smith looked with favor on a request from the girls for a room in which they might meet. Ac¬ cordingly, she gave them the exclusive use of a cozy little room on the top floor overlooking the Hudson. Here they talked over the new girls or rejoiced over some special piece of good fortune, and here perhaps, they gathered to read the all important letter of acceptance. While the college remained small it was possible for them to continue to occupy a room in the main building, but as the number of students increased and every inch of space was needed, they were obliged to relinquish their much loved home. The question of a fraternity home is a serious one in a city like New York. Several plans have been tried and still
Page 44
214 KAPPA ALPHA THETA no satisfactory conclusion has been reached. Rooms and apartments have had their turn, and this year the chapter is trying the experiment of having no fixed headquarters. The weekly meetings are held in the rooms of one of the Seniors near the college. The monthly evening meetings are held at the homes of the girls living in town. This plan has several advantages in that it relieves the chapter of much responsibility, financial and otherwise, and that it brings the girls into close touch with one another in their home surroundings. As practically all the girls, active and alumnae, live in or near New York, the active chapter en¬ joys the great pleasure and privelege of the companionship and counsel of older girls. Since the founding of the chapter, forty-seven girls have pledged their loyalty to Kappa Alpha Theta. Two of our number have held office on the Grand Council : Adelaide Hoffman Marvin, in 1901 -3, and Aurelie Reynaud, 1903-5, both as district presidents. At the fifteenth Biennial Con¬ vention, a Theta pin was awarded to Alpha Zeta chapter, as a prize for the best chapter letters contributed to the Journal during the two years preceding. Agnes L. Durant. Beta District ALPHA — DEPAUW UNIVERSITY When in 1867, Asbury College, now known as DePauw, opened its doors to women, Bettie Locke was one of the four courageous enough to ask for admission. There were six or seven fraternities among the men at this time and many stories have been handed down to the younger genera¬ tion of the rivalry among them, as to which fraternity these girls should support. One of them even went so far as to ask the girls to wear their pin. Bettie Locke said she would not put on a pin unless regularly initiated. This they were willing to do but found it would be unconstitutional.
Page 45
CHAPTER HISTORIES 215 Then came the suggestion to Bettie Locke of organizing a fraternity for women. Alice O. Allen was taken into her con¬ fidence and the two drew up a constitution, and, after many months completed a design for a badge. Bettie Tipton and Jennie Fitch were chosen to share the wonderful secrets of the proposed fraternity, and on January 27, 1870, the or¬ ganization became known to the college world. This is not only the story of the founding of Alpha chap¬ ter, but also that of the national fraternity, Kappa Alpha Theta, since these four girls made provision in the consti¬ tution for granting charters to other chapters. In these thirty-six years, Alpha has initiated an average of ten freshmen a year, making the active membership larger than is common among Theta chapters, this year its numbering thirty-one. Our chapter life is centralized in a fraternity house. Our rushing has been regulated for the past few years by a Pan-Hellenic association. A large number of our graduates have entered Alpha Alumnae chapter thus continuing their activity in fraternity work, while Margaret Ellen Smith served as the second Grand President under the present Grand Council system. Our present hope is that the future may be as prosperous and successful as the past thirty-six years have been for Alpha and Kappa Alpha Theta. BETA — INDIANA UNIVERSITY Only a few months after the founding of Kappa Alpha Theta, the Beta chapter was established at Indiana Uni¬ versity, on May 18, 1870. Miss Jones, of Alpha, was sent to install the chapter, three members being initiated, Minnie Hannaman, Lizzie Hunter and Lizzie Harbison. At that time Indiana University had an enrollment of 269, and the number of women in attendance was only thirty-two, for the school had not been made a co-educational institution until 1867. The new fraternity was not received with favor, be¬ cause of the opposition the men's fraternities were creat-
Page 46
216 KAPPA ALPHA THETA ing against one another and because it was at that time, looked upon as a step towards exclusiveness. The frater¬ nity held meetings once a week at the homes of different members. Gradually, the membership was increased and the fraternity ideal broadened. In 1879, the second Grand Convention, of Kappa Alpha Theta, was held at Bloomington and ten years later, Beta was hostess for the second time. In 1893, with the aid of the alumnae, a chapter-house was secured and the chapter- house is today, inseparably linked with the life of the frater¬ nity. In its present life, Beta probably differs little from other Theta chapters. Each year, a birthday banquet is given in honor of alumnae members. The Seniors edit a publica¬ tion known as “The Kite,” of local interest only. They have a custom, too, of presenting the chapter with some parting remembrance. There is also an unwritten law that the freshmen shall entertain the upperclassmen. Beta chapter is justly proud of her alumnae members and shares with pride the honors which fall to them. Among those who have achieved noteworthy honor, is Dr. Erla Hittle Rodakiewicz. She was an active member of the chapter in 1890-91, and graduated from Cornell in 1893. In 1901, she received the honorary degree of Ph. D. summa cum laude in Philology, from Heidelberg. In the same y< ar, she was married to a distinguished Polish educator and now lives at Lemberg, Galacia, Poland. In the last Grand Convention, Beta was honored in the choice of Emma Pearson as President of Beta District. Mrs. Fannie Mor¬ gan Swain, wife of President Swain, of Swarthmore, and to whom Indiana owes, in large measure, her $100,000 Student building; Mrs. Kate Milner Rabb, of Indianapolis, well known as a writer of short stories and Miss Elizabeth Hughes, of Palo Alto, Cal., Principal of the Parker-Hughes School for Girls, are all members of Beta. The chapter at present numbers thirty-two members, and
Page 47
CHAPTER HISTORIES 217 though it now surpasses the fondest dreams of its founders, it has brightest prospects for increased success and broad¬ ened influence. Mayme Swindler. EPSILON — WOOSTER UNIVERSITY Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was founded at the University of Wooster, Wooster Ohio, in June, 1875 with four charter members: Mary Parsons (Mrs. Fred Mullins), Ada Mullins (Mrs. McSweeney), Katherine Mc- Sweeney and Susan Given (Mrs. Patterson). Kappa Alpha Theta was the only sorority in this institu¬ tion until 1876, when we greeted our sister fraternity, Kappa Kappa Gamma ; the latter is still our only rival, as the fac¬ ulty has forbidden the organization of any other sororities. The history of Epsilon has been characterized by a pe¬ riod of growth, prosperity and a share in the general frater¬ nity work. In 1881 the regular Convention of the fraternity was entertained by the chapter and five years later, the called Convention of 1886, also met with them. At the Con¬ vention of 1895, m Syracuse, Harriet Lucretia Funck, '91, was elected Grand President and held that office for one term, presiding at the Convention at Madison, Wisconsin, in 1897. For many years our chapter meetings were held in a rented room down town, but since the University fire of 1901, we have a spacious room all our own in Kanke Hall, the main building of the institution. The growth of the University has been rapid especially since the fire, for we now have six beautiful buildings, not including the dormitory and gymnasium fashioned in “Old English Style,” and fitted with all modern improve¬ ments and conveniences. Before another year passes, our library will be enlarged and another girl's dormitory com¬ pleted. This last feature is especially encouraging to fra¬ ternity life, as it will no doubt increase the number of desirable girls.
Page 48
218 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Our Alumnae association has always been one of the most encouraging features of our fraternity relationships. They have aided us financially, their homes have been open for our use, they have helped us furnish our hall, and have given us that advice and counsel which is necessary for the success and development of every chapter. Epsilon's membership from the time of her birth until the present date is 240. We have never possessed a house, neither has a Pan-Hellenic organization existed in our midst. The need of the former we have not yet felt, and the latter, although most of its demands have been covered by faculty rules heretofore, will be organized before many weeks have passed. We have had our share in class and college honors, and have always taken a prominent part in the life and activity of the college, social and otherwise. Our earnest wish is that our future may be as bright as our past. Margaret Mason Pomeroy. ETA — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Eta of Kappa Alpha Theta, was first established at Ann Arbor, on December tenth, 1879. It was thought best how¬ ever, by the Grand Council, to withdraw the charter then given to the chapter, in 1886. The present Eta chapter was established on July twenty- ninth, 1893, when the charter was granted and the pledge given to the twelve girls who had made application for the chapter, by the representatives of the fraternity then as¬ sembled in Convention at Chicago. One of the fundamental ideas with which the chapter was formed was that of lessening the distance between the fra¬ ternity girls and the Independents. The founders felt so strongly on this subject that they embodied the idea in the spirit of their by-laws, and through all the succeeding years, the girls have tried to keep this policy in mind. Only six instead of the nine girls that had been expected,
Page 49
CHAPTER HISTORIES 219 returned to Ann Arbor in the fall to begin the chapter life together. The small number was not perhaps altogether an evil, as a larger number might not have been drawn so close¬ ly together, and might not have felt the need of such earnest and energetic work. There were troubles and anxieties at first, of course, but they were smoothed away in time, and, in spite of the usual difficulities that have to be sur¬ mounted to maintain successful fraternity life, Eta be¬ came a strong, united chapter. Several Eta girls have held high offices in the fraternity. Mrs. Norton, of the old chapter, has been the delegate to the Inter-Sorority conference, and, last year, was elected presi¬ dent of Delta District. Myra Post Cady was a District President, 1895-1899; and Grand President, 1899-1901. Alice Wadsworth was Grand Secretary, 1897-1901. Now the chapter is living prosperously in the house which has been its home for the past ten years, and has a large number of interested and helpful alumnae. MU — ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Some one has said, “History is a record of individual action,” and this definition applies most surely to the his¬ tory of a fraternity chapter. It is the interest, the care, the love and the labor of each girl in the chapter that makes its career a successful one. It is, largely, the record of small happenings of little details, important only to the girls whose interests are centered there. To the critical on¬ looker, who measures by the greatness of undertaking such a history would be the record of the non-essential. There were seven girls who in 1881, finally succeeded in bringing Kappa Alpha Theta to Allegheny College, and in establishing Mu chapter. For a short time the kites were worn out of sight, and the meetings were darkly secret, for certain members of the faculty raised disapprov¬ ing eyebrows at the notion of girls entering the Greek world. When Mu was a year old a room was given them
Page 50
220 KAPPA ALPHA THETA on the fourth floor of Hulings Hall, the girls’ dormitory, and a bare unsightly room it was. One girl said cheerily, “It had two excellencies, plenty of windows, and a good view.” But even these qualities were overworked to bal¬ ance the yawning cracks and carpetless floor. Willing hands and eager hearts contrived ways and means of mak¬ ing Mu’s first home a cheery little nest indeed, where the Thetas could hold their serious, or jolly spreads. But one fatal day the steam pipes burst and the “floods descend¬ ed.” However, the cry of consternation that arose soon changed to a delighted chorus, when it was learned that a new, large front room was to be theirs, and the old place became the dining room. The process of furnishing began again, but the alumnae had grown to quite a little band, eager to join hands in the work. Excited Freshmen were tested in housewifely ability in the dining room, where little suppers were served on Saturday evening, or given their pace by upper classmen in more serious mat¬ ters in the chapter room. Meanwhile the college was grow¬ ing, and the extra room was required, so we were forced to give up the luxury and retain only our large front room. Now we have come to the third milestone in Mu’s history, the third great event — that of again changing quarters. In the Annex to Hulings Hall, and on the fourth floor, suites of fraternity rooms are arranged for. In one of these we are now ensconced, and though a trifle lonesome for the old rooms with the memories of years clinging to them, there are bright prospects for new attachments and a newer and larger life to mould itself. But in more general lines of interest than housekeeping Mu has not been behind her Greek sisters and brothers here. The girls have taken honors in the college world, and proven their ability in positions requiring strength of char¬ acter, or technical training. Socially we have held our place, entertaining formally once or twice a year at the regular term party, and informally at picnics, small parties, or the
Page 51
CHAPTER HISTORIES 221 little spreads so delightful to us all. One of the sincerest compliments we have received was when some one said: “You never see one Theta without seeing the whole bunch,” and of this fact we are rightly proud, for it illustrates the good fellowship, the true love and affection of Mu’s chil¬ dren for each other — our share in this part of Theta’s code. So, if our history is uneventful and without startling re¬ sults, it is the story of a dear little home, to which our hearts will fondly turn when college days are past, and we are keep¬ ing pace with the world’s march. Amy V. Courtenay. PI - ALBION COLLEGE It has been my privilege to talk with one of our charter members, Mrs. Rose Oldman Keenan, concerning the estab¬ lishment of our chapter, and I am forced to confess that the girls of the present era, loyal and enthusiastic as we profess to be, are put to shame by the earnest endeavors and bold persistence of those seven girls who struggled for the exist¬ ence of Kappa Alpha Theta in Albion. In 1886 they were banded together under the name of Sigma Theta, and the next year they applied for a Kappa Alpha Theta charter, which was refused. Determined to be Theta or nothing, the girls rejected offers of charters from other sororities, and finally succeeded in removing the erroneous impression which an opposing sorority had created among other Theta chapters concerning them. On the 17th of March, 1887, the girls were made joyously happy by the organization of Pi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. The following summer was a busy one, and in the fall of 1888 the Thetas met in two nicely fitted rooms on the fourth door of the Central Build¬ ing. For nine years the girls stumbled through the dark, spooky halls and up numerous stairs to the old sky-parlor, where, with hearts bound together with love and sympathy, they held their fraternity meetings, had merry spreads, and at times, clustered about the fading grate-fire, dreamed
Page 52
222 KAPPA ALPHA THETA dreams of future Kappa Alpha Thetas enjoying sorority life in a fine lodge. Thanks to our dear sisters who have gone before us, their dreams were realized, and now, after our fraternity seances, we turn off the lights, and reclining in easy chairs, gaze into the fire and think of the old sky-parlor and of the hard-working girls who, after collecting subscrip¬ tions far and wide, took little stove-shovels and broke the sod on the present site of our lodge in June, 1897. In Aug¬ ust the building was finished, and by the following spring (1898) it was furnished completely enough for the girls to send out five hundred of these invitations : “Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, at home, at Kappa Alpha Theta Lodge, March fourth.” We cannot say enough in appreciation of the work of those dear girls, for we are enjoying the benefit of their untiring toil, and brave persistence. During its seventeen years of existence in Albion, Pi has consisted of all-around girls, most of whom have been influ¬ ential factors in college life. The fact that our college is small has not lowered our standard, although it may have lessened our numbers somewhat. Our chain is made up of one hundred and twenty-four links, an average of about eight a year. In the last six years four of the valedictorians have been Thetas, the other two being a non-fraternity girl, and a boy. It is to be deplored that records of honors fur¬ ther back than six years have not been kept, for from what has been told us, our girls have always ranked very high as college students. Gertrude Kamps, ex. ’05, valedictorian of her class, had the honor of maintaining the highest record of any student who had ever attended this institution. W e are justly proud of our chapter, and while striving to remedy our faults, we are nurturing a pride in all that is truest and noblest in womanhood. May our future be as bright, or brighter than our past. Ruth Louise Haller. ALPHA GAMMA — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY In 1892 fortune smiled upon eight hopeful girls at Ohio
Page 53
CHAPTER HISTORIES 223 State University, and a Kappa Alpha Theta charter was granted to them. Epsilon chapter initiated the girls May twenty-fourth. Since then there have been seventy-two initiated, and death has taken two of our number. Alpha Gamma has had many honors bestowed upon sev¬ eral of her girls. Edith Bell was president of Beta District, 1899-1901, and also edited the 1902 catalogue. Edith Cock- ins edited the Journal from 1901 to 1903, and filled out an unexpired term of Mary Scott, as Grand Treasurer, 1902- 1903. She was re-elected Treasurer at the Minneapolis convention, and also at the Philadelphia convention held last summer. Grace Eagleson was appointed by the Grand Council to fill out an unexpired term of Alta Miller (re¬ signed) as President of Beta District, 1902-03. She was re¬ elected at the Minneapolis convention, and served in that capacity until last summer. Alpha Gamma is fortunate in having so many of her girls residents of Columbus. Epsilon Alumnae chapter has been the natural outgrowth. It has become an established cus¬ tom that girls, on leaving college become members of this chapter. The older girls have always taken an active in¬ terest in all of our undertakings, great or small, and in this way we have become bound very closely together. Five of our charter members live in Columbus. They are ever will¬ ing and ready to help us and keep in close touch with the girls. Our band has become widely scattered, and although many miles separate them from us, Theta interests are still dear to them. Their frequent visits among us have always been occasions for mutual pleasure. Three times in her history, Alpha Gamma has had chap¬ ter rooms. They were very cosy and comfortable, but it has been found to be the most feasible plan to meet at the homes of the members. There we gather, early in the evening, have our supper, and a good social time, and then the busi¬ ness hour follows.
Page 54
224 KAPPA ALPHA THETA It has been Alpha Gamma’s policy to have a small chapter, perhaps the largest one she ever had was sixteen girls. The average number is twelve. Two anniversaries which are never overlooked are the national birthday of the fraternity, and Alpha Gamma’s. The national birthday is usually more informal than our own. The birthday party this year was given at Edna Hoov¬ er’s, and it was a most enjoyable affair. Thirty-six girls were present to receive the greetings from the Grand Presi¬ dent and drink to Theta’s health. This year we lose four seniors by graduation, Alice Marsh, Alice Thacker, Mignon Poste, and Margaret Mank. They have been earnest, enthusiastic workers for the chapter’s in¬ terest, and the great question is, “What will we do without them ?” Last year a Pan-Hellenic association was started at Ohio State, and early in the spring a banquet was given. The feeling of good fellowship which existed among the one hundred and twenty-five fraternity women present was beau¬ tiful and inspiring. We have had our “ups and downs,” as must be expected, but our successes have so overwhelmed our failures that Alpha Gamma can look out on the future with bright pros¬ pects and ever hopeful spirit. Eugenie Rounsavell. ALPHA ETA - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY In the fall of 1896, Miss Clara Kretzinger, of Chicago, en¬ tered Vanderbilt University as a student, and, seeing the possibility of a strong sorority there, began to consider plans for organizing one. She created such an enthusiasm among a small band of her classmates and friends that, aided by sug¬ gestions from Dr. Tolman, professor of Greek, in April, 1897, Phi Kappa Upsilon, with thirteen members, was or¬ ganized. This organization had not long been in existence when the
Page 55
CHAPTER HISTORIES 225 members began to wish for a national charter. After a long investigation of the standing of the different national soro¬ rities, Kappa Alpha Theta was preferred for every reason, and in the fall of 1898, a correspondence was begun with the Grand Council. Phi Kappa Upsilon’s application was ac¬ knowledged immediately. The Grand Council was fully satisfied with the recommendations, but the number of wom¬ en at Vanderbilt could not justify a chapter there, so the ap¬ plication was filed for future reference. Some months after the organization of Phi Kappa Up- silon there came into existence Theta Delta Theta, a second local among the young women, and by a strange coincidence they, too, desired entrance into Kappa Alpha Theta, and be¬ gan a lively correspondence. Neither society had known of the other’s petition and when Kappa Alpha Theta dele¬ gates were sent to Theta Delta Theta, the girls of Phi Kappa Upsilon sought an explanation, stating to these delegates, Mrs. Holmes and Miss Becker, of Northwestern, that they had a prior application on file. The members of the Grand Council had changed and evidently this petition, dated be¬ fore the organization of Theta Delta Theta, had been overlooked. The latter seeing now that Phi Kappa Up¬ silon had preference, withdrew their petition, thus leav¬ ing the field open. In the Convention of 1901, Mrs. Holmes and Miss Becker made their report on the standing of Phi Kappa Upsilon at the University, and put before the Con¬ vention a second petition from that sorority. This failed to go through, and was laid aside for further investigation. In March, 1903, Grace Eagleson, of Columbus, president of Beta District, visited Vanderbilt in order to make a more thorough investigation, and in December of that year a char¬ ter was granted to Phi Kappa Upsilon. January 15, 1904, Alpha Eta, with eighteen members, was installed into Kappa Alpha Theta by Grace Eagleson, Edith Cockins and Mary Loren, of Alpha Gamma, and Elsie Bran- ner, of Phi. There were eighteen happy girls at Vanderbilt
Page 56
226 KAPPA ALPHA THETA University that night. After all those years of striving they had at last achieved their end, and Kappa Alpha Theta had extended her chain of chapters into the sunny South. Up to the present time Alpha Eta claims forty-one ini¬ tiates, including the alumnae of the local. Out of the thir¬ teen charter members of Phi Kappa Upsilon, eleven received University degrees, two made Phi Beta Kappa and one, Emily Hunnicutt, took Founder’s medal for scholarship in the Pharmaceutical department. Eight of the nineteen grad¬ uates are members of Phi Beta Kappa. One, Roberta Du¬ bose, of Nashville, took Founder’s medal in the Academic department, the only young woman who has captured this honor in the history of Vanderbilt University. Only eight of our initiates have left without degrees and two of those expect to return and complete their work. At present we have thirteen active members, having initiated four since the opening of school. Delta District DELTA — UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS In the fall of 1895, the old Delta chapter, established at the Illinois Wesleyan University in 1875, decided that the membership of that college was not such as could furnish the best material for the fraternity. The few girls left con¬ ceived the idea of transferring their charter to some flour¬ ishing college which would be able to meet the conditions. Accordingly, when they heard of a group of girls at the University of Illinois banded together with the idea of se¬ curing a chapter of some national fraternity, they sent two of their members to Champaign to investigate matters. Miss Mary Potter and Miss Lelia Means were selected for this duty and the conditions at Illinois met with their hearty approval. Mrs. Hammond, a Chi Theta, the wife of a pro¬ fessor, lent a helping hand, and it was largely through her influence that the national convention, which met at Syra-
Page 57
CHAPTER HISTORIES 227 cuse that fall, with no hesitancy whatever, approved the transference of Delta chapter. The charter was granted October 24, but the installation did not take place until nearly a month later. The night of the first initiation was a propitious one for the new Delta chapter. Girls from Alpha, Beta, Tau, Rho and old Delta took part, and in all there were twenty-five or twenty-six Thetas to welcome the thirteen new sisters. Since many of the charter members and also many of the girls whom they took in later, were residents, either of Cham¬ paign or Urbana, the chapter was scattered for the first few years. In 1899, the idea of a chapter house first came into existence. At the beginning of the college year, as many of the girls as possible secured rooms in one house, and made arrangements for the use of a parlor for meetings and social gatherings. This proved unsatisfactory and later in the year, they rented an entire house. This, they furnished with odds and ends supplied by the town girls and patron¬ esses, and lived for the first time in a real Theta house. Many traditions have come down to us of this “Little house on Illinois Street.” The next year the girls rented a more pretentious house, already furnished, and the year after that, still another, which they themselves furnished. That first year the furnishing included only the absolute necessities, eked out by the contributions of the town girls. The hopes and plans of the chapter from that time on have centered around the building of a house of its own, and this year we have realized these hopes. Through the enthu¬ siasm and planning of the active girls before us, and the ma¬ terial help of our alumnae, our house has become a reality. Delta chapter has been successful in other ways than in gaining this longed-for end. In 1901, at the instigation of Theta, a Pan-Hellenic was formed at Illinois, and the re¬ sults have been solely for good. Since its establishment a better feeling has sprung up among the girls and has found expression in various social events.
Page 58
228 KAPPA ALPHA THETA The Thetas have always tried to take part in the broader university life, and to be interested in the activities connected with the general organization of women. Twice within the last five years, a Theta has been president of this organiza¬ tion, and this year the entire chapter has taken an active in¬ terest in the establishment of the new Women’s League. We note with gratification that an increasing number of Delta’s members complete the college course. For the last three years more than seventy per cent of the number ini¬ tiated have taken their first degree, and in that time we have had five girls who have returned for more extensive work. Three of the graduates have taken special honors. In the ten years of the life of the new Delta chapter, ac¬ cording to the assertion of one of our charter members, things scarcely anticipated have been accomplished. We hope that in the next ten years the active chapter may regard us as we regard those who have furnished us with such worthy inspirations. KAPPA - UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was established at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, March 19, 1881. The charter had been applied for early in the previous fall, but was not granted until March, when twelve members were initiated by a delegate from Eta. At this time a chapter of the I. C. Sorosis, which afterward became Pi Beta Phi, was the only other society of a similar kind at the University. Kappa Kappa Gamma was the next to be represented, in 1883, and Chi Omega last, in 1902. The chapter has grown steadily from the start, both in numbers and in influence in the University. The complete roll now numbers one hundred and seventy-six living mem¬ bers, seven having died. In the present active chapter are now twenty members. In the University, Kappa chapter has always striven to make her influence as helpful as possi¬ ble. She was the active means of first introducing the idea
Page 59
CHAPTER HISTORIES 229 of “Inter-Fraternity Pledge/’ with the hope of avoiding the evils of the rushing season. After trying for many years to make a definite and satisfactory pledging and rushing agreement with the other fraternities, she gave up the at¬ tempt, and decided to try a new plan. ' For five years, “Theta did not rush at K. U.,” though the other fraternities did. She took her time in becoming ac¬ quainted in a normal and easy way, with the most desirable freshmen, and the plan proved to be far more successful than would seem possible. This year it seemed that that for which she had striven for so long would at last be accomplished, for by national Pan-Hellenic agreement, a pledge day must be set. The local Pan-Hellenic set it for the first Monday after matriculation, however, in spite of all Theta’s pleading and arguments for a longer time. Among non-fraternity girls, too, her influence has been felt, for she was instrumental in starting a custom of hold¬ ing what was called “open meetings.” At these meetings, members of the Faculty were asked to talk, and any mem¬ ber who wished to bring a non-fraternity guest or a guest from any other fraternity, was at perfect liberty to do so. After a time these open meetings were abandoned, and in¬ stead, for the past four years, early each fall, Kappa has held a reception for all the freshmen girls, to introduce them to one another and to the women of the Faculty. Kappa’s first important service to the general fraternity was in 1885, when the publishing of the new journal, “Kap¬ pa Alpha Theta,” was given to her. This duty she per¬ formed until 1890, when it was passed on to Lambda. Kap¬ pa chapter also furnished a member for the last Grand Coun¬ cil, Anna Harrison, president of the Delta district. In 1884 a suite of rooms was rented and furnished by gifts from the members. In 1891 this was given up, however, and the fraternity meetings were again held at the homes of town girls. Not until 1904 was a real chapter home again provided, though for several years before that most of the
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230 KAPPA ALPHA THETA girls had roomed in the same house. Then a small house was rented and furnished by the chapter with the help of the alumnae. This house proved to be too small, so this year a larger one was taken, and at last Kappa chapter finds her¬ self comfortably and permanently housed. In 1902 a library fund of five hundred dollars was raised, as a memorial to May Sexton Agnew. The interest of this fund is annually expended on books for the English Litera¬ ture department. Sixty-five of Kappa's members have graduated and of these graduates eight have taken second degrees, while four¬ teen have been awarded Phi Beta Kappa honors. Since 1903 the resident alumnae have been formed into a club, holding regular monthly meetings, and their active co¬ operation is largely responsible for the success of Kappa Alpha Theta in Kansas University. RHO - UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA I. In January, 1887, five girls who had been great friends, conceived the idea, suggested by a Sigma Chi friend, Frank Wheeler, of becoming members of a national fraternity Kappa Alpha Theta. In their effort to obtain the charter, the Sigma Chis and the Phi Delta Thetas did all they could to help the girls and after an exciting period of investigation, Minnie Latta, Anna Childs, Dena Loomis, Gertrude Laws and Elizabeth Bonnell were initiated on April 7, 1887, by Kate Wilder Cross from Lawrence, Kansas. In the spring of 1891, the girls were greatly concerned to find that not a single one of them was to be in college the next year. Two girls were going abroad, two had married, several had graduated and two were moving out of town. After considering a long time, the girls decided it would be better to. return the charter than to leave it in untried hands, and so it was sent in with the hope of renewing it at some future day.
Page 61
CHAPTER HISTORIES 231 II. From 1891 to 1895 there were many petitions for the help of the alumnae in getting back the charter. The university attendance during this time had greatly increased, and there were four sororities instead of one. With two charter mem¬ bers who had come to Lincoln to live, and Mrs. Helene Dresser Fling, there were ten Thetas in town. In the fall of 1895, the time seemed ripe for renewing the charter, and early in November six girls were pledged to Kappa Alpha Theta. These six girls, Emily Weeks, Leola Vancil, Jessica Morgan, Jean Tuttle, Lida Millar and Nelle Randall, were initiated on February 11, 1896. The annual banquet was the only large social function that the girls attempted during the next year. The girls were kept busy making preparations for the national convention, a new thing to Rho, and Nelle Randall and Emily Weeks were appointed as delegates. In the spring of the third year was held the first large dancing party. In 1899, Rho opened the first woman's fraternity house at Nebraska. It was an eight-room house where three girls and a chaperon lived. The chaperon provided the furni¬ ture but the girls took all financial responsibility. Two of the chapter who were not allowed to live in the house walked twelve blocks for their meals. At the end of the year, the management of “Paradise Roost," as the men called the house, was square with the world. In 1900 the girls moved to a twelve-room house known as the “Cobb" house. This year the girls began to buy their furniture. In 1903, a new house on J Street was rented. With a beautiful davenport and parlor rug given by the alumnae and the furniture that the girls had already collected, Theta had a very comfortable home. This year was the first year there was a Pan-Hellenic congress among the girls, and it started very successfully. The next year Rho held the presidency, and many good measures were passed. This year Rho started under most favorable conditions.
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232 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Nineteen old girls came back and with four freshmen, she has the largest chapter in her history. We have a new chap¬ ter house, built according to our own plans, a block and a half from the University, occupied by fourteen girls and the chaperon. The two chapters of Rho have initiated eighty-nine mem¬ bers, nine having received the honor of election to Phi Beta Kappa and one to Sigma Xi. TAU — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY The movement for the establishment of a chapter of Kap¬ pa Alpha Theta at Northwestern University was begun in the spring of 1887, when four girls banded together with this one great aim in view. Three others were taken into the se¬ cret the following fall. Their impatience for the granting of their desire could hardly brook the dignified deliberation which Grand Council seemed to think was necessary. Secret meetings were held daily in the room of one of the girls in Woman's Hall. If only that room could speak, what tales it could tell of the repressed excitement of those seven girls. One dismal, rainy day they even telegraphed Alpha chapter to hurry ! On September 29, 1887, Luella Cleveland and Ora New¬ comer, of Alpha, made known the secrets of Kappa Alpha Theta to Mabelle Thatcher and May Earle, of ’88; Anna Adams, of '89; Eva Hall, '90; and Marguerite Mulvane, Clara Shellaberger and Mary Knox, '91. The happiness and pride they must have felt in wearing the pins and receiving the congratulations which came from all sides, only those who have been charter members can know. Their first chapter hall consisted of two rooms in the se¬ cond story of a business block down town. They were pleas¬ ant but sparsely furnished. Soon, however, the number of pieces of furniture increased, and it was not long before there were enough chairs for all to sit down at once. It was de¬ cided, moreover to make the gift of a chair a condition of
Page 63
CHAPTER HISTORIES 233 initiation for all new members. Three new girls were initi¬ ated before the close of the year, making the number ten. Tau’s annals tell of much prosperity and happiness, though twice in this early history was the circle broken, by the deaths of Florence Tobey and Lucy Sheldon. It was Tau’s great honor to establish Psi chapter at Madison in 1890. During the spring of 1895 occurred a memorable visit from the Grand President, Mrs. Walters, then Miss Sargent, who helped the chapter in more ways than one. In 1898 the ac¬ tive chapter and Delta Alumnae entertained the Beta Dis¬ trict Convention. The tendency to draw members from the town and local preparatory schools has become more and more pronounced, so that there is an ever increasing colony of alumnae about the University. The fraternity meeting place is a large beautiful room on the fourth floor of Willard Hall. It has chairs to spare for all the alumnae that it can accommodate. Here take place in¬ itiations, and all the celebrations and entertainments of the year, as well as the regular Monday evening supper. At the initiation banquet this year there were fifty-two Thetas seated, including representatives from Eta, Delta, Phi, Kap¬ pa and Alpha. Miss Potter, an alumna of the chapter, is the Dean of Women at Northwestern. She is loved by all the girls and merits the words of praise which are everywhere given her. Tau is a member of the Pan-Hellenic Association at the University, an organization which is becoming stronger and more powerful for good as it grows older. Every branch of college enterprise is participated in by the girls, including the literary societies, Junior Play, and basket ball. The more recent life of the chapter has been a happy though uneventful one. The peace and contentment of the chapter is one of the first considerations, and it is the great aim to preserve and perpetuate this Theta love which insures both.
Page 64
234 KAPPA ALPHA THETA UPSILON - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Upsilon was the twenty-second chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta to be established. It came into existence February 6, 1889, at the University of Minnesota. No local organiza¬ tion preceded its founding here. The nine women who sub¬ sequently became the charter members had merely grouped themselves together for the sole purpose of securing a char¬ ter from the national fraternity of Kappa Alpha Theta. They were initiated by Miss Sevilla Cleveland, of Alpha chapter. Two other women’s fraternities were in existence at this university at the time, Delta Gamma and Kappa Kap¬ pa Gamma. Since then three other sororities have been established, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi Beta, so that now nearly all the national women’s fraternities are represented here. The University of Minnesota is a state institution. It al¬ ready ranks in size with the largest colleges in the country. The advantage of this to fraternities which owe their exis¬ tence to the college is obvious. Situated as the college is in Minneapolis, with its sister city, St. Paul, very near, the ten¬ dency has been in this fraternity as in other fraternities here, to draw chiefly from the two cities for its material. If this has resulted in complicating the rushing situation among the college fraternities, the presence of alumnae chapters which is only made possible by the existing conditions, more than makes up for that in the help and backing they are able to give the active chapters. Upsilon has found this to be especially true. The life of the chapter during its seventeen years of exis¬ tence has been prosperous though uneventful. One hundred and thirty-four members have been initiated by Upsilon chapter. Of these about fifty-one are living in the two cities. The average membership of the chapter during the college year is seventeen. Perhaps the event of most importance to the chapter was the securing of the chapter house. In the fall of 1904, a
Page 65
CHAPTER HISTORIES 235 pretty, comfortable house near college was rented by the fraternity where five girls and a chaperon lived during the year. This fall the fraternity rented a flat. Previous to this, the chapter held its meetings in rented rooms. All that was hoped for in this long cherished scheme to have a fra¬ ternity house has been realized within these last two years when the wish became a reality. During the summer of 1903, the chapter for the first time in its history, entertained the Grand Convention which was held in Minneapolis. Upsilon has undertaken her share of general fraternity work. She has furnished three national officers, including the present editor of the Journal. The chapter has tried to realize the high ideals of scholar¬ ship set by her charter members and by the national fra¬ ternity. Five of her members have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa and two to Sigma Xi. She has been represented in all other phases of college life, social, literary, dramatic and athletic. Within the chapter the social life has been fostered. In addition to the numerous informal gatherings throughout the year when the active and alumnae chapters have come together, the chapter has its annual party in the fall in honor of the freshmen, its Christmas party, its annual banquet on Founders’ Day and its formal dancing party in the early spring. It has tried to maintain the balance between the so¬ cial life and the more serious life of college work and study. Above all, Upsilon has tried to realize the high ideals and purposes which the national fraternity stands for and which after all form the foundation upon which the local chapter rests. Genevieve Jackson. PSI — UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN The seven girls had dragged their mattresses into Wini¬ fred’s room, turned out the lights and lay in a row talking and singing when it was suggested that they correct each others faults. When, under cover of the darkness, this sug-
Page 66
236 KAPPA ALPHA THETA gestion had been half laughlingly, half seriously, carried out and the girls determined to organize themselves into a club to be limited to eight members and to meet always in the dark. Soon after each girl wore a tiny pin bearing the let¬ ters “F. C.” There were then but three fraternities at Wis¬ consin, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma and Gamma Phi, and after the club had been organized for about a year, the girls determined to apply to Kappa Alpha Theta for a charter. A letter written to Tau chapter brought three girls up to “look over” the aspirants, who were Winifred Ser- combe, Harriet Belle Merrill, Elinor M. Leith, Lettie E. Wood, Laura Baxter, Edna Richardson, Edith W. Browne, Mary Catherine Browne and Norma Lawrence. The Tau girls, who were royally entertained for several days, went away very enthusiastic over the future of the club, and rushed things with such energy that it was not long before a charter of Kappa Alpha Theta was actually granted to the eager applicants. Seven girls from Tau came up to install the new chapter and so on May 29, 1890, Psi was born. The girls continued to live at Ladies’ Hall for the remainder of this year and before the close of the college term the name of Mary Golder Fairchild was added to Psi’s number. An old newspaper clipping reads, “There was plenty of room for a new chapter at Wisconsin and it was successful from the start. It opened the second term of its existence in a finely equipped chapter house and astonished the college world by inflicting some defeats upon its oldest rivals.” When May 29, 1891 came Psi felt that it had a fairly good start in life and celebrated by giving a banquet. The pleas¬ ure of this first banquet was dimmed because of the death of Bessie Pinney, a pledgling, but the custom of giving a ban¬ quet each year as a birthday celebration was established. Also in this year Psi made its debut by giving a large recep¬ tion to university women and faculty. During these first years the chapter owed much to the help and encouragement of alumnae Thetas. Mrs. Harriet Grotecloss Mark, Mrs.
Page 67
CHAPTER HISTORIES 237 Mary Roberts Smith and Mrs. Annie Paddock Wing, were all from Iota, which chapter is still well represented in Madi¬ son by Mrs. Martha Merry Buell, Miss Pauline Shepard and Mrs. Harriet Thurston Coffin, so that Psi feels indeed in¬ debted to Iota chapter for much of its encouragement and in¬ spiration. In 1897 occurred the first great event of the chapter’s life. The Twelfth Biennial Convention of Kappa Alpha Theta was held at Madison. The event left Psi proud and happy as is any chapter who has entertained a Grand Convention and besides being inspired itself, has had the opportunity of impressing its friends with the true grandeur of Kappa Alpha Theta. In 1898, the home where Psi “started housekeeping,” was given up and for a year the girls lived in different places, an experience which so far satisfied them that the ideal chapter must have a chapter house, that a lodge has always been kept up, though several different moves have been nec¬ essitated. In 1902, actuated by the national policy of the fraternity, Psi began to take a more positive stand regarding the pledg¬ ing of high-school students. Our policy of not asking for dispensation to pledge is one which has cost us a great deal, considering the conditions prevalent at Wisconsin, where the competition for town girls is so great, where the question of assuring a full house is so easily solved by pledging non¬ matriculates, and where the yearly inter-scholastic meet fur¬ nishes such an excellent opportunity for rushing. A significant event in our history was the organization of the Theta alumnae club in 1903. This club has been the source of much efficient aid in the solution of the many problems which beset a chapter, and, as many a cherished object in the chapter house testifies, has played the part of fairy god-mother to Psi. Within the last few years chapter life has centered around several main facts. The Pan-Hellenic question is a promi-
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238 KAPPA ALPHA THETA nent one and in 1905, Psi invited Mrs. Norton, of Eta chap¬ ter, then chairman of the Inter-Sorority Conference, to ad¬ dress sorority girls of Madison on this subject — an action which aroused much interest and resulted in a profitable afternoon spent with Mrs. Norton. But as yet nothing has been done at Wisconsin towards a satisfactory Pan-Hellenic agreement. At present the “house question” holds an im¬ portant place. It is our ambition to own our own chapter house and for this purpose a very encouraging fund has been started, which we feel assures the ultimate realization of our hopes. First among the honors which have come to Psi must be recorded the election of Winifred Sercombe as Grand Presi¬ dent of the fraternity in 1893, Mrs. Bell Austin Jacobs, ’93, whose husband is Warden of the Wisconsin Settlement in Milwaukee, has won distinction because of her philanthro- pical work. Miss Harriet Belle Merrill, ’94, is now lecturer at the Milwaukee Public Museum, and is doing illustrious work in Entomological research. Mrs. Kate Sabin Stevens ’93, who was Regent of Wisconsin State Normal School, has been recently appointed by Gov. La Follette as a Regent of the University of Wisconsin. Worthy also of a place among these Was the election of Edna B. Zinn, ’04, to Phi Beta Kappa. Psi chapter now numbers twenty-three, five of whom are seniors, but we feel that next year success is assured be¬ cause of our eight splendid freshmen who are all growing up as Thetas should grow, and have already given evidence that they are imbued with fraternity spirit and with Theta’s high ideals. ALPHA THETA - UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS The inception of Alpha Theta chapter lay in the Five Club, a group of girls living together in the dormitory, Grace Hall, then the only dormitory for girls in the University. The fra¬ ternity movement was in the air. The Pi Beta Phi and Kap-
Page 69
CHAPTER HISTORIES 239 pa Kappa Gamma chapters were soon to be established, and these five congenial young women determined to make a Theta chapter their goal. There was some opposition to fraternities for women among the authorities of the Univer¬ sity, and on the advice of Mrs. Kirby, the dean of women, the Five Club decided to wait a while before taking formal steps toward obtaining a charter. In January, 1903, however, with the consent of Mrs. Kirby, the club, enlarged by the addition of new members, and with the name changed to Beta Epsilon, began active work for the charter. In the fall of 1903, the advent of Margaret Boynton Windsor, Iota, ’95, among the “faculty wives,” gave a fresh impetus to the movement with the six girls of the applying group who re¬ turned to the University. The emotions of that period of doubt and effort and de¬ spair and faintly glimmering hope are vivid realities still to the Beta Epsilon Thetas, though they can be understood and sympathized with by only a few of our contemporaries. But the only definite point of progress to be recorded is the rental of a room for chapter use. Five new members were added in the course of the year, and in January, 1904, we were notified of the coming of the “Investigator, Miss Sherlock,” who, when she arrived in the person of Miss Marion Whip¬ ple, proved to be not nearly so formidable a person as we had feared. A week with her taught us to long for the privilege of being counted among the Thetas more than ever before, but of course no assurance could be ours as yet. There re¬ mained still five interminable months, with messages some¬ times of hope, sometimes of discouragement, before the glad news came. On the thirteenth of June the telegraph messenger brought the word, but then there were only three Beta Epsilons left in Austin to receive it, as the university session closed the week before. However, telegraph lines stretch mercifully to most outlying points, and the rest of the anxious were next day brought into the number of the joyous.
Page 70
240 KAPPA ALPHA THETA The summer witnessed the struggles of the resident mem¬ bers to find a house and a chaperon for the next year, and later there was excited correspondence over the installa¬ tion date. It was all settled finally, and by September 17, eleven Beta Epsilons were in Austin, happily, and yet per¬ haps half fearfully awaiting the ceremony and the respon¬ sibilities afterwards. On the evening of that Saturday, surely the hottest night that ever saw a Theta initiation, Miss Whipple and Mrs. Windsor carried us through the beauti¬ ful ritual. The ensuing year was full of new experiences and new problems. Our house was a source of great delight as well as great responsibilities. We managed the house ourselves, one of the girls acting as housekeeper and director of the servant, while our matron was chaperon and general adviser. We began to accumulate furniture, paying for it through what the housekeeper could save from the house money. A change in chaperonage was necessary just before the end of the rushing season, which made us certain difficulties, yet we felt an excellent measure of success attended our first rushing season as a national fraternity, and we initiated five freshmen. Our initiations during the year brought in several of the alumnae Beta Epsilons who had not been able to come for the installation. We gave a large reception to introduce ourselves to the University community in our new aspect, and later we in¬ stituted an annual tea to the University Ladies’ Club which has proved a very pleasant affair. This year we are in a larger house and have for our chap¬ eron the mother of one of the girls, a far pleasanter arrange¬ ment than before. The only change in the management of the house has been in constituting a house committee of three who take charge for a week each in turn and who have suc¬ ceeded in making considerable further payment on our fur¬ niture. We plan to give the younger girls practice in this management under the oversight of their elders in the en¬ suing months.
Page 71
CHAPTER HISTORIES 241 As for our alumnae, all are teaching or are in homes of their own. For honors, the first annual election to the new Phi Beta Kappa chapter included Emma Greer. Two of our girls have had fellowships given them, one in Botany, the other in English. Others have held offices in clubs and university organzations of various sorts, and we feel that the chapter as a whole has met with approval from a number of observ¬ ers as to its external policy. Gamma District PHI — STANFORD UNIVERSITY Phi, of Kappa Alpha Theta, was installed at the Univer¬ sity of the Pacific, College Park, California, April 4th, 1889, by Miss Helen Widney and Miss Ollie Harrison, from Omicron chapter, of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. There were six charter members, Mrs. Philip S. Driver (Elizabeth W. Gober, ’88), Miss Susan Kingsbury, ’90, Mrs. Fred H. Sears (Mabel Urmy, '86), Mrs. Reuben B. Hale (May Johnston, ’89), Mrs. Ed¬ win N. Lapham (Evadne M. Hunkins, ’88), and Miss Sarah Annette Whitehurst, ’89. The new chapter was well received by the university fac¬ ulty and students, and had a foremost position in college affairs as long as Phi remained at the University of the Pa¬ cific. At the end of the second year there were twenty-two names on the chapter roll, and all were earnest and enthus¬ iastic girls. It was at this time that Stanford was opened and a great many of the students from the smaller colleges around Stanford came to the larger university. As a conse¬ quence there was not material enough left to warrant the support of a good chapter any longer at the University of the Pacific. There was also trouble which arose at the uni¬ versity at this time which practically resulted in the dismem¬ berment of the college. The members of Phi at once sent to
Page 72
242 KAPPA ALPHA THETA the Grand President a detailed report of the state of affairs, suggesting that they resign their charter. However, the Convention of 1891 decided that the chapter be transferred to Stanford University. The transference of the charter was left to the discretion of Mrs. C. D. Marx, wife of one of the professors at Stanford, and formerly a member of Iota chap¬ ter at Cornell. This same fall, September, 1891, six of the girls who were Thetas at the University of the Pacific came to Stanford to continue their college course. Mrs. Marx felt that this was a sufficient number to install the chapter again, so the installation formally took place in December, 1891. On February 4th, 1892, the first initiation of Phi at Stanford was held. The new members were four in number, Mrs. C. B. Whittier (Clara Winifred Caldwell, ’95), Katherine Evans, ’95, Mrs. E. L. Richardson (Harriet J. Fyffe, '95), and Mrs. H. C. Lucas (Minnie B. Yoder, ’95 ). From the time of this initiation Phi chapter has contin¬ ually increased her chapter roll, until now it numbers one hundred and thirteen in all. Of this number seven came from the University of the Pacific, eighteen are now active members, leaving ninety-five members who are not in col¬ lege. Of the ninety-five members who are no longer in Stan¬ ford, seventy have graduated and twenty-five have left col¬ lege before their graduation. There are forty-five of the girls married, eighteen teaching school, and eight in pro¬ fessions. We have had eight affiliates in our history ; all of whom have lived with us in our fraternity home. There have been six of the Phi girls who have taken ad¬ vanced degrees; Mrs. W. E. Nichols (Ettilla Bethel) A. M. Stanford, ’oo, Mrs. A. W. Smith (Ruby Green) A. M. Stan¬ ford, '04, Miss Susan Kingsbury, A. M. Stanford, '99, and Ph. D. Columbia, ’05, Miss Edith Jordan A. M. Cornell, ’oi, and Mrs. E..H. Maloney (Daisy Demming) B. L. S. New York State Library School, ’04. Seventeen members of Phi chapter have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa, which is fourteen per cent of all the worn-
Page 73
CHAPTER HISTORIES 243 en elected at Stanford. And one of our members has had the honor of having both Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. It was at the convention of 1901 that the revision of our constitution was entrusted to Phi chapter; its present form being largely due to the patient work of Letetia Patterson and Susan Kingsbury. The fall of 1892 the chapter moved into a rented house; between this time and 1900 the girls lived in three different houses, all of which they rented. In the fall of 1900, after a great deal of planning and hard work the girls moved into their own chapter house. The house was built on the same plan as many other fra¬ ternity houses ; shares were sold and a stock company incor¬ porated to which the fraternity pays rent. This rent more than covers the interest upon the stock, and the surplus forms a sinking fund from which the stock will all eventu¬ ally be bought back, then the fraternity will own the house. The entire house has been furnished by the kindness of our alumnae, our friends, and the active girls, and we have a very pretty modest home. Some of our distinguished members are Mrs. A. W. Smith, Miss Susan Kingsbury, Miss Mabel Packard, and Miss Pearle Green. Mrs. Smith was formerly an instructor in Bionomics in Stanford University. Miss Kingsbury is known for her original work in histor¬ ical research. Her introduction to the records to the Vir¬ ginia Company, of London, has just been published by the Library of Congress. Miss Packard is known throughout the east and west for her miniature painting. Miss Green, our Grand Secretary, who is known by all our fraternity, holds the responsible position of reference librarian at Stanford University.
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244 KAPPA ALPHA THETA OMEGA — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Ten undergraduates and two alumnae appeared on the morning of June i, 1890, as Kappa Alpha Thetas. With the warm welcome of the college world, Omega started her career — her place of abode high up in some friendly attic. Attics are nice, and they say it is well to start modest¬ ly, but Omega wanted to move down and be a little more extravagant and so at the end of a year a father was dis¬ covered who would buy a lot, build a home, and rent it to the girls ; and they, in turn, by dint of self-sacrifice saw that it was furnished. Then started an ideal fraternity exis¬ tence, no rivals, a houseful of girls, a good chaperon, a home in which to entertain and even — it is down in black and white — a Bank Account. Also, it is recorded, a good cook. All things come to those who wait — even hard luck. It so happened that in 1894 but two juniors were left to fill the house. There was but one thing to do, give up the larger house. Omega moved across the campus, took a modest looking home (our alumnae call it “that funny little house on the North Side”) “hired a cheaper servant” and at last found a chaperon — by the feather in her hat, the records state. Then followed the usual run of domestic trouble, lack of house girls at times, weird chaperons, terrifying cooks. These the annals mention, but not the alumnae. Maybe some one will ask, “Do you remember the time the Chinaman threatened us with a knife?” at which the alumnae will laugh. But it is the dances, spreads, good old college times those girls talk of now. To hear them it would seem the chapter never had a care. In 1898, Omega again moved quarters — back to the styl¬ ish side, but remained in the little steep-roofed house only two years, when our present more pretentious abode was adopted. They tell the heart-breaking tales of rushing in the midst of moving, as the new house was not quite complete
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CHAPTER HISTORIES 245 when the fall term opened and we, of still later years, im¬ agine “desirables” being hauled up through the rafters to the third floor, which was the only completed part of the house. But the good house is now on its sixth year of wear and it still looks in a permanent state. And now we have traced the chapter to the present day, our time. We have rivals, but otherwise we seem to be in the blissful condition of the first years of our chapter, a houseful of girls, a home in which we are proud to entertain in, Mrs. Bay, a chaperon who is ideal, a cook that is not only ordinarily good but can bake bread in two colors ( !), and a second boy who seems a “perfect gentleman.” As to the Bank Account, we have one, but needless to say it is drawn on a great deal ! We, of the present generation look around with pride on the girls who, in the sixteen years passed did so much to place the name of Omega of Kappa Alpha Theta in a posi¬ tion of honor, and we see them in all walks of life. We are very proud of our Julia Morgan who is one of the foremost architects about the bay, having studied laboriously at Beaux Art, Paris. We rightfully feel great honor at having two Grand Presidents, Ednah Harmon Wickson and Marion Whipple Garrettson. We have a sincere feeling of pride in the girls who have done so much for us in the college world, commencement speakers, presidents of the Associated wom¬ en students, leaders in Y. W. C. A., those who have won ath¬ letic and scholastic honors. Surely the girls that have worked before us showed a spirit and loyalty we can do well in endeavoring to live up to. The best we can do now is in¬ deed no more than they deserve from us. Our alumnae had difficulties and setbacks of which we of today know nothing. They rose above them all and left a chapter record more telling than anything written, the personality of the girls themselves. Cornelia Stratton.
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246 KAPPA ALPHA THETA PUBLICATIONS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA (Compiled by L. Pearle Green.) Journals Throughout, paging includes advertising pages, usually not numbered. Vol. 1. Kappa Alpha Theta, published for the fraternity by Kappa chapter. Vol. 1, June, 1885-April, 1886. 149 p. D. Lawrence, Kan. (publisher ?), 1885-86. Editor: Agnes Emery. No. 1, June, 1885; No. 2, October, 1885; No. 3, January, 1886; No. 4, April, 1886. Covers: black, with gold lettering. Vol. 2. Kappa Alpha Theta, published for the fraternity by Kappa chapter. Vol. 2, October, 1886-June, 1887. 131 p. D. Lawrence, Kan. (publisher ?), 1886-87. Editor: Mary E. Wilder. No. 1, October, 1886; No. 2, April, 1887; No. 3, June, 1887. ‘Covers: black with gold lettering. Vol. 3. Kappa Alpha Theta, published for the fraternity by Kappa chapter. Vol. 3, November, 1888-October, 1889. 160 p. D. Law¬ rence, Kan., Journal Book and Job Printing Rooms, 1888-89. Editor: Mrs. Harriet H. McDonald. No. 1, November, 1888; No. 2, February, 1889; No. 3, May, 1889; No. 4, October, 1889. Covers : black with gold lettering. Vol. 4. Kappa Alpha Theta journal, a quarterly published by Upsilon chapter, University of Minnesota. Vol. 4, January-November, 1890. 119 p. D. Minneapolis, Tribune Job Printing Company, 1890. Editor: M. Emma Kemp. No. 1, January, 1890; No. 2, April, 1890; No. 3, May, 1890; No. 4, November, 1890. Covers: yellow with black lettering and quaint design of badge surrounded by pansies. Vol. 5. Kappa Alpha Theta journal, a quarterly published by Upsilon chapter, University of Minnesota. Vol. 5, January-July, 1891. ? p. D. Minneapolis (publisher ?), 1891. Editor: M. Emma Kemp. No. 1, January, 1891; No. 2, March, 1891; No. 3, July, 1891. Covers: No. 1-2, yellow with black let¬ tering; No. 3, white with black lettering. Vol. 6. Kappa Alpha Theta, a quarterly published by the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity; edited by Lambda chapter, University of Vermont. Vol. 6, October, 1891-July, 1892. 249 p. D. (Place, publisher?), 1891-92. Editor: M. P. Skinner. No. 1, October, 1891; No. 2, January, 1892; No. 3, April, 1892; No. 4, July, 1892. Covers: cream with black and gold lettering. Vol. 7. The Kappa Alpha Theta, a quarterly published by the Kappa
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PUBLICATIONS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA 247 Alpha Theta fraternity; edited by Lambda chapter, University of Vermont. Vol. 7, October, 1892-April, 1893. 270 p. D. Mer¬ edith, N. H. Sanborn, 1892-93. Editor: M. P. Skinner. No. 1, October, 1892; No. 2, January, 1893; No. 3, April, 1893. Covers: cream with black and gold let¬ tering. (Was there a No. 4 in this volume?) Vol. 8. The Kappa Alpha Theta, a quarterly published by the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity; edited by Lambda chapter, University of Vermont. Vol. 8, October, 1893-July, 1894. 238 p. D. (Place, publisher?), 1893-94. Editor: Mrs. E. M. Peck. No. 1, October, 1893; No. 2, Janu¬ ary, 1894; No. 3, April, 1894; No. 4, July, 1894. Covers: cream with black and gold lettering. Vol. 9. The Kappa Alpha Theta, a quarterly published by the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity; edited by Lambda chapter, University of Vermont. Vol. 9, October, 1894-July, 1895. 2/0 p. D. Burling¬ ton, Vt., Free Press Association, 1894-95. Editor: Mrs. E. M. Peck. No. 1, October, 1894; No. 2, Janu¬ ary, 1895; No. 3, April, 1895; No. 4, July, 1895. Covers: cream with black and gold lettering. No. 2 has two illustrations, No. 3 has two, No. 4 has three. Vol. 10. The Kappa Alpha Theta, a journal published by the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity; edited by Lambda chapter, University of Vermont. Vol. 10, November, 1895-May, 1896. 215 p. D. Bur¬ lington, Vt., Free Press Association, 1895. Editors: No. 1, Mrs. E. M. Peck; No. 2-3, Cecilia Agnes Law. No. 1, November, 1895; No. 2 (numbered No. 1), February, 1896; No. 3 (numbered No. 2), May, 1896. Covers: No. 1, cream with black and gold lettering; No. 2-3, white with black and gold let¬ tering. No. 2-3 have title: The Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Iota chapter. Vol. 11. The Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Iota chapter. Vol. 11, November, 1896-May, 1897. 224 p. O. Ithaca, Andrus & Church, 1896-97. Editor: Cecilia Agnes Law. No. 1, November, 1896; No. 2, February, 1897; No. 3, May, 1897. Covers: white with black and gold lettering. No. 1 has two illustrations. No. 3 contains a title page and contents for the volume. Vol. 12. The Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Iota chapter. Vol. 12, November, 1897-May, 1898. 264 p. O. Ithaca, Andrus & Church, 1897-98. Editor: Cecilia Agnes Law. No. 1, November, 1897; No. 2, January, 1898; No. 3, March, 1898; No. 4, May, 1898. Covers: white with black and gold lettering. No. 4 has two illustrations and contains title page and contents for the volume. Vol. 13. The Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited
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248 KAPPA ALPHA THETA by Iota chapter. Vol. 13, November, 1898-May, 1899. 301 p. O. Ithaca, Andrus & Church, 1898-99. Editor: Cecilia Agnes Law. No. 1, November, 1898; No. 2, January, 1899; No. 3, March, 1899; No. 4, May, 1899. Covers: No. 1-3, white with black and gold lettering; No. 4, gray with black and gold lettering. No. 4 is an “historical number.” It has six illustrations of chapter houses and contains a title page and index for the volume. Vol. 14. The Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Iota chapter. Vol. 14, November, 1899-May, 1900. ? p. O. Ithaca, Andrus & Church, 1899-1900. Editor: Cecilia Agnes Law. No. 1, November, 1899; No. 2, January, 1900; No. 3, March, 1900; No. 4, May, 1900. Covers: white with black and gold lettering. No. 3 has three illustra¬ tions. Vol. IS. The Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Iota chapter. Vol. 15, November, 1900-March, 1901. 160 p. O. Ithaca, Andrus & Church, 1900-01. Editor: Cecilia Agnes Law. No. 1, November, 1900; No. 2, January, 1901; No. 3, March, 1901. Covers: white with black and gold lettering. Vol. 16. Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited bv Alpha Gamma chapter. Vol. 16, November, 1901-May, 1902. 299 p. O. Columbus, O., Champlin Press, 1901-02. Editor: Edith D. Cockins. No. 1, November, 1901; No. 2, January, 1902; No. 3, March, 1902; No. 4, May, 1902. Covers: gray with gold lettering. No. 1 has eight illustrations, No. 2 has six, No. 3 has eleven, No. 4 has sixteen. No. 4 contains title page and index for the volume. Vol. 17. Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Alpha Gamma chapter. Vol. 17, November, 1902-May, 1903. 378 p. O. Columbus, O., Champlin Press, 1902-03. Editor: Edith D. Cockins. No. 1, November, 1902; No. 2, January, 1903; No. 3, March, 1903; No. 4, May, 1903. Covers: gray with gold lettering. No. 2-4 have added a suggested coat of arms. No 1 has eleven illustrations, No. 2 has nine, No. 3 has eleven, No. 4 has twelve. Vol. 18. Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Alpha Beta, Swarthmore. Vol. 18, November, 1903-May, 1904. 645 p. O. Columbus, O. Champlin Press, 1903-04. Editor: Caroline Farren Comly. No. 1, November, 1903; No. 2, January, 1904; No. 3, March, 1904; No. 4, May, 1904. Covers: No. 1-3, brown with black and gold lettering; No. 4, green with gold lettering. No. 1 has one illustration, No. 2 has six, No. 3 has six. No. 4 is the “catalogue number.” Vol. 19. Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by
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PUBLICATIONS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA 249 Alpha Beta, Swarthmore. Vol. 19, November, 1904-May, 1905. 339 p. O. Columbus, O. Champlin Press, 1904-05. Editor: Caroline Farren Comly. No. 1, November, 1904; No. 2, January, 1905; No. 3, March, 1905; No. 4, May, 1905. Covers: brown with gold lettering. No. 1 has four illustrations, No. 2 has two, No. 3 has four, No. 4 has four. No. 4 contains “supple¬ ment to 1904 catalogue.” Vol. 20. Kappa Alpha Theta, published by the fraternity; edited by Clara E. Fanning. Vol. 20, November, 1905+ 1-172 p. O. Min¬ neapolis, A. B. Farnham Printing & Stationery Company, 1905+ No. 1, November, 1905; No. 2, January 1906+ Covers: brown with gold lettering. No. 1 has two illustrations, No. 2 has three. Catalogues 1888. First biennial catalogue of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, pub¬ lished for the sorority by Alpha chapter; compiled by Florence Beck and Mary Barwick. 122+2 p. D. n. p. 1888. Contents: Preface; Sketch of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority; Chapter rolls, date and place of establishment, chronologic list of members with addresses, date of initiation, degrees, etc.; Summary statistical (by chapters) of number of members; Alph¬ abetical index of memoers. 1890. . Second biennial catalogue of Kappa Alpha Theta, published under the auspices of Tau chapter; edited by Lina Kennedy and Eva Hall. 169+1 p. D. n. p. 1890. Contents: Preface; History; Chapter rolls, date and place of establishment, chronologic list of members with date of initia¬ tion, degrees, etc. Statistical summary by chapters; Geograph¬ ical summary (number in each state); Alphabetical index of members; Addenda, “Omega charter list.” 1895. Third catalogue (first quadrennial) of Kappa Alpha Theta, published by Iota chapter; edited by Grace W. Caldwell (editor- in-chief), Cecilia A. Law, Clara H. Kerr. 218 p. O. Ithaca, An¬ drus & Church, 1895. Contents: Portraits of Founders; Preface; History; Complete chapter roll; Chapter rolls, date of founding, history of chapter, chronologic list of members with addresses, degrees, occupa¬ tions, etc.; Statistical summary by chapters; Alphabetical index of members. 1902. Catalogue of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, published by the Grand Council; edited by M. Edith Bell. 240 p. O. Columbus, O., Spahr & Glenn, 1902. Contents: Preface; History; Complete chapter roll; Officers of the Grand Council; Grand Convention; Chapter rolls, date of founding, chronologic list of members with addresses, degrees, occupations, etc.; Geographical index; Alphabetical index of members.
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250 KAPPA ALPHA THETA 1904. Kappa Alpha Theta [journal] catalogue number; edited by Caroline Farren Comly. 255-621 p. O. Columbus, O., Champlin Press, 1904. (Being the fraternity journal, May, 1904, Vol. 18, No. 4; 255-621.) Contents: Preface; Complete chapter roll with statistics of membership; Officers of Grand Conventions; Officers of Grand Chapters, and editors of Kappa Alpha Theta; Grand Councils; Historical sketch; Chapter rolls, date of establishment, chron¬ ologic list of members with addresses; Alphabetical list of mem¬ bers with addresses; Geographical index. Song Books 1884. Song book of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity. Pamphlet con¬ taining words of songs and no music. 1891. Song book of the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity; compiled by Ella Rawles and Grace Rawles, Indiana University. 52 p. D, Cincinnati, John Church Company, 1891. Preface says : “After so many years of toil and strife Beta chapter presents to her sister chapters the long wished for song book.” Was this the first song book? The catalogue of 1895 says : “One song book was published in 1884.” Contains 53 songs, words and music. 1902. The songs of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity; edited by Lucille Baldwin for Chi chapter. 132 p. O. n. p. Published by the Fraternity, 1902. Contains 99 songs, words and music. Convention Minutes 1903. Minutes Fifteenth Biennial Convention of Kappa Alpha Theta, Minneapolis, August 25-28, 1903. 80 p. O. n. p. 1904. 1905. Minutes Sixteenth Biennial Convention of Kappa Alpha Theta, Philadelphia, July 3-6, 1905. 114 p. O. n. p. 1905. Constitution 1903. Constitution of Kappa Alpha Theta adopted by the Fifteenth Biennial Convention, 1903. 30 p. S. N. Y., 1904. Also includes the fraternity By-laws.
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COMPLETE CHAPTER ROLL 251 FOUNDERS Bettie Locke (Mrs. Hamilton). Alice Allen (Mrs. Brant). Bettie Tipton (Mrs. Lindsey). Hannah Fitch (Mrs. Shaw). COMPLETE CHAPTER ROLL 1870 Alpha, DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. 1870 Beta, Indiana State University, Bloomington, Indiana. 1871 Indiana Gamma, Moore’s Hill College, Moore’s Hill, In¬ diana. (Charter withdrawn, 1874.) 1874 Gamma, Butler University, Irvington, Indiana. (Charter withdrawn, 1886.) 1875 Delta, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois. (Charter transferred to University of Illinois. Champaign, Illinois, 1895.) 1875 Epsilon, University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. 1876 Zeta, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. (Charter withdrawn, 1886.) 1879 Eta, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Charter withdrawn, 1886. Re-established, 1S§3.) 1879 Theta, Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. (Charter with¬ drawn, 1891.) 1881 Ohio Gamma, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. (Charter withdrawn, 1881.) 1881 Iota, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. 1881 Kappa, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 1881 Lambda, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. 1881 Mu, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. 1882 Nu, Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana. (Charter with¬ drawn, 1899.) 1883 Xi, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. (Charter withdrawn, 1887.) 1887 Omicron, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. (Charter withdrawn, 1895.) 1887 Pi, Albion College, Albion, Michigan. 1887 Rho, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. (Char¬ ter returned 1891. Re-established, 1896.) 1887 Sigma, Toronto University, Toronto, Canada. (Became inactive, 1888. Re-established, 1905.) 1887 Tau, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. 1889 Upsilon, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1889 Phi, University of the Pacific, San Jos6, California. (Char¬ ter transferred to Stanford University, 1891.) 1889 Chi, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. 1890 Psi, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. 1890 Omega, University of California, Berkeley, California. 1891 Alpha Beta, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsyl¬ vania. 1892 Alpha Gamma, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 1896. Alpha Delta, Woman’s College of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
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252 KAPPA ALPHA THETA 1898 Alpha Epsilon, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. 1898 Alpha Zeta, Barnard College, New York City. 1904 Alpha Eta, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. 1904 Alpha Theta, University of Texas, Austin, Texas. ALUMNA CHAPTERS 1893 Alpha Alumna, Greencastle, Indiana. 1895 Beta Alumnas, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1895 Gamma Alumna, New York City. 1896 Delta Alumna, Chicago, Illinois. 1897 Epsilon Alumna, Columbus, Ohio. 1897 Zeta Alumna, Indianapolis, Indiana. 1898 Eta Alumna, Burlington, Vermont. 1898 Theta Alumna, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Became in¬ active, 1900.) 1901 Iota Alumna, Los Angeles, California. 1902 Kappa Alumna, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 1902 Lambda Alumna, Athens, Ohio. 1903 Mu Alumna, Cleveland, Ohio. 1903 Xi Alumnae, Kansas City, Missouri. 1905 Nu Alumna, Syracuse, New York. OFFICERS OF GRAND CONVENTIONS 1876 — Greencastle, Indiana President— -Minnie Hoyt, Alpha. Secretary — Lizzie Hughes, Beta. 1879_Bloomington, Indiana President — Laura Henly, Beta. Secretary — M. Belle Hopkins, Delta. *1881— Wooster, Ohio President — Anna White, Epsilon. Secretary — Lelia Kelley, Epsilon. 1883 1885— Ann Arbor, Michigan 1886— The Only Called Convention— Wooster, Ohio President — Lenore Hanna, Epsilon. Secretary — Julia Holland, Indiana Gamma. 1887— Madison, Indiana President — Margaret Hill, Nu. Secretary — Luella Morris, Beta. 1889 — Bloomington, Indiana President — Josephine Pittman, Beta. Secretary — Clara Colburne, Lambda. 1891 — Burlington, Vermont President — Phoebe Marsh, Lambda. Secretary — Luella Wallace, Epsilon. •Amendment to Constitution. 1881. The President of the Con¬ vention shall be a member of that chapter with which the Conven¬ tion is held, and shall be elected by that chapter.
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OFFICERS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER, AND EDITORS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA 1876-1879 President — Agnes Fisher, Alpha. Secretary— Martha Ridpath, Alpha. 1879-1881 President— Martha Jenkins, Alpha. (May, 1879-May, 1880.) Secretary— Susie Pennington, Alpha. President — Grace E. Hoyt, Alpha. (January, 1881.) Secretary — Lillian Southard, Alpha. President— Carrie Smith, Alpha. (June, 1881.) Secretary— Martha Jenkins, Alpha. ♦1881-1883 President — Kate Hammond, Alpha. Secretary— Bertha Van Horn, Eta. 1883-1885 1885-1887 President — Lenore Hanna, Epsilon. Secretary — Altha T. Watson, Delta. Editors of Kappa Alpha Theta (established in 1885)— Agnes Emery, Kappa. Mary E. Wilder, Kappa. tl887-1889 Presidents — Ermina Fallass, Alpha. Ora Newcomer, Alpha. Secretary — Mattie Myers, Delta. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Mrs. Harriet H. MacDonald, Kappa. 1889-1891 President — Gertrude Mikels, Alpha. Secretary — Luella Wallace, Epsilon. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Mrs. Emma Kemp Timber- lake, Upsilon. •Amendment to Constitution, 1881. The delegates to the Conven¬ tion shall elect the officers of the Grand Chapter. tAmendment to Constitution, 1887. The officers of the Grand Chapter shall be President, and Corresponding Secretary, the Presi¬ dent to be chosen from Alpha Chapter, and elected by that chapter; the office of Corresponding Secretary to be given to the various chapters in the order of their establishment.
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THE GRAND COUNCILS OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA ♦Grand Council of 1891-1893— Elected at the Burlington, Ver¬ mont, Convention, 1891 President — Winifred Sercombe, Psi. Corresponding Secretary — Minnie E. Rexford, Upsilon. Recording Secretary — Luella Wallace, Epsilon. Treasurer — May E. Brown, Chi. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— M. Philena Skinner, Lambda. tGRAND Council of 1893-1895 — Elected at the Chicago Conven¬ tion, 1893 President— Margaret E. Smith, Alpha. Vice-Presidents — May E. Brown, Chi. Harriet Funck, Epsilon. Mrs. Mary R. Smith, Iota, Phi Transfer. Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. Minnie Rexford Nickerson, Upsilon. Recording Secretary— Clara Kerr, Iota. Treasurer — Florence Sawyer, Omega. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Mrs. E. M. Peck, Lambda. Grand Council of 1885-1897— Elected at the Syracuse Conven¬ tion, 1895 President — Harriet L. Funck, Epsilon. Vice-Presidents— May E. Brown, Chi. Myra M. Post, Eta. Florence Sawyer, Omega. Secretary — Caroline P. Sargent, Alpha Beta. Treasurer — Florence Sawyer, Omega. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Grace Caldwell, Iota. Acting Secretary of the 1895 Convention, Agnes Louise White, Iota. Grand Council of 1897-1899— Elected at the Madison, Wiscon¬ sin, Convention, 1897 President — Caroline Sargent Walter, Alpha Beta. Vice-Presidents — May E. Brown, Chi. Myra Post, Eta. Mrs. Mary R. Smith, Iota, Phi Transfer, October, 1897- June, 1898. •Amendment to Constitution, 1891. The Grand Council shall be substituted for the Grand Chapter, and the officers of the Grand Council shall be the officers of the Convention. The Grand Council shall consist of President, one Vice President, Corresponding Secre¬ tary, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. tAmendment to Constitution, 1893. The Grand Council shall con¬ sist of President, three Vice Presidents, who are the presidents of the several districts, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer and Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta.
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GRAND COUNCILS 235 Mary ^McLean, Omega, January, 1898- June, Mrs. Julia R. Gilbert, Beta, Phi Transfer, November, 1898- August, 1899. Secretary— Alice E. Wadsworth, Eta. Treasurer — May E. Brown, Chi. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Cecilia Agnes Law, Iota. Grand Council of 1899-1901— Elected at the Indianapolis Con¬ vention, 1899 President — Myra M. Post, Eta. Vice-Presidents — M. E. S. Scott, Mu. M. Edith Bell, Alpha Gamma. Ednah Harmon Wickson, Omega. Secretary — Alice E. Wadsworth, Eta. Treasurer — M. E. S. Scott, Mu. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Cecilia Agnes Law, Iota. Acting President of the 1899 Convention— Myra M. Post. Acting Secretary of the 1899 Convention — M. E. S. Scott. Grand Council of 1901-1903— Elected at the New York Conven¬ tion, 1901 President— Ednah Harmon Wickson, Omega. Vice-Presidents — Adelaide C. Hoffman, Alpha Zeta. Alta D. Miller, Tau (July, 1901-July, 1902). Grace Eagleson, Alpha Gamma (July, 1902- August, 1903). L. Pearle Green, Phi. Secretary — L. Pearle Green, Phi. Treasurers — M. E. S. Scott, Mu (July, 1901-July, 1902). Edith D. Cockins, Alpha Gamma (August, 1902- August, 1903). Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta — Edith D. Cockins, Alpha Gamma. Grand Council of 1903-1905— Elected at the Minneapolis Con¬ vention, 1903 President — Ednah Harmon Wickson, Omega. Vice-Presidents — Aurelia M. Reynaud, Alpha Zeta Grace Eagleson, Alpha Gamma. Anna E. Harrison, Kappa. Marion Crins Whipple, Omega. Secretary — L. Pearle Green, Phi. Treasurer — Edith D. Cockins, Alpha Gamma. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta — Caroline Farren Comly, Alpha Beta. Grand Council of 1905-1907— Elected at the Philadelphia Con¬ vention, 1905 President— Marion Whipple Garrettson, Omega. Vice-Presidents — Mary Lippincott, Alpha Beta.
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256 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Emma Virginia Pearson, Beta. Laura H. Norton, Eta. L. Pearle Green, Phi. Secretary— L. Pearle Green, Phi. Treasurer — Edith D. Cockins, Alpha Gamma. Editor of Kappa Alpha Theta— Clara E. Fanning, Upsilon. Mrs. A. L. Vrooman Importer of Kid Gloves, Handkerchiefs, Hosiery, Embroideries, Fans, Leather Goods, Neck Novelties, Laces. Mens' Gloves and Handkerchiefs. Summer Novelties. Corsets from $1.00 to $20.00. Satisfaction Guaranteed . Vrooman’s Little Shop 7 South 6th St.