Asa phoenix vol 30 no 2 jan 1945

.

THE PHOENIX OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA

JANUARY

1945

THE HISTORY

VOLUME XXX

OF

NUMBER 2

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA BY

LOUISE N. STEWART 1945

• Published in November, January, March and May o£ each year at No. 30 North Ninth Street, Richmqnd, Indiana, by the Nicholson Printing Company, for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority having headquarters at Indianapolis, Indiana. Business correspondence may 1 be addressed to either office, but matter for publication and correspondence concerning the same should be addressed to Mrs. B. F. Leib, 3540 North Pennsylvania Street. Apartment T , Indianapolis 5, Indiana.

Postmaster: Send Form 3578 to Indianapolis, Indiana address.

ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR

Entered as second-class matter, September 4, 1923, at the post office at Richmond, Indiana, under the Act of March 3, 1879.

To VIRGINIA LEE BoYD NOELL JuLIETTE ]EFFERSON HuNDLEY GILLIAM MARY WILLIAMSON HuNDLEY LomsE BuRKS Cox CARPER CALVA HAMLET WATSON WooTTON

"Our shadow selves-our influe~ce足 May fall where we can never be."

..

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.W

ITHOUT the cooperation of many members of Alpha Sigma Alpha, this story of the sorority could never have been recorded . Special appreciation is due Hattie Kelly Thomas, National Historian from 1932 to 1938, whose untiring efforts made possible the record of the years from 1901 to 1914. For material from 1918 to 1926, the sorority is especially indebted to Amy M. Swisher, for many years, adviser of Alpha Alpha Chapter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page THE NATIONAL SORORITY Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

I-r9or-r3 II-r9I3-30 III-1930-36 IV-1936-45

THE FOUNDERS

.... .. .... ......... .......... 5 22

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6s

THE CHAPTERS College Chapter Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Chapter Histories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Alumn<e Chapter Roll, 1945 . . . . . .. ... ... . . ... ... . . ........... rrr Alumn<e Chapters . II2 ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA AND THE GREEK WORLD .. .. . rr3 APPENDIX National Officers National Conventions Chapter Membership

... II4

... rr8 ........ . . ............. . .... rr8

THE HISTORY _OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA CHAPTER I

I

T was the autumn of 1901. McKinley had been assassinated at Buffalo. Theodore Roosevelt had been made the new president of the United States. Po~padours, large hair bows, and stocks were high fashion in _young feminine society. Football games were collegiate, not public events, and the co-ed had not yet made the graphic section.

Less than twenty years before, the first school in Virginia admitting wom~n to advanced work had been opened. This institution, the first for teacher-training in the state, and one of the first of its kind in the South, was established at Farmville by act of the State Legislature on March 7, 1884, and two years later was chartered as the State Female Normal School. In October of 1884 it opened with an enrollment of no students, the building and grounds having been presented by the town of Farmville in order ot secure the new state school. It was a small campus occupying less than half a square of ground and had been the plant of what was then known as Farmville College. Not .only was the signing of the Bill important for the women of Virginia, but "it was the first indication that the State was realizing the great importance of giving to her children proper opportunities .for an education," stated Miss Jennie M. Tabb in "Our Alma Mater,'.' a bulletin of the present institution at Farmville, in 1929.

Until Randolph-Macon Woman's College appeared in 1893, the Farmville institution presented the only opportunity to Virginia women for collegiate work. Therefore, it was to be expected that Farmville would attract a superior class of students, many of them daughters of professors in the colleges of the state and consequently familiar with the fraternity idea since childhood . . It is not surprising that before the advent of the new century, three Greek letter local sororities had appeared on this campus: Kappa Delta, founded on October 27, 1897; Sigma Sigma Sigma, on April 20, 1898; and Zeta Tau Alph~, on October 25, 1898.

Kappa Delta records that in 1900 their Alpha members had formulated a policy for becoming a national sorority, elected three of their alumnce as national officers, and named this group the Grand Chapter. In 1901, they "went over to Richmond to make arrangements for securing the charter" which was presented to the legislature in 1902 as a bill. Alpha Chapter of Kappa Delta was incorporated by act of April 2, 1902, and on that date the Beta Chapter was established at Chatham Episcopal Institute, Chatham, Virginia.

The first members of Sigma Sigma Sigma formed "a band united by friendship and the desire to perpetuate that bond." However, in 1903, a state charter was secured, and the local group at Farmville was reorganized as a national. The Beta Chapter was installed on May 14, 19Q3, at Lewisburg Female College, Lewisburg, West Virginia.

In a college community, ideas are not only contagious, but they often seem self-generated almost simultaneously among various groups on the same campus. Among the Farmville students that fall of 1901 were five girls who had become very good friends. Attractive, vivacious, intelligen~, they had been rushed and bid by the existent sororities. However, if they accepted these bids, it would mean that the five would not be sorority sisters. If Farmville State Female Normal School could have three sororities, why not four? And this fourth sorority was to be national in scope. Some day, Juliette Hundley used to tell Louise Cox, as they walked across the campus, this sorority would have chapters in other sourthern states, in the north, and even in the west. Louise did not believe her. The Farmville institution was very small. How could an organization of that size begin there? (Upon her arrival at the fortieth birthday convention,

6

THE

PHOENIX

Louise was ready to admit that the faith and effort of even sixteen year old girls can "remove mountains.") 路 On the fifteenth day of November, 1901, these five girls organized a sorority which they narned "Alpha Sigma Alpha." College girls of toqay respectfully pay tribute to: Virginia Lee Boyd, Bryant, Virginia; Juliette Jefferson Hundley, Farmville, Virginia; Calva Hamlet Watson, Jennings' Ordinary, Virginia; Louise Burks Cox, Iron Gate, Virginia; and Mary Williamson Hu~dley, Clover, Virginia.

Mary Hundley, called May by her chums, and Virginia Boyd roomed together in the "old buil~ing. " May was a large, fine looking girl, with light hair and eyes and a keen sense of huq1or. Virginia, known as Jinks, was smaller, with pretty, blue eyes, wavy hair, and a lovely soprano voice. Juliette Hundley, a first cousin of Virginia, but not related to Mary, was a "Day Student," living a few miles from Farmville with her parents, Judge and Mrs. George Jefferson Hundley. On~ of the greatest joys of the Alpha Sigmas was week-end house-parties in Juliette's d~ l!ghtful home (where the ever present Hampden-Sydney students added zest.) Juliette had black hair and brown eyes. Louise Cox, small, vivacious, with very dark, brown hair and dancing brown eyes, lived across the street from the normal school. She would have preferred living in the college dormitory, but in the preceeding summer, she had decided not to return to Farmville and to enjoy life at home. On the way to school that fall, Juliette and her small brother had stopped to see her. Suddenly, Louise decided that life that winter would be unbearably dull without this girl and the rest of the crowd. So, to the surprise of her long-suffering father, she suddenly announced her immediate return to Farmville. Her possessions were hurriedly colleqed, and the two guests took her along with them. Unfortunately, the college was less understanding than Mr. Cox. A room across the street was the best that could be allotted her on such short notice. Her third year was spent at Mrs. Richardson's. Calva Watson, a most intellectual, attractive personality, lived one block away. Rather quiet, and efficient, she was the pride of the group in scholastic activities.

During the session of I90I-02, the group was planning and holding frequent conferences with Judge Hundley, and on November 15, 1902, establishment of Alpha Sigma Alpha was announced to the public. On that day, the five founders appeare_d wearing pins. This pin was a shield, upon which appeared a star and Greek letters, "Alpha Sigrria Alpha," in gold on a background of black. At the top was a crown set with jewels.

The record of the first initiation of Alpha Sigma Alpha states that "on January 3, 1903, Hattie Virginia Kelly, Richmond, Virginia; Louise Pettigrew Price, Gala, Virginia; and Louise Gordon Baskerville, Boydton, Virginia, were made members of Alpha Sigma Alpha."

On January 29, 1903, the second initiation occurred, with Lucy Hannah Daniel, Charlotte C. H., Virginia; Edna Venable Elcan, Sheppards, Virginia; (later to be the first nauonal preside.c.t), Marguerite Anthony Palmer, Wingina, Virginia ; and Angela Carroll Tinsley, Radford, Virginia, being added to the membership. 路 路 The initiations were held in the school library. Even when the greatest efforts are made t9 make events inspiring, unexpected incidents sometimes happen. The nearness of the ladder used by the librarian in reaching the high shelves did not occur to Marguerite Palmer, who, "'Ch.ile blindfolded, did some moving about on her own. The Founders claim it never could have happened if Marguerite had stood still, and then the next day they woulsf not have had to explain why one of their new initiates had a black eye. .

Since, from the sorority's inception, it had been intended that it should become a national organization, it was logical that early steps should be taken toward legalizing its existence.

On February 13, 1903, Alpha Sigma Alpha was chartered in the Circuit Court of Prince Edwar~ County; Virginia. A certified copy of the charter presented to the National President by ~att1e Kelly Thomas and Margaret Patterson Martz during the reinstatement of Alpha Chapter m 1933, and now a valued possession of the National Archives, is reproduced herewith.

JANUARY,

1945

7

c

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA SORORITY To The Honorable Geo. J. I-fundley, Judge of the Circuit Court of Prince Edward County, Va., The undersigned Virginia Lee Boyd, Juliette' Jefferson Hundley, May Williamson Hundley, Louise Burks Cox, Calva Hamlet Watson, Lucy Hannah Daniel, Louise Pettigrew Price, Angela Carroll Tinsley, Hattie Virginia Kelly, Louise Gordon Baskerville, Edna Venable Elcan, and Marguerite Anthony Palmer, and such other persons as are now or may hereafter be associated with us desire to form a body corporate by the name, style and title of the "Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority" for the purpose of promoting friendship and social intercourse among its members, do make, sign, seal and acknowledge the following certificate.

First: The name of the association shall be "Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority."

Second: The purpose of the association shall be to cultivate friendship among its members, and in every way to create pure and elevating sentiments, to perform such deeds and to mould such opinions as will tend · to elevate and enable womanhood in the world.

Third: The association being a social body will have no capital stock and no charter tax will b~ required of it. ·

Fom·th: The members of the association shall .have· power to make and adopt a constitution and by-laws and to determine who shall become members thereof, and from time to time to alter and amend the said constitution and by-laws, provided that the same be not inconsistent with the constitution and by-laws of the United States and of the State of Virginia.

Fifth : The amount of real estate to be held by the association shall not exceed- five acres.

Sixth: The officers of the association shall consist of a President and such other officers as may be necessary, and they shall be elected in such manner and at such time as the constitution and by-laws may prescribe.

Seventh: The principal office o£ the association shall be at Farmville, Va., with authority to establish subordinate associations at any other female colleges and schools in the State of Virginia.

Eighth: The chief business of the association shall be to hold meetings at such stated intervals as ~hall be prescribed by its by-laws for the purpose of arranging and maintaining plans for the promotion of the objects of the association heretofore stated.

Ninth: The officers for the first year, and the residences are: . .. .. ............ . .. . . ....... Virginia Lee · Boyd President . .... .. ... . .. .. . .. .. . . Juliette Jefferson Hundley Vice-President Treasurer ...... ... . . . ... . ..1 • • • • . . • . . • ••• • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . May Williamson Hundley Secretary . . . . . . . . ...... . .. .. .... .. . .. .. . . .... . .. . . ... . . . Calva Hamlet Watson Corresponding Secretary ............................ . Lucy Hannah Daniel WITNESS our hands and seals on this 13th day of February, 1903.

VIRGINr.A. LEE BoYD · JULIETTE JEFFERSON HUNDLEY MAY WILLIAMSON HuNDLEY LoUisE BuRKS Cox CALVA HAMLET wATSON LucY HANNAH DANIEL LouisE PETTIGREW PRICE ANGELA CARROLL TINSLEY .

H ATTIE VIRGINIA KELLY LoUisE GoRDON BAsKERVILLE EDNA VENABLE ELCAN MARGUERITE ANTHONY PALMER

(seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal) (seal)

STATE OF VIRGINIA, COUNTY OF PRINCE EDWARD, to-wit: I, A. B. Armstrong, a Notary Public in and for the County of Prince Edward in the State of Virginia, do certify that Virginia Lee Boyd, Juliette Jefferson Hundley, May Williamson Hundley, Louise Burks Cox, Calva Hamlet Watson, Lucy Hannah Daniel, Louise Pettigrew Price, Angela Carroll Tinsley, Hattie Virginia Kelly, Louise Gordon Baskerville, Enda Venable Elcan and Marguerite Anthony Palmer, whose names are signed to the foregoing writing bearing date on the 13th of February, 1903, have acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid. Given under my hand this the 13th day of February, 1903.

A. B. ARMSTRONG, Notary Public.

My Commission expires May 4th, 1903.

THE PHOENIX

IN VACATION AT FARMVILLE, VA., February 13, 1903. In the Circuit Court for the County of Prince Edward, Virginia. It appearing that Virginia Lee Boyd, Juliette Jefferson Hundley, May Williamson Hundley, Louise Burks Cox, Calva Hamlet Watson, Lucy Hannah Daniel, Louise Pettigrew Price, Ang~la Carroll Tinsley, Hattie Virignia Kelly, Louise Gordon Baskerville, Edna Venable Elcan, and Marguente Anthony Palmer have made, signed and acknowledged according to law, a certificate in writing having for its object the formation of a fraternal society, for the purpose set forth in said certificate, the Court doth grant unto them and such others as may be associated with them, a Charter upon the terms set forth in said certificate, and it is ordered that they and their associates be, and they are hereby made and created a body politic and corporate, under the name and style of "Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority" with all the rights and powers and privileges conferred and subject to all the provisions and restrictions imposed by the laws of Virginia, as they may apply to corporations of this character. And the said corporation being for benevolent purposes, no tax is imposed or is to be paid on this charter, and the said charter is ordered to be recorded and certified according to law. 路 GEoRGE J. HuNDLEY, Judge of the Circuit Court of Prince Edward.

To the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Prince Edward County.

In the Clerk's office of the Circuit Court of the County of Prince Edward, February 13th, 1903.

The foregoing order of incorporation of "Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority" was this day presented in said office and entered of record, and the same is hereby certified to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

A COPY-TESTE:

Teste: E. J. WHITEHEAD, Clerk.

(Signed) HoRACE ADAMS, Clerk. \

Judge George J. Hundley, father of Juliette, has been described as "a scholar and a gentleman" by the Virginia girls whom he assisted many times in their sorority problems. Not only did he charter the group and assist m other matters of policy, but he had been invaluable m helping form a ritual and molding the secret work of the sorority.

A third initiation was held on March 20, 1903. Grace Macon Wilson, Brownsburg, Virginia, and Katherine Earle Boyd, Cuero, Texas, were the initiates. Katherine was a cousin of Virginia Boyd. On May II, 1903, the initiation of Mary Elizabeth Moore, Farmville, Virginia, brought the membership to fifteen.

Since it was thought that the jeweler had made the five pins of the founders much too large, the next pins were ordered made in a smaller mold.

Shall we have a peek into a sorority meeting of those days? It is held in a room belonging to two or three Alpha Sigma members. The walls are entirely covered JuDGE GEoRGE J. HuNDLEY with photoghaphs, kodak pictures, and pennants-the less space left bare, the more attractive the room . Virginia Boyd, as president, who presides with charm, is ~robably a little more sophisticated than most of the group. She it is who conducts the simple devotions (sometimes relying on the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer) and who so sweetly leads the _singing of the official hymn, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." Often the meeti?g is closed with the singing of "Now the Day is Over." Juliette is vice-president, while May IS treasurer. Louise as secretary and Calva as historian are the other officers. Minutes were kept in a "copy book" which to the early members did not seem sufficiently important to preserve. 路 .

Through the efforts of Louise Burks Cox, the original plan of expansion was partially realIzed when on N?vember 30, 1903, ~ sister chapter became part of Alpha Sigma Alpha-Beta Chapter, at Lewisburg Female Institute, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Although the sorority's

JANUARY,

1945

9

by-laws stated specifically that the initiation ceremony should never be written, but passed on by word of mouth-due to the desire to keep it a secret-economic reasons forced the Alpha girl~ to write in detail to the Lewisburg girls the full initiation ceremony.

During this school year, the badge was changed from a shield to its present (1945) shape for the members felt the shield "was not quite dignified." The first jeweler was A. H. Fetting of Baltimore, Maryland.

In The Virginian, the Farmville annual, of 1903, Alpha Chapter had a full page and a picture of its group besides. It is interesting that the page is headed, "Alpha Chapter, Alpha Sigma Alpha," for Beta Chapter was not then in existence. This indicates that nationalization was definitely in the minds of the Farmville girls. The colors were listed as crimson and silver and the flower as the white carnation. The yell was: 路 "Chickalaca! Chickalaca!

Razzle! Dazzle! Dalpha!

Boomalaca! Boomalaca!

Alpha Sigma! Alpha Sigma!

Alpha Sigma Alpha!

Rah! Rah!"

VIRGINIA STAT E NoRMAL S c HOOL BIRTHPLACE OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA, 1901

THE PHOENIX

10

I

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THE FIRST CHAPTER OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA (Alpha, 1902-03) First Row-left to right: Louise Gordon Baskerville, Louise Pettigrew Price, Louise Burks Cox, Lucy Hannah Daniel, Hattie J. V . Kelly, Juliette Jefferson Hundley, Grace Macon Wilson.

Back Row-left to right: Calva Hamlet Watson, Mary Williamson Hundley, Angela Carrol Tinsley, Katherine Earl Boyd, Virginia Lee Boyd, Edna Venable Elcan, Marguerite Anthony Palmer.

"Sorores in Collegia" were Virginia Lee Boyd, May Williamson Hundley, Hattie Virginia Kelly, Louise Pettigrew Price, Marguerite Anthony Palmer, Lucy Hannah Daniel, Angela Carroll Tinsley, Louise Burks Cox, Edna Venable Elcan, Louise Gordon Baskerville, Katherine Earl Boyd. "Sorores in Urbe;' were Grace Mason Wilson, Calva Hamlet Watson, and Juliette JeAerson Hundley. Secretary and treasurer of the "First B Class" of the school was Louise Cox. Angela Tinsley was a member of this class also. In the Cotillion Club were Louise Baskerville, Angela Tinsley, Louise Cox, Hattie Kelly, Edna Elcan, Marguerite Palmer, Virginia Boyd, Ersula Boyd and Louise Price, besides Lucy Daniel, the club's president. Lucy Daniel was also a member of the Dramatic Club. In the Skater's Club were Angela Tinsley and Louise Price. Edna Elcan was a member of Tennis Club No. I. The Rough on Rats group, whose motto was "Teach new girls how to be old ones," and whose aim was "To do others as we have been done," listed Ersula Boyd as one of the two who were "roughest on rats." Several Alpha Sigmas were listed in the Professional Hall Club. From the record of this group we read a little of what the campus thought of these girls: Known as

Chief Characteristic

Favorite Pastime

Favorite Saying

Edna Elcan

Chips

Grinning

Telling jokes

Louise Baskerville

Basky

Her abundance of hair

Dressing her hair

Whoop, Susie!

Oh, get off!

Angela Tinsley

Black Angel

Getting up cases

Teasing Elise

Lucy Daniel

Lucy Dan

Singing like a martin

Name

Well, for pity's sake!

Skipping gym Great Scott!

Object in Life

Togo abroad To teach Latin in some college To love and be loved To be engaged once and only once

JANUARY,-

1945

II

Elsewhere,' Edna Elcan was listed as the "Merriest Hearted." " 'Merriest hearted'- that is 'Chips' Laughing and telling of the classes she skips, And every day with a smile so sweet She declares it is not her time to sweep."

In "Caps That Fit," we read of her, "Her sunny locks hung on her temples like a golden fleece.

In the same section, the quotation for Angela Tinsley is "Neither a borrower. nor a lender be."

For Lucy Daniel, one finds the couplet, "Fear not the anger of the wise to raise, Those best can bear reproof who merit praise."

For Ersula Boyd, there is the statement, "I'm quite ashamed-'tis mighty rude To eat so much, but all's so good!"

Lucy Daniel also "made" the "Statistics" section as the "sportiest looking, jolliest, and wittiest."

However, judging from the picture which accompanies the page, "sophisticated" would today be a more descriptive term than "sp<?rtiest."

The Virginian of 1904 listed as college members eight girls: Virginia Lee Boyd, Louise Burks Cox, Hattie Virginia Kelly, Katherine Earl Boyd, Mattie Monterey Thomas, Angela Carrol Tinsley, Alma Estelle Thraves, and May Williamson Hundley. In addition to the three girls listed io "Sorores in Urbe" the preceding year, was Mary Elizabeth Moore. It is interesring that the page was headed, "Alpha Sigma Alpha Fraternity." At the bottom of the page was given the chapter roll. Gamma Chapter was listed as "sub rosa" and no locale given.

When the .chapter picture was taken, Katherine Earl Boyd was not present, and Mary .Moore must still have been in school for she is pictured.

"Chi," the "fraternity of fraternities," established at Farmville in f1900 did not record the existence of Alpha Sigma Alpha that year in the annual by either its picture or its membership list., However, -at some time in 1904, whether it was that year of school or the session of 190405, Mary Henley Spencer and Hattie Kelly were invited to join as the two Alpha Sigma Alpha representatives. Each sorority had two girls in the group. Membership being by invitation only, the Alpha Sigmas were justly proud of this recognition. Hattie was initiated first but Mary, was not initiated until she had fulfilled the requirements regarding length of attendance at the 路 school. This seems to have been in the fall of 1904.

In the Ge.J,"man Club of 1903-04, Alma Thraves was president, and the cut at the top of the page 路in the annual was drawn by Mattie Thomas. Angela, Virginia, Louise Cox, Hattie, and Calva were also members, according to the annual's listing. Apparently Alpha Sigmas also starred in dramatics for in the Dramatic Club were Alma, Mattie, Angela, Louise 路 Cox, and Luciphine Everett. Alma was "General Manager.:' Fraternity pins were also important 路 to the Alpha Sigma Alpha girls of that period. Mattie Thomas seems to have had Beta Theta Pi interests, while Angela Tinsley liked the Kappa Alpas. , One page of the 1904 annual has the picture of a long ribbon bearing two skulls, the letters, "R.P.C.P.P-.," and two crossed medieval weapons. With the illustration are nine names, including those of Hattie, Louise Cox, and Calva.. In the Cunningham Literary Society, Calva upheld the honor of the chapter. Alma was censor of the Argus Literary Society. The Glee Club included Hattie . Paulett: On the page of "Our Artists," we find Mattie Thomas named.

One row of the G.C.G.C., with chins in hands, lean over a picket fence on whose other side kneel more members of the same group. Mattie is one of those glancing coyly over the heads of the first row, and beneath her, but unconscious of her presence, is Angela Thomas. r

THE PHOENIX

12

'l'he First B Class that year included both Angela and Louise Cox. Grouped together on the porch and steps of a college building, this class, garbe? alike in. stiff, white s~irt~aists, long, dark ties, and dark skirts, gave the impression of intelhgent, efficient, young d1gmty. In the Senior A Class were Hattie and Calva. Shirtwaist styles differ in this group, and there are fewer of the austere ties, yet the entire class seems keenly aware of its coming responsibilities.

Calva, with her large hairbow, turn-over collar with its curved corners, and sweet smile, looks very young when compared with some of the others in the class.

On May 9, 1904, Gamma Chapter was chartered at College for Woman, Columbia, South Carolina. Alpha Sigma Alpha was the first sorority to place a chapter in this institution.

The story of the next group of chapters is told by Charlotte (Charley) Jones, Grand Historian, in the May, 19II, Aegis, "The following year, 1905, four new chapters were added to the 'roll call' of Alpha Sigma Alpha. In February, Delta Chapter was established at Mary Baldwin Seminary, Staunton, Virginia .... In March, Epsilon was founded at Fauquier Institute, Warrenton, Virginia .... On the twenty-eighth of October, Zeta Chapter was chartered at Fairmount Seminary, Washington, D. C .... Owing to faculty ruling Zeta Chapter was sub rosa.

During the school year of 1904-05, the first communication from Mrs. William Holmes Martin (Ida Shaw) was received. This was considered a .mark of recognition by the young sorority since Mrs. Martin was at that time talking of editing a sorority handbook.

With six chapters now on its roll, Alpha Sigma Alpha proudly called its first convention for Thanksgiving week-end, November 29 and 30, 1905. Let us refer to newspaper clippings of that time for our account.

"The Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority held its annual convention on Thanksgiving Day at the Ho~el Richmond .... After the business meetings the young ladies attended the football game 'between V. P. I. and V. M. I. and later on they were entertained . at the Academy, after which Alpha Chapter gave a magnificent banquet to their visiting sisters and a number of guests. The dining room was 路 tastefully decorated in Alpha Sigma Alpha pennants, .the table in American Beauty and white carnations. The souvenirs were Alpha Sigma Alpha stick pins, made in the fraternity colors."

"Mr. Eugene G. Ac;:lams presided as toast-master, and in a few well-chosen words introduced Mr. William V. Thraves, Amelia county, who responded most delightfully to the toast to Alpha Sigma Alpha. Miss Scott, of South Carolina, charmingly responded to a toast to the invited guests present, and Miss Bessie Ferguson, president of Alpha Chapter, responded in a delightful way to the toast, "Our Visiting Sisters."

According to the papers, those present were: Annie Thraves, Bessie Ferguson, Georgia Ne'!Vby, Juliette Hundley, Hontas Tinsley, Hattie Paulett, Hattie Kelly, Alma Thraves, Lucy Daniel, Louise Cox, Virginia Boyd, Jessie Scott, Martha Wilson, Prue Colcord, Jane Birthisell and Suzanne Bandell. In addition were the male escorts of these girls, several being from V. M. I. or V. P. I. The gowns of the girls were described briefly by the paper. We find that Annie Thraves wore a white lace "robe," Hattie Kelly, pink silk, Virginia Boyd, hand-painted organdy, Juliette Hundley;blue chiffon over taffeta, and Bessie Ferguson, black net over taffeta.

Again noting the account written by Charley Jones, "The chapters represented were: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. The other chapters were prevented from sending representatives by the school authorities. Up to the time of the Richmond convention no officers had been elected to the Grand Council, except Edna Elcan, from Alpha, who was chosen Grand President. She, not being present at the convention, Alma Thraves, from Alpha Chapter, was made presiding officer. ))

"The most important subject discussed at this convention was that of beginning the publication of a magazine. It was decided to issue a publication three times yearly. The staff was elect-

JANUARY, 1945 ed as follows: Editor-in-Chief, Martha Wilson; Assistant Editor, Violet Officer; Art Editor, Marguerite Beirne; Assistant Art Editor, Pure Colcord; Business Manager, Alma Thraves.

"The following officers were elected to the Grand Council: Grand President, Edna Elcan; Grand Vice-President, Jeanne Pelham; Grand Secretary, Effie Mealy; Grand Historian, Lucy Daniel; Grand Priestess, Annie Thraves.

"Many important by-laws were passed. The time for annual conventions was fixed uponThanksgiving of each year."

On December rs, 1905, Eta Chapter was established at Ward Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee.

During the year 1906 a blow came to' the young sorority when it was necessary to disband Zeta Chapter because of its school's non-sorority laws. An important forward step, however, was the appearance in May of Volume I, Number r, of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Magazine, a qua_rterly. Bound in grey, with crimson printing, it was priced at "$r.so per annum, payable in advance; single copies soc." Editors were Martha A. Wilson, Sumpter, South Carolina, and Helen St. Clair Scott, Kingstree, South Carolina. The business manager was Mary Henley Spepcer, Williamsburg, Virginia. Advertisers were welcomed and consisted of various southern firms dealing in commodities ranging from groceries to real estate. Each chapter was expected to solicit its quota of advertising. A. H. Fetting, the sorority's official jeweler, advertised as part of a half page notice (March, 1907) that he would send a memorandum package "to any member of the Fraternity through the Secretary of the Chapter." Rates per year were: full 路page, $rs.oo; one-half page, $7.50; one-fourth page, $4.00; and one-sixth page, $2.50. The magazine contained general sorority news, reprints of outstanding articles on the fraternity system, editorials, chapter letters, Alpha Sigma Alpha songs, news of members by chapter, news of other Greek letter organizations, and a directory of the Grand Council and Roll-Call of chapters.

It was printed by the State Company, Printers, of Columbia, South Carolina. The March issue comprised fifty pages in addition to five pages of advertising.

This March number begins with an enthusiastic account of the 1906 National Convention: "The faces of the Alpha Sigma Alphas gathered togethered at the Charleston Hotel (this was at Charleston, South Carolina) on the twenty-ninth of November were of the brightest seen.

It was nothing, that half had not arrived until midnight Wednesday, and the other half had sat up to wait for them. There never was congreg,ated a crowd of girls more in the spirit of enjoying every minute of two whole days.

"This story of the Convention of 1906 must be divided into two parts: the part pertaining to things social, and that other part relating to business proceedings. And I should not be very much surprised if there be a distinct disproportion of parts, an indirect ratio so to speak, as regards their respective importance, between these parts social and businesslike.

"During the afternoon of the twenty-ninth the whole Convention, including guests, drove tally-ho-wise to a football game between the Charleston Amateurs and the South Carolina Military Academy team. For some time both sides were impartially criticized and encouraged.

Finally the Citadel boys, after various brilliant plays, won the victory. Then it was decided that the next place of interest to be viewed was the Battery, passing on the way the Colonial Lake.

"To those who have had the good fortune to' see a Southern sunset from the western end of the Charleston Battery there is no need to bring again the picture. It cannot be forgotten or dimmed. Then just as we turned, the moon came up over the harbor water, harmonizing with the quietness which was in that part of the city.

"The contrast was marked when we drove .away and returned to the hotel. There everything was in a rush to get ready for the banquet. Finally, everybody really did come to the Alpha Sigma Alpha reception room, and in high good humor started for the hall.

"The walls of the hall were hung with trailing Southern smilax, sprinkled with hundreds of tiny colored lights. The table decorations were palms and carnations. Messrs. Riddock and Byrns served one of their well known dinners.

THE PHOENIX

"Just. at the last moment we were much disappointed to know that our Sigma Nu brother, Mr. Henry Cumming Tillman, would not be with us to act as toastmaster. There were many short, informal speeches and songs. 路 "The Citadel Cadets invited us to their Thanksgiving hop on the same evening; so, when we left the banquet hall we all went on to the dance. This part of the evening was of some of the pleasantest hours spent in Charleston.

"On Friday afternoon the native South Carolinians took the other girls to many of the historic places of Charleston. The visitors were very much interested by St. Michael's and its surroundings, and the stories told of the old church.

"Friday evening we saw the "Merchant of Venice" played by the Ben Greet Company.

This play was of great interest to us ....

"At 10 a. m., November 29, 1906, the meeting was called to order by Monta Wilson. A letter from Edna Elcan was read, regretting her unavoidable absence.

"Many letters and telegrams of good wishes were then read, after which the regular business meeting was carried on. Wakefield Mattison acted as Secretary for the Convention. First, new officers were elected.

"Next, the Chapter reports were read; then n~w by-laws and suggestions were submitted.

Work was continued until I p. m.

"The next meeting was a short one at 7 p.m. that evening. Friday, at 10 a. m., a meeting was called, at which the various committees submitted their reports. The Friday afternoo.r:t meeting closed the work.

"Saturday morning every one left, each girl with enthusiasm redoubled, afraid of nothing which might stand in the way of the success of Alpha Sigma Alpha; each with a new, broader spirit of sisterly feeling to take back to her chapter sisters, and each girl taking away indelible impressions of the 'City by the Sea' of South Carolina."

For financial reasons, it was impossible to hold a convention in 1907. Moreover, early in this year, Beta Chapter was disbanded. 路 In May, 1908, the name of the magazine w as changed to The Aegis of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

The binding and format remained almost the same, although the editions during most .of the 1909-I9I2 period bore the coat-of-arms in crimson. Under the title, some numbers carried the legend, "Devoted to the interests of all Alpha Sigma Alphas."

Iota Chapter was installed in May, 1908, at Randolph-Macon Women's College, Lynchburg, Virginia. Then, a meeting of all Alpha Sigmas was called by the Grand President, Edna Elcan, for June 18, 1908, in Lynchburg, Virginia. The object of the meeting was to revive interest and enthusiasm among the chapters. The meeting was fairly well attened.

That fall of 1908, there was again disappointment when Delta Chapter was ruled out by the faculty.

The third national convention, held at The .M._anor, Asheville, North Carolina, on January 2, 1909, was enthusiastically described in the May Aegis.

"When our Grand Council decided on Asheville, North Carolina, as the place to hold our convention of 1908, it made a wise choice. For where in the. east can be found a more beautiful place than Asheville? Its air is the best, its mountains the grandest, and its people the friendliest. And where could we have found a nicer and more home-like hotel than "The Manor?"

"It was with light hearts and beaming faces that the delegates assembled路 on the second day of January to make plans and elect officers for the coming year. In the absence of the Grand Pres~dent, Bessie Ferguson Cary was asked to preside. Sue Flinn acted as Secretary for the ConventiOn. After the roll cal~ and the reports from the chapters, letters and telegrams, wishing for the success of the meetmg were read. A letter from Edna Elcan was read, in which she ex-

JANUARY,

1945

IS

pressed her great regret at not being able to be present, and asked that another Grand President be appointed.

"An entirely new Grand Council was formed, composed of the following persons: Grand President-Wakefield Mattison, Leesville, South Carolina.

Grand Vice-President-Mary Ash, Yorkville, South Carolina.

Grand Secretary and Treasurer-Bessie Ferguson Cary, Flint Hill, Virginia.

"Most of the delegates assembled on December 31, and thus had ample time to see something of the town before the business meetings w~re called. -On the morning of January I we boarded a car and went to Biltmore, the magnificant estate of Mr. George W. Vanderbilt.

It is said that Biltmore estate is without a doubt the finest country place in America, and there are few, if any~ in the world to compare with it in elegance of design and splendor of setting.

In the afternoon we had a delightful motor ride around the city, and were charmed by the excellent and well-kept residences. ' "Several delightful drives added to the pleasure of the occasion."

"Our last evening was spent at the Country Club, where we indulged in bowling and music.

"On the morning of January 3 we separated fqr our respective homes or schools, filled with enthusiasm, and zealous to do a far greater part towards advancing the interests of our beloved F ra,~ernity ."

Of the newly elected Grand President, Wakefield Mattison, a Gamma sister, Jessie Scott Arnold, in 1933 wrote, "It was here that Gamma made its greatest contribution to A. S. A. For it was here 路that Lina Wakefield Mattison became Grand President. No organization has ever had a more devoted, intelligent, loyal, and able executive. She worked for A. S. A. eight hours a day and when that was not enough, eight hours a night as well. She visited every chapterthe first Grand President, I think, who did. Under her supervision the work of the chapters was coordinated. Never had the sorority been so well organized. Wakefield made it truly 'national'. At that time the funds of A. S. A. could scarcely be路dig_nified by the name "Treasury."

When they were insufficient to carry out Wakefield's plans, she used her own money-and then forgot about it. Even though her work later seemed to be frustrated for a time, the spark was never entirely extinguished. And the flame which burns with such a steady light today was largely of her kindling."

When the third edition of The Sorority Handbook by Ida Shaw Martin was published in this year, Alpha Sigma Alpha rejoiced to find itself "among those present." In discussing the evolution of the sorority system, Mrs. Martin wrote, "A fourth society founded at the Virginia State Normal School, Alpha Sigma Alpha, has recently placed chapters above the seminary rank, so it is doubtless only a question of time when all these essentially Southern orders will have chapter rolls that will compare favorably with those of the older sororities." Among publications was listed The Aegis. In classification, Alpha Sigma Alpha was listed among the Class A lit~rary sororities, including such organizations as Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Data in the form of Grand Council personnel, chapter roll, colors, and the like, were included. It is interesting to f)pd that the world knew us as having seven active chapters and one alumna:: association,路 a total membership of six hundred, and an active membership of one hundred five, with an average initiation of forty. The active badge, like the present one of 1945, was pictured in jeweled and plain forms in cuts at the front of the book. It was stated that the pledge pin, similarly shaped, was enameled in crimson and that the flag was a pennant of crimson and grey. Probably it was only procrastination that had kept Alpha Sigma Alpha from earlier bound editions, for it is recorded that previous ones had carried a looseleaf article as the data were "not sent in time."

Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter was installed at Brenau College, Gainesville, Georgia, on Februa~y 28, 1909, while May and June 5 brought Gamma Beta Sigma at St. Mary's School, Raleigh, North Carolina and Kappa Phi at Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio. Thus, with the establish-

THE PHOENIX

ment of Kappa Phi Chapter, Alpha Sigma Alpha went north of the Mason-Dixon line. And, in this northern state, now famed for its unusually large number of accredited colleges and universities, the state in which is located Oberlin College, the first institution to ope1_1 its doors for women seekina a hiaher education, the sorority was later to have five other acttve chapters. b . b From June 10 to 12, members again convened nationally. Of this event we shall let an unknown writer in the August, 1909, Aegis speak, "For an order whose founders were idealists of the noblest type there could be no more fitting place of meeting than is Natural Bridge, Virginia. There is a roundness in the beauty of the low forest-covered mountains which is perhaps not grand, but ~here is no awe in cliffs and crags and snow-covered peaks which one who sees the great phenomenon of the place for the first time does not experience. This combination of softness and sublimity makes an environment which those who were present at the last convention of Alpha Sigma Alpha feel to have been in a measure responsible for the success of the meeting-even as the sorority counts success.

"The mornings were given up to the business meetings, and under the skillful and systematic management of the President, the fullest possible amount of work was accomplished.

"The flower of the sorority was changed from white carnation to American Beauty Rose and the jewel from emerald to ruby to harmonize with the colors.

"The afternoons were all too few and too short to visit the many places of interest which Rockbridge County offers to visitors, but the time was utilized to th~ fullest extent by the sightseers.

"The evenings were devoted to the social features of the convention and fittingly closed the 路 days that were filled with so many kinds of pleasure."

A clipping from the Atlanta Constitution quoted by the Aegis lists the delegates as Mattie West, Virginia Normal School; Kate McSween, College for Women, Columbia, South Carolina; Mary Shuford, St. Mary's School; Clara Williams, Randolph-Macon College; Mary Turner, Brenau College; Charlotte Battles, Mt. Union College; Lina Wakefield Mattison and Mrs. Frank H. Cary of the Grand Chapter, arid Jessie Scott of The Aegis. Other members were present also. Attendance at the convention was mentioned many times in the news items of the various chapters in the next Aegis.

During the following year, inspections were made of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Gamma, Gamma Beta Sigma, Alpha, Iota, Kappa Phi, and Eta Chapters by Madeleine Rollwage. If any proof were needed that years make only minor changes in girls and chapters, the reading of her reports is sufficient. "The offices held by Sigma Phi Epsilon girls bespeak the standing of the chapter in the college. Leslie Harrel holds the two highest offices in school. She is president of the Grand Council and of the Student Union . . . . Elizabeth Alexander is editor-in-chief of the Brenau Journal and of the college annual. ... We discussed forming an alumna: chapter in Gainesville and we decided that Mary Lucy Turner should write the Grand President for instructions." Speaking of Gamma Chapter, "At the time of my visit the chapter had no pledge pins, but they promised to order some right away." "In scholarship St. Mary's is very strict, accordingly none of the girls were exempt from fines, but the rector, among others, stated that the scholarship of Alpha Sigma Alpha is the highest in school." Of Iota, "They have a dear little clubroom up in one of the towers." Then, at Kappa Phi, "these girls are genuine frat. girls; they know their full duty . . .. Would that we had a dozen more chapters just like it."

"Each chapter made me feel so 'at home' and the girls are all-well, just what you would expect Alpha Sigma Alphas to be .... At each chapter we sang the Alpha Sigma Alpha songs and talked much about the conve_ntion and jubilee celebration . . . .I found that each chapter had neglec~ed the correspondence wtth the other chapters and the Grand Council, but I believe we shall hay~ no more trouble in this way. At St. Mary's, Farmville, and Mt. Union, I attended initia~i~~s . . And right here let me urge one form of initiation. No similarity existed between these tntttat10ns, and we ought to use the same' form everywhere. The Mt. Union initiation was the

JANUARY, 1945 l

most impressive, and what we need is an impressive ceremony." Apparently in those pre-"progressive education" days a general _average of ninety exempted an active from dues.

Accounts of weddings now crept into chapter news letters, one of the outstanding ones being that of Frederica Ansel, charter member of Gamma and at one time Grand Secretary and Treasurer, to Dr. George Bunch. Held at her home, the Executive Mansion of South Carolina, it was a gala event for Alpha Sigmas thereabouts. The eight bridesmaids were all from Gamma Chapter, and one day there were twenty-four A. S. A.'s in town.

The Stafford, Baltimore, Maryland, was the scene of the 1910 Convention, June 9 to rr.

Elizabeth Alexander's account in the November Aegis gives us highlights of that conclave.

"Without discrediting the charm of those three memorable June days of gay companionship and social event, the Ninth. Annual,Convention of Alpha Sigma Alpha must, still, be classed as pre-eminently a Business Convention.

"With plan~ on foot for the remodeling of a constitution, and the revision of a ritual; with demands from this chapter for less stringent chapter government; and pleas from that for still more- "red tape," the group of thirty or more lawmakers gathered at the Stafford Hotel in Baltimore on June 9th, roth, and rrth, found themselves pressed for time in which to consider the urgent matters before them.

"The first business session of the 1910 Convention was opened with a few well chosen words from the Grand President, Miss Mattison, followed by a concise report of the results accomplished by Alpha Sigma Alpha throughout the year, and a sketch of the plans and possibilities open to the sorority for the year r9ro-'rr. Miss Mattison especially stressed the importance of each Chapter's prompt response to the annual presidential message, issued in the fall, and impressed, upon the delegates the necessity of advising with their Chapters on this matter."

"Petitions for charters were discussed at length. The Convention, not possessing the power to grant charters, the petitions will be presented to the various Chapters with recommendations from the Convention.

"The inspector's visit was made biennial.

"Perhaps the most important proceeding of the second business session was the making the founders of. Alpha Sigma Alpha life members of its Grand Council, entitled to all the privileges, and invested with the duties of the regularly elected officers who, heretofore, have formed the chief governing body of the sorority.

"An outline of the proposed plan for remodeling of the Constitution and By-Laws was read by the chairman of the committee, and accepted by the Convention. The work of remodeling will be done during the ensuing year by the same committee, and submitted in the form of an amended Constitution to the r9rr Convention, which shall take action upon it.

"A form of initiation (consisting of a rev is ion of and additions to the old form) prepared

by Miss Alexander, during the past year, was presented to the Convention by the committee, with various amendatory suggestions. After much discussion, and some few amendments the new form was adopted, and will go into effect under the supervision of a Board of Examiners ap路 pointed by the Convention.

"The report of the Committee on Alumn:e affairs showed plans for the .reorganization of the present alumna: system by the following means: ( r) That a constitution especially adapted to the needs of alumna: chapters be drawn up, and that all alumna: organizations be governed thereby.

(2) That a Central Alumna: Association, consisting of three members and the vice-president of the Grand Council as chairman, be formed to direct all affairs pertaining to the organization and government of alumna: organizations.

"The plans of the committee were adopted, and a motion was carried that the Central Alumna: Association be appointed by the present Convention, and that this Association be

18

THE PHOENIX

authorized to draw up the said constitution, subject to the approval of the sorority at large, said constitution to be submitted to the sorority at some time during the ensuing year.

"The delegate from Kappa Phi Chapter present~d a petition from an alumna:: organiza~ tion, in the town of Alliance, Ohio, devoted to the interests of Kappa Phi, asking that this organization be in some way officially recognized by Alpha Sigma Alpha.

"On investigation of the splendid work done by this alumna:: association and its helpful~ ness to Kappa Phi, the organization was made an h,onorary alumna:: chapter to Alpha Sigma Alpha, to be provided for under the constitution to be drawn up by the Central Alumna:: Association."

The Alliance, Ohio petition seems to have been the first one ever received from an alumna:: chapter for recognition as such, although in Mrs. Martin's Handbook of 1909, statistics on Alpha Sigma Alpha include an alumna:: association.

In addition to the regular officers, the 1910 Convention elected a Central Alumna:: Associa~ tion, a Board of Examiners, an Extension Committee, and additional Aegis officers.

Due to the return to college of only one girl, in September, it had been necessary to disband Eta Chapter. On November 24, Nu Chapter, Shorter College, Rome, Georgia, was welcomed, but just three days before, on November 21, 1910, Gamma Chapter girls found a notice on the bulletin board saying 路 that sororities were non~existent in the college from that day. "The presence of several local sororities was, as far as we could find out, the direct cause and we were told that the decision was positively irrevocable," wrote the girls to the Aegis.

During the first semester of the year 1910~n, there was debate regarding a proposed union of Alpha Sigma Alpha with Phi Mu Gamma under a new name. However, this idea was abandoned because of objections from Kappa Phi, Gamma, Iota, and Gamma Beta Sigma.

In June, 19n, from the twenty~first through the twenty-third, the sixth convention was in session at Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. The Aegis of August, 19n, describes it as follows: "The Alpha Sigma Alpha Convention for the year 19II was really a very important Committee meeting, composed of a small and select number of girls, held at Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of June. Business was strictly attended to and work was done at both morning and afternoon sessions. More was definitely decided upon and ac~ complished at this Convention than at any preceding one. The Constitution was revised and adopted and plans for the direct future of Alpha Sigma Alpha were formulated and agreed upon.

"The following officers and members of Alpha Sigma Alpha were present: Wakefield Mattison, Grand President; Mary Shuford, Editor-in-Chief Aegis; Nannie D. Lee, Business Manager Aegis and Delegate from Gamma Beta Sigma; Sourie Glover, Delegate from Nu; Leslie Harrell, Delegate from Sigma Phi Epsilon; Nancy Clark, Alumna Gamma; Sarah Graves, Alumna Gamma; Annette 1\:farable, Member Nu; Julia G. Jones, Alumna Sigma Phi Epsilon."

In her report, the Grand President, "followed a few well-chosen words with official announcement of events of the past Sorority year: mention of the resignation of the Grand Secretary and Treasurer, Bessie Cary, and the work that Arney路 Robinson has done in preparation for the Convention in her place; welcome to Nu as a chapter at the first Conv.e ntion they have attended; regrets for the loss of Eta through lack of members; mention of the establishment of Alumna:: Chapter in Columbia with Eugenia Childs as President, this chapter owning a club house and conferring upon the Gamma girls while students at Columbia the privilege of honorary membership."

The matter of sorority examinations, discussed at many Alpha Sigma conventions, was also one for serious consideration at this one. It is interesting to find that it antedates the testing impetus in educational circles of the twenties. Apparently the increase in knowledge of psycho-

JANUARY,

1945

19

metrics caused by the first World War was by no means the stimulus for the Alpha Sigma program. In 19II, "the Grand President, as chairman of the committee, presented the examination to the Convention. The first degree deals with parliamentary law and the sorority world as presented in the Handbook. This part was approved of with but one suggestion, that the learning of the Greek alphabet be added as a clause to Section VII. The second degree deals with matters pertaining to Alpha Sigma Alpha. Two minor additions were embodied in this; that the Business Manager's name and address be a<Jded to that of the Editor-in-Chief of The Aegis and also a list of the defunct as well as the active chapters must be learned. The whole exai:}ination was then adopted and highly approved of by the Convention."

Revision of the Constitution was also an important matter for consideration. "Much credit is due Leslie Harrell of Sigma Phi Epsilon for many valuable suggestions regarding the generalizing and condensing of the Constitution. The most important additions made to this main body of rules were: the Custodian of the Badge shall be furnished with a roll call of Alpha Sigma Alpha for reference and all alumna: must orde'r jewelry thro' her-active chapters may order direct from Fetting; the vote of any officer or chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha shall be considered null and void if not sent in two weeks after notification by the Secretary; the chairman of the Extension Committee shall be given a vote on all matters pertaining to the Sorority; the Constitution shall only be amended by two-thirds vote of any Convention after three months notice.

"It was further decided that every active chapter be furnished with a copy of the Constitution and By-laws, the work of publication to be in the hands of Sourie Glover, expenses to be paid by the Grand Treasurer."

"All through the Convention, and especially during the last meeting, the future of the Sorority was discussed."

When Wakefield Mattison refused to be reelected Grand President agam, Elizabeth Alexander was elected although there was doubt about her ability to act in this capacity because she would be in school at the University of Chicago.

Yes, indeed, there was a social side to this convention. An article bearing the caption, "The Social Side of the Convention" appeared in the Aegis too. It relates, "The beautiful mountain country was explored and delighted in the entire time. Dancing was enjoyed every night at Toxaway Inn, and the entire party went driving and walking and kodaking every spare minute of the three busy, busy days, and learned to know each other in the mas~ delightful and intimate manner. One golden afternoon the whole Conventio"n was entertained for the space of three hours away from路 work by Mr. Don Boozer, from Bainbridge, Georgia, who had accompanied his cousin, Leslie Harrell, of Sigma Phi Epsilon, on her trip to the North Carolina mountains. They went on a launch party around the beautiful lake which lies in and out among the -m ountains and sighed with regret when darkness compelled them to land and return to the hotel.

"The most important social event whiFh the Convention enjoyed was the banquet held the last night. The table was beautifully decorated in mountain laurel and all assembled around the board at nine o'clock with Wakefield Mattison, as Grand President, presiding. The many courses were enlivened by an equal number of gay and witty toasts given in response to the de' mands of the Toast Mistress, Mary Shuford.

1 "Prolonged applause paid tribute to the inspiring and beautiful address by Leslie Harrell on 'Our Tenth Birthday.' Sourie Glover toasted the 'Alumnae,' and Nannie Lee made us all drir{k to the crimson and grey colors.

"Souvenirs at the banquet were a silver bar pins bearing the raised letters of the Sorority.

The party broke up rather late at night, after much jollity.''

So ended the tenth anniversary convention.

20

THE PHOENIX

In the fall of 1911, the Gamma Beta Sigma girls had gone back with hearts and minds full of Alpha Sigma Alpha. All summer they had thought and planned for rushing season. , For one week they rushed. At the end of this time, the rector called an inter-sorority meeting and announced that sororities would no longer exist at St. Mary's.

However, to partially offset this sorrow, there was added to the roll, in December, 1911, Chi Iota Chapter at Hamilton School, Washington, D. C. Lack of funds, not material, caused the elimination of the November Aegis, but it appeared again, in February, 1912, to tell of the post-Convention events. After Elizabeth Alexander had refused the Grand Presidency because of her scholastic work, the Council had authorized Kappa Phi to elect a president from its membership. When they replied that no member of their group believed herself capable of such an arduous task as filling Wakefield Mattison's place, Miss Mattison was persuaded to accept the office again until June. She was not president in any part of 1912, however. The statement in the Aegis that "an attractive little brown booklet may be had by writing to the Grand Secretary" announced the readiness of the revised constitution and by-laws of Alpha Sigma Alpha. A scholarship prize and a prize for an Alpha Sigma Alpha song were likewise announced.

The seventh convention was held in June, 1912, at Norfolk, Virginia, ) n the Monticello Hotel.

The life of Chi Iota Chapter having been limited to but one year, Alpha Sigma Alpha now found the sorority diminished to four chapters.

However, in its sorrow over lost chapters, Alpha Sigma was by no means alone. All national sororities were losing charters in southern institutions, especially those of seminary or junior college rank, and, in at least one instance, the mother chapter had to be sacrificed to maintain the prestige of the national organization.

The Alpha chapter at Farmville decided to take no steps toward furthering its own interests until provision for the future of the other chapters could be made. The Randolph-Macon Chapter was given an honorable release to Pi Beta Phi and was installed as Virginia Alpha of that organization in 1913. â&#x20AC;˘ Delta Delta Delta received the Brenau and Mt. Union groups in the same manner, installing the Brenau Chapter as it~ Alpha Epsilon Chapter and the Mt. Union group as Delta Nu Chapter, both installations o.:curing in 1914.

JANUARY,

1945

21

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA INSIGNIA

PLEDGE

MOTHER PATRONESS

BLE GUARD

A~ A

Pledge Pin

Moth er-Patroness Badge R ecognition Pin Life Member Badge with Guard Plain Badge with Guard J ewelled Badge

THE PHOENIX

22

CHAPTER II I9I3-30 . THE narra~or is now R~th Duffey, .Alpha Alpha, charter member of her chapter and later to be Natwnal Chaplam and Natwnal 路 Treasurer.

"Miami has always been a fraternity-minded university, three of the older fraternities being founded there, and in later years, a few sororities. During the school year I9II-I2 three local sororities were organized in the normal school at the suggestion of Dean Minnich who was then the head of the Normal Department. Dean Minnich realized how valuable sorority membership might be to a girl training for the teaching profession and coveted membership in a crroup for every girl if possible. So it was not sgrprising to have him select a small group of g;ls as a nucleus for each of these three locals, and then advise and assist them in every way he could.

"The first of the three locals was admitted to Sigma Sigma Sigma. A second, also organized in I9II, remained a local for some time. Our group, Pi Alpha Tau, was formed in the spring of I9I2. It was a small group (there were seven girls), but strong, and they were recognized on the campus for their poise, good scholarship, and varied interests." Ruth Duffey was the eighth girl to be received into ~he chapter the following year of I9I2-I3 and was elected secretary in the spring of I9I3. , "A sorority friend of one of the girls, a Tri-Delt, I believe, gave her a Sorority Handbook and advised her to write to the author, Ida Shaw Martin, for help in going national since Pi Alpha Tau wished to follow the action of the local which had already become national as a chapter of Tri-Sigma. That badly battered Handbook was given into my keeping, together with some correspondence that had been received from Mrs. Martin and the instruction to give Uncle Sam's mails a little additional business and see if we couldn't line up other local sororities who would be interested in helping to organize a national.

"Now it happened that about this time the Farmville Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha had written to Mrs. Martin for advice as to what they should do. Through Mrs. Martin, we Pi Tau's got in touch with the girls at Farmville. As a result Pi Alpha Tau was installed as the Pi Tall Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha in May, I9I3.

"Alpha and Pi Tau Chapters immediately elected Mrs. Martin to honorary membership, and with her years of sorority experience she proved to be invaluable to us in those early days of reorganization. With Mrs. Martin's help we carried on an extensive correspondence with every local sorority that we could get in touch with during the school year of I9I3-14路 Those were hectic days. Naturally we wanted to make a good impression on these strange girls to whom we were writing, so it was a common occurrence for me ~o send an S.O.S. down the hall in Hepburn to all A.S.A.'s to congregate in our room and think of some choice words for me to use in these letters. When October of I9I4 rolled around we had two other groups who were sufficiently interested in Alpha Sigma Alpha to arrange for a convention. These groups were Kappa Theta Psi at Kirksville, Missouri, a very large group several years old, and Gamma Pi Beta at Indiana, Pennsylvania."

A weekly publication, THE PHoENIX, appeared in that fall of I9I4. It was issued from Mrs. Martin's office in Boston, and Volume I, Number I, dated November I, I9I4, consists of four, eight by eleven sheets, duplicated in a bluish-purple ink with single-spaced pica type. To the older A.S.A.'s it must have seemed very crude after the attractive printed publication once issued by the sorority, but to those struggling to renew the strength of Alpha Sigma Alpha, it meant an important forward step. To issue it, a Rotospeed machine was purchased, and it was calculated that if one hundred sheets were run each til!le, the total cost of production would be one

JANUARY,

1945

cent a sheet. At a dollar a year, each girl w,as to receive twenty-five editions, and there had to be one hundred subscriptions. Two issues were mailed bi-weekly, and chapters received their allo_tments by express. .

The first paragraph of the new publication d~als with the meaning of "Phoenix." This material was later incorporated into the printed Symbolism. Next is discussed the impending Miami Convention. Business sessions were scheduled for all day Friday and Saturday, with model initiation on Friday evening, from eight to ten. One of the suggestions made was that a National Historian be elected to write an authentic account of the first thirteen years of the sorority.

There is also a discussion of the naming o:f chapters: "The Central Office has a new suggestion to make and that is that 'Alpha' belong to the Mother Chapter in Virginia and that the others represented at the convention be named with som~ Alpha combination. For instance, Miami might be Alpha Alpha, Kirksville, Alpha Beta, low~, Alpha Gamma, and Pennsylvania, Alpha Delta. This will give us the idea of 'one' developing into 'four' additional chapters. The Central Office, in the case of the adoption of such a ruling, would recommend that no other combination of 'Alpha' ever again be used, that letter being considered the absolute property of those that were associated with the new foundation."

Obviously, from the nature of the material presented, the first PHoENIX was intended to be esoteric. '~ From the PHoENIXES of December r and 8, 1914, we may obtain an account of the convention and read the constitution and by-laws adopted. Although far briefer than the Constitution and By-Laws of today, we note many of the same articles in the document adopted in 1914. Undergraduate chapters might be established in Normal Schools or Teachers Colleges requiring at least fourteen units for entrance. Conventions were to be held every two years and were to be the supreme governing board of the sorority. In the interim the government was vested in the National Council composed of President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian.

Because it was felt more efficient to allow the newly elected Council to determine the individual duties of each Councilor, these were not defined in the Constitution but suggestions as to division were to be made to the next Convention for incorporation into the Constitution. In the chapter by-laws, chapters were limited -to thirty-two actives, and officers were listed as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, registrar, historian, librarian, and chaplain. The historian had the duties of the present editor. Regular, special, annual, and social meetings were provided, regular meetings to be held every two weeks. The celebrations were Founders' Day, Chapter Day, commemorating the installation of the chapter, St. Valentine's Day, and Alumnx Day, which was to be as near May 25 as possible.

There was no chapter constitution, regulations for chapters all being placed in .by-laws.

The National Secretary was made Custodian of the Badge, and the official jeweler was designated as A. H. Fetting of Baltimore, Maryland. Official stationery was ruled to be pearl white with the printing in crimson. _ It was also ruled, "The Virginia Chapter shall be known as Alpha, the Miami Chapter as Alpha Alpha, the Missouri Chapter as Alpha Beta, the Pennsylvania Chapter as Alpha Gamma.

The letter ALPHA shall be forever reserved for the use of these four chapters, which formed the basis of the reorganized sorority."

Another convention ruling stated, "The grip, as always used, both open and secret, shall stand." .

Elected as president was Mrs. William Holmes Martin, Roxbury, Massachusetts. Other officers were Elva Doyle, Kirksville, secretary; Ruth Duffy, South Charleston, Ohio, Alpha Alpha, treasurer; and Dorothy Batten, Kinston, North Carolina, Alpha, historian. Standing com-

24

THE PHOENIX

mittees were designated as: Finance:. Mrs. Martin and Miss Duffey; E:'tensio-?: Mrs. Martin a~d Miss Doyle; Publications; Miss Batten and Miss Duffey; and EducatiOn: Mtss Doyle and Mtss Batten. The committee on Education was given charge of the annual sorority examination.

Recalling the Miami Convention, Ruth Duffy states, "Convention wa.s held on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 27 and 28, 1914. Dorothy Batten of Alpha, and Elva Doyle and Lennye Tucker of Kappa Theta Psi arrived on Thanksgiving afternoon. What an excitement there was when it was time to meet them! Before many hours elapsed, we felt that we had known them for years and years. We had planned no entertainment for Thanksgiving night because our Indiana delegate, Ruth K. Ritchey, was to arrive late that evening. Some of us met her, and the others attended an enterDELEGATEs AT THE 1914 CoNVENTION (Left to right) Ruth Duffy, Elva Doyle, Dorothy Batten, tainment given by the university for the students Lennye Tucker. who couldn't get home for the holiday."

Dorothy had been Alpha's president the preceding year and a 19i4 graduate. Hence she represented both actives and alumna:. Elva Doyle was Kirksville's official delegate. Ruth Duffey, Miami's 1914 president and 1914 graduate, represented Miami alumna:, while Miami undergraduates attended in a body. These included Dorothy Clason, Harriet Smith, and Helen Boggess of the Class of 1916, and Nelle Berry, Ruth Coblentz, Ruth Elder, Eloise Everett, Gladys Fenton, Ethel McKinney, 'Nora Moser, Catherine Prudent, Ruth Sloneker, and Bernadine Sutkamp of the Class of 1917. Alumna: were Jessie Chenowith, Rana Fonts, Winifred Johnson, Helen Lincoln, Elizabeth Newhall, Elizabeth Schaeffer, Helen Sexaner, Katherine Schultz, Harriet Wilson, and Ruth Wyatt, all of whom had been graduated from Miami in either 1913 or 1914.

"When the Pi Tau president, Lancinda Leedom, (official Miami active delegate) called the Conven~ion to order at nine o'cleck on Friday morning," writes Miss Duffey, "we had an attendance of twenty-nine! There were four visiting delegates, four active Pi Taus, ten Pi Tau pledges, and eleven Pi Tau alumna:. Dorothy Batten was elected Convention Chairman and Elva Doyle, Secretary. The revised Constitution which had been submitted by Mrs. Martin was carefully discussed, article by article, and finally adopted. The afternoon session was spent in discussing and voting on Chapter By-Laws, Regulations, and Convention Rulings.

"Friday evening we had Model Initiation. This was held in the Kindergarten room of the training school, as were all of our meetings., Elva Doyle of Alpha Beta was the first initiate, Ruth Ritchey of Alpha Gamma, second, and then the Miami pledges. Lennye Tucker took the vows with the Miami girls." (It will be recalled that the Miami actives and alumna: had already been initiated into Alpha Sigma Alpha since Alpha Alpha Chapter had been installed previously as Pi Tau Chapter, more than a year before.) "I have attended more elaborate initiations, but for me there won't be another quite so beautiful and so impressive as this one.

It was more than just initiation. It was the culmination of months and months of intensive working, thinking, dreaming, planning,-a dream come true.

"Saturday morning was given to the completion of the discussion of regulations, and to further discuss and clarify points that were still somewhat indefinite in our minds. At the conclusion of the discussion we elected officers.

"These business meetings had been a strain for we felt very keenly our inexperience and our inability to deal with many of the problems that we had to decide, and yet we all dreaded to hear the motion for adjournment that we knew had to come. For adjournment meant that

JANUARY,

1945

25

in just a few hours we'd have to s~y goodbye to Do~othy with her gracious Southern charm, to Elva of the lovable sunny disposition, to Ruth with her gentle, quiet dignity, and to sweet smiling Lennye.

"There will be many bigger conventions, with more social affairs and varied activities, but to us Alpha Sigs who struggled with the difficult problems of those early days, the Miami Convention will always be the most significant. In those two short days we had adopted a Constitution, a much more elaborate ritual, made some changes in symbols and customs, and arranged for a weekly publication, THE PHoENIX. This was to be twenty-five numbers of four pages each. In order to carry the expense of THE PHoENIX, we had to have one hundred subscriptions, so we set out to get them. When the twenty-fifth issue was published in May, our subscription list had two hundred names on it, and were we prou :l of that record! In addition, the active girls had paid entirely for the mimeograph (really a Rotospeed) on which the magazine was printed." (It was mentioned in a PHOENIX that Alpha Gamma's share was $7.50.)

In spite of the important legislation enacted, 1914 delegates could not deviate from the pattern laid down by their older sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha in previous conventions. You may read in THE PHoENIX of December 16, 1914, "It was a matter of deep regret to all at the Convention that the girls from Missouri and Dorothy Batten, who had to return to take charge of her North Carolina school on Monday morning, were forced to leave on the noon train, especially as the Miami girls had planned a party for Saturday afternoon. Ruth Ritchey and many of the Miami alumnce were able to remain for that very delightful affair, however, which was held in the parlor of Bishop Hall, one of the Miami dormitories. The room looked very pretty with its decorations of chrysanthem urns and smilax. On the tea tables were red candles in crystal sticks and shaded with crimson. Ruth Dpffy and Helen Boggess poured, while the Miami freshmen served tea, sandwiches, and mints. Between seventr -five and one hundred guests were present to shower congratulations on the reorganized sorority and to wish it success in the new field."

It was a matter of extreme regret that the group from Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, was forbidden by faculty opposition from becoming nationalized. As mentioned in the history of Alpha Beta Chapter, Kappa Theta Psi had a Beta Chapter at this institution, and original plans for the reorganization of Alpha Sigma Alpha called for both the Alpha Chapter at Kirksville and the Cedar Falls group to become Alpha Sigma Alpha Chapters. The Iowa girls had authorized their Mother Chapter at Kirksville to send a representative to the Miami Convention.

Even THE PHoENIX of December 24 echoes the convention in the form of personal letters to Mrs. Martin. Here we read that Dean Elizabeth Hamilton of Miami is adviser for Alpha Alpha and that Dean Minnich of the University was greatly pleased that the convention was held at Miami. "He is a great friend to all the sororities and believes that every girl should become a sorority member, if she gets a chance. He very kindly excused us from classes on Friday and Saturday and made many valuable suggestions to us. Convention sessions were h<;ld in the Normal Building, a three-story building, the second and third floors of which are used by the William McGuffey School, the school where the sophomore normal students do their practice teaching. The Kindergarten Room was placed at our disposal for the business sessions and for the initiations."

The January 1, 1915 PHoENIX is confined -to a discussion of the provisions of the Constitution and to extension. The viewpoint of the National President is apparent in her article on "Extension," "A sorority's strength is in its alumnce who carry the teachings of the sorority into the thick of life, making a test that will prove whether the ideals of the order are really well worth while. If a sor~rity can hold the interest of its alumnce, if it can devise ways and means of making sorority affiliation absolutely indispensable to the complete happiness of the girl who has left her school days far behind, it will have demonstrated its value far more than it ever

.THE PHOENIX can by merely adding more girls to the bottom of the list as fast as they ~etire. at the t?P路 The other kind of extension is, of course, also necessary, but care must be exercised m arrangmg for such growth. The Thanksgiving Convention did much to safe-guard this kind of ext~n颅 sion by deciding not to enter any institution that does not require fourteen entrance umts, which is the same as saying a four year high school course. Such institutions as this would the.refore rank with the best colleges in the land, and this requirement, if adhered to strictly, will place Alpha Sigma Alpha abreast of the best collegiate sororities in the country. In considering the claims of a petitioning group, then, the first requirement to be demanded is that the school shall be of A rank. The second point to be considered is the type of girl, and the Extension Committee intends to exercise great care, when in receipt of petitions, that this imperative requirement is also met.

By January I6, it was possible to announce the acceptance by Miss Ida A. Jewett, a member of the Kirksville faculty, of supervision of the cabinet work on education. Five state secretaryships were also announced as filled: Georgia-Sourie Glover; Missouri-Marion Gardner; Ohio- Helen Lincoln; Pennsylvania- Ruth K. Ritchey; Virginia- Charlie R. Jones.

Sourie Glover, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter, it will be remembered, had established the Shorter Chapter while a faculty member of that institution. Charlie Jones was also no newcomer to national work, having been formerly a National Historian. Both Helen Lincoln and Ruth Ritchey had been present at 1914 Convention.

The present day chapter officer who wonders "who on earth began this busmess of monthly letters to National" would read in the January 24, 1914, issue of THE PHOENIX that "there shall be a report of chapter activities sent in to the Central Office on the first day of every month.

The Chapter President shall assign this duty to either the Historian or the Secretary, as may seem best, but the President is the one who will be held responsible for its prompt appearance.

This report should cover not only the chapter activities, but should also touch upon any interesting things that may have happened in school."

National Councilors burdened with the carbon copy problem of keeping all councilors well informed on sorority business may read that a Round Robin carried all the interesting original letters from Mrs. Martin to Ruth Duffey in Ohio, then to Elva Doyle in Missouri, then to North Carolina to Dorothy Batten, and finally back to Boston.

It may also be read that in the December, 1914, issue of Banta's Greek Exchange a history o( Alpha Sigma Alpha had appeared as part of the Sorority Study Series edited by Mrs. Martin who was then the Exchange's sorority editor.

Announcement of appointment of Frances Jones Hoge as West Virginia State Secretary and Hattie Kelly to the cabinet portfolio of Social Life was made in February. Both were members of Alpha. Regarding Miss Kelly's work, we read, "One of her plans is to make a study of the kind of social life that our chapters, undergraduate and graduate, now have and how this may be improved. Another plan is to have a scrapbook into which shall go all the souvenirs that you will send her of your good times. She wants to make a collection of these, so she can pass around the best ideas to chapters that want suggestions for social affairs or rushing stunts. One of the best plans, however, is for STATE MEETS. She is planning to have a BIG ASA MEET in every state that has any ASAs in it." Tentative plans called for "plenty to eat, rousing songs, and stirring speeches." 路 A week later, the acceptance by Elizabeth Schaeffer, Alpha Alpha, of the position of Secretary of Hygiene was reported. On the same page of THE PHOENIX, is found her initial contribution, an article dn the sins of the undergraduate during her mid-year examination "cramming."

The achievements and genealogy of King Asa, jingled so many years by initiate and alumna, apparently first saw the light of Alpha Sigma Alpha on February 16, 19I5, a most appropriate date, no doubt, for the National President had already called attention to the magic of the sum of the year's digits as being auspicious for the sorority. The song prefaced the long story of the

JANUARY,

1945

ancient ruler, th~t story so famous in the old red Symbolism. In fact, the length of the story caused its continuance, in the following week's issue, ironically enough, issue number sixteen.

The Phoenix recognition pin in fourteen carat gold made its bow. in print late in March.

Like the official badge, it was to be ordered only through the National Secretary and .bear a number and the owner's name on the back. The pin was one-half inch long and three-eights inch across the wing-spread. It was made in dull finish.

1914-15 was an experimental year. The acts of the Miami Convention must be tried, hard work had to be done, and each venture must be undertak,en in the spirit of faith. The infant PHOENIX was the central medium by which the various parts of Alpha Sigma Alpha were linked together. As a journalistic venture, the present day Alpha Sigma Alpha would claim nothing for it. It ,consisted entirely of instructions and discussions of sorority rulings· and policies, chapter news letters, and excerpts from articles on morals and Greek organizations. It reminds one greatly of the family mail pouch sent periodically to the far-away children by a strong-minded mother whose experience and age are assumed to give her authority of opinion and action. Only infrequently does the National President, mentioned as the "Central Office," fade · into the background. Alpha Sigma, at that period needed a personality with Greek experience and technique, who could pull together her various components, weak in diversity of interests, youth, and discouragements. No one, -after reading those one hundred twelve pages of exhortations, explanations, and letters, could doubt that the sorority received such in good measure. However, not even a keen-witted woman of Greek experience in Boston was responsible for the two hundred ten PHoENIX subscriptions by the end of the year. Only local girls, not a central office, could be responsible for such phenomena as ninety-seven alumna: initiated from the ranks of Kappa Theta Psi in Kirksville.

The school year 1915-16 opened auspiciously with THE PHoENIX in a new dress (due to the purchase of a mimeograph to replace the Rotospeed) and the announcement of the organization of the Association of Pedagogical Sororities.

"During June, 1915, considerable correspondence passed between the President of Alpha Sigma Alpha and National Officers in Sigma Sigma Sigma, relative to the formation of an · Association that should endeavor to secure uniformity of standards in pedagogical sororities in matters of common interest. Both governing boards had been endeavoring individually to make their respective sororities count as an educative force wherever there were chapters, and, when the idea of an Association was suggested, both were quick to see the possibilities in such an organization.

"As Sigma Sigma Sigma was holding its National Convention in Cincinnati, July 6-9, and as Alpha Sigma Alpha had a National Officer living relatively near, it seemed wise to call a Conference at Hotel Gibson, Headquarters of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Accordingly, Miss Ruth Duffey, National Treasurer of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and Miss Helen Boggess, a graduate member of the Miami Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, met the Council of Sigma Sigma Sigma for preliminary discussion on July 10. As there were some slight differences of opinion on several points, there was no definite organization formed, both sides feeling that the whole matter could well be left in abeyance for a while, ·so as to allow both sororiti~s full opportunity for careful deliberation.

"It is customary, when a Panhellenic is formed, to have the oldest sorority present assume the Chairmanship, while the next in point of age serves as Secretary. The Chairmanship should then have gone to Sigma Sigma Sigma and .the Secretaryship to Alpha Sigma Alpha. The former, however, every graciously insisted that the National President of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Mrs. Ida Shaw Martin, author of The Sorority Hand book and Sorority Editor of The Greek Exchange, should be honored with the Chairmanship. Mrs. Martin was loath to accept an office contrary to precedent, but was at length prevailed upon at a final conference between the two sororities on September 4·

THE PHOENIX "Miss Marguerite C. Hearsey, Panhellenic Representative of Sigma Sigma Sigma, had been summering in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and was returning to New York City via Boston, where Mrs. Martin's home is, so a meeting was easily arranged. The accompanying pages set forth the Constitution of the Associated Sororities, the Code of Ethics, and the Model Constitution for Local Panhellenics, which were duly formulated and accepted, and which are now binding on all chapters of Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Sigma Sigma that meet on common ground. 路 "Those affected, therefore, are the chapters at Virginia State Normal School, Miami University Normal Department, and Pennsylvania State Normal School. The first established in each case will call the meeting for organization, which should be effected within the shortest possible period after the opening of the Fall Session. As it is customary in Hellas to extend the courtesy of membet:ship to all other Greek-Letter Sororities on the campus, it is recommended that the significance of the newly- established Association of Pedagogical Sororities be explained fully to them, and that they be invited to join the Local Panhellenic."

Miss Marguerite C. Hearsey, Sigma Sigma Sigma, was the first secretary-treasurer of the new association.

Certain rulings of the Miami Convention proved impracticable in application. For example, the familiar coat-of-arms was found by the engraver, E. A. Wright Bank Note Company, Philadelphia, to be more attractive and distinctive, and the open motto was discovered to be more adaptable to a ribband if stated in the second person pural of the command, rather than the singlar. It was also decided, as a result of a Council study, that the aster and narcissus would be more appropriate to the sorority's ritualistic plan than the chrysanthemum and daffodil.

On New Year's Day, 1916, Theta Zeta Beta, of the Colorado State Teachers' College, Greeley, was notified that its petition to Alpha Sigma Alpha had been granted, and sixteen days later, a preliminary petition from the Sorosis Club of the State Normal School, Alva, Oklahoma, was received. Elva Doyle Reed, slated to be the Colorado installing officer, Marion Gardner, and the Insignia Committee, composed of Kirksville alumna:, began preparations for the new chapter paraphernalia. On February 19, Beta Beta Chapter was installed at Greeley.

Mrs. Reed was assisted by Vanda Mitchell, Alpha Beta, of Denver.

From Colorado, Mrs. Reed and the Installation Trunk went to Alva for the installation from February 21 to 24 of Gamma Gamma.

In March, the well-known membership certificate or shingle was ready for distribution.

April brought sorority examinations and a request to the Springfield, Ohio, Alumna: to prepare a rushing manual for use the following fall.

THE PHOENIX issues of this year are filled with business, news, symbolism, discussions of the Geek-letter world, justifications of Hellenic systems. There seem to have been one hundred twenty-seven pages during the year, with other mimeographed material inserted periodically.

Among them is found an early examination.

The rush,ing manual mentioned as a project of that year materialized in connection with THE PHoENIX of September 16, 1916. It consisted of six mimeographed sheets and contained the following divisions: Principles in Rushing, Whom to Rush, How to Rush, Ideals, Training, Organization, Arguments, Its Rivals (a history of the three sororities then in the Association of Pedagogical Sororities.) It concluded with the advice, "You are a member of a STRONG sorority, one that ranks with the best in the country. Live it, talk it, dTeam it, work for it. In no other way can you so effectively convince others of its beauty, its greatness and its power."

At the beginning of this school year, chapter treasurers were required to keep a more detailed set of records, being furnished with three books: a receipt book labeled "Special Assessments" to be used whenever there was need for a special levy on the membership a book for initiation dues, and one for regular dues. Each book gave one sheet to each member and the initiation book had receipts for National Treasurer, Secretary, and President, as well ds for the chapter. It was urged upon the chapters that "the first and third meeting of each month be set

JANUARY,

1945

aside for business, the second for general sorority news and sorority study, and the fourth for a jolly get-together of actives, alumna:, and pledges."

One of the hopes at the beginning of this year was for the publication of a directory, and before the year this was realized.

In THE PHOENIX of November 24, 1916, there appeared "The Shield of ASA," beloved by generations of Alpha Sigma Alphas since then.

On December 19, 1916, Alpha Sigma Alpha recorded with deepest sorrow the death, at the birth of a son, of Elva Doyle Reed, untiring and greatly loved National Secretary. For the first time since the reorganization of the sorority, death came to the membership. Of Elva Doyle Reed, it was written, "No sorority ever possessed a more lovable member, a more devoted member, a more efficient National Officer. From the moment of her initiation at the Miami Convention, to which she went as the delegate from Kirksville, to the day of her death, Alpha Sigma Alpha was to her almost a religion. Alpha Sigma Alpha owes to Elva Doyal Reed a deep debt of gratitude.

So long as the Sorority shall stand, it will be a monument to her devotion, to her belief in its destiny as an educative force, to her faith in its ultimate and abundant success."

Until the death of Mrs. Reed, no sorority regulations had existed concerning the wearing of mourning. By telegram, the ELvA DoYLE REED chapters were notified by the National President of procedure Feb. 9, 1889-Dec. 9, 1916 based on best Hellenic custom, and the eastern chapters were able to wear mourning on the day of the funeral. Thus began the Alpha Sigma Alpha custom of draping the badge with black grosgrain ribbon for a stated period in honor of a deceased 路 member.

Among the bequests of Mrs. Reed was one leaving $so to the National Sorority, the only instruction being that the money should be devoted to THE PHoENIX. It was undoubtedly her plan to tide the magazine over the unusual financial strain under which it was then existing because of increasing costs of supplies, but members of the National Council felt that money with such sacred association should have more than transitory use. It was, therefore, made the nucleus of the Elva Doyle Reed Life Subscription Fund, with the husband, Charles R. Reed, and the sister, Gertrude Doyle, a member of Alpha Beta Chapter, as the first beneficiaries, these two to receive THE PHoENIX during their lifetime. To Elva Doyle Reed's love for Alpha Sigma Alpha, the sorority owes the inception of its present endowment fund for publications.

Without this fund, many times the maintenance of publications of recognized quality would have been impossible.

Early in 1917, the formation of a larger council was announced. THE PHoENIX leaves the reader uncertaip as to the procedure involved in its choice, but apparently, the then National President, deciding a larger one was necessary, asked the approval of the other two councilors, Mrs. Reed's office having not yet been filled. Accordingly, the National Council was increased to eight members, with titles and duties as follows: "It shall be the duty of the National President to preside at the National Convention, to see that all Sorority Officers perform their duties faithfully, to hold the power of final decision on all disputed points, and to have general supervision of the work of the Sorority .

"It shall be the duty of the National Vice President to serve as Dean of Chapter Advisers, to exercise a general supervision over the Undergraduate Chapters, and to have charge of the Annual Sorority Examinations.

I

THE

PHOENIX

"It shall be the duty of the National Secretary to attend to the general correspondence of the Sorority, to supervise the work of the State and Class Secretaries, and to superintend the establishment and work of the Alumn~ Associations.

"It shall be the duty of the National Treasurer to receive all National Dues and Initiation Fees, to pay out monies only by order of the National President, and to keep a strict and accurate account of all receipts and expenditures.

"It shall be the duty of the National Registrar to care for the National Card Catalogue, and to publi~h a Directory of the membership, as often as funds are available for the purpose.

"It shall be the duty of the National Historian to gather material and data for a History to be published whenever the National Convention shall so decide. She shall keep an accurate historical account of the Sorority in general and of each Chapter year by year.

"It shall be the duty of the National Librarian to care for the National Files and to supervise the Chapter Programs.

"It shall be the duty of the National Ritualist to supervise the secret work of the Chapters, and to see that all Initiation Services are conducted in accordance with National Rulings."

Each National officer was to supervise the work of the corresponding chapter officer.

There were also set up the following committees: Hygiene, Education, Social Life, Ethics, Interior, Finance, Extension, Alumn<e Service, Catalogue, History, Manual, Songbook. These consisted of two Councilors each.

I The above plan made no provision for an editor, THE PHOENIX remaining for the present in charge of the National President with State and Class Se~retaries as assistant business managers. Since Alpha and Alpha Alpha were already represented on the Council, it was decided that the secretaryship should go to an Alpha Beta as Mrs. Reed had l)een from that chapter~ and because Alpha Beta had on its roll one hundred fifty-nine names, a large number for the small national sorority. The remaining officers were to be divided among Alpha Gamma, Beta Beta, and Gamma Gamma.

First to contribute to the life Subscription Fund after its creation by Mrs. Reed's bequest, was the Norfolk Alumn<e Association, which sent $ro, the result of a card party. .

The modern college girl, accustomed to convenient methods of communication, would be puzzled by the ingenious method adopted by the "central office" of 1917 in sending out original music to the membership. Because the work of mimeographing music was considered too difficult and expensive, that for "There is an Island" was written in letters. The code was deciphered by such instructions as "Half notes are indicated by the use of capitals. Eighth notes are indicated by the use of / through small letters. Chords are separated by the-, and bars by the *. Rests are indicated by the use of the =." What good training for future code breakers in the F.B.I.! 路 Although the first World War had not yet begun, to one reading the chapter letters for 1917, the term "First Aid" stands out, and it is learned that the Greeley students who would work in the new Campfire movement were taking, among other things, "First Aid" lectures, given by the Director of Physical Education. They rejoiced that because college credit was given for this, they were able to sandwich it into their busy lives.

Echoes of war now creep into Alpha Sigma Alpha's record as the U~ited States was preparing to enter the European conflict. While Missouri and Oklahoma were busy with thoughts of summer school ahead, Alpha Gamma wrote of the organization of a campus Red Cross unit. In Virginia, Alpha was participating in a campus campaign for the Belgian children, for which the chapter had a week of self-denial in order to contribute the $12 necessary to keep a Belgian baby from starvation. Kirksville Alumn<e began making surgical dressings and collecting materials for the Red Cross.

In Ohio, all thoughts centered on the installation of Delta Delta Chapter at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Services were held February 20-21, 1917, wit~ Ruth Duffey, National Treasurer,

JANUARY, 194S

31

and Helen Lincoln, State Secretary, as installing officers. The Athens Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma most graciously loaned their room for the services. Until that time, Sigma Sigma Sigma had been the only pedagogical sorority on the campus, having entered in 1912 although the Greek letter organizations first entered in 1841 with the installation of Beta Theta Pi and five National Panhellenic Congress groups were existing in the college ' of liberal arts. ' The declaration of war soon began to make itself felt among the Council and various chapters. Gamma Gamma reported that when the summer session opened with s6o students, less than roo were men, for men students were enlisting or working in the harvest fields. The Kirksville Red Cross Chapter, originally organized by the Alpha Sigma Alpha alumnc:e in that town, increased to hundreds of local women members. Three important offices, including that of president, went to Alpha Sigma Alphas, patronesses or alumnc:e. Delta Delta reported that 1917 Commencement "lacked some of its customary brilliancy, because ,so many of our men had answered the call of the Government." When school opened in the fall, Alpha Beta made Saturdays regular Alpha Sigma Alpha days at Red Cross Headquarters and spent the first Saturdays there with its rushees! THE PHOENIX of October 24 announced the purchase by the National Sorority of a $rooo bond of the Second Liberty Loan. Into this bond went the sums accumulated from the $2 reservation from every initiation fee, an amount supposed to be divid-' ed equally between the General Endowment Fund and THE PHOENIX Endowment Fund, the Elva Doyle Reed Endowment Fund, the chapter gifts of $so to endow the copies of THE PHoENIX for chapter advisers and chapter libraries, and the first individual life subscription, which had been taken by Miss Minnie Shockley, Gamma Gamma. Since the total of these was inadequate, an advance loan had to be made from the General Treasury. In this way, it was planned that at the close of the fourth year after reorganization at Miami, the sorority would possess an endowment fund of $rooo, all loaned to the American Government in its emergency. Alpha Gammas formed the habit of dropping in at Red Cross rooms on Monday afternoons, their free time, and helping with surgical dressings. In reporting to National, they also mentioned the sugar shortage, even the brown sugar having given out at the college. Alpha was also doing without, for it gave up its annual banquet in order to turn over the money to the Students' War Fund. These girls also aided in a benefit vaudeville performance for the aid of the War Relief Fund. Alpha Alpha furnished $so of the $4ooo Miami University Y.M.C.A. War Fund.

In spite of war work and interest, Alpha Sigma Alpha was able to see its earlier work bear fruit with the installation on November 16-17J 1917, of Epsilon Epsilon Chapter at Kansas State Normal School, Emporia, Kansas. Installing officers were Miss Ida A. Jewett, National Vice President, and Miss Minnie Shockley, National Ritualist. Kappa Delta Theta, the local installed as Epsilon Epsilon Chapter, was the oldest organization of girls at the Kansas State Normal, having been founded in 190r. It petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha because of the influence of Blanche Stevenson, Gamma Gamma, and Grace McGinnis, sister of Eileen McGinnis Higbee, both girls being new matriculates .at the college that fall.

During this school year of 1917-18, Miss Jewett, National Vice President, was fortunate in securing a month's leave from Kirksville, to be spent in the interests of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Her itinerary included visits with Alpha Alpha, Delta Delta, Alpha, and Mrs. Martin, as well as other members of the National Council, Miss Duffey, Miss Lowry, and Miss Batten. With Miss Jewett wcrnt the "Installation Trunk," outstanding in undergraduate minds for its grandeur and completeness. First to . share its glories in inspection initiation was Alpha Alpha whose cup of joy was nearly full, even though the string quartette of Beta Theta Pi, which was considered quite the nicest musical organization, was unexpectedly called for military duty, and two members of Delta Delta Delta and one of Chi Omega substituted for entertainment at the gorgeous tea held in Miss Jewett's honor. Joined by an Alpha Sigma Alpha, these musicians made a most acceptable substitute. This month of inspecting was one of Miss Jewett's splendid and valuable volunteer services to the sorority.

THE PHOENIX Coincident with Beta Beta's wail that the coal shortage and Colorado blizzards did not comfortably mix, came word from Miami that "the importance of the war to Miami students was brought out most sharply the other day when a service flag bearing 2SS stars was hung from the stage of the Auditorium. The announcement of the courses for the second semester makes the fact that we are at war also very evident, for the so new courses include wireless telegraphy, military French, military training, and various others suggestive of the strenuous times. Special stress, too, is laid on agriculture, plant breeding, and such other preparation as is needed by those who will go into the work of trying to make two ears of corn grow where one grew before." February found the National Librarian, Mary Paden, asking each chapter and alumn~ group to make a scrapbook for soldiers invalided home to hospitals.

For the first time since the memorable convention of Thanksgiving, 1914, Alpha Sigma Alphas convened nationally on Easter week-end, 1918, at th~ Hotel Sherman, Chicago. To the April PHoENIX of that year, is owed the following account.

"Every train seemingly was on time, every little identification bow in place, every Travelers' Aid representative at her post, so the arrival of the delegates was made easy. It was a great relief to know that the Travelers' Aid had been supplied with a copy of the train schedules and the names of the delegates, as well as with a sample of the identification bow, white over green.

"The .first to arrive in Chicago was Ruth Duffey. Her train was so early that she did not dream there would be any one in the station when she arrived to look out for her, so she was greatly surprised to be greeted with, 'Miss Duffey, I believe,' and still more amazed to find the greeting in a masculine voice of unusual richness and depth. The Travelers' Aid having been told that Miss Duffey was National Treasurer, naturally supposed that she would have large sums of money with her, so called up the Police Commissioner, who heard it U.S.A. Treasurer, instead of A.S.A. Treasurer over the telephone and who promptly assigned the handsomest captain on the force to the task of seeing that Miss Duffey was received and shadowed until her valued self and her valuables were safely under the roof of the Convention Hotel."

Convention sessions were held in the Rose Parlor of the new Hotel Sherman, which was so new that "every room is supplied with a private bath."

"It seemed just like one big chapter off duty during play time, but when the se~sions were held it was evident that many minds had been thinking on the topics presented to the chapters for discussion, and that every earnest consideration had been given to every item, for each delegate showed by her perfect knowledge of every matter presented at the sessions that she had . come prepared to voice the opinion of many A.S.A.s. Yet through all the gatherings there ran the strong current of feeling that the chapter must stand aside when the national welfare was the point at issue." Miss Jewett, National Vice President, presided because of the absence of the National President.

The Constitution was amended to provide for National Conventions every four years because the original plan of two year interims had proved .finanically impossible. Changes were made in fees, among them being that "the National Graduate Dues shall be levied according to the type of membership: $100 for Honor Roll, $so for Life, $2s and $1 annually for LifeAnnual, and $3 for Annual Membership."

It was voted that the official badge should be pearl bordered, and the choice of the pledge pin was left to the National President, in order that she might determine which lent itself best to the ritual scheme. The design for the Mothers' pin was accepted: a gold crown, supporting four whole pearls and bearing the sorority letters in black enamel.

A central office was established. It was also voted that no normal school or teachers' college should be considered as a possible field for a new chapter unless i~ had ~n annual income of at least $so,ooo and an enrollment of at least 2SO students. Life subscriptions to THE PHOENIX,

jANUARY,

1945

33

at $25 each, were 路established. It was decided that THE PHoENIX should be a printed and bound magazine, issued monthly, in charge of an editor-in-chief and a staff. The official stationery was designated as palm green embossed with the co1t-of-arms and the lettering "Alpha Sigma Alpha" in palm green. Provision was made for a board of eight supervisors: art, examinations, extension, music, paraphernalia, scholarship, service, sorority study, Syrinx. The Syrinx was to be an esoteric magazine. Authorization for a ritual for the initiation of mothers and patronesses was given. It was also decided that a uniform system of keeping records and accounts should be installed among the chapters.

The new editor for THE PHOENIX was elected by the convention. She was Ann Brewington, Alpha Beta, then a student at the University of Chicago. Educators today know her as one of the University of Chicago's well known pro fessors in commercial education and the proponent of the direct method of teaching shorthand. The editor's assistants, as well as all other 路 members of the National Council were to be chosen by the National President.

It is reported that the social side of conventions was definitely not neglected whether the activity were a scheduled one or not. "There were many jolly get-togethers between sessions and late at night in the different rooms." On Friday night, an informal gathering was held for everyone in the Rose Room. "The girls sang A .S.A. songs and danced to the playing of Ruth Duffey and Maude Barrigar. During the evening Miss Graham read, and there was also singing by Mrs. Jessie Stephens Walker and Marie Richter." Early Saturday morning, before sessions, there was a sight-seeing trip around Chicago, and dinner that night was held in the College Inn of the hotel. After the dinner, which the usual Roar show of the hotel had enlivened, the group separated into two divisions, part seeing "The Riviera Girl," and the others attending the "Music Master," in which David Warfield was playing. However, in spite of the late (or early) hour at which the girls had finally reached their beds, everybody was up to attend the Easter Service at the Chicago Auditorium where the famous Frank W . Gunsaulus was the preacher. It was considered quite appropriate that the prelude should be "Chrysanthemum Song" from Bonnet. Immediately after the service came the closing event of Convention, the Jonquil Dinner in the hotel's Italian Room. A jonquil theme was carried out in decorations.

"There was but one shadow on the horizon and that was the consciousness that parting was very near for some of the delegates. There was one more gathering in the Rose Room to say goodbye to those leaving immediately, and then the party divided into two sections. One group went to the famous Art Institute to see a special Spring Exhibition, while the other went to hear the world famous Galli Curci at the Auditorium. The house had been sold out days before, but the A.S.A.'s were so fortunate as to be allowed to sit on the stage where they had a closed view of the great singer. Quite unexpectedly Miss Schockley knew one of the managers, and he was most fortunate in securing permission to have the A.S.A.'s presented to Madame Galli Curci.

"So uplifted were the delegates by all the glorious events of the day that they felt that one more thing was needed to crown their day. Taking a taxi, they were driven to the beautiful Catholic Cathedral, where in the subdued light streaming through stained glass windows, amid the fragrance of countless blooms and incense that still l.ingered, they knelt and asked God's special blessing on Alpha Sigma Alpha, to the end th ~ t it I,Tiight be a means for Him to use to further His great purposes on earth. But; absorbing as ~as their thought of and their prayer for Alpha Sigma Alpha, they did not forget th~ brave boy; who were even then undergoing their baptism of fire at the front, for an earnest peti~ion . went up that God might speedily grant, in the name of His Crucified Son, that but of the'-路* orld's darkest Calvary there should dawn the Easter promise of universal brotherhood.''

During the summer, the Finance Board decided that the sorority should purchase a $4ooo bond of the "Fighting Fourth" Victory Loan, and that each of the eight chapters should raise

34

THE PHOENIX

$soo as its share. In a letter dated October I of that year, the ~ational President . outlined possible ways for raising the money. "Five Honor Roll Memberships at $wo, or ten Life Memberships at $so, or twenty PHoENIX Life Subscriptions at $25, would make the whole amount available at once. Another and popular method is the following distribution: one individual Ho~or Roll or two Life Memberships, four Life Subscriptions, sixteen quarter-Life Subscriptions at $7, one Honor Roll Membership for the Chapter, one Honor Roll Membership for the chapter adviser. From the statements already made we believe that every one should understand that not one cent of the money received in this way is to be spent in or by the Sorority. Every penny is to be sent to the Government through the purchase of a Victory Bond."

When the long awaited printed PHoENIX made its bow in October, 1918, the first article dealt with the Victory Drive to purchase the $4000 bond. First to reach its quota was Alpha Beta, and individual pictures of its 24 active members formed a full page of illustration for the article. Morever, a contribution had already been received from little Charles Robert Reed, Jr., son of Elva Doyle Reed. Second over the top was Gamma Gamma. The picture of this active chapter in November has a most nautical appearance, for each member was attired in the favorite middy blouse of the period, with large sailor collar and regulation tie, which undoubtedly was fastened with the square knot learned from a navy relative. In December, the picture of honor was that of Alpha Alpha actives, looking even more militant in theii navy middies trimmed with white braid. This chapter was third to reach its quota.

Chapters continued to participate in campus and town Liberty Loan drives and to play their part in the war effort. At one of Alpha Beta's dances, the chapter adhered to its conservation pledge and served only punch. Men being almost an unknown at Indiana, the male parts in the class play were taken by girls. Alpha Gamma, indeed, reached beyond the usual campus work and adopted a French orphan for a year. On serveral campuses beloved faculty members left to serve the Y.M.C.A. in France or the federal government. Beta Beta's back yard became a war garden planted with radishes, onions, lettuce, beets, and beans. Although a system of fines was outlined for members failing to give the alloted hours to its care, none was ever collected for the girls so thoroughly enjoyed the work. Money usually spent on senior Alpha Sigma Alpha gifts by Gamma Gamma was donated to the Red Cross in each girl's name. In addition to the usual war activities, certain actives of Alpha Beta completed a course in military drill. The Student Army Training Corps, known to the co-eds of that day as the SATC, and the flu epidemic were major events of the fall of 1918, and, in their effect upon the campuses, had their echo upon Alpha Sigma Alpha. The government's refusal to allow new publications made it necessary to abandon plans for The Syrinx. Materials ordinarily used in paper manufacture were considered more important in war operation. Therefore, the printed PHoENIX had to be considered esoteric in order that there might be a medium for informing the sorority membership of organization events and policies. However, editions were published in all months~ except January, from October through June. The influx of girls to Washington for government work caused the formation of the Washington Alumnc:e Association with twelve Alpha Beta's being charter members. Timed to the ringing of the victory bells, was the advent of little Lois Howard, daughter of a soldier father arid Helen Lincoln Howard,"Alpha Alpha. Young Lois fulfilled Alpha Sigma Alpha specifications by weighting exactly eight pounds. Increased taxation was also reflected in sorority regulations, for the United States tax of five percent on the retail price of jewelry caused an increase in the prices of all badges and pins.

The first week-end in April, 1919, was indeed a red-letter one since it marked the installatio~ ~f the x.x Club of the Teachers' College at Warrensburg Missouri, as Zeta Zeta Chapter.

This mstallatwn was the result of two years of effQrt. Here, installing officers were the National Vice President and Ritualist, Miss Ida Jewett, and Miss Minnie Shockley. They were assisted

JANUARY,

1945

35

by members from Alpha Beta, Epsilon Epsilon, and Gamma Gamma. Among the initiates of the charter group was Wilma Wilson, later to become one of her sorority's best known and loved national officers, Wilma Wilson Sharp.

National and state events continued to be mirrored in chapter life. The legislat~re of Missouri decided that' there should no longer be normal schools in the state but that all training schools should be teachers' colleges giving a full, four-year course and granting the degree of Bachelor of Arts. A "Good Roads" bill in the Oklahoma legislature interested Gamma Gamma girls who wished that all of them were old enough to vote for it. With their wish went an invitation to Alpha Sigma Alphas of other states to come to Oklahoma where women had the right to vote. At Miami, members of Beta Theta Pi introduced an innovation by setting aside a week-end for their mothers. The whole house was turned over to the visiting ladies, the boys seeking accommodations elsewhere. The idea, with its attendant festivities to which various students and faculty were invited, was so well received, that there was a possibility that the various organizations might decide to devote the week-end of Mother's Day to that form of entertainment. That it was an idea worthy of general adoption by the colleges of the country, was suggested by the Alpha Alpha girls.

At the close of this school year of 1918-19, the Honor Roll had grown to 路enviable length.

Because of the legacy left by Elva Doyle Reed and subsequent gifts by her husband and small son, her name was placed forever at the head of the list. Five members and the chapters of Alpha Alpha, Alpha Beta, Beta Beta, Epsilon Epsilon, and Zeta Zeta, and the Alpha Beta Advisership were likewise included in this group. There were eleven on the life membership list, including Alpha Gamma, Gamma Gamma, and the Beta Beta Advisership. Nineteen life subscribers t9 THE PHOENIX were listed.

Early in 1919, a "democratic" wave had swept over the student body at Indiana, Pennsylvania, so that as a result, sororities were asked to give up their charters. They did this with the greatest regret, feeling that the real loser was the college. Hence, the fall of 1919 found Alpha Sigma Alpha without its Alpha Gamma Chapter.

One of the high lights of the summer had been the house parties of Alpha Alpha and Delta Delta at Buckeye Lake, Ohio. By accident, the two groups had cottages near each other, and there were many opportunities for close acquaintance.

In the November, 1919, PHoENix, announcement was made of Alpha Sigma Alpha's important decision to enter only institutions offering a four-year teacher-training course, no institution which was not of the highest grade, and none where the faculty was not in sympathy with the sorority idea. Coincident with this was the mention of the regrettable withdrawal of the mother chapter at Farmville. While faculty antagonism and "insubordination" were given by the National President as the reason, subsequent testimony proved that the fault was that of the National President who had given the chapter just cause for its stand.

In the fall of 1919, THE PHoENIX was cut to four issues, puolished in November, January, March, and May, although, for some season, the January issue was not published. Since, in November, Alpha Sigma Alpha celebrated the fifth anniversary of its reorganization and the eighteenth of its founding, the magazine was largely a historical pamphlet, containing the history of Alpha Sigma Alpha and of Alpha Alpha, Alpha Beta, and Alpha Gamma Chapters.

The March number was esoteric. From it we learn that a published esoteric is no more expensive and is more satisfactory than a mimeographed circular, because of postage rates. The Octave or Round Robin idea is discussed and urged as a medium of keeping alumn~ in touch with each other and the sorority. It is explained that the PHoENIX cut carried on the title page that year (and for so many subsequent years) is a reproduction of a beautiful stained glass window commemorative of the great Boston fire of 1872, and that the headings on the Honor pages were the work of Mary Ruth Early, Alpha Beta. This design, consisting of the mono-

THE PHOENIX gram of Alpha Sigma Alpha in a circle, flanked on right and left by wings, likewise became familiar to future PHoENIX readers for many years. Other designs were made by a Boston artist from sketches by the National President. It was explained that since Hermes was credited with insuring the success of any enterprise, the names of those members who had paid $50 for a life membership would appear on the "Hermes Roll." On the "PHOENIX Roll" would be listed all who paid $25 for a life subscription to the magazine. Thus Alpha Sigma Alpha had four kinds of alumnce membership: Annual Roll, PHOENIX Roll, Hermes Roll, and Honor Roll.

Those on the Annual Roll paid $3 a year, while those on the PHoENIX Roll paid but $1 since they had already invested in a life subscription. Names on the Honor Roll were to be carried for all time ; those on the Hermes Roll were to be listed only for life. All sums received for Honor, Hermes, or PHOENIX enrollment were invested in government bonds and considered inviolate, only the interest being available for sorority use. Thus was established Alpha Sigma Alpha's endowment fund, which, because it cannot be spent, through its income insures a measure of financial security for the sorority's fuuure.

It was also announced in March, 1920, that Miss Minnie Shockley, National Ritualist and Dean of Women at Alva, Oklahoma, had been authorized as an official inspector. It was felt later that Miss Shockley's inspection trip had materially aided Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Another item of interest during this year was the publication of the Symbolism of Alpha Sigma Alpha, this being made possible by the fact that type used in printing the various sections in previous editions of the PHoENIX had been kept standing.

During Miss Shockley's inspection visits, the ritual of the Mother-Patroness Degree was introduced to the chapters. The girls were reminded that for members initiated by this degree, there could be a pin, a gold crown, bearing a whole pearl in each of its four points. It is interesting that this pin had been designed before the degree had been suggested and that the 1918 convention had decided that this very attractive piece of jewelry should be used for such purpose.

The May, 1920, PHoENIX was a directory of the "sustaining" membership, defined, by ruling of the 1918 convention as those having paid dues within the past two years. It also carried full page cuts of active chapters, these being the pages of individual members borrowed from college annuals. These pictures are especially interesting for their glimpse at the hair styles of that period. Certainly there was no lack of hair among the Alpha Sigma Alphas of 1920.

THE PHoENIX of October, 1921, was an invitation to National Convention.

"0 ye girls of Alpha Sigma, hearken to the call That from far-off Missouri comes to each and all; Alpha Sigma Alpha wants you; jump right on the train, Come from the East, come from the West, come singing this refrain: Chorus It's a long way to Kansas City; it's a long way to go; It's a long way to Convention of the sweetest girls I know; Goodbye books and study, farewell work and care; It's a long way to Convention, but my heart's right there.

Come from windy Oklahoma, come from Ohio, Come from hilly Pennsylvania with its ice an snow, Come . from B~ston, come from Kansas, come from every state; And, tf there ts no other way, just ship yourself by freight.

You'll meet For they're There'll be And if you

a jolly bunch of Alpha Sigmas here; all your loyal sisters from both far and near; many hours of pleasure, there'll be jollity; don't believe it, why just come along and see."

JANUARY,

1945

37

That this convention, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the sorority, more than fulfilled the claims of pre-convention publicity is evidenced by the enthusiastic account of it. The headquarters was the Hotel Muehlebach, Kansas City, Missouri.

"Wednesday was given over to greeting arrivals and making acquaintan~es. The W ednesday evening meeting was a general get-to-gether of visitors and Kansas City ex-collegia members. The evening passed all too quickly with the singing of Alpha Sigma Alpha songs and rivalry waxed keen between chapters as each tried to win the coveted title of "Our Singing Chapter." Thursday morning was given over to the Advisers. The afternoon was made a happy one by the tea given by the Kansas City Association at Nanking's Chinese Tea Roo!ll. A hostess presided at each table of four and thus added to the hospitality and enchantment of the place. Chinese cakes, nuts and confections were served with the tea and dainty nosegays of marguerites were given each guest. At six o'clock the Anniversary Dinner was served in a large private dining-room on the first Boor of the Muehlebach." Decorations, menu, and toasts were suggestive of the symbolism of Alpha Sigma Alpha. "Following the enjoyable feast came the model initiation. The lovely room placed at the service of the Committee had been made an ideal setting for an ideal service. In the soft radiance of the shaded candles, the beautiful undergraduate degree was given to representatives of four chapters. Friday and Saturday were given to the revision of the Constitution, reports of committees, consideration of petitions, and other business for which each delegate had been so well prepared in advance as to enable the work to be carried on in a surprisingly expeditious manner . . Friday evening was given to chapter 'Stunts.' Beta Beta made the very attractive programs. Eta Eta opened the evening with Living Songs. Original Alpha Sig words and clever dancing added to the attractiveness of this stunt. Zeta Zeta 'Follies' with a chorus in brilliant red and white costumes singing original Alpha Sig songs while doing real 'Follies' steps, made a great hit, and was called back for an encore. Epsilon Epsilon worked out the story of Narcissus and Echo in a most finished and artistic bit of interpretive dancing, beautiful in every detail. Alpha Beta represented Alpha Sigma Alpha in legend, 'presenting in Tableaux four of our legends. Gamrria Gamma put on a jolly little play; Alpha Alpha and Delta Delta sang a song of the Ohio chapters to the tune of Beautiful Ohio;' and Miss Whittemore represented Theta Theta with a reading.

Saturday night was given over to a theatr~ party where all enjoyed the popular play of 'The Bat'."

The dates of the Twentieth Anniversary Convention were November 23-27.

Theta Theta Chapter had been established at Boston University on November 12 and was hence the baby chapter of this convention.

In December came the announcement that petitions had been accepted from the Grade Club of Drake University and Tau Epsilon of Temple University.

Installation ceremonies for Theta Theta had taken place at the home of the National President. Assisting her was Miss Ida A. Jewett, National Vice President.

On the week-end of January 13, 1922, twenty-three members of the Grade Club of Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, were installed as Iota Iota Chapter. This group became the first education sorority to enter Drake although it was the eighth national, there being six academic sororities and one national fraternity. Miss Catherine Strouse, Faculty Adviser of Epsilon Epsilon, Miss Bess Carter and Miss Lola Brandenburg, advisers of Zeta Zeta and Alpha Beta, Miss Wilma Wilson, National Registrar elect, Miss Edna McCarty, Superviser of Chapter Activities, took various parts in the services of initiation and installation.

PHOENIXES for 1921-22 were published in October, December, February, and June, although it seems the original plan had been to publish the final issue in April.

On March 17, 1922, Kappa Kappa Chapter was installed a~ Temple University, Phila-

THE PHOENIX

delphia. This group became the second A.E.S. sorority in the Teachers' College at Temple, Delta Sigma Epsilon having already established a chapter there.

Again it was possible to issue an Alpha Sigma Alpha Directory, this time in November, 1922. In it were listed the names of the seventeen students at The Ohio State University, who were pledged to Alpha Sigma Alpha on November 18, and who were to become charter members of Lambda Lambda Chapter. Lambda Lambda, the result of continued zeal and effort on the part of a handful of alumna: from Alpha Alpha and Delta Delta, was installed on December 9, 1922. Alumna: and advisers of these two groups cared for installation ceremonies.

Little more than a year later, Mu Mu Chapter came into existence at Michigan State Normal College, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Twenty-eight girls were initiated as charter members on January 19, 1924. Installing officer was Miss Grace G. Fultz, National Treasurer. â&#x20AC;˘ Otherwise, there seems to have been little to disrupt the current of chapter and national sorority life. Mah Jong came into favor, and the appearance of a new bobbed head was still sufficient cause for comment in chapter news letters.

In the fall of 1924,. the National Scholarship Cup came into existence. It was planned that each year the cup should have engraved upon it the name of the chapter ranking highest in scholarship and that chapter should have the privilege of keeping the cup in its possession for one year. Zeta Zeta was the first winner. Rulings of later years provided a new award to be made at each convention, this award to become the permanent property of the winning chapter.

Saturday, May 13, 1925, brought another chapter to the increasingly long Alpha Sigma Alpha roll. Omega Delta Epsilon of Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became Nu Nu Chapter. Miss Ida A. Jewett, former National Vice President, Miss Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta, and the girls of Kappa Kappa Chapter were in charge of services. Alpha Sigma Alpha was the first A.E.S. sorority to enter this campus. ' March, 1926, was a memorable month for it witnessed announcement of the .installation of Xi Xi Chapter at the University of California at Los Angeles on January 24, announcement of the petition of this group having previously been published, pledging of Omicron Omicron Chapter at State Teachers' College, Kent, Ohio, and the dates and place of the coming National Convention-August 26-27, Hotel Sherman, Chicago. Xi Xi Chapter again was the result of effort and loyalty of girls already Alpha Sigmas. Leader in the enterprise was Julia Lancaster, Theta Theta, who, previous to obtaining her degree at Boston University, spent a semester at U.C.L .. and, on her initiative, colonized a chapter. Alumna: of Alpha Alpha, Beta Beta, Alpha Beta, and Epsilon Epsilon, who were in the Los Angeles area were likewise helpful and formed the installing officer group. Again, Alpha Sigma Alpha became the first education group on a campus although National Panhellenic Congress groups had already entered.

Omicron Omicron was installed as the fourth Ohio chapter on the week-end of April 9-10, 1926. Miss Grace G. Fultz, National Treasurer,was assisted in the services by the nearby adviser and alumna: of Alpha Alpha and Mary Wagner, Kappa Kappa. At Kent, too, Alpha Sigma Alpha was first to enter.

Pi Pi Chapter, Buffalo State Normal College, Buffalo, New York, was the baby chapter at the August Convention, however, for its installation took place on June 5, with Dr. Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta, in charge. This group had been Theta Chapter of the Clionian Sorority, an organization prominent in New York State Normal Schools. At the convention that year, the young chapter was represented most ably by its tall, slender, blonde president, Evelyn G. Bell, later to be a member of the National Council and, for five years, National President. The beloved adviser of the chapter was also present at that convention. Elizabeth Bird Small, from the incepti.on of Pi Pi, became a very vital part of Alpha Sigma Alpha as friend, counselor, adored older s1ster, and unselfish servant of the membership.

JANUARY,

1945

39

The Hotel Sherman was filled with Alpha Sigma Alpha activities from Wednesday afternoon, August 24, through Friday afternoon, August 27. The traditional roll call of chapters and hanging of the shields at the opening session apparently had its inceptiOn at this conclave. In the absence of the Nationa~ President, Miss Shockley, National Vice President, presided throughout the convention. At the recognition service on Thursday, advisers and delegates from Iota Iota, Kappa Kappa, Lambda Lambda, Mu Mu, Nu Nu, .

Xi Xi, Omicron Omicron, and Pi Pi Chapters were welcomed. Eight chapters had been received since the 1922 convention! "As you rise to your zenith and become part of the older constellation, may you shine so faithfully and so brightly that no one will be able to distinguish you from the brilliancy of the older stars," said the presiding officer.

A memorial service was held on Friday morning, conducted by Wilma Wilson Sharp.

S~.

The familiar ritual of this service was not written Y'~ until years later by Mrs. Sharp, yet those who have heard her conduct such memorials at later conventions can visualize the beauty and inspiration of the occasion.

MI NN IE M. SHocKLEY The formal banquet was held in the Bal Tabarin Room of the Sherman. "Long tables were placed to form a rectangle. The soft lights from the candles seemed but a reflection of the dimmed ceiling lights half hidden in the massive draping. The pearls in our huge pin supplemented these. In the center of the rectangle stood a mound of greenery dotted with white fringed Asters, our autumn flower, and bearing in the center the -crimson letters, Alpha Sigma Alpha.

When each member had found her place by the cards attached to her lovely little aster corsage, everybody sang "Grace Before Meat." Miss Christine Little, our National Scholarship Adviser, after the toast program, presented the cup to M u Mu Chapter, which had the highest scholastic average this year. Honorable mention was given路 to Eta Eta and Zeta Zeta Chapters." Kappa Kappa received the silk banner awarded to the chapter having the most members present and having come the farthest. Its total milage was 15,336. Beta Beta had 13,000 miles, Eta Eta, rr,36o, and Gamma Gamma, 10,999. Convention favors were green-gold bar pins bearing the . coat-of-arms.

The very thrilling climax to the 1926 Convention was "going on the air." Sorority songs were broadcast from the banquet room through Station WLS. The time was ten-forty-five, and "instead of emptying the lobby, we filled it with eager listeners. The next day we received a telegram from Dorothy Haley's family, who reported that the broadcast came through splendidly." In addition to group songs there were solos by Beulah Farrand, Gamma Gamma, and Ruth Jeremy, Epsilon Epsilon. Miss Strouse, Epsilon Epsilon, led the group singing.

Initiation had been held on Thursday evening with Miss Shockley at the High Altar and other national officers holding positions of honor.

Legislation of importance to the sorority was enacted. However, one of the most significant phases of growth as noted by report and legislation was, perhaps, the information revealed in the statement of the National Treasurer. On May 26, 1922, the total funds of Alpha Sigma

40

THE PHOENIX

Alpha had amounted to $i3,362.65. Four years later, on May 25, 1926, they had more than tripled, totalling $41,379.80. In four years, the endowment fund had increased from $9,302.-25 to $27,- 路 255.93, again tripling.

The school year of 1926-27 was memorable largely because of the installation of Rho Rho and Sigma Sigma Chapters. These became Alpha Sigma Alpha chapters on. May 14 and M~y 25, 1927, respectively. Rho Rho was chartered at Marshall College, Huntmgton, West Vuainia, and Sigma Sigma, at Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado, a town lying a mile ~nd a half above sea level. While charter members of both groups might have both been "on top of the world" at that time, Sigma Sigma initiates could claim to be literally so.

The following year added five chapters to the roll. There was much rejoicing when on March 17, 1928, Alpha Gamma Chapter was reestablished at State Teachers' College, Indiana, Pennsylvania. With the changing of the curriculum from two to four years, interest in sororities was revived among the students, and with faculty permission, four locals were organized.

These were all permitted to become national together, there being simultaneous initiations and banquets and a union reception in which Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Sigma Epsilon, and Sigma Sigma Sigma joined with Alpha Sigma Alpha in celebration. Alpha Gamma alumna:, Nu Nu, Pi Pi, and Kappa Kappa girls were present for the Alpha Sigma Alpha installation. Unfortunately an influenza epidemic prevented Pittsburgh alumna: from attending.

On the same day, the fiercest snowstorm of the year met the installing officers at Hays, Kansas, but in spite of the elements, Gamma Sigma became Tau Tau Chapter at Fort Hays State Teachers' College.

"Granville in Spring," famous among the friends of Denison University, was a pleasing contrast in weather for those who travelled by bus and auto to install the third chapter of the year, Upsilon Upsilon. On May 5, Sigma Eta Sigma became a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Two members of the prospective chapter at Indianapolis journeyed also to Granville and were initiated with the Upsilon Upsilon girls. Thus, when, on June I, Phi Delta Psi of the Teachers College of Indianapolis became Chi Chi Chapter, and the first Indiana Chapter, Helen Selvage and Mary Turner were able to assist.

In the meantime, on May II, out in Maryville, Missouri, Wilma Wilson Sharp installed the Lambda Phi Society as Phi Phi Chapter at Northwest Missouri State Teachers' College. Five chapters in one year-five paraphernalia trunks-five installations! No wonder the National Chaplain was unable to keep abreast of the demand for pledge ribbons, the crimson and white "bows" prevalent in 1928: How proudly pledges of those chapters adjusted the tiny gold safety pins attached to anchor the "bow" and hoped each day that the hour for the Phoenix Degree and the coveted silver pledge pin would arrive ere the ribbon had completely raveled away.

In reality, the "bow" was made of a piece of crimson and a piece of white satin ribbon, caught together in the middle by a folded scrap of crimson to give the semblance of a bow.

For nearly two years, dances, houseparties, pledges, weddings, and all the social appurtenances of the college campus of the late twenties occupied the college membership while their elders busied themselves with the interesting developments and events of that optimistic, pre-depression period when most people were prosperous in greater degree than before and no one believed it could ever be otherwise. Alpha Sigma Alpha was prospering, and the more thoughtful of her members were taking precautions that she should so continue. In various sections of the country, whenever Alpha Sigma leaders could gather, efforts were made to educate the membership in the ideals of the sorority and 10 make them aware that those ideals must be maintained at any cost.

Another paraphernalia trunk was prepared for an installation, and another chapter was placed on the roll, when, on May 31, 1930, Sigma Alpha, of State Teachers' College, Natchitoches, Louisiana, became Psi Psi Chapter. It was the first time in many years that Alpha Sigma Alpha had installed in the south, Nu Chapter at Shorter College, Rome, Georgia, having been chartered on November 24, 1910.

J ANUARY,

1945

41

FOUR NATIONAL PRESIDENTS

LINA WAKEFIELD MATTI SON EDNA

v.

EvELY N

ELCAN

G.

BELL

WILli-lA WILSON SHARP

THE PHOENIX

CHAPTER III ITH six new chapters having been installed since the 1926 Convention, it_ w~s natural that many Alpha Sigma actives and recent alumna: should have been thmkmg a~out and planning for the Boston Convention with every resource at t~eir command. To many g1rl~, especially those from these chapters, it represented an opportumty to learn more about theu sorority and to experience the as yet unknown joy of association with sisters from every section of the United States. Moreover, the setting of the convention, so well publicized by the National Editor, Gertrude Halbritter, in THE PHoENIX issues of that year, was equally alluring to those from distant and more recently settled areas. The possibility of having fabled characters and scenes come right out of the book's covers was a most delightful expectation. And both New England and the sorority ultimately furnished a truly never-to-be-forgotten week!

The sights of Boston and a most convenient excursion from Buffalo brought the first contingent on Saturday morning. Under the leadership of Elizabeth Bird Small, the group encamped in several large suites of the Statler which immediately resembled a college dormitory.

It is amazing what two in-a-doors, seven cots, and eleven girls .can do in transforming a staid eighteen dollar a day corner suite! Literally having walked all over Boston on Saturday, these Buffalo and Ohio girls felt like old settlers when greeting more arrivals on Sunday. In fact, by Sunday evening, the lobby of the Statler was well filled with coeds peering at each other and hoping to see an Alpha Sigma Alpha badge. By Monday morning, things began to happen officially when two large buses took the entire delegation to Swampscott. Betty Fellows, Xi Xi, wrinkled her nose and remarked that the Pacific Ocean had a nicer smell than the Atlantic, yet nearly everyone else was sufficiently satisfied to even see the Atlantic, regardless of its odor.

The beach, the food, and the delightful summer hotel atmosphere of the New Ocean House promised a delightful day. And, indeed, when those same buses returned everyone to Boston and the Statler that night, certainly no Alpha Sigma Alpha could feel that anything had been omitted in making the first day of convention the most breath-taking and exciting period of time imagineable. Its events had made both actives and alumna: realize more deeply than any instruction or initiation what Alpha Sigma Alpha was and could be and what could be accomplished when women inspired by the same ideals and motives joined together in cooperative effort. Among the outstanding legislative acts of that day had been the election to the National Presidency of Wilma Wilson Sharp, Zeta Zeta, charter member of her college chapter, and for the years from 1922 to 1930, National Registrar. In the election of Mrs. Sharp, the sorority gave its most important office to one who had been initiated as a college girl.and who completely understood the viewpoint of the college member of Alpha Sigma as well as that of the alumna member. Moreover, as keeper of the records, she had become familiar with the membership at its period of greatest expansion.

Subsequent sessions of the convention were held in Parlors A or B at the Statler Hotelnext door to the earnest deliberation of an Esperanto group. However, the grey-bearded men and not too young women were not difficult to distinguish from Alpha Sigmas. Highlights were a luncheon at Durgin and Park's, a boat trip to Nantasket Beach where the shore dwellers took delight in teaching the midwesterners the mysteries of clam eating in a shore dinnereven a thunder shower did not spoil the fun-, a trip to Concord and Lexington, and the final event, an informal-formal luncheon, when those who had brought long dresses in anticipation of an evening banquet shook them out and donned them regardless of the hour, and those who had trains to make soon came in traveling attire. At least the 1930 Convention picture is an ex-cellent representation of collegiate styles of the period, regardless of the event! But clothes and food made little difference to the girls and women who, at the close of the hour, drew

W

JANUARY,

1945

43

into a circle, with arms entwined, and sang "Auld Lang Syne.' To them, the acquaintances made during that memorable week could, under no circumstances, ever "be forgot." Nor would they forget the efforts of Julia Lancaster and the Boston alumn<E in convention management and hospitality.

Business of the convention consisted of actions which seemed necessary .for the strengthening of the organization. Plans were begun for rewriting the Constitu-tion and the safeguarding of the Endowment Fund and other mon:ies. More emphasis was placed upon the responsibility of the entire membership for determination of policies. Indeed, the newly elected National President put much of this into words in her memorable farewell speech, "The consciousness of the great responsibility which you have placed on me is very grave to me. Yet, I know I shall not carry that responsibility alone-for each of you, every Alpha Sigma, shall share it with me. ASA is your sorority. It must reflect the individuality, the charm, the capability of its composite membership . . Remember this convention for its delightful sisterhood, for its affectionate, inspiring fellowship, for its glorious manifestation of loyalty. 'The world, the whole world, challenges you'-college girls, sorority girls, my girls of ASA. My message to you is to go back to your college campuses, and to your individual positions determined to broaden the horizons of your daily experiences. Life is immense-live it to its fullest.''

Not since 1914 had Alpha Sigma Alpha gone from a convention with so young a National Council, most of whom had been early members of their own chapters and who had experienced college sorority life as Alpha Sigmas. Although post-conv~ntion problems might路 call forth their comment that "life is never dull in A.S.A.," with the cooperation and faith of the membership, they were able to solve them more or less satisfactorily.

January, 1931, brought the recall by the National Council of the charter of'Upsilon Upsilon Chapter at Denison University. Since the Denison president of that period did not concede that social and professional life may go hand in hand, to the enrichment of the latter, Alpha Sigma Alpha felt its period of service on the Denison campus should be ended, and the resignation of the acti'{e chapter members was requested.

In June, 1931, there was news of the pledging of the S.A.B.E. Club a San Diego State Teachers' College as Omega Omega Chapter.

August 22-24 b~ought together all members of the National Council at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Denver. The Finance Chairman, Miss Elizabeth Bird Small, was unable to be present, however. An excerpt from the President's report best summarizes the discussion of those days.

"If by next year we can have settled policies, drawn up an adequate constitution, evolved workable ex-collegio plans, added new chapters to our roll, started constructive programs, erased all memories of unpleasant occurrences, my heart will be happy in the attainments of our administration."

The outstanding event of the following winter was the installation of Omega Omega Chapter on Saturday, January 16. This chapter became the second in California.

From August 26 to 29, 1932, Alpha Sigmas "went to the mountains" for their convention.

The Chalets, Estes Park, Colorado, welcomed one hundred fifteen delegat~s and visitors. Delegates were present from each of the twenty-five chapters active at that time and six city associations and ex-collegia chapters. There were also the ten members of the National Council and advisers of eighteen chapters. It had been many years since the sorority membership was so well represented at a convention. , 路 Most important business was the consideration and acceptance of a revised National Constitution and By-Laws. Under the chairmanship of Evelyn G. Bell, National Registrar, the committee appointed at the Boston Convention reported on its two year study of the Manual. In addition to Miss Bell, members of the committee were Dorothy Williamson, Nu Nu, and Martha Tom, Upsilon Upsilon.

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44

Also considered was the revision of ritual as presented by Louise Stewart, National Chaplain, and her committee consisting of Ruth Hollinger Cole, Delta Delta, and Genevieve Palmer, Lambda Lambda. In addition to making certain changes in the existing ritual, including the combining of the Ribbon Pledge and the Phoenix Degree services into one pledging service, the Convention added a national service for installation of officers to replace the various services originated and used by individual chapters. The amalgamation of the two pledging services was made in order to conform to campus customs of other national groups and to insure that lack of time in a full college calendar did not cause chapters to illegally combine the services to suit 1 themselves.

In spite of the many, many hours devoted to constructive work in behalf of the sorority, those in attendance at Estes Park found the period delightfully packed with fun and relaxation.

Linen-backed badges in the shape of the pin were printed in red and black with a mountain outlined in the background and a place for the wearer's name and chapter. These helped in quick acquaintance of delegates.

The Rainbow Dinner of the .first night was sponsored by Gamma Gamma as was the reception and "mixer" which followed. The following evening an outdoor steak fry (where the hotel did the frying), on the mountainside back of the hotel provided an ideal opportunity for a songfest. Again and again the favorite convention song was heard: "From the east and west we've traveled To these Rockies far away Where convention days will bring us Friendships that will last for aye.

Here amid these snow-capped mountains We will seek, aspire, attain The ideals, the dreams, the visions Of our glorious A.S.A."

This had been written by the Denver City Association to the tune, "When It's Springtime in the Rockies."

Early Sunday morning, white-clad Alpha Sigmas assembled on the shore of Mary's Lake for the model pledge service. No spot could have been lovelier for this service, the .first ritualistic one held nationally since the 1926 Convention in Chicago. Following this, the traditional memorial service was conducted by Miss Ethel Hook, Alpha Beta adviser. During the afternoon, a bus trip was taken to the Continental Divide where one of the thrills was a snowball battle-in August. That evening, initiation was held for Jacqueline Kendel, Beta Beta.

On Monday afternoon, the National Council for 1932-34 was installed, the newly adopted ritual for this event being used.

A formal banquet that evening, in charge of the Denver City Association, climaxed the convention. Place cards and programs were green block prints on golden yellow paper and represented a mountain scene. The toast program, "Mountain Trails to a Broader View," was presided over by Inez Nicholson McKinley, Beta Beta. Finale of the evening was the trek to the Hotel Stanley for a dance with Phi Delta Theta, in session there.

Awards were presented at the closing breakfast the following morning.

By the middle of the morning, the buses were loaded with singing girls, and, to the strains of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginy," they rolled away down Big Thompson Canyon, to "the east and west," but hoping to meet again in 1934 in the state of the sorority's founding and have the Founders present in person.

Although the situation at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, had been revealed at Estes Park, the necessity of relinquishing Delta Delta in the fall of 1932 was no less painful. As related in this chapter's history, the economic depression of the country and the increased training demanded by the State Department of Education of Ohio for elementary teachers made competition

JANUARY,

1945

45

for desirable girls too difficult on a campus where National Panhellenic Congress groups also rushed.

Since 1919 the mother chapter at Farmville, Virginia, had existed as the local, Delta Sigma Chi. However, especially since the 1932 convention, efforts had been increased to again claim this group as Alpha Chapter. Thus, most joyfully, in January, 1933, THE PHoENIX announced that a petition for re-instatement had been received from Delta Sigma Chi. The week-end of May 19 to 21 of that year, Alpha Sigmas from far and wide assembled in Farmville for reinstatement ceremonies.

Installing officers were Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, National President, Miss Evelyn G. Bell, National Registrar, Miss Jean Richmond, Nu Nu Adviser, and Emeline Putnam, Nu Nu president. Also present were early alumna: of Alpha: Mrs. Louise Cox Carper, Founder, Mrs. Hattie Kelly Thomas, early initiate and present National Historian, Mrs. Margaret Patterson Martz, Mrs. Edna Elcan Jones, first Grand President, Mrs. Gordon Seamon Chalmers, Mrs. Mildred Booker Dillard, Miss Lillian Minor, Mrs. Louise Price Kainer, Mrs. Bessie Ferguson Carey, former Grand Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Lucy Dunnington Shields, and Miss Katherine Watkins. Thirty-four actives and alumna: of Delta Sigma Chi were initia~ed on Saturday afternoon, May 29, into Alpha Sigma Alpha. That evening, the reinstatement banquet was held at Longwood, an old, historical home owned by the college. Among the distinguished guests were Dr. Joseph L. Jarman, President of the College, and Miss Mary White Cox, Head of the Home, both of whom had held positions at Farmville at the time of the founding of the sorority in 1901. Following the banquet, copies of the original charter of the National Sorority were presented to Mrs. Sliarp for the sorority and to Alpha Chapter.

On the following morning, Sunday, the new initiates were formally installed as Alpha Chapter, and the chapter charter, tied with the original colors, given to the Chapter President, Mary Berkeley Nelson. Among the initiates of this week-end was Nancy Burgwyn, daughter of Louise Gordon Baskerville, who had been initiated at the first service of Alpha Sigma Alpha, January 3, 1903.

Other headline events of the year 1932-33 were the printing and distribution of the Constitution adopted at the 1932 convention and the first printed pledge manual to replace an earlier, mimeographed form. Both pledge manuals were compiled by Julia Lancaster, National Editor.

In late November, 1933, the National Chaplain issued the Book of Ritual, bound in white kid and containing the entire body of ritual in semi-printed form. For many years, at least since 1914, Ritual had been typed by the Councilor in charge and issued in loose form to each chapter as needed. The achievement of a white book for the presiding officer and a more permanent portfolio file for other officers was considered a most important step in insuring adequate and standard ritual for all chapters.

In the same month, for Founders' Day, the regular issue of THE PHoENIX was displaced by an Aegis edition of esoteric nature and named for the second Alpha Sigma Alpha magazine. Content dealt largely with material of a historical nature. Pictures of the Founders, messages from them, stories of the early Alpha Sigma Alpha, accounts of the reinstatement of Alpha were included.

In August, 1933, when the Association of Education Sororities' representatives had convened at the Hotel Belmont in Chicago, the situation at Indianapolis was reported in detail. The transfer gf Indianapolis Teachers College to the campus of Butler University and its inclusion as the College of Education of the university made it possible for AES groups to rush only girls registered in the College of Education. Since many Freshmen would register in the College of Liberal Arts and later transfer to Education, the total rush list in the fall of 1933 would probably total 31, the total list for all AES sororities. Thus, upon the request of Chi Chi actives and alumna:, the Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter was given permission in the fall of 1933 to be inactive for two years.

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1934 was concerned with the coming National Convention. For the .first time since 1912, when the group had convened at Norfolk, Alpha Sigma Alpha was to meet in Vircrinia the state of its birth. The place chosen 1:> ' was the New Chamberlain Hotel at Old Point Comfort. Mary Wagner, National Vice President, was Convention Chairman, while Hattie Kelly Thomas, member of the first group initiated into the sorority, was official hostess. From August 22 to 26, the 103 delegates and visitors reveled in the good fellowship and the historical setting of the convention. The presence of three Founders: Louise Cox Carper, Juliette Hundley Gilliam, and Virginia Boyd Noell, gave particular inspiration. Early Alphas included besides Mrs. Thomas, the four Batten sisters-Elizabeth Batten Johnson, Sehna Batten Miller, Florris Batten Webster, and Dorothy Batten Kitchin---:Margaret Patterson Martz, Louise Baskerville Hunter (and her 1934 Alpha daughter, Nancy Burgwyn). Other Alpha daughters were Pauline and Mary Jones, whose mother was Edna Elcan Jones. At the HATTIE KELLY . THoMAs .final session of the convention, the following official delegates were reported registered: National Council, 9; National Committee Chairmen, 3; College Chapter delegates, 24; College Chapter Advisers, 5; Alumna: Chapter delegates, 10, a total of 51 voting delegates.

Significant actions of the Old Point Comfort Convention were: r. It was reported that the sorority's lawyer, Mr. Hugh McM. Russ, Buffalo, New York, had recommended that the sorority be incorporated and also that it have an executive secretary. The recommendation on incorporation was approved unanimously and a committee appointed to study the necessary steps was to be appointed . Authority was given the National Council to make the necessary changes in the Constitution to conform with requirements of incorporation laws if the sorority were to incorporate.

Authority was given to establish alumna: chapters where at least eight graduate members or members withdrawn from college resided. These chapters were to petition and be chartered .

2.

3· The National Council was made to consist of nine members, eight to be elected, and the Chairman of the Finance Committee to be appointed by the National President.

4· Alumna: supervision and supervision of philanthropic work were given to the National Vice President.

5· Supervision of chapter rushing and pledge training were delegated to the National Registrar.

6. Slight changes were made in installation fees.

7· The Alumna: Round Table recommended that the same percent of expenses be paid from the National Treasury for official alumna: delegates to future conventions as the percentage of life .members within the chapters.

8. The report of the National Songbook Chairman was accepted but it was moved that a committee of the National Council decide regarding printing.

9· The National Council was authorized to investigate the placing of a commemorative plaque at the State Teachers' College, Farmville, Virginia.

In a section so rich in American tradition, it was to be expected that history would be important in the various activities of the 1934 Convention. Since the hotel was practically surrounded by water-moreover, the U.S. fleet on its Atlantic tour was beginning to assemble

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1945

47

there-the .official badges, though very similar to those of 1932, bore the outline of a boat. Programs were white, tied and printed in red.

By luncheon on Wednesday, the boat, trains, and private cars had brought most ~f the delegates so that following luncheon, all were ready for the opening session at two-thirty. Diimer and an informal reception filled the evening. In addition to the Council and Convention hostess, the three Founders were in the receiving line. However, they were so excited in being together for the first time in many years, they were as scatter-brained as the college girls. Mrs. Carper was very greatly surprised when Mary Wagner addressed her as Mrs. Gilliam (upon reading her badge), but investigation proved that the two had absentmindedly donned each others' badges as they were rooming together. For them, it was merely a reversion to their own college habits of each utililizing the possessions of the other.

The following day a motor trip arranged by the Virginians took the entire convention across the long, new James River Bridge and to historic St. Luke's Church in Isle of Wight County, a church built in 1632, and now the oldest Protestant Church standing in America. Late in the evening, "the Navy" and other young gentlemen were utilized for an informa'l dance in the hotel's roof garden.

Although the sun refused to come out and the wind to stay in, model pledging service was held on the roof of the hotel early the next morning. The usual memorial service preceded round table discussion after breakfast.

An all afternoon trip to Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, and initiation completed the day. The blue-green draperies of the convention parlors formed an attractive setting for the service at which Kathryn Blood, Kappa Kappa, Catherine Brackin, Nu Nu, and Evelyn McDonie, Rho Rho, were initiates. At the close of the service, when the very last initiate had been led from the altar, Hattie Kelly Thomas, of the first group of initiates of Alpha Sigma Alpha, was conducted there to receive a jeweled badge and commendation for her unusual services throughout the years.

Alice Weinheimer, Pi Pi, and Marvella Shridde, Tau Tau, described the excursions to the fleet of the following afternoon. "First there was the excitement of getting together and jumping down to the little boat that took us to the battleship. This involved dropping of purses in the water and breaking of heels. There were two ships, the U.S.S. Lexington and the U.S.S. Texas. When we arrived at the battleships we were helped up on a little platform and then climbed about three flights of steps. This brought us on the deck. Here we could see路 where the airplanes land, and the guns and cannons that would be used in time of war. We were on the ship about two and a half hours .... Besides the attractions of the ship itself there were the thousand or more regular passengers, some of whom were very interesting and handsome." (It was the Lexington of which Marvella wrote. During World War II this vessel was sunk.) Alice was in the group boarding the Texas. "We were shown to the Admiral's cabin and royally entertained until our guides arrived. Five of the Pi Pi girls in a group found a lieutenant very engaging. During our tour, we met Captain Leahey who being a native Buffalonian decided we must have some special recognition, consequently he supplied us with liead bands bearing in gold letters U.S.S. Texas.". It might be added that Miss Hook, Alpha Beta, found Uncle Sam's cobbler very adept at fixing the heel she had broken on her sea venture.

The sea voyagers rushed back to shore in time to elect the new national officers and install them, Miss Hook reading the service.

The formal banquet of that evening was made memorable by talks by the three Founders present. Favors from the L. G. Balfour Company were pins bearing the coat-of-arms.

Who would receive the awards? The answer was found the next morning at breakfast.

To be sure this meal was delayed somewhat because of those attending the churches of the region. Included among these was the carload headed by Louise Carper who had taken early communion at St. John's, Hampton, the quaint, little, Episcopal ~hurch in which service had

THE PHOENIX

been held continuously for a longer period of time than in any otper Protestant church in the United States. Concerning the breakfast, we quote Julia Lancaster, "The silver tray for the best display was awarded by Mrs. Haworth of the judges committee, to Omega Omega. Their charming model of San Diego campus had received much admiration and was supplemented by a beautiful set of perfectly kept books. The Song Book trophy was awarded to Kappa Kappa.

Pi Pi has long been our banner convention chapteL They received again the trophy for traveling the greatest total milage. Our hostess chapter, Alpha, had the largest number of delegates.

Finally came the breathless moment when Mrs. Sharp announced the winner of the cup. Kappa Kappa and Alpha Gamma had tied in efficiency! A duplicate cup has been sent to the tying chapter.' ' The 1934 Convention saw the birth of ASA's Antics, now renowned convention news sheet. Mimeographed, it recorded the famous before and behind the curtain proceedings. In it we read, "In remarking upon the hospitality shown us at every turn, we wish to comment upon the cordiality of the mosquitoes. They greeted us with luscious bites which have left a lingering memory." and "At the reception Wednesday evening the receiving line assembled in the Antique Shop. Was this the attraction of like for like?" (Thus did youth of those college years classify the Council and Founders.) The staff for the first Antics was: Juli~ Lancaster, National Editor: Jane F. McDavitt, Chi Chi, Alumna: Editor; Margaret Huston, Pi Pi, Art Editor; Mary Couvrette, Omega Omega, Nancy Simpkinson, Alpha Alpha, and Elizabeth Eppstein, Tau Tau. An account of the Virginia conclave of 1934 may well close with the often sung convention song by Georgia Barton, Iota Iota. It was sung to the tune of "The Man on the Flying Trapeze."

"Oh, we came on the buses, We rode on the train, W e motored in autos, We hiked in the rain, But now, dear Virginia, We're back home again, To be here with our Alpha girls. " Oh the scenery we loved as we sped here From the North and the South and the West, But the scene of our founding we most do revere, Virginia is still far the best. (Repeat first stanza) "Oh, we've brought our exhibits, we've written new songs W e've determined to take home the prize!

And above all we've come here to plan and to learn How to better our chapters and rise. (Repeat first stan za) "

At the beginning of the fall quarter of 1934 came a request from Lambda Lambda chapter for a two-year period of inactivity. After courageously struggling for the past year, the airls felt it impossible to continue. It was a source of gratification, however, that Alpha Sigm~ Alpha's chapter was not the first at Ohio State to succumb to the depression, one national N.P.C. group and one local having become inactive since 1932, and one extremely weak national having merged with another group as the result of a national amalgamation.

The following spring, 1935, an informative, mimeographed pamphlet was produced for t?e purpose of providing specific information about Alpha Sigma Alpha to college administrations and locals considering nationalization. This first edition has been revised from time to time and kept up-to-date. ' ' From August 2o to 23, 1935, the National Council convened in Buffalo at the Hotel StadeL The four days were crowded with official business, and although they included two tea oppor-

JANUARY,

1945

49

tunities to become acquainted with the Buffalo actives and alumn<e, sessions lasted far into the night. The objectives of the conference were set forth by the National President as: "1. Alpha Sigma Alpha must shape her course so that in a changing and critical educational world she has a valuable and unquestionable contribution to make to the development of her members.

2. Alpha Sigma Alpha must enlarge her sphere- through the addition of chapters, the holding of alumna: interests, the gaining of valuable new friends, who will lend their efforts and influence in her behalf.

Wise expansion and judicial promotion must be the watch words for 1935-36."

In addition to making proposals by which the above might be gained, the Council decided that the sorority efficiency year should extend from May 16 to May 16 and that a Fellowship Loan Week should be instituted, during which contributions should be sent 'to the Fellowship Loan Chairman. Moreover, authorization was made for the mimeographing of the National Book of Devotions compiled by the National and chapter chaplains. Distribution of this was made in October by the National Chaplain, Louise Stewart . .

Pledges that fall were presented with an attractive, green-covered, printed, Pledge M anual a revision of the 1932 form.

For the first time since July, 1930, a directory of the sorority appeared, in January, 1936.

Under the direction of the National Editor and National Registrar, it contained the names of all initiated members. Also in this winter, Alpha Sigma Alpha became the first A.E.S. sorority to pay any part of alumn<e expenses at a national convention, and one of the few sororities of any classification, as only ten N.P.C. groups were known to do so then. It was guaranteed that each chartered alumn<e chapter would receive hotel expenses for one official delegate at the 1936 Convention.

In May, due to the untiring efforts of the Indianapolis Alumni拢 Chapter, a petition was announced from Sigma Alpha Sigma, a local at Ball State Teachers' College, Muncie, Indiana. It was stipulated that the new chapter should receive the name Chi Chi and that the loyalty of the Indianapolis Teachers' College alumn<e should be transferred to it since activity of the original active Chi Chi Chapter had by then proved impossible.

A special car from Chicago and all other known means of conveyance transported the Alpha Sigma Alphas to Pequot, Minnesota, for the 1936 National Convention. Five miles from here, at Breezy Point Lodge on Big Pelican Lake, they spent August 17 to 21.

Convention began unofficially when Mrs. Genevieve Leib, National Editor, Mrs. Dorothy Williamson Crook, National Registrar, and Miss Louise Stewart, National Chaplain, met in front of the famous Zephyr in Chicago's Union Station. But the fourth member of this group, Miss Evelyn G. Bell, National Vice President, was nowhere in sight. In fact, it began to appear as though the train would be well into Wisconsin before she could change from the Michigan Avenue station to the Union, in twenty minutes, in Chicago early morning traffic. But miracles do happen-the renowned Zephyr, never late and always leaving on the dot, was actually held ten minutes to accommodate the "tall blonde" whom the Burlington representative ascertained had arrived somewhere in Chicago at least.

At Minneapolis, this group was greeted by a Northern Pacific official who transferred them to the Greyhound Bus Line. The bus was waiting for them and had been waiting until the less renowned passengers were definitely in the comment making 路stage. It was expected that the National President, Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, the Finance Chairman, Miss Elizabeth Bird Small, and the National Treasurer, Mrs. Polly Schlosser, would already be there. The bus continued to wait in its hot shed while frantic telephone calls were made in the Twin Cities.

The absentees were located finaliy at the St. Paul station and arrangements made to meet them at a gas station in Minneapolis. The bus started-to the relief of the cross and hot passengers.

The gas station was reached. The missing Councilors were still missing. But-just as the weary driver was pulling away from the station, into view came the promised taxi, and, amid cheers, 1

so

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the three, with their luggage and more luggage were sto~ed way in the crowd~d bus where the seven took turns using the seats available for them dunng the three hour tnp to Pequot.

With their three or four bags each, plus the usual typewriters, the hungry, disheveled group eventually reached the hotel where the first arrival, Miss ~eona Wilc?x, National s.ecretary, welcomed them. The remaining Councilor, Miss June Sm1th, ExtensiOn Officer, arnved the following morning, reporting less excitement enroute.

An Alpha Sigma special brought the delegates in for breakfast on Monday morning. It was reported that: ALMOST EVERYONE Had wrinkles in her clothes.

Had knees that shook, Wanted a swim. ' Looked like someone you knew.

Knew one song.

Wanted a new piece of jewelry.

and that: WE ALL Had huge appetites Envied Kappa Kappa's report.

Had at least one beauty queen.

Liked our convention headquarters.

Envied Mrs. Sharp for her poise.

Small pelicans were the symbols on the 1936 convention badges, made in the same style as those of the two preceding conventions. Programs were bright red, tied in white, with a white ribbon run beneath the coat-of-arms on the cover. Although business sessions continued for five days, there were ample opportunities between them for delegates and visitors to meet路 and know each other, and special events were many. Included among these were the sectional dinner and program the first evening, the Alphabet Luncheon where members sat with those of their own last initial, the sports dinner and songfest and the minstrel show of the following day, Wednesday's National Officers' Luncheon, the sports carnival, and the college night dinner, Conventions Past Dinner and Alpha Sigma Pageant of Progress on Thursday, and the installation of officers tea on the lawn and formal banquet of the final day, Friday. At the Wednesday luncheon the convention custom was begun of having Councilors hostess to delegates who held or had held the chapter offices they supervised. Decorations appropriate to each office were found on each table. At the Conventions Past Dinner, guests were seated at tables according to the number of conventions they had attended. Programs bore block prints of designs reminiscent of the first convention attended by the delegates. The pageant following was written and directed by Thelma Stortz, Kappa Kappa, and showed episodes in the sorority's history. ' At the 1936 Convention, A.S.A. Antics came forth as a three column paper, still mimeographed, but legibly and neatly, and with printed headings. Under the leadership of the National Editor, Mrs. Leib, the staff worked into the wee hours for each issue. In fact, on returning to Chicago, when one of its staff was asked why she looked as if she needed two vacations, she had only to reply, "I worked on the paper."

All the knitters had finished their dresses in time to roll into the convention luggage, so it (we was recorded that there were "Plenty of Knits, And plenty of wits-But no Nitwits hope)." Another episode recorded by this famous sheet was the way to eliminate an adviser from one's embarrassing moments. Leontine Rylko, Mu Mu delegate, who had the opening prayer one morning, absent-mindedly locked Miss Musolf in her room before leaving for the meeting. By the time the hotel answered that lady's S.O.S., the prayer was over.

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1945

51 .(

Significant legislation of the 1936 Convention may be summarized as follows: I. Since the opinions of two different lawyers on incorporation conflicted, it was voted that the sorority rescind its original motion of 1934 to incorporate and table the matter until it should be decided to reconsider it.

2. It was decided that the time was not appropriate for a national philanthropic proj ect, and that chapters should be encouraged to work through local projects.

3路 The Ritual used in the memorial service at the 1936 Convention was adopted as the National Ritual for that service.

4路 Slight changes were made in the arrangements for sorority examinations, most notable change being the elimination of the Second and Third Year Examinations in favor of a program of sorority study outlined .by the National Chairman.

Attandance at the Breezy Point Convention was officially listed as: National Council--9; National Committee Chairmen-3; College Chapter Advisers-s; College Chapter Delegates24; Alumna: Chapter Delegates-Is; Visiting Members-42, a total of 98.

The special Pullman was waiting on the Pequot siding that Friday evening, or rather Saturday morning-Pequot was one of those middle of the night stops-for 路 the tired, but still noisy Alpha Sigmas, who, in assorted costufi;1es, ranging from formals to pajamas, piled themselves into uppers, lowers, and aisles. One little delegate had to enter via the milk car, with the cans of the Minnesota farmers, as by .the time she said that last farewell to the nice, college boy bell-hop, the train had moved so that another train hindered the usual means of passenger entrance. The last picture that came to the weary Councilors who stood on the station platform was that of the transportation manager, Carol Pierce, being scooped up by the strong arms of an obliging brakeman. The train left a half second sooner than Travel Bureau Carol had anticipated.

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CHAPTER IV 1936-45 N November q, 1936, Alpha Sigma Alphas from coast to coast joined in spirit to pay loving tribute to the five founders of the sorority. Commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the sorority's founding, a lovely, marble bench and bird bath were unveiled on the campus of the Farmville, Virginia, State Teachers' College. On the platform adjacent to the memorial were two of the Founders, Louise Cox Carper, and Juliette Hundley Gilliam, Dr. Joseph Jarman, President of the college, Miss Evelyn G. Bell, National President of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and Susan Lane, President of Alpha Chapter.

"It was impressive indeed to see the entire membership of Alpha Chapter, dressed in white, group themselves as a unit to the left of the Memorial and sing the opening song, "Faith of Our Founders." Susan Lane then introduced Miss Bell who outlined the responsibilities and possibilities vested ' in Alpha Sigma Alpha."

"It is with feelings of deep humility and reverence that I share in -the commemoration of the Memorial to the five founders of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority," said Miss Bell. "On this thirty-fifth anniversary of the founding of our sorority on the Farmville Campus, we see the past in retrospect, we are more keenly conscious of the present, and we look towards the future with its even greater opportunities for service .... We, of Alpha Sigma Alpha, can pay no greater tribute to the founders of our sorority than our tribute of thirty-five years of memorable history which they made possible. They founded Alpha Sigma Alpha on ideals which were inspiring; they founded Alpha Sigma Alpha on standards which were timeless; they founded Alpha Sigma Alpha with a purpose which was challenging-and years, thirty-five years, have proved the strength of that foundation .... Today as we meet here to honor the five girls who were responsible for the founding of Alpha Sigma Alpha, we would also pay tribute to the Alma Mater of our Alpha Chapter for whom we have a deep and abiding affection. It is significant that Farmville, officially known as the mother of the Teachers' College, should also be the birthplace of four national sororities .... So on behalf of Alpha Sigma Alpha, we dedicate this Memorial to the Founders of our sorority, to: Virginia Lee Boyd, Juliette Jefferson Hundley, Mary Williamson Hundley, Louise Burks Cox, and Calva Hamlet Watson. We would also rededicate ourselves to carry forward in the spirit of our Founders that Alpha Sigma Alpha may continue to live and grow in meaning and in service to its members and to society as a whole.

We present this Memorial to Dr. Jarman, President of the Farmville State Teachers College, with the hope that it may symbolize Alpha Sigma Alpha's ever present desire to keep faith with her Founders as well as with the place of her founding."

Nancy Burgwyn, daughter of the late Louise Baskerville Burgwyn Morris, an early Alpha, unveiled the Memorial and revealed the bench which bore this inscription :

0

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA

FOU~DERS

fo unded

Virginia Lee Boyd Juliette J. Hundley Mary W . Hundley Louise Burks Cox Calva Hamlet Watson

~overnber

rs, 1901

State ~orrnal School Farmville, Virginia Erected 1936

In accepting the Memorial on behalf of the college, Dr. Jarman mentioned that he had been installed as president only three months after Alpha Sigma Alpha had been organized.

Following Dr. Jarman's talk, the program was concluded with the "Alpha Sigma Alpha Creed" and the song first chosen by the Founders as theirs, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."

A tea and a banquet completed the celebration. In addition to the guests mentioned above,

JANUARY,

1945

53

THE M E MORIAL TO THE F ouNDERS OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA, STATE TEACH ERS CoLLEGE, F ARM VILLE, VIRGI N I A

those who joined the chapter in the ceremonies were: Margaret Patterson Martz, Edna Elcan Jones, first Grand President, and her two daughters of Alpha, Mary and Pauline, Mildred Booker Dillard, Alice Baskerville, Mary Berkley Nelson, Ruth Ford, Dorothy Legare, Mary Elizabeth Alexander, Cornelia Quarles, Susie Webb, Martha Wells Catlin, Mattie Smith Sydnor, Katherine Watkins, Janey Dodd Smith, Dorothy Justis, Sallie Perrow, and Katherine Young.

On Saturday, December 12, installation services were held in Muncie, Indiana, for the new Chi Chi Chapter, which had been pledged the preceding May. Installing officers were Miss Bell and Mrs. Leib.

Reporting on the general condition of the sorority at the National Council meeting held at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, from August 14 to 17, 1937, the National President stated, "Not good and yet not bad ... our alumna: membership is responding to stimulation ... we may indeed be proud of the gradual growth of our alumna: organization .... For many years Alpha Sigma Alpha has been desirous of having an active interest in a philanthropic project. This year ... in cooperation with the Assistance League, Alpha Sigma Alpha is spon~oring a camp for underprivileged girls. The National Sorority has contributed $300 to this undertaking and members of Xi Xi Chapter are acting as volunteer counselors .... For the first time since the reorganization of our sorority, the National Editor has had the assistance of a National Alumna: Chairman. " Continuing the policy of encouraging alumna: attendance at national conventions by financial aid, it was decided that any alumna: chapter chartered in the interim between conventions would be eligible to hotel expenses for one accredited delegate if it had paid at least $w in Life Membership fees during that period.

Since the entire Greek alphabet had been used for chapter names, using the double letter system, and the Miami Convention had ruled that only the reorganization chapters should bear the letter Alpha, it was decreed by the Council that the next chapter should be christened Beta Gamma and each subsequent chapter bear the letter Beta followed by the Greek letter next after that received by the last chapter installed.

54

THE PHOENIX

The A.E.S. meeting of October I4 to 16 and the N.P.C. meeting of the same period in New York City were of great significance for Alpha Sigma Alpha. From N.P.C. was received the statement: "The Committee on Eligibility and Nationalization of Social Groups agree not to enter fields already occupied by the Association of Education Sororities, and agree to consider as the field of the Association of Education Sororities the institutions accredited by the American Association of Teachers' Colleges." Further, "The Committee on Eligibility and Nationalization of Social Groups recommends that N.P.C. go on record as approving a cooperative, nongoverning affiliation with the Women's Professional Panhellenic Association, the Association of Education Sororities, and similar National Associations in the collegiate field. It is recommended -that the objective of such an affiliation be to further the welfare of fraternity women by giving greater emphasis and more wide-spread recognition to fraternity standards, and safeguard and point the direction of future fraternity life in the educational system. It is further recommended that the Committee on Eligibility and Nationalization of Social Groups be authorized to complete details of such an organization and report same to the next Panhellenic Congress."

The fall of 1937 also marked the installation, on November 20, of Beta Gamma Chapter, Northeastern State Teachers' College at Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Mrs. Polly Schlosser, National Treasurer, and Miss Esther Bucher, National Secretary, were in charge of the ceremonies.

Another chapter joined Beta Gamma on the Alpha Sigma Alpha roll, when, on May 21, 1938, Sigma Beta Sorority of Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, became Beta Delta Chapter. Installing officer was Mrs. Polly Schlosser.

The fifteenth national convention was held "in the western way" in Yellowstone National Park, August 22 to 26, 1938. In spite of headquarters being at the Lake Hotel, before the week ended, Canyon and Old Faithful Hotels had also been used. Easterners, arriving at Cody, had luncheon at the Inn there, and after experiencing the splendor of the Cody Road Shoshone Canyon, reached Lake in time for dinner. The arrival was definitely in the grand manner, for only those who have seen Alpha Sigmas arrive en masse know the deluge which suddenly decends upon the bellboys, elevator operators, and hotel clerks. The various impedimenta having been sought, claimed, and stowed away, everyone was more than ready for the sectional dinner supervised by Tau Tau. The Eastern Seaboard, East Central, South Central, Midwest, and Western Divisions vied with each other in their attractive decorations appropriate to the section. The southerners had a plantation and cotton, the westerners, a Mexican atmosphere, Indians and wild west show were featured by the south central group, the east central contingent reminded everyone of the 15oth anniversary celebration of the founding of the Northwest Territory, a la covered wagons, the Indianapolis speedway lured the central states' inhabitants, and the far east portrayed a factory evidentally the communal seat of Boston Beans, Pittsburgh Steel and Plate Glass, and Philadelphia Textile. 路 A quick change to correct garb, and all were ready for Denver's Ranch Round-up where guests were divided for dances by the signs of various ranches.

In spite of such a strenuous opefling day, nearly everyo,ne was up for the early morning pledge service. It will be remembered, however, that Paul Revere had nothing on the Alpha Sigmas. Mary Margaret Schroer, Mu Mu, and Margaret Houston, Pi Pi, started by Baby Ben, galloped down the halls and awakened everyone. Betty Jo Coulter was repledged to Eta Eta, making this ceremony more than a "model" service.

Continuing the special events was the "Special Western Luncheon" at Lake Lodge. Place cards were pieces of bark, and guests were seated alphabetically.

Pr~路ce~ding the dance that evening was the "Rush Party Dinner" at which Eta Eta, Alpha Beta, P1 P1, Alpha Gamma, Gamma Gamma, Kappa Kappa, and Chi Chi "rushed" the remainder of the Convention. Unique table decorations were of types which might later be used for cam路pus rush parties. The entertainment pooled by the rushing groups also was fertile with ideas for the future.

JANUARY,

1945

55

Continuing the custom begun at the 1936 Convention, at the next day's luncheon each National Councilor was hostess to her present or former understudies at a specially dec~rated table.

The Memorial Service, a college night dinner in the football style, and model initiation were other events of Wednesday. For the first time in many years, no pledges found it possible to reach Yellowstone for their initiation. Hence Virginia Wells, Beta Gamma, and Ruth Martin, Beta Delta, delegates from the newest chapters, acted as initiates.

The following day, from breakfast until the formal banquet, conventioners explored the park, lunching at the Grand Canyon Hotel, and arriving at Old Faithful Inn just in time for the eruption of the famous geyser. Irons were at a premium as formals were hurriedly unpacked and everyone dashed for the last '"big" event. "Without constancy there is neither love nor friendship," said the toast program whose theme was "Faithfulness."

A "Boots and Saddle Luncheon" where place cards - were hand-painted cowboys, with trousers of real fur, was the farewell event. Members of the National Council for 1938-41 were installed at the service immediately following.

With bags bulging with convention souvenirs, includin'g copies of A.S.A. Antics, traditional convention newspaper, the various delegates then doffed their badges and set out for their usual worlds via park buses and evening train.

Badges for this convention, though no more attractive than previously, were a bit more sophisticated. The white name card on a red back bore a printed Alpha Sigma Alpha pin, while ribbons of the delegate's symbolic color had printed in gold, "15th Biennial Convention, Alpha Sigma Alpha," and "Yellowstone National Park, Aug. 22-26, 1938." And most conspicuous in the souvenir loot was the official program, covered with shiny red paper bearing a small coat-of-arms stamped in gold, and tied with white cord.

Though fellowship is always an important objective of any convention, there is always important business to be transacted, and 1938 had its share. Most significant of convention actions was the d~cision to change to a three-year plan, embracing a triennial national convention with inspections and province conventions at three-year intervals in the interim. A step for which the sorority had long waited and now could take financially was that of making one member of the National Council a full-time, paid officer. 'It was decided that she should be known as the "Educational Director" with duties "to promote chapter development, supervise college inspections and alumna: chapter visits, act as extension officer, and supervise the college chapter officers of collegiate representative and chaplain, investigate and recommend the philanthropic activities of the sorority, act as Association of Education Sororities representative, and represent the sorority at other fraternal and educational conferences." Alumna: committee work was divided between an Alumna: Editor, charged with collection of alumna: news, and an Alumna: Organizer to work with the National Vice President and Educational Director in promoting the general alumna: welfare. Changes necessary to care for these innovations were made in the National Constitution and By-Laws.

1939 featured Alpha Sigma Alpha events in varied sections of the United States. On April 23, Psi Psi dedicated its new lodge at Natchitoches, Louisiana. On May 13, attention focused on Harrisonburg, Virginia, where Beta Epsilon Sorority was installed at Beta Epsilon Chapter.

National officers present were Miss Bell and Mrs. Sharp.

A few days later, on the twentieth, the local sorority, Delta Phi, at Ypsilanti, Michigan, merged with Mu Mu Chapter. Miss Bell was in charge of the ceremonies at which forty-one alumna: and ten college members of Delta Phi were initiated into Alpha Sigma Alpha.

While all campuses were busy with thoughts of football and homecomings, warm congratulations went from many Alpha Sigmas to Northwestern State College at Alva, Oklahoma.

Here, on November 18, Gamma Gamma honored Miss Minnie M. Shockley on her thirtieth anniversary as a teacher at Northwestern. Mrs. Sharp represented the National Council.

THE PHOENIX

A letter dated April 5, 1940, announced to the sorority's membership the affiliation of Alpha Sigma Alpha with the Women's Professional Panhell~nic Association. This i? no way a~颅 tered the classification of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Such actiOn was taken by the NatiOnal Counctl with the expectation that another avenue for growth and service might be furnished.

The five, long-planned for, long-awaited, Regional meetings also high-lighted 1940. Nearly one hundred westerners opened the series with an enthusiastic gathering at Denver's Cosmopolitan Hotel on April 6 and 7路 Wilma Wilson Sharp, Mary Mae Paul, Polly Schlosser, and Marie Brunsman Berry represented the National Councilors and Committee Chairmen. The Los Angeles delegation which drove 26oo miles to attend, demonstrated that it required more than Colorado mountain snows to keep real Alpha Sigmas from such events.

The following week-end, April 13 and 14, rro gay and enthusiastic Alpha Sigmas gathered at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington., D. C. This region was honored by the attendance of Evelyn G. Bell, National President. A carload of Indianapolis alumn<e, including the National Editor, Genevieve Leib, and Marie Kingdon, Cleveland Regional Director, was part of the group convening here.

A National Council meeting the week of July 15, at Lake Wawasee, Indiana, occurred during the summer recess. Like true disciples of "progressive education," the Council termed this conference a "workshop" in which plans for the new soror路ity year were formulated. Included among these was the Magazine Subscriprion Service.

On a beautiful week-end of October, that of the fifth and sixth, to be exact, 105 Alpha Sigma Alphas convened in Hotel Muehlebach, Kansas City. Region III claimed the presence of two National Councilors, Wilma Wilson .Sharp and Esther Bucher, and two National Chairmen, Nell Martindale Kuchs and Helen Block Bradley. Miss Minnie Shockley, Miss Ethel Hook, and advisers of the college chapters in the region were special guests. Deans of Women from Alpha Sigma Alpha colleges in this region were present at the formal banquet.

Another week-end-the twelfth and thirteenth-and New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois Alpha Sigmas were treking to the H~tel Clevelaljld at Cleveland, Ohio. Although "things" did not officially begin until noon on Saturday, many decided to make it a real weekend and began arriving soon after dinner Friday evening. Apparently remembering the old Qroverb about a "bird in the hand," Grace Fultz Haworth promptly registered them. In addition to Mrs. Haworth, former National Treasurer, Ruth Duffy; formerly National Treasurer and National Chaplain, was present. It will be recalled that as a charter member of Alpha Alpha, Miss Duffy had been a delegate to the historic Miami Convention. Hence, her experiences made her admirably qualified to speak that afternoon of the regional convention on "Reminiscenses of A.S.A." Evelyn G. Bell and Genevieve Leib represented the present National Council, while from the National Chairmen were Sally Horter, Alumn<e Editor, and Louise Stewart, Historian. Several visitors, in their excitement at renewing friendships, overlooked the registration desk, but it is believed that over one hundred had some contact with this regional.

Perhaps more than any other regional, the Cleveland meeting emphasized the strength and interest of Alpha Sigma's alumn<e. Only four active chapters: Chi Chi, Mu Mu, Alpha Gamma, and Pi Pi, were in this district, yet alumn~ were present not only from these chapters but the five inactive or deceased Ohio chapters. In many respects (at least from the alumn<e viewpoint) it was an alumn<e gathering. When, at midnight, the Oxford, Canton, and Columbus Alumn<e Chapters held an open house, pajama party in the suite of the Cleveland alumn<e, it was the alumn<e who especially enjoyed this collegiate activity (and the cokes).

Four regions had convened with the theme, "Forward, Alpha Sigma Alpha," but it remained for Region IV, meeting at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, November 2 and 3, to "go forward" with the addition of a new chapter. Thirty-nine actives and alumn<e of Beta Zeta Delta Phi were initiated and installed as Beta Zeta Chapter at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, Lafayette, Louisiana. Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Lieb represented the National Council

JANUARY,

I945

57

in. the ceremo~ies of ins~allation which formed the major part of the program of this regional.

Dtrector for thts conventiOn was Manette Swett, Psi Psi. I94I was not very old when both Beta Beta and Gamma Gamma remembered that they were eac.h growing old, and, in February, celebrated their silver anniversary with appropriate cere.p1omes.

On May. r7, r94r, the first Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter in the Dakotas was installed at State Teachers' College, Dickinson, North Dakota, Beta Eta Chapter. Mrs, Sharp, 'Mrs. Leib, and Mrs. Schlosser were present.

Then, as a last minute thrill before the fortieth anniversary convention of that summer, came the pledging, on June r5, ofBeta Theta Chapter at Central Michigan College of Education, Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The president of this group, Nora Sheehy, was initiated at the convention in August. In the same group were Ruth Werner, Alpha Gamma, Ada Joan Schendoah, Beta Gamma, and Bar?ara Huffam, Eta Eta. The I94I Convention was memorable for many reasons. First, it commemorated the fortieth birthday of the sorority, and the delegates were greatly honored to have with them Louise Cox Carper, Founder. A recording of Mrs .. Carpe~ telling the story of Alpha Sigma Alpha's early days to Nora Sheehy, last initiate, was made by a Chicago studio so that Alpha Sigmas might always hear of those days from the lips of one who was there. Second, August, r94r, was but a few months before Pearl Harbor. War was in the air, and the conclave was designated as the "All American tonvention." In the National President's call to convention, she stated, "It will amalgamate the standards of Alpha Sig,ma Alpha with the American Way of the pursuit of happiness." Theme song of the delegates was, "An All American:" "You may have an All American gal, Who'll excell in anything she might endeavor But I'll take an 'Alpha Sig' for a pal, And I know I have a loyal friend forever.

We may talk all night long of the merits of .the two And it's Alpha Sig for me, 路 All American for you .

There's no reason why we should argue again, Ev'ry Alpha Sig's an All American."

Finally, there were to be no more national or regional gatherings of Alpha Sigmas until Hitler and the Japs could be vanquished and a righteous, happy peace again esteablished. Clever place cards, bridge, and lavish banquets were soon to give place to war bond displays, surgical dressings tables, and rationed food.

Perhaps it was the tension in the air that made everyone try so hard to make those days fro!J) August 4 to 8 so enjoyable for everyone else. Surely The Edgewater Beach, Chicago, provided an ideal setting for any program which might be desired. 路 "The Chicago Gang," alias the Chicago Alumn.e, officially welcomed the delegates at a luncheon well decorated with Uncle Sam hats, information on the use of the flag, and the national colors. Other special events included the traditional regional dinner, a stunt show with the sophisticated title, "Alpha Sigma Theatre Guild Presents," a Night Owls' Spree, the . Panhellenic Luncheon where members of other sororities were guests, the sports program and ASA Play Day Dinner (nearly twenty found sightseeing at Marshall Field's their favorite sport), and a "Seeing Chicago" bus ride in the usual tourist manner. The outstanding events, however, were a visit to a broadcast of the Breakfast Club of the Air at the National Broadcasting Company studios in the Merchandise Mart, and the influx of the army from Fort Sheridan.

Delegates were willing to arise extra early (almost with the sun) to visit the former, and to stay up extra late with the soldiers. Fortunately, however, the soldiers came on Tuesday night, and the Breakfast Club not until Thursday morning. Yet sleepiness is cumulative at Alpha Sig-

THE PHOENIX

THE FoRTIETH BIRTHDAY PARTY

rna .Alpha conventions. Nevertheless, when Sidney Gremillion, Psi Psi, spoke over the air for the group, one could never have guessed the length of time the convention had been in session.

All college girls and most alumn<E were still "going strong."

Typical of the thought of that year was the address on Tuesday afternoon by Miss Lee Fairchild Bacon, Dean of Women at Marshall College. Dean Bacon told of the plans then in action at Marshall to care for the demands already created by the international situation. She stressed the need psychologically for college girls to feel that they were "doing something."

Although the visit of a selected group of trainees in the preparedness program that evening had social reasons, the presence of men in uniform intensified the feeling that soon American girls, too, would experience a war.

"Our Democratic Heritage" was the theme of the formal banquet on Thursday evening.

Here a huge birthday cake was cut by Mrs. Carper. There were forty, red candles- one for each year of the sorority. Balloons topped with the American Flag formed the centerpieces for each table. Four red candles stood on star holders at the four points of the shield. The year "4o" was marked with red letters on each candle. The programs were white with printing and cord in red, white, and blue. The coat-of-arms, printed in blue, in the upper, left hand corner, was outlined with a frame of red. For the toasts, the cornerstones of democracy were featured: opportunity, persistence, loyalty, unity. The fortieth birthday banquet was closed by the group singing of "The Star Spangled Banner."

At the 1941 Convention, for the first time, each delegate and officer was provided with a bound copy of the convention reports to which could later be added the mimeographed procedings of the convention. From this file we read that the following important decisions were made: 1. The National President was made a full time, paid officer, and to her former duties were added those of directing college and alumn;e chapter inspections, acting as extension officer, representing rhe sorority at A.E.S. and other fraternal and educational conferences, and supervising the work of chapter chaplains.

2. Supervision of sorority examinations was given to the National Registrar.

3路 A Director of Alumn<e Activities was created to have charge of all alumn<e chapter presidents, supervising the work of the Alumn;e Organizer, Alumn<e Editor, and Loyalty Committees, and cooperating with the National Vice President in carrying out a National Plfilanthropic project.

4路 Minor changes were made in tl\e work of the Fellowship Chairman in that she was authorized to hold all notes and to collect all monies due the fund.

5路 The office of Educational Director was eliminated.

JANUARY,

1945

59

6. A National Paraphernalia Chairman, and a National Magazine Subscription 'chairman were created.

7路 Minor changes were made in financial policies with respect to installation dues and method of obtaining money for the Fellowship Fund.

8. The Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna: Award was created, its nucleus being $150 remaining after the liquidation of Lambda Lambda Chapter, a sum which the Columbus Alumna: Chapter had tried to give to Mrs. Sharp in recognition of her outstanding service to Lambda Lambda during its final year. Mrs. Sharp asked that instead, this money be used to establish the award . It was moved by Mary Gaal, Lambda Lambda that the award be named in honor of Mrs. Sharp.

9路 The policy of the sorority with respect to national defense was stated: "In cooperation with the policy adopted by the Association of Education Sororities, be it resolved that Alpha Sigma Alpha reaffirm its belief and support in the democratic principles of American education, and that it keep a clear conception of the basic function and effective vehicle for service which membership in the field of education affords; "Be it further resolved that Alpha Sigma Alpha summon college and alumna: chapters for efficient cooperation with their college and community organizations for service in the National Defense Program."

Statistically speaking, the 1941 conclave was attended by one Founder, six National Councilors, six National Committee Chairmen; fiv,e chapter advisers, 26 college chapter delegates, and 20 alumna: chapter delegates, as well as by 26 college visitors, and 37 alumna: visitors, total attend.ance of 126.

On November 15, 1941, Beta Theta Chapter, the fortieth birthday chapter, was installed at Central Michigan College of Education, Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Miss Bell and Mrs. Leib were installing officers. ' In less than a month came Pearl Harbor. Two days later, writing to the active chapters, the National President, Mrs. Sharp, said, "Now our obligation to each other, to our country is immeasurably increased. So long as we can, we must courageously and faithfully keep at our 路 individual work and lives-in college, at home or distant places. Then, if we are called upon to serve elsewhere, we will be ready. We will have had the discipline that results from a self imposed calmness, and the personal preparedness that comes from an inner courage and stability.

Alpha Sigma Alpha college girls will be more than equal to the uncertain days ahead. You will find ways to serve and to bring security and comfort to those about you. Will your chapter president and vice-president confer immediately with your Dean of Women? For do you not want her to know that Alpha Sigma Alpha is ready to initiate or support any college program for the mutual good of the student body and our country? ... Alpha Sigma Alpha calls every member to strive more seriously and yet more buoyantly 'to know the peace and serenity of a Divine Faith.' For now with war an actuality we must and can have peace in our own hearts. It will be the peace that comes from loyalty to ideals, from holding fast to standards, from the knowledge that we are doing whatever we can do at our level-best, sanely and gladly ... love reaches out with stronger bonds in times of anxiety and trouble. So will you heighten the spirit of sisterhood within your own chapter. You will help ea,ch other to gallantly bear the quick changes that may come. You will have an enduring courage, a worthy place in our America-at-war. And you will work to make come true 'tpe bright dream of America marching on.' " To the president of each college and university where Alpha Sigma Alpha had a chapter, a letter was ,sent by the National President, pledging the sorority's service to the college and to the country.

The May PHoENIX indicated that Alpha Sigmas were earnestly taking their part in the war effort. As an example, we read that in the alumna: chapter in Alva, Oklahoma, eleven members were taking First Aid, six were in Home Nursing classes, seven were knitting and one ~ewing for the Red Cross, two were teaching Red Cross courses, eleven were in Civilian Defense Volunteer work, five had given talks or programs on war work, and four expected to grow seventy-five percent of the vegetables used on their tables in the coming summer. Similar reports were

THE PHOENIX

6o

aiven from other alumn~ chapters. Although in their news letters, the active chapters were

~lower to change their pattern of emphasizing Beauty Queens, pledges, . and. parties, in Marc~,

the PHoENIX had carried a photograph showing three members of Pht Ph1 Chapter and the1r sponsor, Miss Miriam Waggoner, purchasing a $25 Defense Bond with money which had originally been intended for their all-college Easter tea. This group was the first on the Maryville, Missouri, campus to buy a bond.

PHI PHI CHAPTE R P u RC H ASES A

U. S.

DEF E

sE

Bo

'D

On May 9, 1942, Mrs . Leib, Mrs . Sharp, and the National Fellowship Chairman, Mrs. Eleanor Smith Thomas, installed Gamma Zeta of State Teachers' College, Radford, Virginia, as Beta Iota Chapter. This installation increased the number of active chapters in Virginia to three.

The National Council, meeting in Chicago from June 19 to 24 of that year, formulated plans for carrying forward the program as planned by the 1941 National Convention in accordance with war-time regulations imposed by the government. It was decided that the sorority would hold no national nor regional conventions for the duration of the war, and that all plans and programs for both college and alumn~ chapters would center around the paramount objective : "Alpha Sigma Alphas work for the Ultimate Victory."

The National President elaborated this policy as follows: "This is a time for application not elaboration of principles. The long familiar and proudly affirmed purposes of our sorority stand evermore true and undimmed in the darkness of war. They are an answer to your question, 'What can I do?' Indeed, this year what better thing can you do than to work with all your might that your individual devlopment may prepare you for service.

JANUARY,

1945

"Keep physically fit-you know how-and so generate a young strength equal to every strain.

"Grow intellectually for today's hard demands, yes-but more that you may have your rightful vital part in that future day when Victory shall herald Peace throughout the world.

"Develop socially. We cannot plan for a better world social order unless we practice its principles in our daily relationships. We cannot look to a brighter day if we fail now to uphold high standards of social conduct.

"Progress spiritually. 'Above all take the Shield of Faith.' A faith in God and Goodness is unassailable even in death. Shall our fighting men hold to this precious truth more confidently than American women to whom they look for its exemplification?

"Our sorority experiences in loyalty, honor, self sacrifice shall lead us proudly on to wider areas. The friendships we give and gain in the intimate bonds of sisterhood will lift our spirits and heighten our courage.

"So I call you to enthusiastic support of Alpha Sigma Alpha in this momentous college year. There have been, there will be rapid changes. There is a test in meeting changes courageously. There is glory in gallantly carrying on under handicap.''

At the 1942 meeting, the National Council created the Elizabeth Bird Small Undergraduate Award, in memory of Miss Small, whose death had occurred in California on January 29, 1942. As a member of the National Council from 1930 to 1936, she contributed service to the sorority in measure which could not be adequately described in words. Soon after her death, it was written of her, "Her eyes were trained to see the good in everyone and everything, but she constant1y reminded her girls that being good wasn't enough when they were capable of living up to their best. The high standards of Alpha Sigma Alpha were a challenge to Miss Small, and in all her sorority work she could not brook the slightest deviation from standards of such worth .... The newest pledge soon learned that just to be in her presence was a rich experience. She was a delightful companion with an incomparable sense of humor. Her mind was as keen as her heart was kind, while she had that rare gift of wisdom that comes from understanding. Those who sought her advice ELIZ ABETH BIRD SMALL never got it directly. Rather were they March ro, r879-Jan. 29, 1942 unconsciously guided 'to see clearly, think honestly and finally act with surety. It was impossible to forget Miss Small even after one left her presence-what she was, what she had said, what she stood for were a constant source of inspiration. Her death leaves a void which none may fill,-and yet, hers was such a generous

THE PHOENIX life that she left us a bit of herself. In the years to come Alpha Sigma Alphas will be conscious of her presence through those whose thoughts and lives she influenced. In Miss Small we had a member who truly knew how to 'give in full measure' and "Such souls forever live In boundless measure of the love they give.' " And so, the Elizabeth Bird Small Award was created as the highest honor which Alpha Sigma Alpha bestows upon an undergraduate member. It was decided that each year one girl should be selected from each chapter and her name presented as a nominee, the national winner to be chosen from the list of chapter winners. The criteria for selection were to be the qualities of leadership, personality, and scholarship, the rating to be, scholarship, 50 percent, and character and personality, each 25 percent. It was decided that an Award Committee within the Council should make the final selection from nominations received not later than March I of the year in which the award was made. Within the chapter the nominating committee was designated as the faculty -adviser, an alumna: member, a cabinet member, and one other member, the latter three to be elected to the committee by the chapter.

In the May, 1943, PHoENIX, the first "Alpha Girls," those who had been nominated by their chapters for the Elizabeth Bird Small Award, were pictured, and each girl's qualifications listed.

In November, it was announced that the first winner of the award was Doris Fox David, Kappa Kappa. In nominating her, Kappa Kappa had said, "It is unusual' for a person to retain the presidency of his class throughout his college career, but Doris achieved that distinction when she was elected class president in her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She has also been a member of the Student Commission, Dormitory Council, Student Christian Association and many important Temple committees, besides being chapter registrar. Doris has numerous musical talents and was trombone soloist on the University annual concert tour. Her 'B' average places her on the 'Dean's List,' in the Magnet and Astron Honor Societies, as well as in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities."

At the 1942 Council meeting plans were made for the Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna Award also. Regarding it, the Council stated: "I. The Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna Award A. The 1941 convention body Yoted that the money presented to Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp by the Columbus Alumna: Chapter be used as an award.

B. Such an award is to be presented to the Alpha Sigma Alpha alumna who in the opinion of the Board of Awards has best met the qualifications set forth .

C. In recognition of the honor bestowed, an appropriate gift shall be given.

"II.

Composition of the Board of Awards A. The Alumna: Board of Awards shall be composed of five n~embers, two of whom shall be members of the National Council.

B. The remaining three members shall be appointed by the National Council and their identity kept secret.

C. The Alumna: Board of Awards shall hold office for two years. At least three members of the Board may not succeed themselves.

"III.

Method of making the selection A. Before February 1 each Alumna: and College Chapter and members of the National Council and Committee Chairmen shall be asked to suggest an alumna whom they consider worthy of special recognition.

B. These recommendations shall be forwarded to the Alumna: Award Board by February 14.

C. There shall be a thorough investigation of all candidates and the final decision announced by the Board the following Founders' Day.

JANUARY,

1945

"IV. 'Basis of the Award A. The candidate shall be a fully initiated member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

B. She shall have distinguished heJ;self through service to her community or her profession.

I. By displaying qualities of leadership.

2. By rendering outstanding service or achievement in certain fields of endeavor.

C. She shall have received a majority vote of the Alumn:r Board of Awards to be gi ven the Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna Award."

First recipient of the Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna Award was Mary Turner GalLigher:, Chi Chi, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. As an Alpha Sigma Alpha she had served as faculty adviser of Chi Chi at Indianapolis and been an active member of the Indianapolis Alumna: Chapter. As a community leader in Green Bay, Mrs. Gallagher became active in the organization of the Homebound Program of the Rehabilitation Division of the State of Wisconsin, teaching crafts to the physically handicapped over sixteen years of age, so that eventually they might learn to earn a living. She had also been active in the Red Cross, Community Chest, and Y.W.C.A. drives in Green Bay, had been president of the American Association of University Women branch, Chairman of Art, Vice President, District Art Chairman, and State Chairman of Consumers Problems of the Federation of Women's Clubs, chairman of "Bundles for Britain,". active in Russian Relief, chairman of Brown County's War Savings Staff, and head of the Student Volunteer Program for the Office of Price Administration in a oistrict of 27 ration boards.

An artist, Mary Gallagher had a "one man exhibit" of her work at Waupaca and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and exhibited paintings in the Green Bay Art Colony and the Melville Public Museum.

The first award was one in keeping with the times-a Defense Bond.

In the summer of 1942, the United States Congress passed legislation creating the Waacs, Waves, Spars, and the Women Marines. Alpha Sigma Alphas were among those enlisting in all parts of the country. Among these was Katharine M. Hale, Theta Theta, who resigned her office of National Treasurer for a commission in the Waves. One of Mrs. Hobby's staff of .five to direct activities of all the Waacs (later Wacs) was Frances Holbrook, Pi Pi. In fact, each month, THE PHOENIX carried additional names of those who had "joined up" and were wearing the uniform of some branch of the service. The Wafs, Red Cross, Nursing Corps, Foreign Service, and U.S.O. also claimed Alpha Sigmas. Some became defense workers, while many remembered that teaching children, though less glamorous, had always been classified as an essential occupation, and some stayed by their blackboards, while others shifted housekeeping to the leisure time classification and returned to the schoolroom. Still others continued their volunteer defense activities or increased the number of hours spent in bond路 booths, Red Cross workrooms, and the unlimited needs of their communities. Alumna: officers became increasingly busy as alumna: moved about the country, sometimes as the result of a new position created by the war, often because a husband was transferred, transferred, and then transferred agam.

The March, 1943, issue of THE PHOENIX was, in part, a songbook, featuring especially the newer songs of the sorority, with their original music.

For the first time, in October, 1943, Alpha Sigma Alpha entered an Illinois college, when, on the week-end of the twenty-third and twenty-fourth, it installed Beta Kappa Chapter at Western Illinois State Teachers' College, Macomb. Mrs. Sharp was in charge of services.

There was another ".first" for Alpha Sigma on the week-end of March 3 to 5, for Beta Lambda Chapter was installed at Arkansas State Teachers' College, Conway, Arkansas, the first Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter in that state. Mrs. Sharp and Miss Bucher were installing officers.

Since regional and national conventions had been made impossible by the war, the Macomb and Conway installations were utilized as subregional gatherings at which members of the nearest chapters might meet each other and the national officers. Kansas and Missouri chapters were able to get representatives to Macomb, while Natchitoches, Louisiana, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Pittsburg, Kansas, were represented at Conway. Sixteen advisers and college girls

THE PHOENIX

and a Pi Pi alumna may not have been a regional, but judging from their account of the days and nights spent at Conway, these Alpha Sigmas managed to give a very good imitation of at least a miniature regional. Though the gathering was a wartime substitute for the real thing, there was nothing ersatz about the fellowship, inspiration, and fun existing for those who could be there. .

1944 should have been a national convention year. Wartime restrictions and difficulties making this impossible, members of the National Council met from July r to 4 at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, to transact essential sorority business. For the period from July 5 to 8, they were joined by National Committee Chairmen. Even in so small a group, the anxieties and problems of the war were very evident. Mrs. Leib watched the mails for word from her air corps son in England, and Mrs. Stone daily wrote long letters to a captain husband in the South Pacific. Miss Bell had gone immediately from her winter teaching to a government position in Maryland and was unable to attend the conference, while Mrs. Bradley was likewise busy with a defense job which was so demanding she felt it necessary to resign her Alpha Sigma work. Mrs. Moyer had her reservation cancelled at the last minute and (lid not attempt the long journey from Laurel, Delaware. Miss Carpenter, a member of the Women's Marine Corps, was likewise unable to attend. The presence of many Japanese employees in the hotel, as part of an alien relocation project, also was a reminder of the war.

The Council made the following decision pertaining to Alpha Sigma Alpha's interfraternity relations: "That Alpha Sigma Alpha withdraw its membership from the Professional Panhellenic Association and that withdrawal be in the form of a statement of the decision of the National Councils of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Theta Sigma Upsilon."

This conclusion resulted from the action of the Professional Panhellenic Association in accepting a more limiting definition of the term "professional." The three AES sororities holding membership in PPA supported this action because they wished to cooperate in the general fraternity effort to clarify the classification of various kind of Greek-letter organizations.

The Council approved the plan that each college chapter should have an Alumna Visitor during the 1944-45 college year. The purpose of the visit from the chapter's own alumna is to extend the ASA Leadership program to include recent graduates, to coordinate college and alumna: activities, and to promote college loyalty on the part of Alpha Sigma alumna:. Frances Morrell Werre, Beta Eta, was the first alumna to officially visit her chapter soon after uniform plans were set up. If her reactions are typical, alumna: and college members will equally share the benefits. She wrote: "This was a real opportunity! I have kept in touch with our chapter but have never gone to a meeting. This was the stimulation I needed. I loved reviewing an initiation ceremony again and marvelled at the proficiency of the girls in carrying it out.' ~ In November, 1944, a new sorority publication was issued, Leadership in Alpha Sigma Alpha. It is a manual for College Chapter Presidents written by the National President, Wilma Wilson Sharp.

Alpha Sigma Alpha's annual audit for the year ending August 31, 1944, showed the Fellowship Loan Fund to have a balance of $7,321.93. Of the one hundred and thirty loans that have been made to members and pledges since the Fund was established, one hundred and nine have been paid in full. This revolving fund has granted over $17,000 to Alpha Sigmas.

Although the demands upon the fund have lessened during 1943 and 1944, Alpha Sigma anticipates the needs of its college membership after the war when accumulated funds will be avail路 able to its college students during a probable period of economic adjustment.

To Alpha Sigma Alpha, the post-war world is seen as neither an Utopia nor a maelstrom of unsurmountable problems. The basic principles upon which the organization was established have stood the test of more than four decades. They will guide the sorority equally well in the years to come, for they are timeless.

JANUARY, 1945 '

THE FOUNDERS OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA VIRGINIA LEE BoYD, the first president of Alpha Sigma Alpha, was born near Raceland, Nelson County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Major Waller Massie Boyd of Nelson and Caroline Anthony Yancey of Lynchburg, Virginia. She was the youngest of a large family, five of whom are still living. Before entering Farmville in 1901, Virginia Boyd attended public and private school. In 1910, she was married to John Walton Noell who died in 1926. Mrs. Noell and her two sisters make a home together at 609 Allison A venue, S. W., Roanoke, Virginia. Her chief interest is in religious work.

JuLIETTE JEFFERSON HuNDLEY, only daughter of Judge George Jefferson Hundley and Lucie Boyd Hundley, was born at "Blue Rock," Nelson County, Virginia, on November ro, 1886.

Having been reared at "Otterburn," Amelia, Virginia, she attended Amelia's one room public school five months out of the year for the first seven years of school life. A Presbyterian church in the village of Amelia Court House was the source of her religious education. This church had little to offer in the wav of comfortable sea~s or stained glass windo~s, but it gave richly of eternal truths. These have proved to her more essential, more satisfying, and more accurately true than all knowledge gleaned elsewhere.

The Hundley family moved to Farmville, Virginia, in the year 1901. Juliette then entered the State Normal School. Graduating from.

Farmville in 1907, she began her teaching career. The first two years were spent teaching in Rockingham, North Carolina, after which she taught in the Richmond Public Schools in Virginia. She attended Columbia University in New York for several summers.

On June 22, 1921, she married Henry Eugene Gilliam of Richmond, Virginia. A daughter, Lucie Waller Gilliam, was born January 9, 1926. Mrs. Gilliam and her family may be found at 2608 Grove Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.

MARY WILLIAMSON HuNDLEY was born on a large plantation in Halifax County, Virginia.

Mount Laurel was the post office. She was the

VIRGI N I A B o YD N oELL

J u LIETTE H uNDLEY GILLIAM

THE PHOENIX

66 youngest of eight living children. As her mother had died when Mary was but 13, the

M ARY WILLI AM ON H uN DLEY

LoUi sE Cox C ARPER

following year, at age of 14, she entered the college at Farmville. In spite of the disapproval of her relatives and friends, Mary left Farmville early in her third year to accept the offer of a country public school. Her great desire to be self-supporting dominated her decision.

After three years of teaching, she accepted the position as companion to an elderly lady.

Meeting different people and seeing new cities made the work especially attractive.

In Philadelphia, Mary was advised to enter nurses' training. She was graduated from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts in 1919.

From 1921-24 she was assistant superintendent of the Springfield, Massachusetts Hospital.

During the next year, she was superintendent of Christian Hospital, Eugene, Oregon. In 1925, she returned to her favorite private duty nursing, specializing in nervous work.

Miss Hundley's address is now 2130 Locust Street, Philadelphia 3, Pennsylvania.

LoUisE BuRKS Cox was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, September rr, 1886. She attended school at the old seminary in Lewisburg, West Virginia before entering the Normal School at Farmville in 1901. After leaving Farmville she taught school for one year. In 1908, she was married to Wood B. Carper. She has a daughter, Mary Porter, and a son, Wood B., Jr. Mrs. Carper is also very proud of her five grand children. Her son, an Episcopal Clergyman, formerly student rector for the Episcopal boys at Princeton, is now ·a chaplain in the United States Navy. Mrs. Carper lives with her daughter at 505 Montrose Drive, South Charleston 3, West Virginia.

CALVA HAMLET WATSON was born in Nelson County, Virginia. During her student days, she claimed Jennings' Ordinary, Virginia as her home· town.

She is now Mrs. P. W. Wootton and lives at 2020 • Matrax Ave., Petersburg, Va. CALVA WATSON WooTTON

JANUARY,

1945

COLLEGE CHAPTER ROLL Alpha .... . ... . . . .. ... ......... November 15, 1901 State Teachers' College, Farmville, Virginia.

Beta . . ........ . ... . . ... November 30, 1903 Lewisburg Female Institute, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Disbanded, 1907.

Gamma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 9, 1904 College for Women, Columbia, South Carolina.

Disbanded, November 21, 1910.

Delta .

. . . . February, 1905 Mary Baldwin Seminary, Staunton, Virginia.

Disbanded, 1908.

Epsilon .. . ....... . . . .. .

March, 1905 Fauquier Institute, Warrenton, Virginia.

Disbanded, 1906.

Zeta .

. . . . . . . . . ...... . ... . . October 28, 1905 Fairmont Seminary, Washington, D. C. Disbanded, 1906.

Eta .

........ . .. December 15, 1905 Ward Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee. Disbanded, September, 1910.

Iota .

. . . . . May, 1908 .........

Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, Virginia. Honorably released to Pi Beta Phi and installed as the Virginia Alpha Chapter of that group, 1913.

Sigma Phi Epsilon . . . ... February 28, 1909 Brenau College, Gainesville, Georgia. Honorably released to Delta Delta Delta and installed as Alpha Epsilon Chapter of that group, 1914.

Gamma Beta Sigma . . . May 27, 1909 St. Mary's School, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Disbanded, Fall of 1911.

Kappa Phi . . ....... June 5, 1909 Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio. Honorably released to Delta Delta Delta and installed as Delta Nu Chapter of that group, 1914.

Nu .

.......... November 24, 1910 Shorter College, Rome, Georgia. 1912.

Chi Iota . . ...... . ... . .. . December, 1911 Hamilton School, Washington, D. C. 1912.

Alpha Alpha (installed as Pi Tau Chapter) May, 1913 Renamed Alpha Alpha .... November 27, 1914 Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Inactive, 1938.

Alpha Beta . . . . . November 27, 1914 State Teachers' College, Kirksville, Missouri.

Alpha Gamma . . . . .... November 27, 1914 State Teachers' College, Indiana, Pennsylvania .

Beta Beta . . .. . February 19, 1916 Colorado State College of Education, Greeley, Colorado.

Gamma Gamma . . . . February 23, 1916 Northwestern State College, Alva, Oklahoma.

Delta Delta .......... . ..... . .. February 21, 1917 Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Disbanded, Fall of 1932.

Epsilon Epsilon . . . . . . .. .. November 17, 1917 . Kansas State Teachers' College, Emporia, Kansas.

Zeta Zeta ............. . .. . .. . .April, 1919 Central Missouri State Teachers' College, Warrensburg, Missouri .

Eta Eta ... ............. . . July 9, 1920 State Teachers' College, Pittsburg, Kansas.

Theta Theta . . . . .. November 12, 1921 Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.

Iota Iota .. .. January 13, 1922 Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. Inactive, 1936.

Kappa Kappa . . ... . . March 17, 1922 Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lambda Lambda . . . December 9, I 922 The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Inactive, 1934.

Mu Mu . ............ . .. January 19, 1924 Michigan State Normal College, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Inactive, 1943路 Nu Nu . . . ... May 30, 1925 Drexel Institute of Technology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

THE PHOENIX

68 Xi Xi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 24, 1926 University of California, Los Angeles, California.

Omega Omega ....... . ... . ....... January r6, 1932 San Diego State College, San Diego, California.

Inactive, 1939路

Omicron Omicron . . ..... .. . . .... . April 10, 1926 Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Inactive, 1939路

. . .... November 20, 1937 Beta Gamma . . .

Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Pi Pi .

Beta Delta .... .. ... . ... . .

Mississippi Southern Mississippi.

.. .. .. . .. . JW1e 5, 1926 Buffalo State Teachers' College, Buffalo, New York.

Rho Rho ..

Marshall College, Huntington, West Virginia.

Sigma Sigma . . ........ . ..... . .. .. . . . May 25, 1927 Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado.

Tau Tau .. .. . . . .. .. . . .. . . . . March 17, 1928 Fort Hayes Kansas State College, Hays, Kansas. .... . .. . .. . . .. May 5, 1928 Upsilon Upsilon Denison University, Granville, Ohio. Disbanded, January, 1931.

Phi Phi . .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .May II , 1928 Northwest Missouri State Teachers' College, Maryville, Missouri.

Chi Chi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

June r, 1928 Indianapolis Teachers' College, I~dianapolis, Indiana, 1928-1933路 Reinstalled at Ball State Teachers' College, Muncie, Indiana, December 12, 1936.

Psi Psi.. .... .. ...... .. . May 31, 1930 Louisiana State Normal College, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

.. . . . . . . May 21, 1938 College, Hattiesburg,

Beta Epsilon . . . . . . . .. .. ...... May 13, I939 Madison College, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Beta Zeta . . ............ . .... .. .. November 2, 1940 Southwestern Louisiana Institute, Lafayette, Louisiana.

Beta Eta ................ . ..... . . .. May I 7, 1941 State Teachers' College, Dickinson, North Dakota. . ... . ... .. ...... November IS, 1941 .Beta Theta .

Central Michigan College of Education, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Beta Iota .. ... .. .. .. . .... . ..... . . . ... May 9, I 942 Radford College, Radford, Virginia.

Beta Kappa . . ... . .... . . ... . .' October 24, I943 Western Illinois State Teachers' College, Macomb, Illinois.

Beta Lambda ..... .. ... . . .... . . March 5, 1944 Arkansas State Teachers' College, Conway, Arkansas.

JANUARY,

1945

CHAPTER HISTORIES ALPHA CHAPTER 'State Teachers College, Farmville, Virginia To the chapter at Farmville goes the proud distinction of being the mother chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha . The first years of the group are those of the national sorority and are recorded in the national history.

From 1901 until the fall of 1919, members of Alpha brought honor to Alpha Sigma Alpha on the Farmville campus. At that time, due to misunderstandings between the National President and the chapter, the group relinquished its charter and became the local, Delta Sigma Chi. However, at no time were the standards which had previously guided the chapter lowered.

In May, 1933, the ch;pter again became a part of the Alpha Sigma Alpha roll in ceremonies which are described in the national history .

Quoting a chapter editor, we find that " in all college work and play, Alpha holds her own. There has never been a student government, May Day, dramatic production, scholastic or honorary fraternity, or any other campus activity that has not had at least one Alpha Sigma in its midst. Looking tprough Alpha's scrap-books, one finds on each page a picture or clipping of a typical Alpha Sigma doing her share in some college affair. To name outstanding members would be to name the majority of Alpha''S members, for they are all literally into everything."

World War II has found Alpha active in war work. In the winter of 1944, it reported that it had already purchased three $roo Defense Bonds, made a quilt for the hospital at Camp Pickett, Virginia, sent money for rose bushes to be planted at that camp, and, on each Thursday evening, worked on surgical dressings . Moreover, one member of the chapter, for a year, headed the Red Cross knitting for the town of Farmville, and during the entire period, the various members have done knitting.

Most regretfully, in the spring of 1943, the chapter accepted the resignation of its adviser for twelve years, Miss Grace B. Moran. The girls felt that much of their success had been due to Miss Moran's untiring efforts and stimulation. Miss Margaret Sprunt Hall was chosen to assume the advisership .

Alpha boasts a chapter room which the girls are always trying to make even more attractive. In it, countless Alpha Sigma hours have been spent and priceless memories linger.

Alpha has contributed many national officers to the sorority. The list includes: Edna V. Elcan, first National President; Lucy Daniels, Historian; Mary Henly Spencer, Business Manager of The A lpha Sig~ ma A lpha Magazine; Bessie Ferguson Cary, Secretary-Treasurer; Beverly Andrews, Associate Editor and Co-Editor of The Aegis; Hattie Kelly Thomas, Alumn~ Editor, Vice President, President of the

Central Alumn~ Association, Social Life Chairman, Historian; Frances Prescott Jones, Historian, CoEditor of The Aegis, State Secretary; Dorothy Batten, Historian; Mrs. A. H . Hoge, State Secretary; Mildred Moore, State Secretary; Marguerite Archambeault Chenery, Historian; Frances Roberson, Supervisor of Scholarship; Charlotte Jones, Historian, Co-Editor of The Aegis;' State Secretary.

BETA CHAPTER Lewisburg Seminary, Lewisburg, West Virginia On November 30, 1903, a second chapter was added to the mother chapter at Farmville with the initiation of five girls at Lewisburg Female Institute, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Due to the enthusiasm of Louise Burks Cox, one of the Founders of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Beta Chapter came into existence; for her cousin, Marguerite Beirne, was a student at Lewisburg.

Charter members of Beta were: Marguerite Beirne, Lewisburg, West Virginia; Effie Mealy, Oakland, Maryland; Annie Brown, Lawton, West Virginia; Evelyn Dixon, Macdonald, West Virginia; and Pure Colcord, St. Albans, West Virgima.

In December, Jane Birthesel was initiated, and in March, Sue Pannill and Mary Birthesel.

-When school opened September 9, 1904, for the session of 1904-05, only three Alpha Sigmas returned to school. However, in March, 1905, they initiated Pearl Bacon and Caroline Crouch.

Four girls returned to school for the year 1905o6. Two months later, in November, three more girls, were initiated : Alice Montgomery, Hallie Champ, and Lottie Davin. In February, 1906, Smogen Nickell was added to the roll. Thus, when Volume I, Number r of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Magazine was issued, eight girls were pictured as Beta Chapter.

Early in the year 1907, Beta Chapter was disbanded.

Though its existence was brief, Beta Chapter contributed greatly in loyalty and service to Alpha Sigma Alpha. As members of the early Grand Councils and as lay members, Beta girls gave in "full measure" to the furtherance of Alpha Sigma aims and ideals.

Effie C . Mealy served as Grand Secretary, Marguerite Beirne, as Associate Editor of The A lpha Sigma Alpha Magazine, and June Birthesel, as Grand First Vice President.

GAMMA CHAPTER College for Women, Columbia, South Carolina "When Martha Wilson came to college," wrote Jessie Scott (Arnold), I was already a sophomore.

But Martha was not a freshman. She was a special student.

She specialized in Political Science, Sociology, Economics-things like that. I thought

T HE PHOENIX

70 she was the most sophisticated girl I had ever met.

The other girls in college rather deferred to the opinions of the teachers. We were even, at times, influenced by them. But Martha approached a teacher as an intellectual equal. She not only dared to have a different opinion, but when she deemed the faculty to be in error, she gently but firmly set it right.

"Martha already had a mature civic consciousness.

I can see her now peering through eye-glasses attached to a flowing black ribbon, absorbed in Editorials or (believe it or not) the stock market, and quite oblivious to the chattering groups about her.

"She was, of course, a born organizer. And soon after she came to college she began to look around for something upon which to exercise this undoubted talent. There were no sororities. Presto, Martha changed all that . I do not know how she got around the faculty and trustees whom I suspect were none too receptive. I do not know, either, how she came to select Alpha Sigma Alpha." (Records show that Martha was a cousin of Grace Macon Wilson, Alpha Chapter, and that Grace encouraged Martha in the organization of the new chapter.)

"There are supposed to be six charter members of Gamma. But five of us were invited to become charter members. To Martha Wilson alone must go the credit of having established the chapter."

Officially, Gamma Chapter was established at the College for Women, Columbia, South Carolina, on May 9, 1904, with the following charter members: Fredree Calvert Ansel, Greenville, South Carolina (daughter of the governor of South Carolina); Julia Kline Brown, Brunswick, Georgia; Violet Officer, Eddy Lake, South Carolina; Helen St. Clair Scott, Kingstree, South Carolina; Jessie Eloise Scott, Claxton, Georgia; and Martha A. Wilson, Charleston, South Carolina. As indicated above, Alpha Sigma Alpha was the first sorority to enter this college. This group, self-nicknamed "the original six," furnished no small service to the sorority. Jessie Scott became editor-in-chief of the Aegis, which she named, and Fredree Ansel was elected to the Grand Council by the Richmond Convention as Secretary-Treasurer.

Martha Wilson had been editor of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Magazine, and Helen Scott had been one of her assistants. That these girls were equally high in the esteem of their fellow students is shown by the offices they held in school. Jessie Scott was editor-in-chief of the first annual published by the college, and Fredree Ansel, Violet Officer, and Helen Scott were all on the staff. Violet was also twice vice-president of the Preston Literary Society and once its president. She was also editor of the Palmetto, monthly magazine. Jessie Scott was class poet, president of her class, president of Hampton Literary Society in 1904-05 and vice-president the previous year, as well as exchange editor of the Palmetto, class historian, debater, in the HamptonPreston contest, and vice-president of the Athletic A"o'i"ion. Hd<n Scott th< Palm<tto

""'d

r

literary editor, editor-in-chief, exchange editor, and was vice-president of the College Press Association .

In fact, nearly every responsible position in college was filled by Alpha Sigma Alphas in the first several years of Gamma's existence.

Gamma's first initiation took place several days after the installation of the chapter. Mary Eliza Fox, Batesburg, South Carolina; Jeanne D. Pelham, Newberry, South Carolina; and Annie D. Rodger, Union, South Carolina, were the initiates.

Martha Wilson was elected president of this first chapter. "It is almost impossible to get anyone to claim the office of secretary, and it is invariably impossible to get the minutes of the chapters in the various years," wrote the Gamma historian in 191 I. "The meetings then, as always, were very informal, and not a 'single minute' seems to have been preserved."

This same historian continued, "Soon after the initiation, school closed and 'the nine' scattered over North and South Carolina and Georgia to reunite in a body in the fall of 1904. On October 9, 1904, the following girls were initiated: Lina Wakefield, Mattison and Juanita Hewitt." The name of Wakefield Mattison was to become very dear and familiar to Alpha Sigma Alphas for it was she who become one of the sorority's loved Grand Presidents. "Suffice it to say that Gamma feels her existence justified, at least, in the person of Wakefield Mattison."

The chapter's roll was further increased on December 12, 1904, when Nancy Clarke, Elizabeth Gueinzius, and Hallie Covington were initiated. Just before school closed, Mary Wilson was admitted to membership.

The following fall, Gamma returned fourteen girls and added four. Before going home for the Christmas holidays, an elaborate banquet was given in the private dining-room at Wright's Hotel. The girls were chaperoned by Miss Kelly, head of the English Department of the college, who was the devoted friend and confidential adviser of the chapter from the time of its installation until her death in the summer of 1910. This banquet, next to her initiation, held first place in the recollection of the 1905-06 girl. With the addition of one more initiate, the chapter reached its maximum number of nineteen.

However, only eight of the girls returned to college in 1906. After February initiation, activity was suspended by faculty ruling on account of strong non-fraternity opposition which showed itself in elections, especially in the literary societies. From then on, Gamma labored under the disadvantages of faculty disapproval. The rule that no girl could be pledged until the end of her freshman year or initiated until the following year went into effect.

All but two of the old girls returned in September, 1907, and with the return of a former member, including the June pledges, there 路 were ten to answer roll call. Rushing was quiet with little entertaining because of the trouble of the previous year.

At the Charleston Convention, Gamma girls were

JANUARY,

1945

on every committee and in almost every case acted as chairmen.

The remainder of the school year of 1907-08 was spent in fear and trembling lest the faculty demand that the charter be relinquished. Yet the chapter continued to pledge and initiate and so continued when school opened the following fall.

During the year rgog-ro, there were "an unusually large amount of society 'stunts' all during the year, the town girls entertaining us lavishly with luncheon, Halloween and valentine parties,- etc." The custom of having monthly social meetings, to which the alumna: in town were invited, was inaugurated. , "In the early spring of rgro it began to be whispered about that the faculty had decided to put out sororities and about pledging time a representative of each sorority went to the president to find out how much truth there was in the rumor." We were told that the matter had been under faculty discussion, but no decision had been reached. In order not to make bad matters worse, very little rushing was done, and the pledging was made as inconspicious as possible."

The 'non-frat' feeling showed itself to some extent in the spring election, especially in the rising senior class."

In the fall of rgro, things began to run smoothly, and the prospects for the year seemed especially good .

But on November 21, Gamma received her death warrant. "It came in the shape of a notice on the bulletin board which stated that sororities were non-existent in the college from that day." The presence of several local sororities was apparently the direct cause, and the girls were told that the decision was positively irrevocable. The only privileges left to them as a group were those of wearing their pins and having their picture in 路 the annual.

Speaking of Gamma, Wakefield Mattison Mahon has said, "We had to have high scholastic rating and much extra-curricular work to be even eligible for a bid . We had to have offices-and we did!"

Besides those mentioned above, the following Gamma girls held National offices: Jeanne D. Pelham, Vice President; Mary C. Ashe, Vice President; Arney Robinson, Secretary-Treasurer; Nancy B. Clarke, Inspector; and Susie D . Gault, President. Martha Wilson was also a member of the Central Alumn~ Association.

DELTA CHAPTER Mary Baldwin Seminary, Staunton, Virginia The fourth chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha was established in February, 1905, at Mary Baldwin Seminary, Staunton, Virginia. Charter members of Delta Chapter were: Caroline Clay, Savannah, Georgia; Margaret Cunningham, Yazoo City, Mississippi; Mary Rose Finn, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Elizabeth Grimes, Elizabethtown, Kentucky ; and Julia Williams, Yazoo City, Mississippi. Two of

71 these girls, Caroline Clay and Mary Rose Finn, later become Grand officers of the sorority.

The life of Delta was 'destined to be brief, however, for in rgo8 it was ruled out by the faculty of Mary Baldwi~.

EPSILON CHAPTER Fauquier Institute, Wa~renton, Virginia In March of 1905, Alpha Sigma Alpha added to its roll, Epsilon Chapter at Fauquier Institute, Warrenton, Virginia. Members of the charter group were: Suzanne Bandell, Baltimore, Maryland; Jessie Baugh, Lafayette, Indiana; Katharine Fergusson, La Plata, Maryland; Jane Graves, Hancock, Maryland; Mary and Margaret Humes, Altoona, Pennsylvania; and Marguerite Kemper, Moorman's River, Virginia.

To the original group were later added: Alfred Leigh, Calvin's Run, Virginia; Ethel Pemberton, Mt. Holly, Virginia; and Nellie Shiles, Washington, D . C. For nearly a year, the girls enjoyed life as a chapter of Alpha Sigmas Alpha, and enjoyed it thoroughly, they wrote, for they were "the only sorority in school." But, unfortunately, the authorities thought it best to prohibit secret organizations, so the chapter was disbanded . in rgo6.

Although the chapter's life was unusually brief, the quality of its membership is indicated by the fact that at three successive conventions : rgog, rgro, and rgu, even though the chapter was no longer on the active roll, one of its charter members, Suzanne Bandel!, was elected to the Grand Council as Custodian of the Badge.

ZETA CHAPTER Fairmont Seminary, Washington, D. C. On October 28, 1905, there was established at Fairmont Seminary, Washington, D. C., the Zeta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Members were: Mary Alley, Forest City, Kansas; Caroline Jordan, West Point, Mississippi; Bappie Hill, Orange, Texas; Louise Henderson, Greenville, South Carolina; Erma Lee McClung, Marleton, Arkansas; Mary Poling, Lynchburg, Virginia; Lena Reinhardt, . Lincolnton, North Carolina; Annie Sumpter, Dallas, Texas.

Owing to faculty ruling, Zeta was sub rosa, and in rgo6, it was disbanded because of the school's nonsorority laws. Although in the school year of rgo7o8 there were four ASA's at Fairmont, three from Mary Baldwin, and Bappie Hill, then private secretary to the president of the school, and there had been some thought 路 of reorganization, conditions existed which made it impracticable. Because of the wide geographical distribution of their homes, it was very difficult for those members who had left school to meet in ex-collegia activities as did girls of other chapters, and the gi~ls inevitably drifted from each other except for occasional personal news exchanged via the letter route.

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ETA CHAPTER Ward Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee With the establishment of Eta Chapter on December 15, 1905, Alpha Sigma Alpha added ~o its roll of schools, Ward Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee.

Charter members of this group were: Jency Hawkins, Fayette, West Virginia; Annie Hawkins, Fayette, West Virginia; Elizabeth Herring, Natural Bridge, Virginia; Cathryn Pinkerton, Lexington, Mississippi; Sophia Price, Collersville, Tennessee.

However, " Baby Eta," so the chapter correspondent of May, 1906, wrote, "was well acquainted with the mysteries of initiation, for in January she took in Nellie Raddish, Memphis, Missouri, and, a little later, in March, Hallie Harwood, Pulaski, Tennessee.

That initiation had social significance also is indicated by the路 correspondent nearly a year later, in March, 1907, for she remarked that after the initiation of Josephine Richards, there was "a regular _ school-girl spread" in one of the rooms. Although future plans for 1907 had not been definitely arranged, some of the girls were contemplating Alpha Sigma Alpha houseparties for the summer months.

By" 1909, the post-initiation activities had become more elaborate. Following the initiation of Blanche Ferriss and Eleanor Baddy on February 5 of that year, a six-course banquet "of dainty and well chosen menu, elegantly served, was held in the dining hall.

The table was a dream of decorative art and repaid the girls for their direct charge in place of the caterer's. Every available fruit in the market helped to make up the beauty and effectiveness of the pyramid in the center of the table. The sorority colors in flowers and ribbons completed the exquisite picture."

That year, besides having their regular meeting, the girls usually met one evening for a social time.

"Over the chafing dishes we discuss plans for the future not only of those who will still remain in school, but those who will be scattered in different parts of the globe."

Among the graduates of 1909 was Madeleine Rollwage, later to be dearly loved by her sisters in other chapters who enthuiastically welcomed her in her visits as Alpha Sigma's first National Inspector.

Miss Rollwage was twice elected to this position-by the Conventions of both 1909 and 1910. Years later, a fellow Grand Councilor of that period wrote, "She was wonderful-in every way- especially in looks."

In spite of the close union between its members, as an active chapter Eta was doomed to be disbanded in the fall of 1910 when only one member returned to college. In the five years of its existence, Eta Chapter had initiated thirty-two loyal Alpha Sigmas.

One of its charter members, Annie Hawkins, became a member ,of the second Grand Council, as Third Vice-President, elected at the 1906 Convention.

IOTA CHAPTER Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, Virginia In May, 1908, Iota Chapter was established at Ranaolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, Virginia, with five charter members: Clara Barton, Calvert, Texas; Georgia Foster, Navasota, Texas; Lucetta Badgett, San Sabo, Texas; Kathryn Nowlin, lola, Texas; and Perdie Orr, Pennington Gap, Virgmw.

Speaking of the college year of 1908-09, the chapter correspondent wrote that the beginning of the year found the chapter with only two members but that six were added during the fall although one, Georgia Foster, left at Christmas. "There is no doubt," she wrote, "that this year is the high-water mark so far in the life of our chapter, and realizing this, we are bending every effort to place it on firm ground and then make it the very best here." We had no fraternity room at the first of the year, but now we have one of the prettiest in college. It is in one of the towers, being octagon shape and is handsomely furnished in mission wood. We hope to improve it as our number increases. One of our sisters, Virginia Proctor, is Treasurer of the Freshman Class and will take the leading part in one of the literary society plays to be given real soon, thus bringing Alpha Sigma Alpha into another field of prominence." That information was recorded in the May, 1909, Aegis.

Then, just one year later, we read, "Iota Chapter is composed of eleven members, and their average attendance at the meetings is ten. These girls are having to struggle under many disadvantages, owing to the number of older frats at Randolph-Macon, but they are working well and there is not a doubt in my mind but that they will be ahead of everything in college." Beneath the "dear little clubroom" described above was "their kitchen, and there delightful little lunches are prepared."

"The initiation fee of these girls is large," wrote the correspondent of 1910, "but it includes the pin.

The scholarship of all excepting two is :rery good, although none were exempt from dues and fines."

Listed among the activitie.s of the girls were Chairman of Extension Committee of Y.W.C .A., Member of Student Committee, President of Special Class, Most Popular Girl, Secretary of Y.W.C.A., Chaplain and Corresponding Secretary of a literary society, Gymnasium Honor Roll. During this year, the Alpha-Iota Alumna: Chapter in Lynchburg was disbanded, for some of the members had left the town.

The following fall, Iota returned ten girls who worked hard at rushing. "Every Saturday night we entertained in one of the girls' rooms and on Sunday nights we go up to the frat rooms. During the week all of us make as many dates as we can with our 'rushies.' Last week we went on a picnic, and the other day we took them on an automobile ride which they seemed to enjoy very much. Then we are planning a launch party up the river for the near future.''

JANUARY,

1945

Efforts were not in vain, for they initiated "five new ones, and every one a lovely girl."

In February, 19II, the chapter reported that sophomore pledging had just been passed in Panhellenic, but although they felt it would be hard the following year not to pledge a single girl, they not only anticipated the return of most of the old members, but consoled themselves with the thought that they would not suffer more than the other sororities, and that the rule would undoubtedly raise the standard of the sorority girl. The news of greatest importance was the hope for a chapter house. "We are going to arrange for a lot on the camps next week, and then start to work for it (the house) in earnest. No sorority here has a house yet, and our delight would know no bounds if we could have the first one."

Plans evidentally matured rapidly for, in May, 191 r, the chapter wrote, in regard to Easter vacation, "Our chapter house is to be started! The house is . going to have a big living room with a grand, big fireplace, a dining room, kitchen, and dressing room."

After mourning the graduation of their president of that year, Hardenia Fletcher, later a member of the National Examination Board of Alpha Sigma, the girls were thrilled in August to write that she would again be with them, as an assistant in psychology and Bible on the college fac ulty.

Furnishing the new house was the major topic of interest in 1911-12. The living room fireplace was the focal point for many parties on Saturday pights, "meeting to roast apples, nuts, and toast marshmallows . The chapter reported "fine, capable, and purposeful girls, honored with offices in the Senior Class and elsewhere." Due to the new rule on pledging, only one girl was asked- and received .

In 1913, Iota Chapter was released to Pi Beta Phi and was installed as the Virginia Alpha Chapter of that organization in the same year. Reasons for such release are discussed in the general history of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

SIGMA PHI EPSILON CHAPTER Brenau College, Gainesville, Georgia "On March 3, 1905, five students of Brenau College Conservatory established a local sorority known as Sigma Phi Epsilon. At that time there were but two other similar organizations in the college: Alpha Beta Tau, a local, and Phi Mu Gamma, national.

Sorority life was in the most elementary fo rm.

"From the first, however, it was the desire of the founders of Sigma Phi Epsilon to make their organization .a potent factor in every phase of college activity-to represent not merely a band of congenial comrades, but an association of earnest and influential students, whose endeavor should be toward the promotion of every good and helpful interest of their Alma Mater; who should preserve friendly and honorable relations with other organizations, and with nonfraternity students.

"Year by year it was the endeavor of Sigma Phi

73 Epsilon to maintain this standard and to select as members those earnest and purposeful students who displayed intellectual ability and studious inclinations, and it came to be understood by fac ulty and students alike that scholarship was the fetish of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

"If this tendency became, at length, so unduly exaggerated as to preclude other things of importance, if it produced a certain exclusiveness, a too great conservatism, a certain narrowness of interest and sympathy, this was but the natural outcome of wholehearted devotion to an ideal, a transitional stage incident to the development of every large idea, a period pf self- centered interest, fatal if continued, but wholesome in its intensity, if finally outlived by the substitution of larger interests.

"It was it this critical moment in its history that Sigma Phi Epsilon became a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, February 28, 1909.

"During the four years which had elapsed since the founding of Sigma Phi Epsilon great changes had taken place in sorority conditions at Brenau. The organization which had, at first, seemed of little importan'ce in the college community had gradually gained more and more influence until there was no phase of activity in which they did not play a controlling part. New sororities had been established, and an inevitable rivalry had sprung up between them-a rivalry, however, which was for the most part friendly and unacrimonious.

"In January of 1908 an attempt had been made at the establishment of a Panhellenic Association, but owing to the withdrawal of one of the national sororities, this attempt was frustrated, most unfortqnately as subsequent occurrences proved.

"In the meanwhile, material changes had also taken place, chapter houses and club rooms had been fitted up.

"In the fall of 1906 Sigma Phi Epsilon gave up the club room which it had occupied in the school building, and secured a comfortable mne-room cottage, opposite the college campus. " By the fall of 1908 rivalry between the six sororities had become intense. It was at this time that the idea of nationality began to be urged upon the reluctant many in Sigma Phi Epsilon, who did not favor expansion, by the few who foresaw the probable result of too great conservatism."( Aegis, August, 1909.)

Wakefield Mattison, Grand President, installed Sigma Phi Epsilon as a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha . Writing of the occasion, the chapter correspondent related , "We learned much from her about National sorority aims and ideals, and we feel inspired to raise our stal}dard even higher than before.

President Van Hoose entertained the chapter in honor of Miss Mattison at dinner at Riverside Academy-the Brenau boys' school. An elaborate dinner was served and afterwards we were invited into the 'frat' rooms, where we spent the remainder of the evening. Monday, Miss Mitchell and Mrs.

74

THE PHOENIX

Epps, both Alpha Sigma Alphas (Sigma Phi Epsilon and later, State Secretary, and Elizabeth Alexander . members) , entertained us at tea. Tuesday morning who, after being Exchange Editor of The Aegis and a member of the Examination Board and of the Miss Mattison had to leave us.

"Sigma Phi Epsilon has willed to Alpha Sigma Central Alumna: Association, was elected Grand Alpha quite a number of honors; some of the most President, which office she declined. important are Editor-in-chief of the Journal and Annual; Business Manager of the Annual; President of GAMMA BETA SIGMA CHAPTER the Senior Class; President of the Grand Council of St. Mary's School, Raleigh, North Carolina Brenau; Secretary of Phi Beta Sigma Literary Society; President of Cushman Club; and several girls in the .

Gamma Beta Sigma was founded as a secret Y.W.C.A. cabinet." Three of the seven memberships society at St. Mary's School, Raleigh, North Carolina, allotted to sorority members in Phi Beta Sigma, the in 1901, the founders being *Mary Farrand Henderhonorary literary society newly organized by the son, *Louise Manning Venable (C), *Laura Placid faculty, were given to A.S .A.'s. The remaining four Clark, Anna Parsley, Caroline May Brevard, Florence sorority memberships were divided among the other Jackson Thomas, and Mary de Bernier Graves. Soon five sororities. after the formation of Gamma Beta Sigma, the rector Reporting her inspection of this chapter in 1910, of the school decided it best that each sorority have Madeleine Rollwage, Grand Inspector, stated, "There as a member one of the faculty who would advise is not one criticism to be made of our splendid chap- and help it. Hence Gamma Beta Sigma invited ter in this school." Describing the chapter house, she *Miss Lizzie Hinton Lee (C), who was a faithful, wrote, "There is in it a large reception room finished loyal, and helpful sister throughout the entire life and furnished in 'mission' and made cozy and at- of the sorority at St. Mary's. tractive with pillows, pennants, pictures and other In 1902-03, the group added fi ve names, one of college girl treasures. The bedrooms are all on the these girls, Isabella Brumby, later becoming an A.S.A. lower floor. The second story is given up to the On the fifth of February, 1904, Gamma Beta Siglately finished clubroom which is justly the pride of ma was incorporated and chartered by the State of the chapter. Its walls are panelled in mission and the North Carolina and raised to the rank of a local only decorations are the banners and pennants of sorority. In the following year, two other chapters almost every well-known college and fraternity . The were installed one at Edgewood School in Baltimore polished hardwood floor makes the clubroom an ideal and th~ other at Columbia Institute, Columbia, Ten: place for the dances with which the chapter frequentnessee. ly . entertains.' At this time there were no scholarship The initiates of 1904-06 who later became Alpha fatlures, and five of the nineteen actives and four Sigmas were: Helen Clark, Grace Martin Ward, Alice pledges were exempt from dues because of having kept an average of over ninety in all their studies. Davis, Annie Caroline Wood (C), Ida Jean RogerAs at the time of installation, the participation in son (C), Margaret Robinson Williams, Eva Rogerson, Elizabeth McDonald Dixon, Alice Munnerlyn, campus activities was outstanding.

In November, 1910, we read that eight girls re- Florence Beckwith, Minnie Leary (C), Sarah Prince turned, four more had been initiated, and two Thomas (C), Mary Campbell Shuford (C), and pledged, and that the chapter house was "quite full.'' Jane Hilderbrand Stillman. During the session of Perhaps it was to celebrate this that the house was 1907-08, two teachers, Misses Lucille Peck and Ida painted gray with red (crimson) roof, the sorority Mae Vedder, and two students, *Matilda Bradford colors of that period . The number of campus honors Haughton and *Nell Battle Lewis were initiated held by the chapter continued to be large, and Leslie while the next year *Mary Parker Bourne (C), *Po: Harrell had been reelected president of the Brenau anna Elizabeth Rogers (C), *Rebecca Benehan Wood Students' Union by a sweeping majority. This was (C), *Marie Jaquelin Thomas (C), *Sallie Haywood the greatest honor possible in the school. However, Battle (C), *Fannie Lamb Haughton (C), and the increasing number of sororities gave cause for *Mary Rawls Gilliam (C) were added.

No further attempts had been made to enlarge alarm. In a school of 375 students, there had come to be six nationals and three locals, Phi Mu and a the chapter roll until in 1907, both of the other local having recently been added . Before the year chapters were lost through faculty ruling in the schools where they had been placed. Then the mem1910-11 ended, a Panhellenic was organized.

As mentioned in the general history of the be~s of the mother chapter made several attempts to sorority, Sigma Phi Epsilon was one of the chapters gam ot~er chapters, but, being met by obstacles, in which Alpha Sigma Alpha released to Delta Delta the_ spnng of_ 1909 considered joining some good Delta. In 1914, it was installed as Alpha Epsilon natwnal soronty. Upon writing to Mrs. Martin, editor of the Sorority Handbook, for advice, they Chapter of Delta Delta Delta.

Serving Alpha Sigma Alpha nationally were Julia were advised to follow this course and were sent data G._ Jones, Business Manager of The Aegis; Eliza regarding several prospering Southern groups. "After M1tchell, member of the Extension Committee路 *Became members of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Sourie Glover, member of the Extension Committe~ (C) Charter members of chapter, probably.

JANUARY,

1945

much red tape and a good deal of correspondence with the old members of Gamma Beta Sigma and several of the sororities recommended, a petition was sent to Alpha Sigma Alpha in May, 1909, and on the 27th of that month, the active members of the local were installed as the charter members of the Gamma Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Having, before this, held its own as a local against three nationals, it need not be fe4red at present that the chapter will hold any lower standard as Alpha Sigma Alpha than it did as Gamma Beta Sigma, or will ever be anything but an honor to the national which it joined." Thus wrote Mary C. Shuford of Gamma Beta Sigma to the Aegis in August, 1909.

Describing St. Mary's, she said, "First of all 'St. Mary's' is very, very old and very aristocratic- the place is heavy with tradition. One can look out over the grove and imagine the white tents of the Confederate army as they once dotted the grass. One can picture the wife and daughter of the Confederate President sitting in the spacious parlor, as they once did when they took refuge at 'St. Mary's.' And in the same parlor one gazes with awe upon the hole in the great, life-sized picture of a certain Bishopwhich, it is said, was made by the sword of a Federal general. And there are the same, unchanged, tiny 'alcoves,' and the identical, crowded, little rooms that our mothers lived in when they were carefree school-girls-and our grandmothers studied and laughed and played in the same big, bare schoolroom-so many years ago . So it happens that this dignity of tradition and age and reputation-this spirit of 'St. Mary's'- seems to infuse the ever-changing crowd of school-girls, who live amid it, all of the gentle manners and the courtesy of the 'Old South,' until the name 'St. Mary's' has become a synonym for good breeding and refinement tho'out all the length and breadth of the two Carolinas."

Wakefield Mattison, Grand President, installed the group at St. Mary's on the last day oj school, the day giving the chapter cause for regret that they couldn't entertain her very "strenuously." There was an informal dinner, a very informal one, it is recorded, "down at Giersch's,'' and after that, "a Moving Picture Show."

The first initiate after the installation of the chapter was Nannie Davis Lee, later elected Business Manager of the Aegis by the 1910 and 19II National Conventions.

This chapter, like its predecessors, brought to Alpha Sigma Alpha a wealth of campus honors. At installation, it boasted the following: Editor-in-chief, Business Manager, Literary Editor, of the Monthly Muse; three members of the Annual Muse board; Presidents of Epsilon Alpha Pi and Sigma Delta Literary Societies and Vice President and Corresponding Secretary of the former and Secretary of the latter; Most Dignified; Most Coquettish; Captain of the Basketball Team; two Inter-Society Debaters; Chief Marshal; one of the two Senior Marshals; and one of the two Junior Marshals.

75 In her inspection tour of 1910, Madeleine 'Roll wage reported that Gamma Beta Sigma Chapter had twelve active members, ten being in the collegiate department, and two on the faculty. The rector pronounced the chapter the best in the school and although the scholarship at St. Mary's was so strict that no girls had an average in all their studies of over ninety, the scholarship of the chapter was the highest in school. During Miss Rollwage's visit, spring initiation was held.

The fall of 1910 found only four resident Alpha Sigmas in school although Nannie Lee, a graduate of the preceding year, was taking vocal work at the school. Since Kappa Delta and Alpha Kappa Psi were back with exceptionally strong chapters, cornpetition was great. Upon entering the National Panhellenic Congress, Phi Mu had withdrawn its charter at St. Mary's, and the Phi 路 Mu members had formed a local. The rector was attempting to introduce a new inter-sorority rule that a girl to be eligible to a sorority must be an unconditioned freshman. However, the rule at that time did not permit any invitations to membership to be sent out until after the first quarter. In spite of the chapter's size, it maintained its traditional reputation for campus activity by reporting president and vice president of the Epsilon Alpha Pi Literary Society, treasurer of the Altar Guild, chief monitor and two assistant monitors, and an editor-in-chief and one associate editor of the monthly Muse. Although the members actually on campus were few, the alumna: often increased the number by visits. Some of the not too distant attractions were the University Dances at Chapel Hill.

During this year, too, a few members of Gamma Beta Sigma local visited the girls and became Alpha Sigmas. At 19rr Commencement, the chapter had the honor of having Nell Lewis read .her essay which had been declared the best in the Senior Class, and Rebecca Wood had gained honorary mention by having the third highest marks in the entire <School.

During this year, the final initiation of Gamma Beta Sigma Chapter was held.

By the end of this school year, Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Kappa Psi were the only nationals left at St. Mary's, Kappa Delta having withdrawn its chapter.

The following fall, that of 19II, the girls went back to school with their hearts and minds full of Alpha Sig~a Alpha. They had been thinking and planning all summer for rushing season, and they rushed for one week. At the end of this time, Mr. Lay, the rector, called an inter-sorority meeting and announced that sororities would no longer exist at St. Mary's.

Mary C. Shuford s~rved the sorority as Co-Editor of The Aegis and later Editor. Julia Gilbert Jones and Nannie D. Lee each became a Business Manager of this magazine, and Sallie Haywood Battle was a member of the Extension Committee.

THE PHOENIX

KAPPA PHI CHAPTER Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio On June 5, 1909, Alpha Sigma Alpha established her first northern chapter, Kappa Phi Chapter at Mt. Union College, with Wakefield Mattison, Grand President, installing officer. In entering Mt. Union, the sorority came to a campus already rich in tradition and service. Founded on October 20, 1846, as Mt. Union Seminary, on January 9, 1858, it was granted a charter by the State of Ohio which made it Mt. Union College. From the first, Mt. Union was coeducational, being the first in the world to admit women to the regular course and graduate them with diploma and degree upon the same footing as men.

Miss Matilda Hindman, '6o, later famous in the American Woman's Suffrage aassociations, was the first 路woman in the world to receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Three national fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Nu, and two national sororities, Alpha Xi Delta and Kappa Delta Epsilon, were already on the campus. The group which petitioned and received the charter of Alpha Sigma Alpha was by no means a new or inexperienced group, however. Organized in 1882, that same year it had been installed at Mt. Union as Alpha Chapter of Delta Gamma. (This was not the mother chapter of Delta Gamma which had been established at Warren Female Institute in 1874.) However, in December, 1908, "owing to the gradual development of a conservative policy on the part of the national governing body, the local and "national relationships of the last few years were somewhat unsympathetic," this group had resigned its rights and privileges in Delta Gamma and in January, 1909, organi zed as Kappa Phi local. During its life as a chapter of Delta Gamma, the organization had initiated more than 150 members. Through information furnished

by Florence Overton of Gainesville, Georgia, one of their alumn;e of about twenty years standing, and others, Kappa Phi became interested in Alpha Sigma Alpha, and occordingly, petitioned this national sorority in May of the same year.

Charter initiates were: Hazel Lee Cunard, 'o9, Barnesville, Ohio; Charlotte Battles, 'o9, Chardon, Ohio; Martha Henry, ' 10, Alliance, Ohio; Elizabeth Rich, '1o, Senecaville, Ohio, Elizabeth Rippel, 'ro, Alliance, Ohio; Ruth Butcher, '10, Barnesville, Ohio; Ruby Cary Culp, ' II, Cleveland, Ohio; Lois J. Hull, 'II, Alliance, Ohio. Pledges were also all from Ohio and were: Hazel C. Taylor, Mary K. Henry, and Corinne Harris, Alliance; Frances Rouse, Summerfield; Roberta Millhon, Senecaville; Ethel May Dunn, Fernwood ; and Mary Morton.

This chapter was one of those fortunate enough to have a house. In November, 1910, six girls were rooming there and twelve took their meals there .

The various events of fall rushing were highly successful, for the chapter was able to report twelve new pledges.

Although often feeling many miles from their southern sisters, Kappa Phi Chapter was diligent in providing opportunity for contact within its own membership. It is recorded that one of the "regular five pound" boxes of candy was in evidence to announce the engagement of Isla Elizabeth McClure to Frederick Louis Neusbaum.

In the fall rushing of 19II, the chapter won eight girls. This year, too, the chapter continued its custom of holding many prominent offices on the campus.

In faot, in her report of May, 1910, Madeleine Rollwage, National Inspector, had listed sixteen honors which had come to the ten "splendid, congenial girls" forming the chapter.

Alpha Sigma Alpha's changed policy caused the release of Kappa Phi to Delta Delta Delta which installed the group as its Delta Nu Chapter in 1914.

Three members of Kappa Phi were members of the National Extension Committee: Charlotte W. Battles, who also was in the Central Alumn;e Association, Corrine Harris, and Elizabeth A. Rippel, at one time the chairman. Martha C. Henry was Exchange Editor of The Aegis and a member of the Examination Board.

NU CHAPTER Shorter College, Rome, Georgia On November 24, 1910, Alpha Sigma Alpha installed Nu Chapter at Shorter College, Rome, Georgia. This made eight chapters on the active roll at that time. Charter members were: Grace Harris, Griffin, Georgia; Sarah Holt, Columbus, Georgia; Martha Hunter, Madison, Georgia; Inez Parker, Madison, Georgia; Fannie Pendley, Paducah, Georgia. This chapter was also fortunate in having as transfers from Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter, Eliza Mitchell, Lila Ward Hamilton, and Sourie Glover, a faculty member through whose influence the new chapter was founded. There were also three pledge members that fall: Anne Goetchins, Elizabeth Cambell, and Margaret Harper Hamilton, all of Rome, Georgia. As honorary members the girls claimed: Mrs. Irene Tisinger, Mrs. Clopton Mitchell, Mrs. Jack McCartney, and Miss Marion Dean. Their mascot was little five-year old Eliza Marshall Norton.

This new chapter also brought campus honors to Alpha Sigma Alpha. In the fall of their installation, they held: President of the Students' Association, President of the Senior Class, Vice President of the Tennis Club; Secretary and Vice President of the Eunomian Society, Secretary of Y.W.C.A., and Treasurer of Art Club.

Evidently this chapter had a house at the time of installation, for in their news letter of August, 19II, they write that during the coming fall they will have a chapter room at the end of the hall in which the chapter will live together. This seems to have been due to moving of the college into a new building.

In January, 1912, we read that the chapter numbered ninteen, counting two pledges, "Besides these

JANUARY,

1945

we have two ladies of the faculty and one 'brotherman,' and then Mrs. Mitchell, about whom it is necessary only to say that she is a regular grandmother to us all. ... We have the only real twins in the whole school, 'the E. Philipses,' who, it is unnecessary to say, are living wonders to us all the time.

There are twelve of us who were here last year."

Nu was apparently discontinued in 1912.

CHI lOT A CHAPTER Hamilton School, Washington, D. C. Hamilton School, LaFayette Square, Washington, D. C., was the place of installation for Chi Iota Chapter in December, 191 r. Although Chi Iota was the thirteenth chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, at the time of chartering, it was the sixth active chapter.

Initiated as charter members were ten girls : Pauline Boyle, Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Liza Jane Cruce, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Irma Johnson, Dorchester, Massachusetts; Orra Mason Kincheloe, Upperville, Virginia; Laura Galloway Noel, Elkin, North Carolina; Pearl Parks, Atlanta, Georgia; Chaille Payne, Webster Groves, Missouri; Delia Phillips, Alexandria, Virginia; Margaret Trimble, Washington, D. C.; and Ann Trumann, Ardmore, Oklahoma.

The organization of this chapter was due to the efforts of Carrie Rennie, a member of Alpha Chapter.

It seems unlikely that Chi Iota was in existence longer than one school year.

ALPHA ALPHA CHAPTER Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Pi Alpha Tau, organized in the spring of 1912, is the group to which Alpha Sigma Alpha owes her Alpha Alpha Chapter. The story of how the Miami Chapter became the first chapter of the group participating in the reorganization of 1914 is told in the national history. The part which members of Alpha Alpha played in the history of Alpha Sigma Alpha from the group's installation as Pi Tau Chapter in May, 1913, is likewise recorded.

For many years, Alpha Sigma Alpha served the students and faculty of Miami University and sent to the schools of Ohio and neighboring states teachers who became important to their schools and communities . .The number of times in which Alpha Alpha members assisted in procurement or installation of new chapters, served on important national sorority committees, or held National Council positions will be noted in the- general history of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and in the history of individual chapters.

Changing campus conditions, partially dtie to increased training requirements for elementary teachers, national economic conditions, and the AES-NPC question caused the active chapter of Alpha Alpha to decide not to rush in the fall of 1938. Hence, since that time, Alpha Sigma Alpha has had no active chapter on the Miami campus. However, in order

77 that the name of Alpha Sigma Alpha might remain familiar to Miami students, alumna:: and actives of Alpha Alpha arranged that each year there should be a cash award on Scholarship D ay to the most outstanding Freshman girl in the School of Education. 路 Two hundred fifty dollars was placed in the Miami funds in the State Treasury at Columbus, Ohio, and each year, since May, 1939, an award of $r5 has been made. The PHOENIX of the following November carries the picture and story of the recipient. The name of Alpha Sigma Alpha appears in the university catalogue with other prize donors and always on the commencement program.

Whether Alpha Alpha Chapter exists as a group at Miami or not, the Alpha Sigma Alpha spirit will exist so long as Miss Amy Swisher, Alpha Alpha's beloved .adviser is in Oxford. Her parties for the alumna:: are proverbial, and due to her efforts, an alumna:: organization was effected in the spring of 1939. Twenty girls breakfasted at Folkers, in Oxford, electing Alma Moliter, president, Mary Lou Hibbard, vice president, Mary Jane Faulkner, secretary, Nellie Lash, treasurer, and June Harpster, PHOENIX reporter.

They decided to have at least four meetings a year, to be held in Oxford, Dayton, Middletown, and Cincinnati. Actually, however, meetings have been held in other cities near those originally agreed upon.

In reading the rolls of alumna:: chapters throughout the United States, it is evident that distance from the scene of initiation has in no way hindered Alpha Alphas from continuing their Alpha Sigma loyalty, interest, and activity.

Alpha Alpha may be especially proud of Ruth Duffey, charter member, delegate at the 1914 reorganization convention, fo rmer National Treasurer and National Ritualist, who has given to her sorority in "full measure, heaped up 路 and running over."

Others who have given time to the National Sorority are: Helen Lincoln, State Secretary; Elizabeth Schaefer, Hygiene Chairman; Helen Boggess, Supervisor of Alumna::, Supervisor of Extension; Dorothy Yelton, Supervisor of Chapter Activities; Helen L. Bennett, Supervisor of Finance; Dorothy Smelker Stockton, Philanthropic Chairman.

ALPHA BETA CHAPTER .

State Teachers College, Kirksville, Missouri Alpha Beta had its beginnings in the nineteenth century. On Christmas Eve of 1899, fo ur Kirksville girls, Eugenia Ringo, Helen May, Eunice Link, and Margaret Hull , all of them students at the State Normal School, established a society which they christened Kappa Theta Psi. Their prime object was to make possible some pleasant social life through the closer association of themselves and such others as they might decide to elect to membership.

Helen May, who had gone as a visitor to Crawfordsville, Indiana, found her stay more pleasant because of participation in good times arranged by a local sorority. She returned to Kirksville, enthusi-

THE PHOENIX

astic about introducing the idea into the Normal between the two chapters. During one of these, School. Since Eugenia Ringo happened to have a when the Iowa girls were visiting the Kirksville girls Kappa Kappa Gamma sister at the University of at the time of the annual Prom, the question of Missouri, she wrote to her for assistance. Ethel affiliation with Alpha Sigma Alpha was first conRingo drafted a, constitution for the girls at. Kirks- sidered . This was in March, 1914. The Iowa group ville, as well as an initiation service. These, with a had received letters from girls at Miami University few amendments, remained in use until the local and elsewhere and had been most favorably impressed with the idea. As a result, the Mother Chapter at affiliated with Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Kirksville was authorized to send a representative to The four friends wrote the by-laws and selected the name themselves. The three letters were taken the convention planned for later in the year at Miami.

It was upon Elva Doyle that the responsibilities of from a textbook in trigonometry which belonged to one of the girls and were chosen because they looked serving as plenipotentiary fell. With her went an well together and were euphonious. Ethel Ringo alumna, Lennye Tucker. So impressed were these again came to their aid by supplying the Greek words two girls with the aims, the ideals, and the conto fit the letters. The first badge was selected from structive policies of Alpha Sigma Alpha, as well as the designs submitted by a St. Louis jewelry firm. with the charming representatives of the chapters It was a triangular pin, enamelec;:l in purple and dis- then in existence, that Elva Doyle pledged her organiplaying a gold rose on each point. .After a few years, zation to membership in it, and to unfailing support. this badge was discarded for a right-angle triangle, Immediately upon her return to Kirksville, arthe narrowest side worn uppermost. It was enameled rangements were made for an alumn<e reunion and in black and had a beveled or jewe_led edge. tnltlatwn . On December 12, 1914, Elva Doyle and Other girls were selected in the course of a month Lennye . Tucker initiated 39 Kappa Theta Phis and or two, and, as the years passed, the organization be- four pledges. A hall was hired for the occasion since gan to be felt as a force in the school life. For a the school did not allow its buildings to be used for time, it had no rival, but in May, 1902, another society such purposes. It is said that the initiators "did not was formed under the name of Sigma Delta Chi. get to bed until two AM after working for .1 twelve From the beginning, the relation between the two hour stretch." Eleven of the 39 were active girls o( sororities was most cordial. It was not at all unusual the chapter. The others were those living in town for them to give social functions together, and there or away teaching who came back for the ceremony. was a custom of annually entertaining each other.

In the group of alumn<e were: Eugenia Ringo MoorEventually Sigma Delta Chi established other chapman, one of the four founders of the local group, ters in Missouri, but as several of these died, it finally followed the lead of Kappa Theta Psi in affiliating Clara Fent 路 Brett, Bess Smith Starr, Bess Lorenz with another national and gave its only living chap- Bigsby, Eileen Higbee, Louise Rechard Allen, Alta ters, those at Kirksville and Warrensburg, to Sigma Lorenz Fair, Florence York Stahl, Lucille Sands, Laura Porter, Mamye Foncannon, Anne Evans, Sigma Sigma.

Kappa Theta Psi maintained high standards al- Gertrude Doyle, Mildred Ward, M. Ca,rmen Fisher, ways, and pioneered in refusing to elect to member- Lena Newmyer, Neita Brawford, Ann Brewington, ship any girl who did not hold a diploma from a Ida . Brewington, lone Travers, Esther McCune, Ida four-year high ~chool, who did not make an average Jewett, Frances Lail, Vanda Mitchell, Ruth Turner, of G in her grades, or who did not take enough work Ethel Newmyer, Esther Robinson, and Jeanne Willett. to be considered a regular student. For a large part Actives were: Marian Gardner, Julia Sparks, Gladys of its existence, the society had a house, excellently Fowler, Leo Rachford, Helen Pfeiffer, Anna Swartz, chaperoned. It always had the splendid social support Cornelia Lloyd, Rita Husted, Janette Howell, Hazel of a fine group of local alumn<e and influential Whitelock, Elizabeth Uhe, Anna Lemon Sue Parr Winifred Sowers, and Lenna Hall. The last fou; patronesses.

There is a record showing that the sorority re- were pledges. Of the group, Ida Jewett later became ceived a charter from the State of Missouri, empower- Education Chairman, National Vice President and ing it to . establish branches elsewhere, but there are National Editor, Elizabeth Uhe, as Mrs. Wayne only rumors of a chapter in St. Louis at Mary Insti- Fuller, was National Extension Officer, and Constitute and of another at the Oklahoma State Normal tution Chairman, Carmen Fisher was State Secretary School at Ada. There is record, however, to show 'and Jeanne Willett, then Mrs. Ramsay, was hastes~ that Beta Chapter was in existence at Iowa State at the Chicago Convention of 1941.

The installation initiation was 路 completed with a Teac~~rs College, Cedar Falls, as early as 1905. banquet.

Plans had been made for toasts, but these TraditiOn says that this chapter came into being because a Kirksville Kappa Theta Psi went to the Iowa had to be omitted because it was nearing midnight. school as a representative of her own college's debate Soon after installation, the Kirksville Alumn<e team. While there, she met the various members of Chapter, with a membership of 15, was established . an excellent group and succeeded in interesting them Mrs . Moorman was president. in the Missouri society. In the years that followed Later on in the college year and even dming the the installation of this chapter, there were many visits summer, services were held for returning alumn<e,

}ANUARY,

1945

many of whom came long distances so that they might become members of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

It has always been a matter of deep regret to Alpha Beta that the Iowa Chapter of Kappa Theta Psi was prohibited by its faculty from national affiliation.

At the time of affiliation with Alpha Sigma Alpha, Kappa Theta Psi is said to have had a membership of 220.

Writing of the early days of Alpha Beta as a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha, an alumna says, "Alpha Beta was as much identified with the social life of Kirksville as it was with the Teachers College. When I was a child in grades, my friends and I were either Alpha Sigs or Tri-Sigs (these were the days before other educational sororities). All the families in Kirksville were definitely Tri-Sig or Alpha Sig. If one didn't have a direct family connection, one's mother had certain close friends who were in one of the Greek sororities, and so its was decided for one.

"Mrs. Gardner, a New Englander of culture .and bearing, was one of our patronesses ever since I could remember. Marian (Blackwell), Helen (Zeigel) and Ruth (Sherard) all became Alpha Sigs.

Now Marian's daughter, Jennie Lou Blackwell, is an ASA. We used to have some grand 'bunking' parties at the Gardners.'

"Then there was Alta Lorenz Fair, a very early member. Her husband was Dr. Eugene Fair, a much admired president of K.S .T.C. Their djlughters, Elizabeth and Eleanor, both became Alpha Sigs.

"At one time we had our sorority headquarters at the D . F. Hall home (winter of 1922-23). There were four Hall daughters who were all Alpha Sigs: Lulu, Hyla, Lenna, and Vesta.

And so it went all through the community.

"Another thing I recall were the famous May morning breakfasts. Kirksville was quite a romantic place because of the Osteopathic College located there. This brought as many as 8oo marriageable young men into the community so we did have many engagements. On our traditional May breakfast we hiked to Owenby's Lake and after cooking our bacon and eggs all of the girls , who were engaged had to walk around the breakfast fire. In case a girl had walked around the fire the year before and had broken her engagement, then she had to walk around the fire backwards."

As the years have come and gone in Alpha Beta, its members have cherished and enjoyed the customs and traditions of the chapter's earlier years. From 1923 to 1937, it was most fortunate in having as adviser, Miss Ethel 'M. Hook, whose diligence and unselfish devotion to the sorority were of inestimable value to the girls whom she guided. Miss Alma Zoller has been the very helpful adviser since 1937.

In addition to those mentioned earlier, the Alpha Betas who have held National positions include Marion Gardner, State Secretary; Edith Gamble, National Secretary; Grace Lyle, Supervisor of Alum-

79 na:; Rosamond Root, Supervisor of Membership; Ruth Selby Vorhees, Alumna: Editor; Marie Brunsman Berry, Fellowship Chairman and National Registrar.

Elva Doyle Reed was the National Secretary during the early reorganization period of the sorority.

ALPHA GAMMA CHAPTER State Teachers College, Indiana, Pennsylvania As early as 1902, there was, in the State Normal School at Indiana, Pennsylvania, a sorority named Phi Kappa Pi This was without a rival until 1909 when Pi Kappa Sigma established its Zeta Chapter there. The following year, the Agonian Society, founded in New York State, and also known as Alpha Kappa Phi, placed its Iota Chapter at Indiana.

The same year a local organization, Phi Delta Phi, came into existence. Next came Gamma Pi Beta, of special interest because it was later to become one of the Alpha Chapters of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

The girls who organized Gamma Pi Beta, in 19ro, were probably; Edythe B. Withington, Oka G. Wiley, Mabel H . Byers, Anna E. Schade, Margaret Veil, Mary Miller, Alice Weyman, Nelle Lowry, Clara Laing, Grace Monteitte, Hazel McCreight, and , Norma Piper. The ritual for the group was written

by Mrs. Foreman, a member of Alpha Chi Omega and the wife of a member of the faculty. Two members of the faculty, Misses Susan Applegate and Margaret Moore, associated themselves with the girls through initiation and did much during the early years to make the society strong by attending all meetings and by entertaining for the group, as well as by representing it on the faculty.

The attractive pin of Gamma Pi Beta, which was designed by a member of Phi Gamma Delta Frateriity, is especially worthy of mention b.ecause it was a trefoil arrangement of three miniature Alpha Sigma Alpha badges arranged around a raised circular center which was enameled in black and each diamond displayed one letter of the sorority's name. The colors were crimson and white, the flower, the ted rose. It is not difficult to understand that an organization with such a pin and such colors should be attracted by the insignia of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Then: 路were several other reasons, however, why Gamma Pi Beta became interested in a possible affiliation with Alpha Sigma Alpha. Pennsylvania had long been known as a fraternity state, and many of the Gamma Pi Beta girls had relatives and friends who were members of the largest fraternities and sororities, so the many advantages, of bei ng affiliated with a national organization had been called to their attention on a number of occasions. They knew, therefore, that it would be broadening for them to learn of other schools and colleges, to become acquai nted with girls in different sections of the country through sharing a common publication, to be associated with an organization whose badge would be an introduction wherever they might go in later life.

Two of their rivals were already offering some of

8o these attractions to their rushees, so, in making its decision concerning Alpha Sigma Alpha, Gamma Pi Beta waited only long enough to be assured of the consent and support of the alumna:. When these were secured, Ruth K. Ritchey, president of the undergraduate group, was selected to represent Gamma Pi Beta at the Miami Convention, with full power to act in all matters pertaining to affiliation with Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Upon her arrival at Miami University, Miss Ritchey found everything so satisfactory that she very readily pledged the allegiance of the undergraduate group as well as the support of a strong body of alumna:. Nearly all of the graduates were initiated into Alpha Sigma Alpha in the course of time, but, even in cases where initiation was temporarily out of the question, the alumna: paid the same dues as did those initiated and thus gave steady support during the pioneer years of the transformed organization. It is recorded that from its founding, Gamma Pi Beta, to its affiliation with Alpha Sigma Alpha, had initiated a total of 52 girls. Active chapter members in the fall of 1914 were: Lois Vera Besnick, Helen Genevieve Hartsook, Beatrice Lillian Jeffries, Bernadette McNelis, Ruth Keyser Ritchey, Isabel Cooper Saxman, Mary Alice Watson, Ruth Anna Young, Katharyn Rachel Brown, Julia May Cruthers, Clara Ethel Ferguson, Katherine Sara Froelick, Winifred Gray Robinson, Sara Campbell.

Faculty members in 1915 are known to have been: Alma G. Noble, Charlotte Stuchel, and Jean McElhaney.

The high light of 1916 was the All-Sorority Dance of the spring. Programs were white and gold, and Alpha Sigma had engaged a fine orchestra from Pitt~burg for its share of the preparations.

1919 found the first World War ended, leaving its marks upon Indiana college life. Alpha Sigma Alpha had shared in the Red Cross work, finally adopting a French orphan as the chapter's own protege. The girls had made the best of the flu epidemic which quarantined the school, preventing all social functions and vacations. They had taken part in the peace parade. But now, the final test, the ultimate aftermath of the war had come-President Keith had asked the sororities to give up their cherished charters because of the democratic wave which was sweeping the student body. In their letter of justification to the PHOENIX, the Alpha Gamma girls stated that it was with the greatest regret that they disbanded for they would have liked to pass on to those who were to follow, the torch of inspiration which is so peculiarly the gift of the sorority.

So far as they themselves were concerned, there was no loss, they felt, since their precious associations were secured to them for all time. The school was forfeiting the keen and abiding interest of a loyal alumna: group and the succeeding generation of students would be denied the privilege of close association with a congenial and understanding group. They planned that as alumna: they might meet regularly and have

THE PHOENIX

fine times together by forming a State Association if necessary.

In the eight years which followed, there was no student interest in sororities, but when the school was changed from a Normal School to a State Teachers College and the course of study lengthened to four years from two, interest was revived. When the matter was laid before the faculty, they decided that nationals might be permitted to enter. . On Saturday afternoon, October 22, 1927, was held the first meeting of the group which was to become the reorganized Alpha Gamma Chapter. The girls gathered in Miss Belden's room elected Nell Russell as president, Dorothy Uber, vice president, Thelma Sterling, secretary, and Phyllis Glasgow, treasurer. A new name had to be selected for the year during which the group must remain local.

Finally, Theta Chi Delta was decided upon, and a motto was selected . Then, too, after pledges were discussed, a party was planned for the aftermath of the coming Saturday night dance and a tea following the next football game was discussed.

Four groups were organized as locals that year, and under a Panhellenic ruling, these four became national on the same day, March 17, 1928, having simultaneous initiations and banquets and a union reception. The four were Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Sigma Epsilon, and Sigma Sigma Sigma.

S. June Smith, Kappa Kappa, acted as iastalling officer. She and Helen Schultz, Kappa Kappa, were first to arrive, being met at the train by two future Alpha Sigmas carying a green letter for in this way they hoped to be distinguished from others. Following a recital on Friday evening, the four A.E .S. sororities held their reception. Frances Bishop, Nu Nu, Mrs. Powers, and Mrs. Mary Alice Watson Ferguson, members of the original Alpha Gamma Chapter, and members of the Pittsburg City Association, and Alice Weinheimer, Pi Pi, were additional helpers .at the initiation services held Saturday afternoon. Miss Smith wrote that "the new paraphernalia for Alpha Gamma looked very bright, but no more so than the happy faces reflected in the candle light."

The Installation BanqJJet was held that evening at the Yellow Lantern Tea Room with covers laid for 32, including Mrs. H. B. Neal and Miss Florence Wallace, patronesses, and Miss Joy Mahachek, Mu Mu, a member of the Indiana faculty .

Initates at the reinstatement of Alpha Gamma were: Ethel A . Belden, adviser, Josephine Buchanan, Mary Emerson, Phyllis Glasgow, Virginia Kinney, Mary McColly, Irene Mertz, Burdella Nease, Mildred Ohmit, Violet Ralston, Mary Rieken, Ruth Rink, Nell Russell, Marion Schnabel, Anna Schaffer, Ethel Sleighter, Eleanor Smedley, Thelma Sterling, Viola Sullivan, Ruth Tilton, Dorothea Uber, Margaret Wilkins, Ella Mae Wilson.

Since the chapter's reinstatement, Alpha Gamma girls have -in every way upheld the enviable traditions of the earlier Alpha Gamma. There are always

}ANUARY,

1945

certain exciting social events to which they look forward annually: Panhellenic Tea, Founders' Day, Freshmen Rush Parties, Panhellenic Christmas Dance, the Christmas party at Miss Belden's home, the Pittsburgh Alumn<e Luncheon, Professional Meetings, the Senior Breakfast, the Mothers' Day Luncheon, and the theater and pajama parties which are sandwiched . in between the scheduled activities.

Although circumstances may alter these from year to year, they remain cherished traditions of the chapter. Each year, the chapter has pointed with pride to its many members who have held outstanding positions ' on the campus such as Beauty Queen, May Queen Attendants, or YWCA president. Service projects have also occupied the attention of Alpha Gamma. World War II found them doing their part in the war effort even as World War I saw wartime activities as part of the chapter program. In 194344, Alpha Gamma sponsored stamp and bond sales, took pait in the cartoon scrapbook drive, and helped in sending the college paper and letters to soldiers.

They were also proud to report the presidency of the Senior Class within their membership, Jean Widdowson having been elected to this position .

Four members of Alpha Gamma have held national positions in the sorority. Ruth Ritchey was a state secretary, as was Margaret Veil who later beEleanor Lowry was came National Secretary.

National Registrar, and Ruth Dempsey, Supervisor of Paraphernalia.

BETA BETA CHAPTER Colorado State College of Education, Greeley, Colorado Beta Beta traces its origin to May, 1909 when as Theta Xeta Beta, it was organized by Genette Elizabeth Beattie, Mabelle Inez Beardsley, Bessie Patrick Dubber, Alice Gibson, Blanche Keefe, Alicia Gertrude King, Myrtle Elizabeth Knight, 路 Myrtle'; Estelle Laughead, Lillian Moore Richart, Agnes Coleen Seal and Letha Willi'<lms. This was the first chapter to be added to the roll after the reorganization convention of 1914, it was eagerly welcomed by the existing chapters whose members were anxiously anticipating an opportunity to "wear colors" for a new addition and to prove to other campus nationals the superiority of an ASA growing bigger and bigger. By the installation of Beta Beta Chapter on February 19, 1916, Alpha Sigma Alpha became the second national sorority on the Greeley campus. Sigma Sigma Sigma had preceded it in 1915. Also on the campus were the locals, Sigma Upsilon (1909), Phi Sigma Phi (19rr) and Delta Phi Omega (r915). Of the 1765 students enrolled, 1496 were women.

Elva Doyle Reed, AB, National Secretary, was the installing officer. Vera Campbell, Beta Beta's first historian, writing to the PHOENIX the day after installation, said, "Her visit here was of immeasurable help and a source of deepest inspiration to all . Assisted by Vanda Mitchell, AB, she pledged us all that night and then we simply bombarded her with ques-

8r tions until the wee small hours of the morning. The next afternoon the Tri Sigmas entertained us royally.

Their house was beautifully decorated in our colors, and their hospitality was truly charming. They have a very strong chapter here and we are proud to call them our friends. The initiation services, followed by a banquet on Saturday closed the installation ceremonies and festivities ." The twenty-nine charter members are: Sue Cary Mitchell, Miriam Smith Van Sickle, Ada Baker Miner, Clara Turner Hertz, Frances Baker Woodbury, Blanche Weidman Bradfield, Anna Broman Given, Jessie Brunton, Jennie Green, Edna Caverly, Beulah Flowers, Rebecca Berry, Vera Campbell, Bess Kennedy Greedy, Edith McMurtry, Gladys Le Master Moser, Eileen Kelly Shideler, Grace Paden, Edith Ramsey, Elvira Peck Murphy, Mary Paden Steward, Marian Travis Davis, Irene Sawyer Sherrill, Iva Watson, Hazel White, Florence Tyrell Ruddick, Edith Taylor, M~bel Shultis Owens, and Frances Turner.

In the fall of 1916 the chapter returned twelve members and with successful rushing activities bid and pledged eight girls. One of the outstanding social events on campus that year was a matinee dance given with Sigma Sigma Sigma. It was on November 3, 1916 that the custom of having a Founder's Day meeting during the Teachers Institute in Denver was started and has continued through the years to be the important event of the year for alumn<e and college Alpha Sigmas in the Colorado region .

Beta Betas were active in the organization life that first year of its history and in the years that have followed. The Y.W .C .A. was one of the strong forces in the college life in the sorority's early years, Beta Beta is proud of Clara Turner Hertz, Edna McCarty and Inez Nicholson McKinley who served as its presidents. During twenty-nine years Beta Beta has held an enviable position on the campus maintaining nigh ethical and scholastic standards. Participation in the life of the college by outstanding members has shown leadership to be a quality promoted within the chapter. Clara Turner Hertz and Rose Lammel have achieved distinction in the educational world . Sincere admiration for their accomplishments iq women's clubs and organizations in Colorado goes to Inez McKinley and Grace Harris Lloyd. Polly Smelser Schlosser has served the sorority as National Fellowship Loan Chairman, National Treasurer and National Vice-President since 1934.

Jennie Lind Green and Mary A . Paden were early National Librarians, as was Agnes Sandine Brunson Toms who later served as Historian . Edith Ramsey and Dorothy Dakin held the office of Supervisor of Extension.

GAMMA GAMMA CHAPTER Northwestern State Teachers College, Alva, Oklahoma The Sorosis Club was founded in 1907 at Northwestern State Normal School, Alva, Oklahoma. Its founders felt that they might, through an organiza-

THE P HOENIX

tion, exert a stronger inHuence for good among their fellow students. Every member admitted to the club had to pledge herself to be loyal to Northwestern, faithful to the sisterhood, and an earnest seeker after truth and purity in all things. At first, the membership was limited to 15, but in 1914, this number was increased to 20. Membership was by invitation only, but a girl had to do good class work before being considered eligible for membership. Good moral character was a sine qua non for membership.

The petition for membership of the Sorosis Club in Alpha Sigma Alpha was signed by five alumn<e in addition to 15 undergraduates. Recommendations received from college officials were excellent. One professor spoke of the girls as possessing "good brains, good breeding, and good looks." President Grumbine of the college testified to the care with which the group had always selected its members, its loyalty to the school, the irreproachable character of the membership, and the church affiliation of all the girls.

Alpha Sigma Alpha was the third national sorority to install a chapter at Alva. Its predecessors were Pi Kappa Sigma in 1901 and Sigma Sigma Sigma in 1915. The Shakespeare Club had already been pledged to Delta Sigma Epsilon, however. This left one local, known as the Saturday Night Club.

In those days, the total student body numbered 418.

The weekend of February 21-24, 1916, was a red letter one at Alva. Elva Doyle Reed, National Secretary, arrived on Monday evening on the train from Joplin, Missouri . A few days before, she had installed Beta Beta at Greeley, the two installations having been planned for the same trip. By three o'clock, the following afternoon, all was ready for the ceremonies. All the Sorosis girls in town were pledged at this time, but time permitted initiation of only the seven alumn:e. These included Miss Shockley and Mrs. Munson, a former faculty adviser. "Ten active members were initiated the next morning," wrote Helen Fitzgerald to the National President.

"The service was so beautiful and so inspiring that we all felt as though we had had a glimpse of the Heavenly City. Surely no order can have a more perfect Initiation Service. . . . There was a steady round of festivities during the whole of Mrs. Reed's stay. On Wednesday afternoon there was a reception at Mrs. Munson's, to which the Faculty, the other sororities and the club ladies of the town were invited .

In the evening the young men were invited to meet Mrs. Reed . She captivated everyone and the whole school was 路sorry to have her leave .. . . We are planning a homecoming of all our alumn<e for June, by which time we shall hope to have initiation paraphernalia as wonderful as in the National Installation Trunk. We had not dreamed of seeing anything so altogether lovely, and we are eager to get to work on our set, so that it may all be in readiness for our June Initiation.

"Our new officers are: President Ada Smith; Vice President, Ruth Kendall; Secretary, Helen Fitzgerald; Treasurer, Ruth Pettit; Registrar, Ethel Feese; Li-

brarian, Blanche Woolman; Historian, Louise Miller.

Mrs. Munson is the State Secretary. We are planning to meet every Thursday evening, alternate Thursdays to be devoted to a study of the Outline in The Sorority Handbood." The chaplain w,as Belle Chesnut.

One of the first social functions of the new chapter was a tea, on April 11, for Alpha Sigma patronesses and Delta Sigma Epsilon.

The next year, several of the Gamma Gamma members were able to attend the installation at Emporia of the second chapter to usurp their chapter's place as the Alpha Sigma "baby."

In the years following, Gamma Gamma's minutes reveal Founders' Day banquets, and rush parties, moonlight trips to Capron and fl.u epidemics, line parties and sales of popcorn and candy at football games, stunt nights and sunrise breakfasts, hikes to Cherokee and regular sorority study sessions, chapter elections and Washington Birthday parties, Panhellenic functions and Homecoming fl.oats, progressive slumber parties and redecoration of the sorority room, not to mention boy friend picnics and Mothers' Day teas. Service to campus, community, and national sorority have never been forgotten.

Nationally, Gamma Gamma has contributed much and often.

Outstanding among its gifts has been the sharing with the entire membership of its beloved adviser, Minnie M. Shockley. Since the day of her initiation in the first group of Gamma. Gamma charter members, Alpha Sigma Alpha has been a vital part of her and she of it. As National Ritualist, National Vice President, and Alpha Sigma's representative to the Association of Education Sororities, she served the entire sorority as faithfully as she served as adviser to her own chapter. When, on November 18, 1939, Gamma Gamma honored her with a banquet on the completion of her thirty years of service at Northwestern State Teachers College, Alpha Sigma Alpha was proud to be represented nationally. In all, 62 Alpha Sigmas gathered at the Bell Hotel to ce~ebrate the occasion. Wilma Wilson Sharp, then National Educational Director, and Mrs. Edna Kerst Chamberlin, Tulsa, Oklahoma, were special guests. Each place was marked by a pearl program and a miniature framed picture of Dean Shockley.

A few weeks before, on the afternoon of Sunday, October 22, open house had been held at the recently completed Shockley Hall, girls' dormitory. An attractive portrait-photograph of Miss Shockley hangs in the new residence hall. It was presented by the Class of 1939 during the service of dedication on October 27. Alma Lois Rodgers, then president of the Alva Alumn:e Chapter, said, "May the girls who live in Shockley Hall, from year to year, be inspired by the high ideals that have made Miss Shockley so admired and loved. May Shockley Hall prove to be a horne and a haven indeed to the girls who come to Northwestern State."

On February 28, 1941, Gamma Gamma celebrated its silver anniversary as a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha with a dinner dance at the Bell Hotel.

}ANUARY,

1945

Actives, alumna: and patronesses combined m celebrating this milestone in the chapter's history.

Parties, pledgings, initiations, rush parties, and campus offices are recorded also in the second quarter century. A war note enters with the record that in 1942-43, the chapter folded Red Cross bandages as a service project and that in October, 1943, a squadron of the 92nd College Training Detachment of the Army Air Forces entertained Panhellenic with a dance in the college dormitory.

In writing a history of Gamma Gamma Chapter, it is impossible to separate the activities of the college girls from those of the Alva alumna: for again and again, we find, "a tea for alumna:," "attended by Alva alumna: and the active chapter" or "held at the home of ... alumna:."

Since Miss Shockley's retirement as adviser, several faculty members have given distinguished service in that capacity. Gamma Gamma has regretfully relieved each successive one when professional advancement or change in residence made it necessary. The chapter proudly and gratefully acknowledges the valuable help of its present adviser, Miss Frances Donnell.

In addition to Miss Shockley, Gamma Gamma has had four national officers. Mrs. Frank G. Munson was a state secretary, Nellie Azbell Cole, Supervisor of Sorority Study, Sue Edwards, Supervisor of Sorority Study and Supervisor of Activities, and Carol D. Pierce, Supervisor of Art and National Secretary.

DELTA DELTA CHAPTER Ohio University, Athens, Ohio In the PHOENIX of February 8, 1917, one reads in the Miami Chapter's news letter, "Another matter that has been of deep interest to Alpha Alpha is the possibility of a new chapter in Ohio .... Alpha Sigma Alpha has not been willing to enter Athens until recently. because the Congress Sororities established at Athens, Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Xi Delta, and Chi Omega, have been permitted to draw from the Normal Coll~ge. Within a short time, however, conditions have been greatly changed.

The Congress Sororities on the ground have been forbidden to draw from the Normal College, and so there are quite a few particularly fine girls that are not as yet in any sorority. Alpha Alpha girls have a number of friends, mostly from their home towns, who are in Chi Omega and Alpha Xi Delta, and these Athens girls are urging us to consider the field.

One of our members, Ruth Donnelly, had hoped to be able to look over the situation enroute home for the holidays, unfortunate! y the two vacations corresponded exactly, and so there was no opportunity for investigation . . . . At the present momeqt matters stand this way-several attractive gi rls at Athens have become interested and have talked the matter over with their Dean, who favors the idea."

In the next issue, we read, "Ruth Donnelly and Lorna Duke of the Miami Chapter went up to

Athens, March 1 and 2, and met the Alpha Sigma Delta group. They were much pleased with conditions, and advised the group to petition at once. This it has already done. There will be certain formalities to attend to before anything more definite than this can be stated. It goes without saying, however, that the Council will be guided largely by the recommendation of Alpha Alpha."

In the numoer of March 24, 1917, the girls wrote, "Our Ruth Donnelly, who has been serving as sponsor, has been in almost daily communication with the bunch, and has given the girls in it an examination every week! If the group cannot say its Greek alphabet backwards, as well as crosswise, it won't be Ruth's fault. Since word came of the Charter grant we have all been thrilled at the thought of another chapter in Ohio and are feeling as proud as peacocks that Ohio had the honor of securing the second chapter before any other state did . . . . With Alpha Alphas doing the inspecting, training and installing, the Athens Chapter must always seem almost a part of Alpha Alpha. We are all quite envious of those of our number who are to go over to Athens and have a share in the brilliant installation. We have been trying to bribe Ruth Donnelly to bring back that Installation Trunk with her, so that we may look on the glory of its green fibre covering, the brass bound edges, and most wonderful of all, the Sorority letters in gold on either end. We just know that no other sorority or fraternity ever has such a stunning looking Installation路 Trunk, and we think it is just a shame that we connot have it carted around the Miami campus to make everyone just green with envy, as well as deeply impressed with the wonders of ASA ."

Alpha Sigma Alpha could be justly proud in entering Ohio University. The oldest of the three state universities then existent in Ohio, it had been provided for as early as 1787 in the purchase of lands made from the Government of the United States by the Ohio Company of Associates. By contract between these two parties, two townships of and were set aside for the purpose of a university and placed under the care of the State Legislature. It was chartered by the legislature on February r8, 1804. Its Ellis Hall was the first building in Ohio to be erected at public expense for the training of teachers for service in the public schools. By 1917 there were about 6oo girls at Ohio University. In addition to the Congress sororities mentioned above, Sigma Sigma Sigma had entered Ohio.

Writing of life at Ohio, Grace Fultz, mentioned that since the declaration of war, the girls had been giving up their Saturday mornings to Red Cross work and their spending money for the purchase of supplies. Every girl was said to be a member of a Home Nursing, Dietetics, or First Aid class.

Ruth Duffey, National Treasurer, and Helen Lincoln, State Secretary, were able to arrange for substitutes in their schoolrooms and leave for Athens on Thursday. These two and Helen Boggess of the

THE PHOENIX

Springfield Alumna: Association met in that city and reached Athens on Friday morning. Later in the day, Ruth Donnelly, Flora Duke, Helen Edwards, and Irene Goodall arrived from Oxford. The Athens Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma most graciously donated the use of their room for the services. The presence of fifty people at the banquet made that event unusually impressive. Special guests were Miss Mary Tough, head of the Domestic Science Department, Dean Irma Voight, dean to many generations of Ohio University girls and well known through the years to college trained women in both Ohio and neighboring states through her activity in YWCA and AAUW, Professor and Mrs. T . N. Hoover, Miss Elizabeth Garber, faculty adviser, Professor Jefferson and Miss Brisben of the faculty, and the three patronesses and their husbands, Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. Peters, Mr. ' and Mrs. Walsh, as well as the presidents of all the sororities on campus. Unfortunately illness in his family kept Dean John J. Richeson from being present. Dean Richeson had been instrumental in bringing Alpha Sigma Alpha to Athens.

On Saturday, Deaq Voight placed her apartment at the disposal of the chapter for a tea at which, from two to five o'clpck, five hundred people called.

Guests included the faculty and university officials, prominent townspeople, the sororities and fraternities, non-sorority girls and non-fraternity men, and rna~ trons of the various dormitories. To each guest a tiny yellow and white butterfly was presented as a favor. At the reception, the Phi Delta Thetas asked the privilege of sending over a "feed" in the evening.

Miss Voight consented and offered her apartment.

Not to be outdone, the Delta Tau's serenaded the ASA's that night.

Fifteen girls were charter members of Delta Delta.

Unlike most petitioning groups, they had not known each other well before installation but had been called together by Dean Richeson of Teachers' College and Dean Voight after these two had suggested their names to the Miami girls seeking to organize a chapter. However, by Commencement that year, they found it difficult to say "goodbye" to each other.

The date of installation had been April 20, 1917, and the local Alpha Sigma Delta had been established on February 10, 1917.

Seven girls were graduated from Delta Delta that year: Cecelia Adam, Helen Clem, Elsie Ritter, Wilda Stuber in two-year elementary; Grace Fultz in public school music, Eva Watkins in public school drawing, and Inez Upp in domestic science. Naomi Cladwell, the first president, being a four-year girl, planned to return. Before Commencement, the girls initiated their adviser, Miss Garber, and pledged Anna Manville.

In its first fall rushing, Delta Delta received eleven pledges, an excellent record in comparison with the other groups. And this had been achieved without a chapter room. In addition to Naomi Caldwell, the chapter returned Ruth Baker, Helen Hudson, Helen

Millikin, and Lola Spies. The other three charter members, Thelma Groome, Ada Haun, and Edna Usher, accepted positions and failed to return as expected .

One of the outstanding events for Delta Delta in its first full college year was the visit of Miss Ida Jewett as an inspector. This was the chapter's second national visitor as Eleanor Lowry had spent a weekend during rushing. Delta Delta was heartbroken that Miss Jewett could not remain over the week-end for their first dance. Although they regretted her visit occurred in the middle of a week when college rules demanded that girls be in their rooms at 7:30 and be quiet, they admitted she probably got more sleep and had more opportunity for quiet talks with the girls and long conferences with the college authorities. Anyway, the dance was a great success, "in spite of the fact that we were limited by university rulings to an expenditure o~ $25. Permission to use the gymnasium, accorded to all 'U' organizations, cut out a big item of expense and left us practically the whole sum for music and refreshments ." Two Alpha Alpha girls were the first of a long line who journeyed from Oxford to Athens for Delta Delta dances for the next fifteen years. Nor did the Athens girls forget that it was no farther to Oxford than fmm it when there was a dance in prospect.

During the same semester, Delta Delta rated second in scholarship on the campus.

Later, Delta Delta acquired a house and offered delightful hospitality to all fortunate enough to know an Alpha Sigma. Activf! in campus activities, the girls were conscientious in scholarship, and also prided themselves on the care with which they gave the various National Services of the sorority.

The depression of the early thirties became too much for the education sororities at Ohio University, and in the fall of 1932, those which had not already succumbed, were urged by the Dean of Women, Miss Voight, to give up their charters and become Congress groups by petitions or amalgamation. The Delta Delta girls felt that their sorority was Alpha Sigma Alpha and refused to take action as a group although it was necessary to cease existence as a chapter of Alpha Sigma. Upon the invitation of Phi Mu, part of the membership affiliated with that group but remained loyal to Alpha Sigma Alpha as members.

The history of Alpha Sigma Alpha shows that from the date of its installation in 1917 until 1932, Delta Delta路 gave the sorority many reasons to be proud of the Ohio University membership. Delta Delta girls were active in national work and in alumna: activities and are found in many alumna: groups taking active roles. One of the charter members, Grace Fultz Haworth, served faithfully as National Treasurer from 1922 to 1934 and was previously on the Board of Supervisors, as Supervisor of Examinations and also of Extension. Marie Richter was Superviser of Music, Helen McClaflin, Songbook Chairman, and Naomi Caldwell, Registrar.

}ANUARY,

1945

EPSILON EPSILON CHAPTER Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas I

Kappa Delta Theta was the oldest. organization of girls at the Kansas State Normal School, having been founded in 1901 as a social card club of town girls who went to the normal school. Later it became a bridge club, and in 1906, another group of girls united with it under the name of Kappa Delta Theta.

The out-of-town girls were especially interested in housing and roomed together with the landlady as housemother.

About 19I3-I9I4, the Greek groups (another 路had been formed soon after Kappa Delta Theta) became inactive on the campus because of the general opinion of outsiders. It was thought that the Greeks were too partial to the members of their own groups . The Kappa Delta Thetas gave up their house but still kept the organization, quietly under cover.

Although there had been invitations from other national groups, it was not until the fall of I9I7 that the girls decided to become national and petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha. Perhaps the girls' interest in Alpha Sigma was due to contacts with the sorority.

Mrs. Paul Higbee, head of the Alpha Sigma Art Committee, had a sister, Grace McGinnis, in the group, Blanche Stevenson, Gamma Gamma, had transferred to Emporia, and both girls had contacted Miss Ida Jewett. Moreover, at this time, both Sigma Sigma Sigma and Delta Sigma Epsilon had entered the campus.

At the time of installation, it was written of the chapter that "from the very beginning, the membership has taken a very active part in college life- religious, social, literary; and athletic. Each year Kappa girls have had prominent parts in dramatics, Glee Club, Treble Clef, operas and oratorios, but this active participation in student activities has not been allowed to interfere with the growth of a fine group feeling. Much of the social life that has helped to weld the girls together has been held in the homes of the town girls. Kappa Delta Theta has been most fortunate in having for sponsors and adviser some of the most attractive and influential women of the faculty and the city."

At the time of installation, the group had taken a house at I I02 Commercial Street. The housemother was the mother of the chapter president, Janet Atkinson.

First to arrive for installation ceremonies were the Gamma Gamma girls. The train pulled in at four o'clock in the morning with seven Alpha Sigmas, headed by Miss Minnie Shockley. Miss Ida Jewett was unable to arrive until afternoon, but reached Emporia in time for the lovely tea given by Sigma Sigma Sigma. A vesper pledge service was held, then an eight o'clock "at home" by the new chapter. It is recorded that cherry punch and wafers were served to the prominent townspeople, faculty, and Greekletter presidents and representatives.

Initiation on Saturday afternoon, November I7,

8s was followed by an installation banquet at the Faculty Club. Charter members were Janet Atkinson, president; Erma Brown, vice president; Margaret Ramseyer, secretary; Vaughnie Jean Waynick, treasurer; Maude Barrigar, registrar; Hazel Brown, sister of Erma, historian; Rebecca Ott, librarian; Harriett Hover, chaplain; Bertha Brady; Ann Nanninga, all upperclassmen; Helen Irene Anderson, Madge Brown, Aileen Ellis, Avis Jenkins, Lois Kootz, Mary Lewis, Grace Lane McGinnis, Frances Morrow, Gladys Pratt, Elizabeth Smith, pledges of Kappa Delta Theta; and Rosalie Brigham, Mary E . Forde, Nell M. Grant, Lida M. Hardy, Hazel E . Harris, Ethel M. Ireland, Ruth Jeremy, Margaret Pughe, Ruth Scott, alumna:.

In 19r8, the chapter moved to 528 Union . This was the home of the Phi Sigma fraternity, but since they had all gone to the army, the Alpha Sigmas took over their house, called "the Castle." Miss Catherine Strouse was housemother. Miss Strouse was the first initiate of Epsilon Epsi-lon and the first to have an Alpha Sigma Alpha pin.

The girls became great "movers." The next move was to I 128 State, then to the goo block on Market, "the Old Stone Home," where Mrs. Smith was housemother. Due to unpleasant experiences with neighbors, the chapter moved to Tenth and West with Mrs. Wiggins. The next address was 706 Union which was a very beautiful and aristocratic home . Here the custom of serving meals was begun. However, the girls found this home too far from school and again moved- to a home on Twelfth A venue about four houses west of the present house. In this large, white, square house, the chapter settled down for several years. Then came another move-to 116 West Fifteenth, for the chapter could now afford more elaborate quarters. Although Epsilon Epsilon has never owned a home, it does own ,all of its furniture, the prize possession being a baby grand piano. Mother Rose West was housemother in two house~.

Epsilon Epsilon girls have held many campus offices and have been members of Kappa Delta Pi, Xi Phi, and other honorary fraternities. First adviser of the chapter was Miss Catherine Strouse who was succeeded by Miss Edna McCullough whose Alpha Sigma Alpha membership dates back to her college days as an active member. Miss Jane Ladner has also served as adviser since 1943路 The Mothers' Club is almost as old as the active chapter, while the alumna: group in Emporia is likewise very strong, partly because Epsilon Epsilon has always included many town girls among its initiates.

On November 17, 1942, the chapter held its Silver Anniversary Tea with Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp as a guest.

In spite of war work for the Red Cross, the chapter has still found time in the last few years to maintain its record in campus activities. We note two Women's Athletic Associatjon presidents in three years, two campus War Bond Queen candidates, and first and second places for the chapter in the Inter-

THE PHOENIX

86 sorority Singing Bee, as well as other honors won by individual members.

The summer reunions held by Epsilon Epsilon are also famous in the history of the chapter.

Six members of Epsilon Epsilon have held national offices: Nell M. Grant, State Secretary; Edna McCullough, Supervisor of Alumn~; Maude Barr.igar, Supervisor of Music; Adda An~erson, National Secretary; Violet Randolph, Superv1ser of Archives; Carolyn Ray, Alumn~ Chairman.

ZETA ZETA CHAPTER Central Missouri State Teachers College, Warrensburg, Missouri Zeta Zeta Chapter was originally the XX Club (double X) on the "W_ arrens~urg caJ?pus. In the spring of 1916, the NatiOnal VIce Pre~J~ent of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Miss Ida M. Jewett, VISited Warrensburg and talked to Miss Mabel Arnett, the Intermediate Grade Supervisor of the Laboratory School, about the possibilities of a chap~er on that campus.

Miss Arnett referred her to Gladys Hutchins. Ten girls met with Miss Jewett at the hotel to discu~s plans for the formation of a sorority .. It was at this meeting that the XX Club was orgamzed.

This club was to be limited to 20 girls. The charter members were Gladys Hutchens, Emma Hogan, Josephine Di,xon, Mildred Morrow, Florence McVay, Mildred McKinley, Kathryn Walker, Erna Burrus, Ida May Wolf, Rose Colbern, and Ethel Cordry. .

The club was active during the summer, entenng into the social life of the school. It ranked among the literary societies in grades and in the winter of 1916-17 began to compete with Sigma Sigma Sigma.

In the spring of 1917, the girls petitioned the faculty for permission to be admitted as a Greek letter organization. This request was refused . Miss Bess Carter was the sponsor at that time. Again in the spring of 1918, a petition was refused. This time, however, the comment of the faculty was more favorable. A third petition was submitted in the spring of 1919 and, largely through the efforts of the Dean of Women, Miss Almeta May Janney, the approval of the faculty was given.

The week-end of April 4, 1919, became the redletter one for the XX Club for at that time it was installed as Zeta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. The installing officers were Miss Jewett and Miss Minnie M. Shockley, National Ritualist. They were assisted by Miss Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta adviser; Miss Catharine E. Strouse, Epsilon Epsilon adviser; Miss Mary Shouse, Julia Sparks, Nelle Eubank, Alpha Beta; Lucille Chew, Gamma Gamma; Sarah Martin, Gladys Pratt, Epsilon Epsilon.

Festivities began with a dinner at Hotel Estes by Dean Janney in honor of Dean Shockley and a reception given by Miss Mary Letts, Matron of the Y.W.C.A,. in honor of Miss Shoc~ley. Initiation came on Friday evening with 24 initiates. On Saturday there were installation of officers, an afternoon

tea, and an evening banquet, held at the Este~ Hotel. 路 Charter members of Zeta Zeta were: M1ss Bess Carter, adviser; Letha Berry, Frances Brady, Margery Byram Lerene David Josephine Dixon, Emma Hogan G;eer, Gladys H~tchens, Oleta Lobban, Mildred Morrow, Anne Neely, Ida Wolfe Russell, Eleanor Wisner, alumn~; Ada Campbell, Marie Campbell, Ruth Engel Marie Moore, Mildred Payne~ Margaret Prunty, Ha~el Strahan, Ethel Cordy. Wamic~, Mary Wilson Mildred Wilson, Wilma Wilson, actives.

In ;920, the sorority rooms were in t~e Doc~ery Gymnasium. The girls had a rather difficult tJme that year; they brought curtains, furniture, and ot?er needed items from their own rooms for rushmg parties. The leading spirits of that year were Wilma Wilson, Lillian Ford, Ada Campbell, Mabel La):>ban, Pauline Jaqua, and Anne Neely .

After the XX Club was formed, the members spent one week-end each summer at 路Pertle Springs.

This outing was called the XX Camp. Messages for the girls of the next year were hidden in a secret place. A large formal dance was gi~en on. Saturday night. This dance was the one, b1g affair of the year, and everyone wanted to go. The summer camp was continued for two years after th6 group became Zeta Zeta Chapter. It was, in a measure, revived, when, in the summer of 1940, all the girls met at Warrensburg for a week-end party held near Clinton, Missouri, at the farm home of one of the chapter members.

The year 1944 brought happiness and deep sorrow to Zeta Zeta. In April, the chapter celebrated Its Silver Anniversary. In September, when another college year was just beginning, it .suffere? a great loss in the death of its esteemed adviser, MISS Myrtle Downs.

During its 25 years as a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Zeta Zeta has participated actively in the campus life of Warrensburg and through its alumn~ has become well known nationally. From 1920 to 1922, Gladys Hutchens Magee served as National Scholarship Chairman, and since 1922, Wilma \Yilson Sharp has been Alpha Sigma's dearly loved Registra~, Finance Chairman, Educational Director, and President . Josephine Dixon McMillan was Supervisor of Music and Ethel I. Phillips, Supervisor of Membership. Maude Christopher Nattinger was a member of the Board of Trustees in the period immediately following the 1930 Convention. At the present time, Mrs. Magee serves as the active chapter's housemother. Her daughter, Patricia Magee, was chapter president in 1943-44. Other Zeta Zeta daughters have also followed in their mothers' footsteps and become Zeta Zetas.

ETA ETA CHAPTER State Teachers College, Pittsburg, Kansas Eta Eta Chapter was founded in November, 路 1919, as the local, Gamma Tau Kappa .' On July 8 and 9, 1920, installation ceremonies made it a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Charter members of the chapter were:

JANUARY,

1945

Eulalia Roseberry, adviser, Gladys Adamson, Esther Williams, with Rev . Mary Alice Montgomery: in Cable, Frances Herron, Ruth Iserman, Maude Laney, charge. Burial was in the Alpha back yard where Mable Marshall, Pearl Nicholson, Ann Opdyke, brief rites were held at the grave at 4 p.m. CrawMarguerite Pohek, Helen Schwartz, Evelyn Smith. dad came to the Alpha house several days ago from Installing officers were Ida A. Jewett, National Vice the gutter. He lived in the Alpha shower until his President, and Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta, and death Friday. He J s survived by Marjorie Thomas, Catherine E. Strouse, Epsilon Epsilon, advisers of the Alpha sorority, and a few Sigma Taus." their respective chapters.

Eta Eta girls have been known on the Pittsburg Each girl earned the money for her own mitla- campus for their original parties, their enthusiasm, tion fee. To earn the charter fee, the girls had a and their ability to get things done. They have long chapter stand at the Fourth of July celebration at been recognized as leaders on their campus. For the Lincoln Park. That these charter members were past nine years they have had the same house and diligent workers is also indicated by the fact that in very proudly hold an annual "open house." Chapter their first rush season the following November, they members have been class officers in honorary fraternireceived not one refusal to their bids, and nine new ties. Chapter stunts have taken prizes in the various girls were pledged to Eta Eta. Kanza Stunt fests. The girls have been Kanza In December, 1921, ten members of the chapter Queens, Sigma Tau Queens, Phi Sig Queens, and attended their first national convention, the Kansas Homecoming Queens. The first Apple Day Queen, City conclave. These girls put on "Living Songs" as in March, 1941, was an Alpha Sigma. In 1943-44, part of "Stunt Night." Original Alpha Sigma words seven of the eight girls in the race for Navy Queen and clever dancing added much to the attractiveness were Eta Eta girls. Members of the chapter have of this stunt. been also Collegia editors and business managers and For the second time, Eta Eta observed its birthday Kanza editors. Man'y girls have been listed in .w ith a reunion, when on July 8, 1922, there was a Who's Who Among American Colleges and Unibanquet at Bussey's Annex, a popular downtown versities. A recent president received honorable mencafe. Miss Jane Carroll, patroness, started Eta Eta's tion for the Elizabeth Bird Small Award and was silverware collection at this time with six silver granted a graduate scholarship in chemistry. teaspoons.路 In spite of their other activities, Eta Eta girls have In December, 1922, the chapter again added to its found time for war work. They have sold stamps domestic appointments when, as a result of invitations and bonds, worked on the salvage drives, been blood to actives, alumna:, mothers, patronesses, pledges, and donors, entertained service men, and worked fo r the City Association girls, statistics reveal the shower Red Cross. netted 47 teaspoons, a butter knife, a server, salad It is not an unusual occurrence for Eta Eta to lead forks, cups and saucers, kitchen ware, tea towels, ' all other campus sororities in number of pledges. sheets and pillow cases. To their popular adviser, Three Eta Eta girls have served Alpha Sigma Miss Roseberry, went a bouquet of roses. And the nationally: Katherine Nevius Hendrix, Alumna: evening ended with a short Christmas program.

Officer; Alice E. Montgomery, Supervisor of Program; On March 28, 1924, the chapter presented "Snow Esther Bucher, Fellowship Chairman, Secretary, Vice Queen's Court" at the Kanza Stunt Fest and won President, and Treasurer. first prize. During this year Eta Eta was active in the drive to raise funds for a new stadium. Marjorie McFai"land and Alice Montgomery helped on the THETA THETA CHAPTER floor committee at the large mass meeting.

Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts In September, 1930, the girls reluctantly accepted the resignation of Miss Roseberry as adviser. Miss On November 12, 1921, Alpha Sigma Alpha Jane M. Carroll was initiated to serve in this position. installed its Theta Theta Chapter in the new School Miss Roseberry was honored with a tea at which of Education of Boston University. This division, actives and alumna: presented her with a watch and one of eight schools and colleges of the University, bracelet in appreciation of her faithfulness to Eta had been organized only in 1918, to satisfy the demand for a fuller and better training of teachers.

Eta during the ten years of its existence.

December, 1935, found the chapter sponsoring an Its work was to be of junior, senior and graduate amateur hour in the college auditorium. Incidental- character. Alpha Sigma Alpha was the first sorority ly, this was dicovered to be an excellent way of to enter this school of Boston University although Gre~k letter groups in the University dated from earning money for the treasury.

The following year, 1936, Mrs. Perva Hughes 1876. was initiated to act as co-adviser with Dr. Carroll.

Installation ceremonies took plaq: at the home That the chapter has managed to have its share of the National President. Assisting Mrs. Martin of fun and good humor along the years is indicated were Ida A. Jewett, Alpha Beta, former National by an item in the 'Collegia of 1938. "Funeral Vice President, Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta, Edith services for Hugo K. Crawdad who passed away A . Webb, Gamma Gamma, and Marguerite Pohek, last Friday morning were held at the home, 201 East Eta Eta.

88 "Not even the model ceremony of Convention could have had a more beautiful setting than the one provided by Mrs. Martin with its profusion of potted palms and gorgeous chrysanthemum~, and no installation banquet could ever be more enJoyable than the buffet luncheon served in Mrs. Martin's own home," states the PHOENIX account.

Since the petition for Theta Theta had been filed the previous year, it was possible to initiate graduates of the Class of 1921. Alumn:e members initiated were: Gertrude D. Halbritter (later Alpha Sigma's very efficient National Editor), Christine S. Little, Harriet H . Norcross, G. Mildred Whittier, Alma Wolfe. Seniors were: Florence E. Durgin, Gertrude M. Forge, Margaret M. Gearan, Laura H. Holla?d, Florence R. Haley, Mildred A. Henderson, Manan G. Lantz, Jennie L. Hendricks, Hazel A. Tanner, Maude F . Wheeler. Juniors included: Ethel J. Birrell, Ruth E. Cameron, Hazle E. Crane, Priscilla Drake, Charlotte R . Glenfield, Elsie M. Larkin, Gladys G .

Lermond, Marjorie E: Luxton, Esther F. Manson, Josephine P. Ray, Carmel E . Rose, Geneva M. Smith, Caroline G. Wasgatt, Harriet L. Clark.

In the first year of its existence, Theta Theta girls were able to secure an attractively furnis~ed suite near the University, in the Back Bay d1stnct.

We also find from their list of college activities that they were fully capable of maintaining the Alpha Sigma Alpha tradition of leadership and service.

Because of its location in a large city university, in a college attracting upperclass and graduate students, Theta Theta Chapter has made an unique contribution to Boston University and Alpha Sigma Alpha. Not only has it been one of the few organized groups by which social life could be furnished in the College of Education, but, because of the experience of its members and their close contacts with Boston Alumn:e Chapter members and the community, the chapter has had a history of broad service to university and city. Since, not infrequently, active chapter members also have full or part-time positions in the schools of the Boston area, chapter projects are likely to stretch beyond campus boundaries. Yet in spite of unusually busy days, long distances to be traveled to chapter meetings and activities, and the brevity of their college years together, Theta Theta girls are firmly bound together by the ties of Alpha Sigma Alpha sisterhood.

In 1940, Miss Mabel C. Bragg, "who was such a great friend to all ASA during her many years of 'service as faculty adviser," resigned . She was succeeded by Miss Ethel E. Kimball who immediately brought great benefits to Theta Theta through the generous sharing of her talents, gracious hospitality, and friendliness .

To the sorority at large, Theta Theta has made the contribution of seven efficient national officers: two National Editors-Gertrude D . Halbritter and Julia E. Lancaster; two National TreasurersKatherine M. Hale and Grace Gowen Cogswill; Christina Little, Supervisor of Scholarship; Ina M .

THE PHOENIX

Bain, Supervisor of Finance and also of Activities; Hazle Crane Jones, Constitution Chairman. Miss Halbritter was also a Supervisor of Alumn:e.

IOTA IOTA CHAPTER Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Drake University's early experience with the Greek-letter system was very brief for the first fraternity to enter was on the ground but three years when rulings were passed that put an end to all Greek-letter life. Student clubs still continued to exist, however, and these maintained relations with one another for some years through what was known as the Inter-Club Conclave. Gradually university sentiment changed, and in 1915, every group on the campus took a Greek name . It was not until five years later that the Trustees were ready to grant these local societies the right to petition nationals. Soon after this permission was given, six National Panhelle11ic Congress groups entered. _ In the fall of 1916, Dean W. F . Barr, with the cooperation of Miss Bonnie Andrews, Head of the Grade Department, arranged for the formation of a society to be known as the Grade Club. It had for its purpose the creation of a strong esprit de corps in the department and the College oÂŁ Education and the formation of close friendships among members. It was this organization which, on January 13, 1922, became Iota Iota Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the eighth sorority to enter the University, and the fint national in the College of Education.

"All the ceremonies took place in the Rose Room of Hotel Chamberlain, the Ribbon Pledge Service on Friday evening and the other services, Saturday," the record reads . "The Rose Room made a beautiful setting for the various ceremonies, for by candle light the soft rose blended beautifully with the crimson and white of the ASA color scheme. Immense mirrors, extending from floor to ceiling, reflected and repeated the lighted candles and produced a striking effect.

"The formal pledge and the u11dergraduate initiation were followed by a luncheon at the Green Mill after which came the installation of the chapter and of the chapter officers. Last of the services was the Mother-Patroness Degree, given to Mrs . Arthur Holmes, wife of the President of Drake University, Mrs . W. F. Barr, wife of the Dean of the College of Education, Mrs. George Peak, a prominent club woman of Des Moines, and Mrs. C. Franzeen, wife of a professor in the College of Education." They were all charming, representative women of the community, and Iota Iota was fortunate in securing them as chapter mothers."

Details of the installation were cared for by Miss Catherine E . Strouse, Epsilon Epsilon adviser, assisted

by Miss Bess Carter, Zeta Zeta adviser, Miss Lola Brandenburg, Alpha Beta adviser, Wilma Wilson, National Registrar elect, Edna McCarty, Beta Beta, Supervisor of Chapter Activities, Neita Crawford

JANUARY,

1945

Pearl, Alpha Beta alumna of Des Moines, and Mary Friday, lone Smith, Eva Riggins, and Eunice Selby, Alpha Beta actives.

"Following the last service, the 23 new Alpha Sigmas, with the ten installing officers and four patronesses, closed the day most appropriately with a banquet in the Ivory Room of Hotel Chamberlain."

(During World War II, Hotel Chamberlain housed many members of the Women's Army Corps stationed in Des Moines for specialists' training.)

Initiated as charter members of Iota Iota were: Bonnie Andrews, adviser; Louise M. Boller, Lillian Hethershaw, Margaret Meek, Edna A. Parsons, Mabel I. Payne, Mayfred E. Stone, Leona Wilcox, Norma Campbell Adkins, alumn.e, Inga C. Tesdahl, Edith Cain, Florence Harley, Grace M. Davis, Margaret Bork, Elizabeth Dodson, Arline Elliott, Zela Hyten, Albertine Ringrose, Stella L. Schalk, Lela Stringer, Leona Welch, Myrtle A. Wolford, Cleo Brown, actives; and Elizabeth Brown and Dorothy Wells, pledges.

During the years of the _chapter's existence on Drake campus, Iota Iota was constantly faithful to the pledges made to Alpha Sigma Alpha by the charter members. Nationally, it was known for its efficiency and the loyalty of its individual members.

Leona Wilcox served on the National Council from 1928 to 1936. She had 路 previously been Supervisor of Standards. Edna McCarty was Supervisor of Activities, Mabel I. Payne, Supervisor of Extension, and Nelle L. Gabrielson, Supervisor of Program.

There has never been a convention since the time of its installation that Iota Iota has failed to send at least one representative. Many honors have been won

by Iota Iota girls, including the use as convention song at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1934, of Georgia Barton's composition, "Oh, We Came On the Buses."

Members of Alpha Sigma Alpha's Iota Iota Chapter have distinguished themselves in many fieldseducation, science, journalism, and homemaking, among them. The ideals of love and loyalty as promoted by the sorority have had their mark on every life.

Due to the economic depression of the 193o's, it seemed unwise to try to maintain a chapter on Drake campus with the few girls available for rushing. So it was with deep regret that the house furnishings were sold and an attempt made to meet in a room for a time. Finally, in 1936, the active chapter ceased to exist and the alumn<e chapter gave warm welcome to the girls then on the campus. Des Moines Alumn<e still continue to meet with some degree of regularity. ever-to-be-forgotten Iota Iota memories are those of the sorority's house fire, the time the house was quarantined for diphtheria, the house dances, and all the innumerable problems, plans, and fun 路 of college years.

KAPPA KAPPA CHAPTER Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania March 17 has a deep significance for Kappa Kappa Chapter for on that day in 1922, its charter members adopted King Asa as their patron saint and gave him precedence over St. Patrick in thei r affections.

Writing of the pre-Alpha Sigma days of this group, a chapter reporter stated, "Our group was organized in 1919 as a chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. Later, upon learning that Alpha Sigma Tau was not a member of the Association of Educational Sororities, we severed our connections with that organization and formed ourselves into a local known at Tau Upsilon." This was on October 24, 1921. "We then formally petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha and entered upon the nerve-racking months of waiting while Alpha Sigma Alpha investigated our college and our group."

The chapter was installed by Ida A. Jewett, former National Vice President, and Rosamond Root, who went down to Philadelphia from Columbia University. Miss Root had previously visited the group during the period in which they had considered a petition.

"The ceremonies were held in our College Club Rooms made beautiful for the occasion with a profusion of potted sago palms and the gorgeous paraphernalia furnished each new chapter by the national organization. The morning was devoted to the services for honorary members, alumn.e, and sophomores, and was followed by a green, gold, and white luncheon in the dormitory dining-room. In the afternoon came the services for the freshmen and the formal installation of the chapter and of chapter officers, each service seeming almost more meaningful than the preceding.

"The day was closed by a dinner served at the city 路College' Club at which our guests were the Dean of Temple University, Dr. Laura H. Carnell, our two installing officers from New York, our Chapter Adviser, Mrs. Sherman H. Doyle, Faculty Member Miss Dorothea Beach, and, in addition, the presidents of the other sororities in the University. Our one regret was that the influenza epidemic had made impossible the attendance of ASA sisters from our own Pennsylvania cities of Pittsburgh and Johnstown and from near-by chapters in Ohio and Boston.

"The momentary sadness brought to the older members of the active chapter by the farewell toast to Tau Upsilon was dissipated by the scattering of crimson balloons containing cards with the inscription 'Alpha Sigma Alpha-Tau Upsilon' and by the singing of merry Alpha Sigma Alpha songs which gave promise of increasingly happy associations in the new organization."

The list of initiates of the charter group of Kappa Kappa included: Mrs. Sherman H. Doyle, adviser; Miss Dorothea Beach, faculty member; Helen Lutes, Hester Sexton, alumn.e; Helen Lewdrop, Elisabeth Montague, Irene Parker, Mary Brenholtz, Elizabeth

THE PHOENIX

Harsch, Mildred Strunk, Alice Garrettson, Thelma Nail, Frances Atkins, Leona McLain, Dorothy M. Bough, sophomores; Irene Benner, Edna Bowen, Florence Remlinger, Mary Laurence, Mary Parsons, Adelaide Zearfross, Freda Bunting, Margaret Chamblin, Helen Edwards, Mary Shallcross, freshmen. The first president was Irene Parker, and patronesses were Mrs. Charles E. Beury and Mrs. John Smaltz. The latter were presented with jeweled pins at the installation of patronesses which followed soon after affiliation of Tau Upsilon with Alpha Sigma Alpha.

The most important occurrence after becoming a chapter of a national sorority was the acqui5ition of a regular and definite place for meetings. The university, seeing the importance of sororities, set aside a building at 1826 North Park Avenue as a Panhellenic House in which each sorority was given two rooms. With the main question, "How to furnish?", letters were sent to patronesses and friends with the result that soon gifts poured in. The university, through Dean Carnell, donated a piano, while the Mother-Patroness organization donated a rug.

An interesting event in 1922 was the beginning of a Round Robin letter which was received by the group and contained the latest news of the '21 sisters.

June, 1924, brought a house party at the cottage of Mary Wagner on the Blue Juanita River. Each day two girls were appointed as cooks and two as dishwashers. When not working, the girls spent the time singing Alpha Sigma Alpha songs, hiking, mountain climbing, swimming, rowing, and dancing.

In the same year, the first Kappa Kappa baby arrived. She was Frances Elain 路 Duffey, whose mother was Frances Atkins.

In 路 1925, Kappa Kappa assisteci" in the installation of Nu Nu Chapter at Drexel, also in Philadelphia.

In the same year, a formal initiation took place on the spacious lawns of Mrs. Beury in ,Germantown.

President Conwell, Dean Carnell, and eleven alumn<e were present at the delicious luncheon which followed to honor the new initiates. Initiates were Mrs. John Smaltz and Mrs. Charles Beury, both honorary members, Myra Prentice, Ruth Nailor, Anna Slifer, Elizabeth Wilson, Mary Wilson, June Smith, and Barbara Gish.

At the 1926 Con'vention, Kappa Kappa was awarded a silk banner for having traveled the farthest distance, its members having totaled 15,336 miles.

Actives of 1927 remember the clever take-offs which the initiates did of them as their program for the May meeting. They also recall the visit of Miss Amy Swisher, Alpha Alpha adviser.

In 1928, the radio became an object of desire, and great was the chapter's joy when one was presented to them by Mrs. Beury.

Three years later, all attention centered on the move to a sorority house located in the center of campus activities-a house with seven bedrooms, a living room, club room, kitchen, and playroom. Mrs. Rita J. Clarke was appointed housemother. For

nine years she watched over the Kappa Kappas. Mrs. Swann and Mrs. Keen acted as chief furnishing choosers and decoration advisers for the new home.

In 1932, the first formal in the new house found Nu Nu as guests.

In November, 1941, Kappa Kappa was awarded a cup for the best decorated house for Homecoming Week-end at Temple. On May 14, 1942, the chapter house was moved from 1917 North Broad Street to 1938 North Park Avenue. The change was a good one for the house was larger, and lent itself better to 1sorority life.

Kappa Kappas have been noted throughout the history of the chapter for outstanding campus activities . In May, 1943, the chapter was chosen the most active sorority on campus by the campus magazine.

One of their several projects in World War II was the Penny Bucket Brigade. Kappa Kappa girls carried buckets to all their classes and thus netted $6o for the United War Chest Drive.

Among the many girls who have brought honor to the chapter is Alvadee Hutton, one-time president of the chapter and active in a multitude of Temple enterprises. Upon graduation, she was awarded a pfaque for being the most active girl at Temple and a scholarship for graduate work at Columbia. In 1941, she received the Pulitzer Prize of $1,500 for travel. In November, 1943, it was a Kappa Kappa who was announced as the winner of the Elizabeth Bird Small Award-Doris Fox David.

The list of Kappa Kappas who have filled national positions is imposing: Mary A. Wagner, Chaplain, Convention Chairman, Vice President; Myra H. Prentice, Supervisor of Archives; Beulah B. Johnson, Supervisor of Service; S. June Smith, Sorority Examination Chairman, Extension Officer; Thelma Stortz Moyer, Examination Chairman, Secretary; Helen Corey, present beloved adviser, Convention Chairman, Secretary; Eleanore Smith Thomas, Fellowship Chairman.

LAMBDA LAMBDA CHAPTER ' The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Alpha Sigma Alpha's entrance on the campus of The Ohio State University was due to the loyalty of a group of young A .S.A. alumn<e working in the Columbus area. Meeting together socially, they began to wonder why there could not be an Alpha Sigma active chapter at "State." So-they got busy.

Ruth Donnelly Steele, Marie Richter, and Alice Anderson Wurster, Alpha Alpha, and Helen Hudson and Helen Millikin, Delta Delta, procured a list of eligible girls in the College of Education. Tea after tea they gave to which they invited these prospects to be "looked over." Finally a group which met the rigid requirements of these alumn<e "caretakers,'' as they were later termed by Lambdas Lambdas, had been culled and organized as the "Educ;ation Club." A summer of waiting and of Round Robin writing, and a fall of conferences, letters, telegrams, and petitions,

JANUARY,

1945

resulted in acceptance of the group by the national organization. On Saturday, December 9, 1922, came the culmination of the work of almost a year on the part of the "caretakers." Assisted by their faculty advisers, Miss Amy Swisher, Alpha Alpha, and Miss Elizabeth Garber, Delta Delta, Ruth Parrot, Viola Warren, and Letha Edgar, Alpha Alpha, and Thelma Groome and Garnet Gooley, Delta Delta, and the National Treasurer, Grace Fultz, Delta Delta, they installed their baby group as Lambda Lambda Chapter, the fourth Ohio chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and one of three then active.

Services were held at the Hotel Chittenden. At the banquet following services, additional guests were the patronesses: Mrs. Louis Anderson and Dean of Women, Elizabeth Conrad. "The setting was perfect, from the huge baskets of golden chrysanthemums and the crimson-shaded candles, to the bows of golden tulle on the tiny nut baskets at each place."

Charter members were: Mrs. Eleanor H . Percival, adviser; Elizabeth Conrad, faculty member; Louise Ketterrer, Sophia Roess, alumna:; Clara Fenn, Eva Lamon, Marguarite Liggett, Sara Long, Dorothy Porter, Mildred Dolt, seniors; 'Lillian Brauch, Cornelia Jones, Doris Kiner, Maxine Mathews, Elizabeth McCloud, Eleanor Pur pus, Rachel Van Hook, Eleanor Wright, juniors; Ruth Blenkner, sophomore; Helen Campbell, Martha Van Tilburg, freshmen.

In a university as large as Ohio State, competition for positions of leadership is keen. However, from the beginning of the chapter's history, Lambda Lambda girls received their share of honors. In the first year, Clara Fenn and Dorothy Porter were elected to Pi Lambda Theta, while Sara Long achieved election to Phi Upsilon Omicron. Dorothy was also editor of Phi Pi Epsilon News and president of Delphic Society, and Lillian Brauch was treasurer of History Club. Moreover, in the Intramural Festival held at the Coliseum that March, Sara Long, representing Alpha Sigma Alpha, placed her sorority fourth among the twenty participating in the needlethreading contest. (Later, Sara was an efficient home economics teacher.)

The following year the girls secured a chapter house with which they began the fall quarter. After a strenuous two weeks of buying furniture, scrubbing, painting, and hanging draperies, the town girls were putting on the finishing touches when the other girls returned to college. From then on, Lambda Lambda might be found "at home" at some address near the Ohio State campus, and its home was always a mecca for A .S.A.'s of various chapters. Many an Ohio or a West Virginia sister remembers a third floor dormitory with its collection of beds and cots which often on a week-end might contain double their intended quota of sleepers. And the Lambda Lambda fireside was both warm and cheerful after a Homecoming game for it was there that one might see almost anyone from almost anywhere for a few moments in the year.

Chapter basketball teams, members in Hi-Jinx or Browning, Glee Club, Dancing Club, Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta, milking contests, and other varied activities of a large state university proved that the "Lambs," like their sisters of other chapters, were versatile individuals.

However, at . the peak of the chapter's su~cess, came the depression of 1930. Never had the chapter had the financial and social security of the older National Panhellenic Congress groups against which they had successfully competed for girls during the prosperous twenties. They had neither a house of their own nor an alumna: group of established financial security. Their position as the only A.E.S. sorority on the campus, and the necessity of bidding against twenty-five so-called "socials," each frantically grabbing girls in the effort to keep away the wolf and maintain financial equilibrium, made the struggle too great. Hence, in the fall of 1934, the few returning girls and the Columbus alumna: petitioned that the chapter be permitted inactivity until Alpha Sigma Alpha could again compete with assurance and honor on the Ohio State campus. The story of the last year of the chapter's active existence is one of remarkable loyalty and courage. Under the leadership of their president, Mary Short, and an unusually fine and loyal head resident, Mrs. Grace C. Doane, the tiny group maintained a record which a large group could envy. Proudly, Alpha Sigma Alpha can record that in the fight for existence of sororities on this campus, its Lambda Lambda Chapter was the last group of those ultimately becoming inactive, to take this step. Those which had been older and stronger pre:ceded it.

To the inactivity of Lambda Lambda the sorority owes the inception of the Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna: Award. In its darkest hours of 1933-34, through the understanding and love of the National President, Mrs. Sharp, money from the National Treasury was appropriated to care for the desperate needs of the chapter. It was sent as a gift to the chapter a~d was made possible by the fact that money voted by the National Convention for a small salary to the National President had been constantly refused by her. A few years later, after the furnishings of the chapter house had been sold, there was a small sum in the bank to the chapter credit. Since there seemed no early possibility of reviving Lambda Lambda, the Columbus alumna: of the路 chapter voted that the remaining money should be sent to Mrs. Sharp for her personal use. However, the check was refused for this purpose by Mrs. Sharp and at the 1941 National Convention, it was decided to make the money the nucleus of an alumna: award. Upon motion of Mary Gaal, Lambda Lambda, this was designated The Wilma Wilson Sharp Alumna: Award.

Though inactive on a college campus, Lambda Lambda lives on in the loyalty of its alumna: and mothers.

The Columbus Mother-Patroness Club faithfully meets as usual, and the Columbus Alumna: Chapter, composed largely of Ohio State girls, wel-

THE PHOENIX

comes members of all chapters. The traditional Easter luncheon is the effort of the Columbus girls to gather in both "Lambs" and others to Columbus to renew friendships and exchange experiences.

Two national chairmanships have been held by Lambda Lambda girls-Ethel M. Straw was Supervisor of Finance, and Mary M. Gaal, Sorority Examination Chairman.

MU MU CHAPTER Michigan State Normal College, Ypsilanti, Michigan Mu Mu Chapter traces its origin to the formation in December, 1910, of a 路 local sorority known as Zeta Tau Alpha. From that date until its nationali zation, the group had initiated a total of 166 members.

It was an excited group of 28 girls that gathered on the afternoon of January 19, 1924, in the Episcopal Church House in Ypsilanti . Here was to take place the installation of Zeta Tau Alpha as Mu Mu Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. The room on the second floor was decorated artistically with large potted palms, ferns, a huge bouquet of narcissis, and candles. Everything had been planned splendidly by the installing officers. Miss Grace G. Fultz, National Treasurer; Miss Amy Swisher, Alpha Alpha adviser; Mrs. Eleanor H . Percival, Lambda Lambda adviser; Miss Mabel I. Payne, Iota Iota; Miss Helen Cypher, Alpha Beta; and Miss M. Ruth Early, Alpha Beta.

After the installation service, a delicious banquet was served by the ladies of the church. The chapter president, Winifred Welch, acted as toastmistress.

The girls who so proudly donned the badge of Alpha Sigma Alpha at this time were: Jennie Darling, alumna and critic teacher in the Modern Language Department of the Normal High School, who assumed the advisership, Gladys Lackie, Bernice Phelps, Winifred Welch, Carlotta Corpron, Ruth Marvin, Donalda Morrison, Lois Schilds, Frieda Smith, Ruth Bayler, Doris Betzner, Virginia Blue, Margaret Charters, Estel Feldkamp, Frances Fuller, Margaret Gotts, Mildred Gray, Mary Humphrey, Clemelia Kehoe, Helen Mitchell, Florence Nehil, Violet and Viola Rau (twins), Margaret Campbell, Florence Gee, Janet Randolph, Beatrice Riggs, and Martha Wickstrom .

In establishing its Mu Mu Chapter, Alpha Sigma Alpha entered an institution which was the sixth state normal school in the United States and the first west of the Allegheny Mountains. The law establishing the school was enacted in 1849, and its first class was graduated in 1854. The many buildings today, including the Administration Building, Pease Auditorium, Science Hall, Gymnasium, Briggs Field House, Training School, Roosevelt High School, Starkweather Hall, two new dormitories for women students, a new dormitory for men, and Charles McKenney Hall, are a gre.at contrast to the first building, a three story brick structure completed in 1852.

In response to a felt need of social organizations on the campus, many Greek letter groups were formed. Among these was the Delta Phi Sorority, organized in 1910. Mrs. Charles 0 . Hoyt was selected as adviser, and the first initiation was held at the Masonic Temple on January 7, 191r. Jessie ,Nourse was .the first president.

For many years, Mu Mu of Alpha Sigma Alpha and Delta Phi existed as separate organizations on the Ypsilanti campus, each making its路 individual contribution to the life of the college. However, when the requirement for teacher training was extended to four years, junior colleges were established in several Michigan cities, and, at the same time dormitories were built to house students at Ypsilanti. Then the Greek letter organizations found they had become too numerous. In May, 1939, the faculty adviser of Delta Phi at Ypsilanti, Miss Hepmansberger, attended the Detroit meeting of the Delta Phi Alumn<e Chapter there and presented the invitation from Alpha Sigma Alpha to join the national sorority.

Thus, the active chapter of Delta Phi joined with the active chapter of Mu Mu, and the members of the alumn<e group were duly initiated into Alpha Sigma Alpha. These members retained the name of Delta Phi Alumn.e Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. This group, which traced its origin to a meeting held January, 1919, at the home of Mrs. A. F .路 Boening by a. group of Delta Phi girls living in Detroit,- took such a step in order that they might maintain connection with the collegiate group and not exist only to maintain old friendships. This alumn;e chapter has since become one of Alpha Sigma's most active and loyal of graduate chapters. In the history of Delta Phi the name of Mrs. Charles 0 . Hoyt is one mentioned with loving reverence. News of her death in 1929 was received with sadness by Delta Phi girls.

Her good judgment and wise 路counsel laid a firm foundation for Delta Phi. A beautiful clock which she gave to the girls is a reminder of all she meant to the sorority. A scholarship fund has been established on the campus of Ypsilanti in recognition of Miss Adelia Jackson, honorary member of Delta Phi and adviser from the faculty for many years. Chapter members enjoyed her May parties for Delta Phi babies.

May 20, 1939, marked the merger of Delta Phi and Mu Mu Chapters. The National President, Evelyn G . Bell, was in charge of the formal initiation held during the afternoon at Charles McKenny Hall.

Helen Block Bradley, Alumn;e Organizer, and Jane Stratemeir, Norma Williams, Eleanor and Zita Oliver assisted with the services. In the evening, a banquet was held with the program built around a rainbow arch, the rainbow representing the sorority. Lois Reilly, Mu Mu, acted as toastmistress. Forty-one alumn.e, ten actives, and the adviser, Miss Marguerite Hepmansberger, were the Delta Phis who become Alpha Sigmas a~ that time. On October 7, the active chapter went to Detroit and held formal initiation for 28 Delta Phi alumn<e.

}ANUARY,

1945

For several years, it seemed that Mu Mu might be able to survive successfully on the Ypsilahti campus. However, the location of the college in a very active defense area, and the consequent lure of defense positions and teaching positions opened by the exodus of trained teachers to better paying jobs again created a problem for the sororities in finding an adequate number of suitable rushees. . Hence, on November 24, 1943, the National Council granted permission to Mu Mu Chapter to become inactive, under the regulations accepted by the Association of Education Sororities as a wartime procedure for chapters falling below membership standards. It is hoped that post-war conditions may be conducive to the functioning of a strong chapter on this campus.

Prom Mu Mu have come three national officers : Carletta M. Corpron Supervisor of Tabernacle; Estelle Bauch, a member of the Board of Trustees; and Joy Mahachek, Scholarship Chairman.

NU NU CHAPTER Drexel Institute of Technology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania In March, 1922, there appeared on the horizon at Drexel Institute of Technology a group of r6 girls whose mutual interests made them desirous of forming what they then called Omega Delta Epsilon.

For three years the sorority which Ruth Buchanan, Helen Lindenmuth, Nora Christianson, Helen Ozier, Edith Hetherington, Dorothy Bishop, Edith Diver, Anne Carter, Marjorie Bull, Harriet Lininger, Florence Garrison, Louise Johnston, Sadie Mills, Elizabeth Gifford, Ruth Brown, and Hazel Thompson had founded was an influential campus organization. The girls, moreover, had been dreaming and making plans, unknown to the rest of the school, for affiliating with a national organization.

It was on Memorial Day of 1925 that 18 new Alpha Sigmas were installed as Nu Nu Chapter. The ceremony took place in Drexel's impressive art gallery which the Kappa Kappa girls had prepared for the service. Installing officers were Miss Ida A. Jewett, former National Vice President, and Miss Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta. Florence Brierley, as Nu Nu's first president, received the charter, and Mildred Burdett, first chapter adviser, with Miss Frances MacIntyre, first sponsor, watched with awe the impressive ceremony in which they were initiated with the 18 charter members: Marjorie Bull, Margaret Schwab, Elizabeth Loughery, Ruth MacCullock, Hazel Thompson, Marian Bull, Helen Lindenmuth, Florence Brierley, Elizabeth Haines, Alice Kay, Edith Hetherington, Mary Elizabeth Darlington, Ellen Johnston, Dorothy Oakes, Sarah Parshall, Dorothy Chitterling, Sarah Thompson, and Evelyn Bridell.

When new Alphas had recovered fro111 the brilliance of their nationalization, they really set to work doing things. Their first important task when they returned to school in the fall of 1925 was the selection of patronesses, whom they initiated on No-

93 vember r8: Mrs . William Spivey, Mrs. K. G. Matheson, and Mrs . George W. Childs Drexel.

In true Alpha Sigma fashion these r8 girls set about to perform some service to their school and community. They donated Thanksgiving baskets to needy families, a practice which is in effect even today. That same year they donated the Girls' Basketball Schedules to all women students.

Social life was not at a standstill with the Nu Nu's, however- there are ' many records which tell of their "flying home" from parties in order to get in by eleven o'clock. And to make them more socially conscious, their first rushing season as a national sorority lay in the near future . Since the Nu Nu girls composed the only national sorority at Drexel, their rushing would have to be "super special." And from the results of their first rushing party at the Tea Rose, which, oddly enough, stands next door to the present sorority quarters, and of their formal dance, at whi~h they gave each rushee a corsage of red and white, it must have been very much all right-eleven girls went their way to swell the number to 29 .

The first pledging ceremony fell on February r, 1926, at which time the new pledges received their red and white ribbons. Two weeks later, on February 18, pin pledging was held, and on February 27, the first initiation was held.

1928 was an eventful year in Nu Nu history. That was the year in which Nu Nu's first bady, Abbie Jane May, born to Betty Loughery, a graduate of 1925, appeared on the scene. All the girls were thrilled to death, and "Mommie" Macintyre was proud as a peacock at the birth of her first Alpha Sig grandchild.

That same year saw the advent of Nu Nu's traditional Farewell Dinner for the seniors of the chapter. The first spring week-end, held in 1928 at the Lodge, but held now at the shore, appeared, and a fall Lodge week-end, still a chapter event, came into being. In September of the same year, Kappa Sigma Delta, Alpha Sigma's brother fratern'ity at Drexel- now Pi Kappa Phi-entertained the girls at a lavish party at a downtown club. Rummage sales to swell the treasury became periodic chapter functions. Miss Jean Richmond came to the sorority as chapter adviser to succeed Miss Burdett.

In 1929, Nu Nu experienced a sad loss when Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, daughter of Drexel's founder and one of the chapter's patronesses, passed away on February 3路 Mrs . Van Rensselaer, with Mrs. A. J. Drexel Paul, was initiated in 1927.

To counterbalance this sadness there were many pleasantries to add to the year's records . The first woman ever to serve as editor of Drexel's paper, "The Triangle," was an Alpha Sigma in the person of Edith Rood. Her year as guide of the college's news dispenser proved that women were 路 as capable as men in fulfilling positions of great responsibility.

From 1929 the years have been filled with the formation of new ideas and traditions, the carrying out of national and local ideals, the furtherance of

94 chapter prestige 'on the campus. In 1930, Mrs. Leon D. Stratton, wife of the dean of men, became a Nu Nu patroness. That year there was a series of tea dances given at the various Student Houses. Then in 1932, someone conceived the idea of giving a dance in the fall, open to the entire' school. The original purpose was to offer an opportunity to the freshman girls to meet Alpha Sigmas before rushing and to see them in a strictly social light. It was called the Harvest Moon Dance, and its importance in Nu Nu's year cannot be over-emphasized.

In 1935, the girls moved into their quarters on the third floor of Drexel's Practice House.

In the spring of 1939 the girls were faced with the unpleasant experience of losing Miss Jean Richmond who had been chapter adviser since 1928.

They were all happy at the prospect of her coming marriage, but the thought of losing someone whom they loved so much was disheartening. Miss Natalie Edwards was unanimously chosen to take her place, and her year with the girls was one of many pleasant memories. The following spring, Miss Edwards announced her coming marriage, and the task of selecting a new adviser again came to the fore . Miss Phoebe Maxfield, Nu Nu alumna, was her successor.

Soon after Miss Maxfield's installation, the Nu Nu girls became life members in the Needlework Guild to which they send a complete layette each year.

Nu Nu has had two national officers-Dorothy Williamson Crook served most efficiently as Constitution Chairman, Registrar, and Vice President, and Sally Baxter Horter, formerly Alumn<e Editor, is now Paraphernalia Chairman.

XI XI CHAPTER University of California, Los Angeles, California The existence of Xi Xi Chapter is due to Julia Lancaster, Theta Theta, and the Alpha Sigma Alpha alumn<e living in the Los Angeles area. Transferring to U.C.L.A. in the fall of 1925, Julia found that although there were many sororities, none was an education sorority, and the vast majority of .w omen students had no sorority contacts. The campus was then in the city and had a very large, rapidly g'r owing student body. Hence it seemed an excellent field for a new chapter.

After corresponding with the National President of Alpha Sigma Alpha about methods and receiving the enthusiastic approval of the Dean of Women, Mrs. Laughlin, Julia organized a charte'r group in December, 1925.

It was necessary to push the organization very rapidly because Julia was returning to Boston University in January. Only the utmost cooperation and interest of the initiates, their mothers, and a few loyal Alpha Sigma Alpha alumn:e made it possible. The National President rushed the necessary paraphernalia by express, but even so, it arrived too late for initiation which was carried out with impromptu materials that, nevertheless, were pronounced very dignified and successful. Installation occurred on Sunday,

THE PHOEN~X

January 24, 1926, at an Alpha Sigma home that of Betty Fellows, and dinner followed at the Spofford Arms. In addition to Julia Lancaster, installing members were Nell Grant, Epsilon, Lillian Criswell, Beta Beta, Dorothy and Emilie Yelton, Alpha Alpha, Ruth Payne Nilsson, Epsilon Epsilon, Inez Pierce Bone, Alpha Beta, Ruth Farnsworth Norsted; Epsilon Epsilon, Mabel Anderson, Alpha Beta, and Fern White, Beta Beta.

The 18 charter members of Xi Xi were: Elizabeth Fellows, Bessie L. Whipple, president, Ruby Bellmard, Hattie Kozlowski, Adelene Ponti, Orrell Hester, Jessica Harris, Viola Gill, Sarah Howard, Mildred Baker, Evelyn Sylvester Wilmont, Jesephine Gallegos, Katherine B~rch, Miriam Brinsan, Altha Archer, Bianca Smith, Nell Nonamaker, Mattie Van Heukelon. Emilie Yelton was a transfer from Alpha Alpha. Mrs. Helen Matthewson Laughlin, Dean of Women, became an honorary member and faculty adviser.

Xi Xi was very fortunate in having as patronesses Mrs . Alfred Fellows, Mrs . Harold Lloyd, Miss Patsy Ruth Miller, and Mrs. Frederick Woellner.

In the early years, Alpha Sigma Alpha held a prominent place in campus activities. Old scrapbooks are full of clippings revealing Xi Xi's leadership and accomplishments. "Interesting events filled the weekend when Alpha Sigma Alpha held a house party at Hermosa Beach. On Sunday morning, the guests and members were entertained with a most enjoyable bridge breakfast." Other events-teas, pledgings, and initiations-are similarly recorded .

Besides newspaper clippings there are party invitations, favors, place cards, and dance programs.

There is a very clever place card of fall chrysanthemums which serves as a reminder of a party given at the Hollywood Athletic Club, November 15, 1926,

by Ruby Bellmard, a charter member. A red and white suede dance program announces the dinner dance at the Miramar Hotel, June 2, 1928. Pictures in the old scrapbooks indicate the changes in styles.

The 1930 section records, "Sorority Women Meet in Annual Swimming Meet. Alpha Sigma Alpha Wins Swim by I Point; Kappas Close Second."

Little cards distributed all through the years tell of .engagements and marriages. In April, 1930, when Westwood Village, by then the home of U.C.L.A., celebrated with a birthday carnival, Alpha Sigma Alpha proudly held forth with an Italian Street Cafe.

In the summer of 1936, Xi Xi girls provided the staff for Alphawood, a summer camp for underprivileged girls. This project was in cooperation with the Assistance League of I:.os Angeles and proved so successful that it was carried on again in the summer of 1937. During the second summer, the project was assisted financially by a grant from the National Treasury of Alpha Sigma Alpha . It was an attempt to experiment with a philanthropic project on a national basis, using volunteer workers from the sorority membership.

In 1940, Xi Xi established a scholarship fund from

JANUARY,

1945

which awards were to be made to students of the university.

Xi Xi has been fortunate in having national officers living within its area. Both Elizabeth Bird Small and Marie Brunsman Berry have been of great assistance to the chapter. It also owes much to its own alumna, Ethel Tobin, who served as both Songbook Chairman and Philanthropic Chairman.

OMICRON OMICRON CHAPTER Kent State University, Kent, Ohio Although sororities were not recognized at Kent until 1925, previous to this time, a group of girls had formed a society which in March, 1925, became known as Phi Lambda Tau sorority. The aim of the society was threefold : to promote friendship, to promote scholarship, and to enrich the traditions of the college. Eight girls were charter members: Mary Hopton, Ma~garet Hughes, Nancy Sheldon, Ethel McMasters, Marie Lengs, Ruth Winter, Kathryn Green, and Elizabeth Kist.

As there were no national soronues on the campus, there was no Panhellenic organization to govern the groups which had been formed as locals.

Thus, there were no rushing parties, as such, and prospective members were entertained informally at teas at the homes of members. The first real social event of Phi Lambda Tau was a spring formal held at Meadowbrook Inn, a short distance from Kent.

During the summer of 1925, the group was very active as many of the members attended summer school. However, no new pledges were taken during this term.

In the fall of 1925, twelve new girls were pledged, and a successful year seemed certain. It was at this time that a petition for affiliation was . sent to Alpha Sigma Alpha, and the local sorority was inspected by Miss Grace Fultz, National Treasurer.

On Friday evening,_ April 9, 1926, installation ceremonies for Omicron Omicron Chapter began with the return of the alumn<e to be pledged. The following afternoon, installation services were held at the Franklyn Hotel in Kent. Installing officers included Miss Fultz; Miss Amy Swisher, Alpha Alpha adviser; Katherine Schultz, Alpha Alpha, president of the Cleveland Alumn.e; Ada Haun, Delta Delta; Helen Robinson, Alpha Alpha; and Mary Wagner, Kappa Kappa president. Additional guests at the banquet following were Dean of Women Blanche Verder, a'nd patrons and patronesses, Mr. and Mrs. Hale B. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. James Green, and ML and Mrs. Merle Wagner. Among the speakers were Hazel Keener, Omicron Omicron president, Miss Fultz, Miss Swisher, and Dean Verder. Charter members of Omicron Omicron were: Marguerite Condron, Margaret Davis, Margaret Hughes, Mary Hopton, Esther Johnson, Marie Lengs, Ethel McMaster, Ruth Winter, alumn.e; Louise Brownell, Ruth Felt, Jeanette Geiger, Virginia Skelly, Rosalind Hath-

95 away, Mildred Poto, Miriam Seese, seniors; Hazel Keener, Alice Young, juniors; Hilda Bachman, Elizabeth Kist, Helen Murphy, Margaret Stage, sophomores; Henrietta Beechy, Jean Gorham, Naomi Johnson, freshmen. Miss Ada Hyatt was initiated as chapter adviser. 路 Other Association of Education Sororities groups entered at Kent, and for more than a decade, Omicron Omicron held a proud place in the campus panhellenic, presided over for many years by Dean Verder. Some years were excellent in terms of numbers and campus contributions-others less satisfying. In the fall of 1928, the chapter returned but two members, but that fact did not daunt it, and the two girls, one, the president, "Happy" Sapp, pledged and initiated 28 girls, the largest number of any sorority on the campus.

In 1929, the chapter moved into one of the first sorority houses on the campus. In 1931-32, under the presidency of Mary Jane Fairchild, the group initiated 20 girls, again the most on campus, aqd took first place in every honor.

One of the probl ~ms which constantly faced the chapter was the turn-over of members as two-year girls predominated in the school population. It was still possible to teach in the elementary grades of Ohio with a two-year certificate, and because of its origin as one of the institutions known as "normal schools" in Ohio, Kent attracted more elementary than secondary candidates.

Secondary majors were frequently more interested in attending one of the denominational colleges or a state institution with university rank. However, the election of Martin L. Davies as governor of Ohio had an important effect on the future of Kent.

Kent being the new governor's home town, 路he set out to do something for it. Thus, the one-time normal school I received the title of Kent State University, and things began to happen. At about the same time, requirements for ' new elementary certificates were raised to three and then four years of training on a collegiate level, and Kent began to compete with other institutions which had long granted one or more degrees as a common occurrence. The entrance of new administrative officers, jealous for the prestige of Kent against that of the three long-established state universities and Bowling Green State University, also recently made a university from a college of normal school origin, caused dissatisfaction with the national affiliation of the various campus sororities. Since there can be nothing but a martyr-like happiness for a chapter whose existence is not desired by the college administration, on June 12, 1939, the chapter of Omicron Omicron was withdrawn from the Kent State University campus, and the chapter became a local organization.

Virginia Carpenter, National Alumn<e Editor, now on leave from her national duties to serve in the Women's Marine Corps, is a member of Omicron Omicron.

THE PHOENIX

PI PI CHAPTER Buffalo State Teachers College, Buffalo, New York Alpha Chapter of the Clionian Sorority was formed in 1872 at Geneseo Normal School in New York State. From time to time various other normal school groups in this state petitioned Clionian for membership and were admitted. Such a group was that which became Theta Chapter at Buffalo State Normal School in 1909. The aim of Clio was not purely social, for the promotion of sisterly feeling and unity were stressed both within the scpool and among other schools.

However, the group at Buffalo, as its college grew larger, and as degrees were granted in all courses, felt a broader field was opened to them and petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha. Since it was desired that there be enough in the treasury to pay half of each girl's initiation fee, there followed a round of bridge parties, candy sales, rummage sales, and roller skating parties, ending with a two piano concert by Guy and Lois Meier in the school auditorium. Finally the financial goal was reached.

On June 4, 1926, can:te the installation of the group as Pi Pi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Concerning this event, it was written, "After chapel on the eventful day, groups of sorority girls could be seen with their heads together talking excitedly, and the Clionians were distinguished by their wild appearance as they raced from place to place. Finally our president, Louise Wolf, sent for us with news that Miss Rosamond Root, Alpha Beta, and Miss Carlotta Corpron, Mu Mu, had arrived and were awaiting us路 in the Social Center. After we had been introduced to our guests, plans for the day were completed with lightening speed. All Clionians were excused from further classes, and descended in a body to the Lenox Hotel where the service was to be held.

All initiations are beautiful, but ours surpassed others in spirituality and symbolism."

The 28 Clionians who became charter members of Pi Pi Chapter on that eventful day included two alumna:, Miss Helen W eis and Laura H. Buerger; Miss Elizabeth Bird Small, faculty adviser; and Evelyn G . Bell, Lois Bell, Ruth Berner, Helen Block, May Brill, Lorene Bullard, Ella Coleman, Emma Coleman, Leta Cooper, Elizabeth Curran, Katherine Daw, Eleanor Holmwood, Mary Elizabeth Houghton, Hildegarde Launspach, Ellen Neunder, Florence Nevis, Grace Olief, Rosamond Olief, Dorothy Potter, Wilma Schwalenstocker, Betty Scott, Ruth Vawter, Mildred Wei!, Alice Weinheimer, and Louise Wolf.

Following the installation of the chapter, a banquet was held in the Rose Room with Mrs. Wayne Fuller (Elizabeth Uhe, Alpha Beta), Miss Hazel Harris, Epsilon Epsilon alumna, Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Root of the college faculty, and the presidents of Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Sigma Epsilon, Pi Kappa Sigma, and Sigma Sigma Sigma joining the installing officers and charter members in the celebration.

Soon after, at the 1926 National Convention, Pi Pi was welcomed as the "baby" chapter. The official

representative was the chapter president, Evelyn G. Bell, later to become Alpha Sigma Alpha's National President. Attending as chapter adviser was Elizabeth Bird Small, beloved National Finance Chairman of a later day, and also present was Helen Block, known to future convention-goers and multitudes of alumna: as Helen Bradley.

During the year 1926-27, the young chapter held several initiation ceremonies for Clio Alumna: who desired affiliation with Alpha Sigma Alpha, and by June, 1927, the Buffalo Alumna: Chapter . was organized. The college and alumna: chapters cooperated in their effort to make Alpha Sigma Alpha a powerful influence in the college and community.

In the life of Buffalo State Teachers College, Pi Pi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha has played an important role. During the six years that the Panhellenic Association sponsored "Sorority Sings," Alpha Sigma Alpha emerged victorious three times.

The Panhellenic Scholarship Trophy was awarded Pi Pi Chapter in 1936-37, 1938-39, and 1940-41. Three Pi Pi members, Eleanor Hickey ( 1930 ), Anna Lou Marks (1936), Victoria Lauer (1943), have served as Panhellenic presidents.

Members of Pi Pi Chapter have not only been active members but leaders of various campus organizations as well as class officers. Phi Upsilon Omicron, Kappa Delta Pi, and Nu Lambda Sigma, honorary fraternities, have always had several ASA's among their members, and Alpha, leadership society, proudly recognizes several Alpha Sigmas among its charter members.

Since the chapter's induction in 1926, many affairs have become traditional such as Mothers' Day Tea, Fathers' Banquet, Founders' Day celebration with the alumna: chapter, Christmas College Dance, Midsemester Slumber Party, and Summer House Party.

Each year on Moving-Up Day, an appropriate gift is presented to the college in the name of Alpha Sigma Alpha. To enhance the beauty of the college quadrangle, four stone benches were presented to the college during the years 1940-43. Other financial contributions were made to the college library and the dormitory fund.

In the fall of 1940, the out-of-town members of Pi Pi arranged to live together in a house where chapter meetings could be held. This successful cooperative venture for three years terminated in the renting of the lovely Albright home at 17 Tudor Place, in September, 1943. The establishment of this spacious home as the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority house marked the realization of a dream of 16 years standing. This home has become the living quarters for some 25 chapter members, the meeting place of the alumna: chapter, and the center of all chapter social activities.

Pi Pi Chapter always will attribute much of its success to the untiring efforts and true understanding of the college faculty members who have served as advisers. Miss Elizabeth Bird Small, one of the faculty advisers of Clio when it was installed in 1909,

}ANUARY,

1945

became Pi Pi adviser in 1926 and held that position until her retirement from State Teachers College in 1933路 Mrs. Carolyn Heyman was chosen as Miss Small's successor in 1933 and is still faithfully serving as adviser. Since 1932, Miss Frances Hepinstall, College Librarian, has been patroness and has been an enthusiastic participant at all social functions.

The undergraduate writing for the PHoENIX in January, 1927, closed with the statemebt, "It would be useless to try to write what Alpha Sigma Alpha means to us, for all of you have been through it and know. This we can say though,-Alpha Sigma Alpha has never installed a more loyal chapter, or one which will work harder for the honor and glory of the sorority." The record of the past 18 years is but a challenge to future members to "seek, aspi1'e, and attain" greater heights.

The calibre of Pi Pi members has become familiar to Alpha Sigmas because of the "en masse" attendance, in so far as possible, at National Conventions and the services of Miss Elizabeth Bird Small, National Finance Officer, 1930-36, Evelyn G . Bell, National Social Service, Chairman, 1928-30, Registrar, 1930-34, Vice President, 1934-36, President, 1936-41, Alumn~ Director, 1941, and Helen Block Bradley (Mrs. Lewis), National Alumn~ Editor, 1936-38, Alumn~ Organizer, 1939-44.

RHO RHO CHAPTER Marshall College, Huntington, West Virginia Rho Rho Chapter was organized as Tau Mu Alpha on April 4, 1925 and was installed as an Alpha Sigma Alpha Chapter on May 14, 1927. 路 Charter members were: Miss Ethel Claire Davis, adviser; Blanch Bice, Doris Lucille Feeley, Zara Lenore Garrett, Cecilia Hibner, Dorothy M. Williams, Margaret Potter Woodward, Audra Pauline Abell, Ethel Irene Catzen, Dora Lee Gammon White, Ruth Gammon, Wilsie Louise Malone, Dorothy Atkins Callicoat, Capitola Bartlett, Emily Imogene Mayfield, Elizabeth Frances McNeill, Eva Lucille Beckette, Dorcas Belle Gant, Bess Wisner Lewis, Ruth Emma Meyers, Nina May Reed Robertson, Eloise Josephine Carroll, Muriel Leona Rhude, Effie Mae Sadler, Ona Fae Shafer, Imogene Fontaine Toney, Kathryn Winnifred Witt.

Rho Rho was established in an institution which was founded in 1837, shortly after the death of Chief Justice John Marshall of the Supreme Court of the United States, and named for him. In 1856, its name was changed from Academy to College. All records of the school were lost during the Civil War. After that war, the new state of West Virginia persuaded its legislature to use it as a normal school although its work was largely academic. Courses and organization have varied although the curriculum now includes education and liberal arts courses as well as courses designed specifically for preparation in engineering, medical and law fields for those who will later enter professional schools.

Previous to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Marshall

97 College was one of those outstanding for its preparedness and defense courses. Due to the foresight of the Dean of Women, Miss Lee Fairchild Bacon, home nursing, first aid, nutrition, and various mechanics courses were under way by the fall of 1940. In these Rho Rho girls took their places.

From Rho Rho Chapter has come one of Alpha Sigma's most loyal National Councilors, Doris L. Feeley (Lawson), who served as National Alumn~ Officer from 1930 to 1932. Her service to her own chapter, both as an active and as an alumna, cannot be measured by the years, for it has been continuous, whenever needed.

SIGMA SIGMA CHAPTER Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado Kappa Sigma Alpha was founded November 24, 1924, by five girls: Cynthia Buck, Ruth Stone, Helen Luxinger, Ruby Rector, and Leona Rector. Of those, only Cynthia Buck and Leona Rector were students when this group became a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Sororities had not been allowed on the Gunnison campus until that year, and Kappa Sigma Alpha was the second group to be formed, the first ultimately becoming a chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma. It had been thought that fraternal organizations would break up the democratic spirit of the college. Kappa Sigma Alpha was organized entirely by its original group. They made their constitution and drew up their own ritual. Additional girls were chosen on the basis of scholarship, character, personality, and adaptability. The group was a member of the campus panhellenic and abided by the rules of that body.

The decision to "go national" came so suddenly and so late in the school year that the girls of Kappa Sigma Alpha had to use all their energy to reach their goal. For five consecutive weeks, they held a food sale in North Hall, each week varying the kind of foodstuffs sold. Part of the needed money was obtained from the alumn~, and the patronesses were most helpful in the food sales. Six girls of the chapter contributed the amount won as second prize in a vaudeville contest. Then, too, there were bridge parties, and checking stands at dances. At last the chapter money was in, and each girl had been able to raise her own initiation fee . Two girls from Beta Beta at Greeley, Esther McConnell and Mildred Schaefer, visited the Gunnison girls to talk about Alpha Sigma Alpha. The lovely tea given for them is one of the important ones in the history of this chapter.

The Ribbon Pledge Degree was given by Lorna McGinnis, a Beta Beta teaching in the Gunnison High School, and the Phoenix Degree was read by Miss Minnie M. Shockley, National Vice President.

South Hall was the place of the initiation and installation services, Miss Shockley being installing officer. Services were held on the evening of May 25, 1927. The formal banquet of the week was held on Wednesday evening at the Commercial Hotel.

THE

PHOENIX

Gamma Sigma was the first sorority on the Guests were Miss Schockley, Miss Hillman and Miss Wolfe, inactive members of Kappa Sigma Alpha, campus. In 1924, a state charter was granted to the Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Quigley, Miss Lucy Spicer, organization, and in the spring of 1927, the society adviser and the Mesdames Brown, Daugherty, Daw- petitioned and was accepted into Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Installing officers of Tau Tau, Miss Minnie M. son, Helmecke, Miller, Porter and Tallman, patronesses. Following the dinner, the initiates went Shockley, National Vice President, and Mrs. Wilma to the home of Miss Spicer where the initiation of Wilson Sharp, National Registrar, reached Hays durthe patronesses was held. In addition to the adviser, ing the fiercest snow storm of the year. In fact, so Miss Lucy Spicer, the charter members were Cynthia bad was the storm that only four alumna: were able S. Buck and Letha Mathews Givens, alumna:; La- to get to Hays. In addition to Miss Shockley and morah R. Anderson, Lupie A. Blake, Ruth E. Bull, Mrs. Sharp, the following assisted in the installation Rosalie M. Carey, Virginia E. Caywood, Vesta M . ceremonies: Misses Katherine B. Nevius, National Crawford, Leona B. Rector Hinricks, Ruth I. Hos- Alumna: Officer; Adda Anderson, National Secrekins, Elizabeth J. Johi;J.ston, Jean McKee, Z. Avis Peck, tary; Jane M. Carroll, Eta Eta Adviser; Edna McGrace Reed, Esther M. Roberts, Dorothy D. Romig, Cullough, Epsilon Epsilon Adviser; Helen BrandenMildred E . Stevens, Leone E . Zollinger. burg and Ruth Cronin, Eta Eta; Ruth Nation, EpsiMiss Lucy Spicer's long and invaluable service as lon Epsilon. chapter adviser terminated upon her retirement as Installation was held on March 17, 1928, in college registrar in 1944. Her successor is Miss Vera Forsyth Library. Perhaps it was due to the snow that Clark. the badges were delayed. However, the visiting As one of the two Colorado chapters of Alpha Alpha Sigmas were able to collect eight ' pins among Sigma Alpha, Sigma 路 Sigma, located high in the them and initiate the new girls in groups of eight.

Rocky Mountains, has sometimes seemed geographicFollowing the services, an informal banquet was ally isolated from the rest of the chapters. However, held in the parlor of the Lutheran Church. All in its loyalty and activity, it has been one of the vital through the dinner there had been an eager watch at groups of Alpha Sigma. Its members have been out- the door for the girls had hoped the badges would standing on the Gunnison campus, being leaders come in on the eight o'clock train. A young Alpha in every activity. The chapter has had more than Sigma brother was to bring them to the church. its share of prom queens, personality girls, Miss De- - But-they did not come. mocracy's and Miss Scholarship's or Miss AttractiveThe charter members of Tau Tau Chapter were: ness's. In the last few years, the girls have been Elizabeth J. Agnew, adviser; Rosa Giess, Lucile especially active in dramatics. As alumna: they have Wright, Josephine Rupfer, Florence Wallace, Mildred gone into the communities of their own and neighbor- King, Marjorie Reinecke, Maybelle Schaefer, Twila ing states and, as educated women, holding to the Schaefer, Pricilla Wilson, Gladys Hayes, Dorothy ideals of their sorority, filled places of honor and King, Eleanor Chittenden, Frances Rieff, Ruby Dews, service. One of Alpha Sigma Alpha's two Wafs of Ruth McReynolds, Gretta Lewick, and Dorothy World War II is Mary Kay Yoklavich, former presi- Morrison, actives; Geraldine Reinecke, Maurine dent of Sigma Sigma.

Speer, Sue Chittenden, Marjorie Mullen, Catherine Lewis, Mildred McConachie Reed, Rosina AUbert, Freda Brooks, alumna:.

TAU TAU CHAPTER The famous Tau Tau institution of a local conFort Hays Kansas State College, Fort Hays, Kansas vention was begun with that of July 20, 1932. Each .

The B.I.F.F. (Be in for Fun) Club was organized year, since then, alumna: and actives have gathered at in November, 1920. The purpose of the club was to Hays for a reunion during the summer. provide good, clean, wholesome activities on the Fort Tau Tau has been active both on the campus and Hays campus. The club gave some kind of event nationally. It has been especially noted for its conevery few weeks, with selected members as hostesses. tributions in handicraft to its own chapter possessions There were no regular meetings, and there were no and has shared these with the national organization. fees except assessment for parties.

It was Tau Tau which cared for the printing of the The first party was a Christmas party, the second, Alpha Sigma Alpha Creed and demonstrated how a Kansas Day party, January 29, 1921, and the third, effectively it could be mounted as a wall plaque. a Valentine Dance on February 14, 1921.

From Tau Tau came Miss Mary Mae Paul, former Charter members were: Muriel Main, Arbutus National Registrar, and the chapter's energetic and Wise, Maurine Speer, Frances Nickles, ' Winifred well-loved adviser. For several years, if a national Elder, Hazel Main, Sylvia Ferguson, Ila Mart, Mary or sectional meeting of Alpha Sigs were within drivChittenden, Charlotte Bowlus, Myrtle Divine, Ruth ing distance, Miss Paul and the Tau Taus were alFults, Althea Sims, and Idaesther Truan . ways there in as large numbers as the private cars In the fall of 1921, the B.I.F.F. Club became would hold . known as Gamma Sigma. The colors were yellow and Like their sjsters i other chapters, Tau Tau white, and the Bower was the jonquil. Miss Eliza- girls, because of their activities, have been listed in beth J. Agnew was the sponsor.

Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

JANUARY,

1945

!hey, too, have been active in serving where needed m World War II. In the spring of 1943, the chapter helped with janitor work because of the labor shortage at the college. They have sold stamps and bonds and made surgical dressings. Moreover, they have given parties for the aviation students quartered on the campus and given an evening a week to the

u.s.o.

UPSILON UPSILON CHAPTER Denison University, Granville, Ohio Had Mr. E. Basil Hawes, Head of the Department of Education at Denison University, not attended a faculty meeting at which t~o local social sororities petitioned for existence, Upsilon Upsilon Chapter might never have been formed. If there was a need for more sororities on the campus, then there mYst be one for a group which would gather together, on a professional level, those girls especially interested in teaching. Hence during the last week of October or the first in November, 1926, Mr. Hawes invited to his home representatives of the five established social groups: Grace Cleveland, Kappa Phi; Elizabeth Price, Chi Psi Delta; Florence Martin, Sigma Delta Phi; Dorothy Reed, Phi Phi Phi; and Lillian Dallman, Shepardson Club. However, because the night proved to be one of those delightfully rainy ones famous at Denison, Dorothy Reed was absent.

A few days later, this original group of five students working for state high school certificates, and ten or twelve additional girls suggested by them, met in the "Education Room" of Barney Science Hall.

From this larger group, an organization was effected.

Thelma O verturf Neptune, instructor in education, and Marie McNamara Hawes, wife of Mr. Hawes, became advisers of the group, though Mr. Hawes was never permitted to be very far in the, background and always occupied the place of chapter "father ."

The petition to the E xecutive Council of the University not only asked permission to organize locally but to join a national professional sorority of high standing as soon as possible.

Throughout the remainder of that school year, meetings were held fortnightl y, usually at the H awes' home, known to Granville residents as "the Stevens house" and perched on the hill at the head of College Street. Programs of an educational nature were supposedly the highlight of each evening. However, the chocolate cake, the spaghetti, and the tea 路 and coffee provided by the ever hospitable Mrs. Hawes, made far more impression on the girls than any program.

Sometime during the winter, the group took the name of Sigma Eta Sigma. It was suggested by Mary Louise Allen with the idea that "high school" should form some part of the name, and "Eta" and " Sigma" fulfilled the requirement. It proved a poor selection, for when the campus deigned to notice the new group, it was easy to refer to it as "the cannibal sorority."

From Baird's Manual (borrowed from the Sig

99 Alphs), a list of education soront1es was obtained.

During Christmas vacation, Thelma Neptune, visiting in Boston, met the National President of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and, as a result, correspondence followed. Since two Ohio State friends of Louise Stewart, Margery Rutledge and Gladys Glenn, were found to be members of Lambda Lambda Chapter, personal correspondence was also begun with Gladys.

When college opened the following autumn, attempt> were made to perfect the organization. Royal blue was chosen as the sorority's color and larkspur as its flower. Because of the desire for nationalization, neither badge nor other insignia was selected .

A brief ritual, was written. Elizabeth Wood, a new member of the psychology department, was one of those initiated by it. Later this ritual was used for pledging and a second service written for initiation.

Services and meetings were held at the Hawes home which had now moved to West Broadway, or at the home of Thelma Neptune on East Broadway. No girls whose college scholastic average was below " B" was ever bid to Sigma Eta Sigma.

On October 18, 1927, Mr. Hawes wrote a letter of introduction for Miss Wood and a committee of actives to Mr. Alfred D . Cole, Denison trustee, mentioning that their visit would pertain to permission for petitioning "a professional organization of national prestige.' The visit of Carol D . Pierce, National Secretary, that fall, and additional information from Boston culminated in a petition to Alpha Sigma Alpha in January, 1928.

In March, financial help toward installation was obtained by sponsoring a lecture by Professor William (Billy) Graves of Ohio State University. Not only did this mark the first public furiction of the group, but it added to its prestige because of the lecturer's delightfully entertaining SP,eech . In preparations for nationalization, Doris Kiner, Lambda Lambda, then a Granville High School teacher, was invaluable.

It was she who so ably assisted in planning the first step, the Ribbon Pledge Service, held in the living room of the Overturf home. Miss Edith Sniffen, Lambda Lambda adviser, read the service, assisted

by Ohio State actives .

When the National Treasurer, Grace G . Fultz, arrived a few weeks later to confer the Phoeni x Degree, the "Phoenix N c;:st" was ready for the service.

This meeting place was indeed a "nest" for its location in the rear of the college barn made it necessary to climb a pair of rickety steps to enter (only lightweight members ever felt really safe). These tiny quarters were given by the university, rent free, and furnished with that institution's cast-off furniture, draperies, and pillows. The totally inadequate heat was also free. Ohio State girls again assisted with the service, which certainly never had been given in smaller quarters.

Initiation and installation occurred on May 5, 路 1928. Services were held on the lower floor of Granville Inn. Assisting Miss Fultz, the installing officer, were Miss Elizabeth Bird Small, Pi Pi adviser, Mrs .

100

THE PHOENIX

Elizabeth Garber Goodwin, Delta Delta adviser, Miss chapters when opportunity of geographic location Helen Geller, Mu Mu adviser, Doris Kiner, and offers. From 1928 to 1930, Thelma Overturf Neprepresentatives from the active chapters of Alpha tune was National Supervisor of Membership; Martha Alpha, Delta Delta, Mu Mu, and Lambda Lam~da . C. Tom was a member of the National Constitution Initiated that day as charter members of Upsilon Committee from 1930 to 1932; and Louise N. Stewart · Upsilon Chapter were: Clara King Sha~, hono~ary served as National Chaplain from 1930 to 1938 and member; Marie McNamara Hawes, adviser; Eliza- as National Historian from 1938 through the publibeth Wood, sponsor; Thelma Overturf Neptune and cation of the sorority's history.

Florence Kile, alumna:; Mary Louise Ralston, Mary Louise Bussell, Lillian L. Dallman, Maxine E. G.orPHI PHI CHAPTER don, Carolyn E. Schopp, Isabelle Smock, Geraldme Northwest Missouri State Teachers College, Stone, Ann Wright, seniors; Mary E. Cowan, Janet Maryville, Missouri E. Falstreau, Mary C. Gienger, Miriam A . Hildreth, Ethel G. Llewellyn, Mary M. Pigman, Ruth A. On October 5, 1927, a group of seven girls, Sterling, Louise N. Stewart, Mildred Smith ~eu­ Dorothy Russell, Mary Elizabeth Jones, Vada Cliser, wirth J·uniors· Martha C. Tom, Jayne A . Weible, ' 'From Phi Delta Psi of the Teac hers ' Katherine Gray, Mary Lee Peck, Marjorie Brown, sophomores. and Ruth Lawrence, met and organized the Lambda College of Indianapolis came Helen G. Selvage and Phi Society under the supervision of Miss Gladys Mary C. Turner to be initiated as ex-collegian memGriswell, a member of the college faculty. At this bers of Chi Chi Chapter soon to be installed. Fortymeeting officers were elected and the colors, blue and five Alpha Sigmas and their guests were present at silver, were chosen. The society was organized .with the installation banquet at Granville Inn. the purpose of becoming a chapter of Alpha Sigma The year r 828-29 found the new Upsilon Upsilon Alpha as soon as possible.

Chapter working very hard to learn the requirements From time to time, new girls were admitted until of the national organization and to establish a place the group numbered 20. Additional girls were: on the campus. The addition of an "installment Margaret Putnam, Ruth Harding, Wave Duncan, plan" piano to the Nest's furniture was considered Juanita Marsh, Carol Oliphant, Gwenevere Wiley, one of the noteworthy achievements. Spring pledges Beatrice Stewart, Evelyn Evans, Louise Smith, recall receiving their "orders" in the shadows of the Noreen White, Hildred Fitz, Alyce Hastings, and old barn itself, the scene made more Hellenic by the M. Gertrude W ray.

Greek pillars and the chariot (attributed to King Although there were many struggles, each time Asa) which were leftovers from some early college the crisis was weathered. Honor came to the group play. They also recall the requirement of a prewhen, during the winter, at "stunt night," the playinitiation thesis, requiring approximately 20 hours let "Katinka" by the Lambda Phi girls won -first of work, on a professional subject secured from Mr. pnze.

Hawes. These theses were later filed in the DepartRibbon Pledging was in charge of Mrs. Wilma ment of Education.

Wilson Sharp, National Registrar. Then, when the The following year, 'an interim in a real house "ribbon was becoming frayed and worn" as a Phi Phi at 129 Main Street resulted in the purchase, in March, pledge wrote, Mrs. Sharp again journeyed to Maryof a house on Thresher Street. The June alumna: ville and replaced the tattered ribbon. with the much meeting was memorable in that plans were made for desired silver pledge pin. incorporating the alumna: group to carry the house Saturday, May 19, 1928, was the day of installadebt and trustees were elected. tion. It was a beautful, spri.t:lg day, and services were The happiness of that Homecoming of 1930, m held in the Little Theatre Room of the Administrathe chapter's own house, an event which seemed to tion Building on the campus. Potted ferns, iris and prophesy so much for Upsilon Upsilon, was brief. sno balls had been artistically arranged by the girls Campus politics, prejudices, and changes proved too for the services. Mrs. Sharp, "with her lovely charm much for the impatient active group. In January, and grace," presided over the occasion. Assistants 1931, forming themselves into a local group operating were Mrs. Orlo R. Nattinger, adviser of Zeta Zeta; simultaneously with Alpha Sigma Alpha, the girls Margaret Flottman Bryant, ex-collegia secretary of were found to be petitioning a N.P-.C. sorority. Since, Eta Eta; Elizabeth Romans, adviser of Alpha Beta; after careful investigation, it was apparent that the Edith Burr, ex-collegia secretary of Iota Iota; Leona group's obligations to Alpha Sigma Alpha were be- Wilcox, Supervisor of Standards; Dorothy Curtis and ing totally disregarded, by vote of the National Coun-- Bernice Samuelson, Iota, Iota; Mabel Christie and cil, badges of all active members were recalled, and Mildred Nulton, Alpha Beta; and Laura Brown, pledgeships were terminated.

Zeta Zeta. The 20 girls mentioned above were Members of Upsilon Upsilon ranked high in charter members, with their adviser, Miss Criswell. scholarship and were participants in noteworthy By the time the install~tion service was over, there campus activities. Despite lack of the stimulation of were seven mothers and four patronesses waiting to· a college chapter, a goodly percentage of them main- be given the Mother-Patroness Degree.

These tain active interest in Alpha Sigm·a Alpha alumna: women were: Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Wray, Mrs.

JANUARY,

1945

Lawrence, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hagan, and Mrs. White, and the four patrones es, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Person, Mrs. Whiffen, and Mrs. Haggard.

The 路 usual installation banquet that evening climaxed the week-end. This was held at the Smart home on West Fifth Street.

In the years since its establishment as a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Phi Phi has been an important factor on the Maryville campus. Its members have been known in the college and town as girls of ability, poise, culture, and charm. As an organization the chapter has cooperated with the faculty in promoting desirable activities which required the stimulation of group support.

Immediately after installation, Miss Criswell asked to be relieved of the advisership but was persuaded to continue until after fall rushing. In October, 1928, Miss Nell Martindale was persuaded to accept the position. She helped the girls with their first Founders' Day banquet and the annual campus comedies of January 10, 1929. "Three prizes were offered and we won one, with the production, 'The College Girls' Check-book' under the direction of Miss Nell Martindale. It was lots of hard work, but a great deal of fun."

The success of the second party, "The Pirates' Den" was likewise due to Miss Martindale who utilized a recent visit to New York for ideas. It was not until late January or early February that this energetic adviser finally became a fully initiated Alpha Sigma Alpha as a member of the first pledge class with whom she shared pre-initiation tasks. She continued to bring prestige to Phi Phi. As head of the women's department of physical education in the college, she became famous for her May Day festivals to which guests from far and wide flocked annually.

As chapter adviser, she could always be counted upon to steer the group through any crisis. Her advice on rush parties was invaluable. Most regretfully, did the chapter relinquish her in 1936 to Mr. Albert Kuchs as his wife. But Alpha Sigma Alpha still retained rights of previous ownership and both the chapter and the national organization continued to use the talents of Nell Martindale Kuchs . The National Council requisitioned her services as National Constitution Chairman in 1938, a position she now holds. Those who were present at the Fortieth Birthday Party of the 1941 Convention in Chicago will recall that the huge cake was Mrs. Kuchs' gift and that the entire party was planned by her.

At the same convention, Phi Phi's delegate, Mary Frances Todd, posed in the newspaper pictures of the Alpha Sigma Alpha who entertained Fort Sheridan.

Georgia Schulte, Phi Phi, was the charming convention manager of 1938.

Mis~ Miriam Waggoner followed Mrs. Kuchs a.s adviser and for seven years was untiring in her service to the chapter. Miss Inez Lewis had held this position since the fall of 1942.

IOI

Phi Phi won the National Council trophy for efficiency in 1928-29 and also at the Pequot Convention .

Since the entrance of the United States into World War II, Phi Phi has been actively doing its share in the war work of Maryville and the college campus.

It has also found time to maintain its record for activity otherwise as shown by representation in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, the possession of Navy and Football Queens, and sponsorship of worthwhile legislation in the campus panhellenic. 1943-44 found the chapter in a new sorority house . Although the group had a house in 1928, college regulations forced it to relinquish this in 1933.

CHI CHI CHAPTER Teachers College, Indianapolis, Indiana Ball State Teachers College, Muncie, Indiana Phi Delta Psi was founded at the Teachers College of Indianapolis in the fall of 1902, with Anna路 L. Fern, Genevieve Hall, Bernice Smith, and Ethel Rhodehamel as charter members. In 1908, the group was incorporated and obtained a charter in the State of Indiana. It then became the wish of the sorority to expand and to establish sister chapters in other schools. In the summer of 1909, a committee visited Dr. Eliza A . Blaker, the former president and founder of the school, asking for her cooperation in this , undertaking. This was granted, and she gave the girls a list of people who were leaders in the kindergarten world. Invitations to become .honorary members of Phi Delta Psi were sent to them, and most of these were accepted. Among the honorary members were Dr. Blaker and Mrs. Alice Corbin Sies, president of the college. It was hoped through these honorary members to gain new chapters, but nothing definite was accomplished until Marie Rauh Kingdon started a chapter in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1909.

In the meantime, two other sororities had been organized at Teachers College, and Dr. Blaker and the Board decided that these organizations should be discontinued. Hence Phi Delta Psi ceased all activity until 1918 when it was found the other groups were active. Phi Delta Psi then reorganized.

Feeling the need of a broader program, 路phi Delta Psi petitioned for membership in Alpha Sigma Alpha and was installed on June 2, 1928. Installing officer was Miss Grace G. Fultz, National Treasurer. Assisting her were Mrs. Elizabeth Garber Goodwin, Delta Delta adviser and Ruth Yauger, Delta Delta; Mrs. Thelma Overturf Neptune, Upsilon Upsilon adviser, and Mary Pigman, Upsilon Upsilon; Margaret Shelby and Cornelia Jones, Lambda Lambda, and Mary Turner and Helen Selvage, Chi Chi, both of whom had been initiated a few weeks before with the Granville chapter. Services and banquet were held at the Columbia Club. Following installation, five mothers received the Mother-Patroness D egree.

Charter members of Chi Chi were: Margaret Britt Henry, Vivian Coers Rowe, Dorothy Darrough,

!02

Helen V. Emick, AnnaL. Fern, Jane L. Foltz, Letha Heckman Gaskins, Berenice J. Lamb, Adelaide McCarthy, Vera Phillips Gordon, Eloise Proctor, Marie Rauh Kingdon, Genevieve Steele Leib, Dorothy Weer Morrow, Marie Winn Rice, Helen G . Selvage, Mary C. Turner (adviser), alumna:; Geneva K. Beam, Frances E. Bone, Lucille Brown, Eleanor H. Burton, Mary L. Greyer, Katherine B. Haas, Evelyn Hall, Lois A. Herring, Thyra C. Marvel, Alice H. Myer, Harriet T. Pollock, Dorothy A. Ramsey, Helen L. Ryan, Mary Wilhoit, Wilma M. Wolf.

Chi Chi Chapter continued its growth until Teachers College of Indianapolis lost its identity as such and became the College of Education of Butler University. At that time the school moved on the Butler campus. Members of Chi Chi found that the field in which they were eligible to rush was so restricted that it would be impossible to compete with the N.P.C. groups already established on the campus of Butler, so they asked that their charter be withdrawn. This was done in 1933, the group being at first granted a two-year period of inactivity. Eightythree members had been initiated into Chi Chi. Members living in Indianapolis retained their identity as the Indianapolis Alumna: Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and the Mother-Patroness group, always strong, continued to function as usual.

Determined that, like the Phoenix, some day Chi Chi should rise from its ashes, the Indianapolis alumna: began to search for . another Indiana group which might be worthy of carrying on the traditions of Chi Chi. They finally decided upon Sigma Alpha Sigma of Ball State Teachers College at Muncie.

In the fall of 1920, ten girls of this college had organized the Sigma Alpha Sigma section of the Girls' Club. These were: Olive Pate, Hazel Calvert, Flossie Poland, Fawnie Reed, Marie Johnston, Josephine McKinley, Elizabeth Presnall, Ruby Shephard, Montie Baker, and Bernice Coble. The purpose of the section was to instill the desire for high ideals and to inspire good will among its members. Fellowship and scholarship were promoted to the fullest extent. The group won its share of campus honors as a local but in the spring of 1936 petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha. In becoming a chapter of Alpha Sigma, the group became the first national at Ball State.

Installation occurred on Saturday, December 12, 1936, in the beautiful lounge of the new Arts Building. Miss Evelyn G. Bell, National President, and Mrs. Genevieve S. Leib, National Editor, were installing officers. Assisting were Dorothy Fitzgerald, Omicron Om'cron, Catherine Landolf, Alpha Alpha, and Mary Margaret Schroer, Mu Mu, and 14 members of the Indianapolis Alumna: Chapter. This alumna: c hapter had previously conducted the pledge service, with Mrs. Leib in charge and Marie Kingdon, Adelaide McCarty, Eloise Proctor, Helen Selvage, and Letha Gaskins assisting. Mrs. Mary Whitcraft, adviser, and June Wilkinson, president of the Ball

THE PHOENIX

State group, had been initiated at the nation~! convention in Breezy Point, in August, 1936. Smce then Mrs. Whitcraft has served continuously as the chapter's loved adviser.

On the evening of initiation day, a banquet was held at the Hotel Roberts in Muncie. Mrs. Marie Kingdon was toastmistress, and Miss Grace DeHority, Dean of Women at Ball State, was an honored guest.

Charter members of the Muncie group were: Mary Whitcraft, June Wilkinson, Velma Haines Thresher, Helen Reed, Martha Stuckey, Grace Richey, Margaret Work, Ruth Bickel, Kathleen Darrow, Irma Greive, Edna Quivey, Marjorie Harper, Florence Howe, Marjorie Hutchens, Delores Karr, Maribel Marshall, Thelma Waltz, Margaret Allen, Jane Baker, Vera Hughes, Betty Huston, Jean Mitchell, Mildred Teany, Dorothy Wiley, Anna Marie Yates, and Mildred Hartman. Additional sponsors besides Mrs. Whitcraft were Mrs. Mark E. Studebaker, Miss Elizabeth Simkins, and Miss Anna Marie Yates.

Officers during the first year were: president, June Wilkinson; vice-president, Irma Greive ; secretary, Helen Reed; treasurer, Grace Richey; registrar, Margaret Work; chaplain, Delores Karr; editor, Kathleen Darrow; collegiate representative, Florence Howe.

The Ball State girls have continued to gain honors for Chi Chi on their campus, and have contributed nationally. At the Cleveland Regional, a Chi Chi trio presented "An Alpha Sig Cycle," of which the words were by Mrs. Whitcraft and the music by Elizabeth Wolfe. Campus chairmen, class officers, and Women's Athletic Association officers are among the honors won by Chi Chi girls . Even before Pearl Harbor, the girls were knitting squares for Bundles for Britain and doing Red Cross work. In 1941, a Christmas seal sale was sponsored as Alpha Sigma Alpha was the only national sorority. On April 20, 1942, with the Sigma Tau fraternity, the chapter presented a radio program consisting of a play by each organization over the local network. On December 9, 1943, the group again went on the air, this time giving a brief history of Alpha Sigma Alpha and of Chi Chi Chapter.

Like the Phoenix, Chi Chi has risen from lambent flames, as beautiful as before.

Nationally, Alpha Sigma Alpha has received the services of Genevieve Steele Leib, from 1932 to 1934, National Philanthropic Chairman, and since 1934, the efficient and energetic National Editor who never lets anything, not even an illness interfere with the prompt publication of the PHOENIX. It has also appreciated the devotion to her sorority of Marie Rauh Kingdon, Director of the Cleveland Regional Conven~ion, and the lovely, original songs of Helen Selvage Noblitt, whose " Hymn to Alpha Sigma Alpha" and "Jolly Alpha Sig" are well known to everyone.

JANUARY, 1945 PSI PSI CHAPTER Louisiana State Normal College, Natchitoches, Louisiana On the afternoon of Friday, November 23, 1928, Frances Flanders, Mabel Sorey, and Mildred Chambers were sitting in Frances' room with nothing to do but talk. Since they were attend ing a school boasting four national educational sororities, the conversation naturally turned to sororities. Each girl agreed that she would very much like to be a sorority girl. Things, however, seemed hopeless. All three girls were seniors, and sororities wanted girls who could carry on the work the following yearnot seniors who would be gone. Each girl had attended a denominational school before going to Normal and had consequently had no opportunity for sorority affiliation in those colleges.

On Monday afternoon, November 26, 1928, the girls went to see Miss Catherine Winters, chairman of the faculty committee on sororities, to discuss the advisability of organization of another educational sorority. Miss Winters conferred with Mrs. Hereford, Dean of Women, who agreed to see President Roy. On the following day, Mrs. Hereford notified the girls that they might organize the local group.

They determined to ask Alpha Sigma Alpha if it would consider a petition from the group.

At a meeting called for Wednesday night, November 28, plans were made for the work of the sorority, and officers were elected: president, Mary White; vice president, "Bessie Horn; recording secretary, Louise Buffington; corresponding secretary, Alice Merle Hood; treasurer, Ilene Flenniken ; chaplain, Lora Mayes. On December 5, the first initiation service was held with Lora Mayes, Lula lnabnet, Louise Buffington, Leona Alexander, Eloise Smart, and Ruth Higgin as initiates. Helen Cain, Mabel Sorey, and Minnie Law were received at the first pledge service on December 17.

Although the chapter had received a visit from Miss Jane Carroll, Eta Eta, in 1929, it was not until May 30, 1930, that it was officially installed as Psi Psi Chapter. Miss Eulalia Roseberry and Miss Carroll, Eta Eta adviser and sponsor, were in charge of services. A reception and a luncheon, the latter at the Hotel Nakatosh, were included in the festivities.

The first president of the chapter after it became Psi Psi was Lora Mayes. Mrs . Albert A . Fredricks, wife of a faculty member, was the first adviser. Her help and inspiration were invaluable, and when she felt she should resign as adviser when her husband was made president of the college, her loss was keenly felt. Second adviser was Mrs. Irene Crawford Wagner, who was followed by Miss Miriam Nelkin.

After Miss Nelkin's resignation because of other college duties, Miss Clio Allen accepted the position.

"Aunt Clio" has made a place in the heart of every girl in the chapter because of her sympathetic ~nder足 sta nding and her unswerving loyalty and devotiOn to Alpha Sigma Alpha . Patronesses have been Mrs.

103

Harry Suddath, Mrs. George Himel, Mrs. W . E. Brock, and Mrs. A. J. Hargis.

Psi Psi is noted for its .singularly successful rush parties. The first, in 1931, was a Spanish party.

Then came an Old-Fashioned Party, a Blue Moon Party, a Boudoir Party, a Japanese Party, a Gypsy Party, a Dutch Party, a Cowboy Party, a Persian Party, to mention a few. Since informal parties are likewise permitted, the girls have been hostesses at picnics, weiner roasts, and progressive dinners.

In the spring of 1939, Psi Psi realized its dream of owning a chapter house. Since there is a college rule against living in sorority houses, this house assumed the nature of a lodge. This was the first sorority house to be build on the campus.

At the installation of Beta Delta and Beta Zeta Chapters, Psi Psi girls assisted.

Psi Psi had seven members at the 1941 Convention in Chicago where Virginia Downs acted as official pianist.

In December, 1941, when the United States was suddenly plunged into war, the girls at Natchitoches were in despair. Many young men students, members of the National Guard, had not returned in January, others did not return in September, and those who were left talked of not returning after the holidays. Some campus organi zations canceled their social programs, but the Alpha Sigmas feeling that then was the time to keep up morale, had a very gay and informal Christmas party in their house, with chicken spaghetti and bottles of milk for food, and rows of Christmas stockings for the young men guests, lining the mantel.

In January, 1942, the chapter offered its house for a Red Cross room (not accep"ted because it was not centrally located) and brought khaki wool and knitting' needles to meetings. In february, the annual Valentine Dance was canceled, but the house was gay with hearts, and there were weiners roasting in the outdoor fireplace, and the young men still left on the campus joined in dancing.

In July, 1942, the summer school group of the chapter held a camping party at the Rhodes camp on Cane River, to which were invited a number of local girls whom the sorority was considering for fall rushing.

In November, 1942, the chapter had its usual homecoming float, and Psi Psi won honors with its huge tractor labeled "Plough' em under, Normal! " That fall it held its second Father-Daughter luncheon.

By January, 1943, Psi Psi was feel ing the loss of girls who were leaving to live with new soldier husbands at their camps or for war positions in industry. However, it still maintained a large membership. The opening of the Naval pre-flight school on the campus brought in some 6oo cadets, replacing the last upper cl ass college men who were leaving, and the girls visualized gay social events with naval uniforms adding zest. Thi s did not fully materiali ze, for the cadets had little time for social affairs.

Food rationing made the usual formal Mother-

104

Daughter banquet impossible, but May, 1943, brought perhaps the finest affair of the years for mothers when the girls prepared and served a luncheon in their own house. There was closer fellowship than when the work had been done for the girls at the country club or hotel.

In September, 1943, the returning group was small. From 44 actives and pledges in 1942-43, the chapter had dropped to 21. Marriage, graduation, the needs of industry, and the shortage of teachers had been responsible for the loss. The college enrollment was one-third its former figure . However, 14 lovely girls were added as pledges that fall. Twenty-five alumna: were living in Natchitoches. Although a third of the active chapter were lost at the mid-term, the group continued its active participation in Red Cross work, 路 in the sale and purchase of War Bonds and stamps, and in campus sponsored activities.

Several members have been Military Maids. There have been both individual and chapter memberships in the Red Cross.

Psi Psi has always had a fine share of campus honors. The girls have been honor students, members of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Student Body and class officers, campus beauties, and members of honoraries. Scholastically, the chapter has rated near the top in comparison with other groups.

Manette Swett, a former president of Psi Psi, has served as National Magazine Subscription Chairman.

THE PHOENIX

singer, Ellen Christenson, Lucile Zweck, Virginia Driscell, Marion Hammond, Fleta Jones, Doris Cota, Bernice St. Clair, Ruth Bradley, Ann Powell, Corinne Heller, Geraldine Cunningham, lone Wright, Bernice Brand, Betty Elliot, Lorenne 路Laubmayer, Audrey Peterson, Cleo Tilton.

Although the girls of Omega Omega were wellrounded, participating in social activities as well as academic, they were always alert to tJle professional opportunities of their college years. Several of the charter members were premedic students and carried unusually heavy programs.

During its existence on the campus at San Diego, Omega Omega remained the only national sorority.

In April, 1939, due to the lack of interest in nationals and to existing campus problems, it seemed best that the charter of the active chapter be withdrawn by Alpha Sigma Alpha. , BETA GAMMA CHAPTER Northeastern State Teachers College, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

With the purpose of fostering companionship and friendship among girls on the Northeastern campus, Mrs. Lois Gillis Hall, in the spring of 1936, selected a group of unaffiliated girls as a nucleus for several local groups which were organized at that time. Of these, only two, Tau Beta Alpha and Pi Sigma Phi, continued into the next school year. Tau Beta Alpha met in the fall of 1936 and elected Faye Fletcher president, and Miss Louise Williams, professor of OMEGA OMEGA CHAPTER music, their sponsor. In January, 1937, Pauline HenSan Diego Stat~ College, San Diego, California deson was elected president and served until Tau Beta In May, 1931, the S.A .B.E. Club of San Diego Alpha and Pi Sigma Phi were united to form Tau State College was given the Ribbon Pledge Degree of Sigma and petition Alpha Sigma Alpha. The first Alpha Sigma Alpha by Julia Lancaster, National president of Pi Sigma Phi had been Maurine Editor. In June, the girls received the Phoenix De- Dahlem, and Miss Helen Henderson 路was the adviser. gree.

Julia Christie and Patti Wells were successive presiWhen the chapter was finally installed as Omega dents until the union of the two groups. Alpha SigOmega on January 16, 1932, the members wished ma Alpha was petitioned for membership in the that television were really practical at that time so spring of 1937. that their happiness could have been shared visually Pledging for 19 girls was held during the first with Alpha Sigmas everywhere. Scripps Cottage, a week of the fall term of 1937. Installation on Saturtypical Spanish building of white stucco, with red day, November 20, 1937, was supervised by Mrs. tiled roof, and artistically furnished, was a lovely Polly Schlosser, National Treasurer, and Miss Esther setting for the services. Adda Anderson, Past Bucher, National Secretary. Assisting were Edna National Secretary, was installing officer. Assistants Donley, Gamma Gamma alumna, Mrs. W . D. Otie, were: Nell Grant, Epsilon Epsilon; Anna Gassaway, an alumna of Tahlequah, and 16 other members of Orrel Hester, Mildred Rich, Ethel Tobin, Xi Xi; Gamma Gamma and Eta Eta chapters, including the Lillian Criswell Hinrichs, Delta Delta; Eugenie , advisers of both groups.

Welcher, Katherine Taylor, Xi Xi; Ruth Farnsworth Charter chapter initiates were: Mrs. Lois Gillis Morstad, Epsilon Epsilon; Hazel Nealy, Alpha Beta. Hall, adviser; Julia Christie and Helene Henderson, After the installation of the chapter, Margaret alumna:; Bernice Bradley, G rtrude Carney, Dessie Basinger, chapter president, conferred the Mother- Dickinson, Fay Fletcher, Mary Alice Lee, Maxine Patroness Degree on Mrs. John Zweck, Mrs. George Line, Ruby Nell Neal, Hazel Phillips, Maxine PikerP. Abell, and Mrs. W.H .P. Dellman. The formal ing, Opal Ramer, Hazel Rennie, Marion Spraker, banquet was held at the Barcelona Hotel.

Mary Stevens, 路vilma Van Horn, Virginia Wells, . In addition to their adviser, Mrs. Gertrude Bell Margaret Stringer, actives. Pledges were: Sylvia of the psychology department of the college, charter Adams, Rhea Amdon, Mary Beers, Helen Louise members of Omega Omega included Margaret Ba- Ford, Wilma Garret, Betty Harmon, Freda Marie

JANUARY,

1945

105

James, Faye Levy, Marcella May, Irene Powers, Kathryn Pysher, Louise Scott, Mildred Waggoner, Goldie Wilson, Dorothy Lee, Edna Trent, and Jean Clark, and Fern Pascoe who is now Beta Gamma's loyal and enthusiastic adviser.

The ,installation banquet was held in the dining room of Florence Wilson Hall. On Sunday morning, the officers and guests of Beta Gamma were honored at a breakfast given by the officers of the two other national sororities on the campus, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Delta Sigma Epsilon.

Beta Gamma has participated in various campus activities and won its share of special honors. Its prominence on campus during 1943-44 is typical of that of recent years: two members, Louise Cole and Henrietta Stolper, were selected for Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Alpha Sigmas held the secretaryship of Student Council, the presidency of the Freshman Class, and important roles in dramatic productions.

tained the members and their guests at Mrs. McArthur's camp, where yellow pines and a clear lake formed an ideal vacation setting. . Th~ sailor party for rushees and a spaghetti party g1ven m town are two of the memorable events of the following year. Homecoming on the campus was a great occasion, and the Alpha Sigma float carried out the idea of a toast to alumna:. The chapter felt its Valentine dance was the best given all year on the campus.

The chapter has been especially fortunate in having as its adviser, Miss Pulley. It is perhaps due to her influence that the group has done well scholastically. Equally high standards are inspired by the present adviser, Miss Elinor Leek.

Ruth Martin Stone has served the national sorority as Scholarship Chairman during the years since 1941.

BETA DELTA CHAPTER Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

"For some time there had been faint whisperings on Madison Campus that sororities were going to be installed; this seemed too good to be true," wrote the chronicler of Beta Epsilon's installation. "However, the March wind of 1939 brought Mrs. Fred M. Sharp right into our midst. It was on the afternoon of Mrs. Sharp's arrival that an informal tea was given.

Promptly at 4:30 went groups of enthusiastic girls over to the reception room of Junior Hall. The question undoubtedly written on the mind of every girl present was, 'Just what does it mean to be an A.S.A.?'"

That night immediately after dinner a joint meeting of prospective Tri-Sigmas and Alpha Sigmas was held with Mrs. Sharp. Later in the evening the Alpha Sigma group was told the meaning of A.S.A. and what was expected of its chapters. "Then with the signing of the petition, we bade Mrs. Sharp a pleasant goodbye. She had made a lasting impression within a few hours' time and was the talk of the campus for days afterward."

To Ellen Fairlamb, president, and Miss Mary Louise Seeger, faculty adviser, goes much credit for the early success of the Beta Epsilon local sorority.

On Saturday afternoon, May I 3, 1939, installation services of Beta Epsilon Chapter were held in the music rooms of Jackson Hall, a freshman dormitory.

Installing officer was Evelyn G. Bell, National President. She was assisted by Wilma Wilson Sharp, National Educational Director, and Mrs. Julia Derr Jones, president of Hampton Roads Alumna: Association.

Additional guests were: Dorothy Alcorn, Dorothy Dodd, Alvadee Hutton, Betty Gardner, Helen Ritter, Kappa Kappa; Clarie Bowman, Dorothy Hutton, Dot Ritchie, Betty Sohne, Betty Towner, Nu Nu; Grace B. Moran, adviser, Marie Eason, Virginia Lee Pettis, Katherine Roberts, Alpha; Louise McCracken Lowe, Pi Pi alumna. 路 After installation, a joint banquet of Sigma Sigma Sigma, which also installed a chapter on that day,

Sigma Beta was organized in the early fall of 1937 by a group of girls who wished to promote a better feeling of friendliness and good citizenship on the Hattiesburg campus. Miss Mary Pulley, College Registrar, served as adviser, and in a few weeks this small group began to be an active factor of campus life. Evelyn Garner was elected president; Ruth Martin, secretary; Geneva Stubbs, vice president; Helen Jones, treasurer; and Joyce Newcomb, reporter. In the spring of 1938, Sigma Beta petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha.

On Friday, May 20, 1938, 21 members and their adviser became the charter members of Beta Delta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Mrs. Polly Schlosser, National treasurer, was presiding officer and was assisted by Manette Swett, Jo Tarlton, and Lyda Wilson, Psi Psi. Following the pledging of Friday, initiation 路and installation were held on Saturday, May 21. A banquet was held in the Forrest Hotel.

The local group was also entertained by Sigma Sigma Sigma at a lovely garden party in the formal garden.

Initiates were: Mary Pulley, adviser, . Mary Louise Barksdale, Dorothy Brantley, Yvonne Brantley, Delores Crane, Mary Sue Cox, Evelyn Garner, Clarice Ice, Helen Jones, Heleri Kynes, Betsy Majure, Ruth Martin, Lois Nelson, Joyce Newcomb, Emilie Komp, Mai Flowers Pace, Mary Alice Pickel, Esther Saxton, Nancy Lee Shivers, Geneva Stubbs, Edwina Turner, Thelma Williamson. Officers elected for 1938-39 were: president, Ruth Martin; vice president, Dorothy Barntley; secretary, Delores Crane, treasurer, Mary Louise Barksdale; registrar, Helen Jones; collegiate representative, Yvonne Brantley; chaplain, Betsy Majure; editor, Mary Alice Pickel.

Before the summer vacation of its first year, Beta Delta held a lodge party. The chapter patronesses, Mrs. G . B. Denham and Mrs. Hary McArthur, enter-

BETA EPSILON CHAPTER Madison College, Harrisonburg, Virginia

/

106 and Alpha Sigma Alpha was held in Harrison dining hall.

As favors, the Beta Epsilon girls received recognition pins. The place cards had the A.S.A. emblem m one corner and the Tri-Sigma emblem in the other.

"Following the installation banquet, all A.S.A.'s met in Jackson Hall and had a real heart to heart discussion. We learned many customs and rules observed by A .S.A.'s and we also became quite familiar with a number of songs. Not until old Father Time forced us to break up our evening o£ thrills and fun did we begin to say thanks for everything.''

Charter members o£ Beta Epsilon were: Ellen Fairlamb, Geraldine Ailstock, Frances Barnard, Jean Collier, Norma Forrest, Almeda Greyard, Mary June Kaiser, Katherine Lester, Ruth McLain, Winifred Rew, Rosa Lee Scott, Eleanor Shorts, Clara Soter, Margaret Young, Maxine Calfee, Marilee Henkle, Anne Ireland, Katharine Ketron, Dorothy Phillips, Gwen Trueheart, Fannie Hope Warden, Frances Beaton, Mary Burger, Elizabeth Catterton, Anne Cowling, Katharine Curling, Peggy Delp, Frances Drewrey, Naomi McAllen, Elizabeth Neale, Elizabeth Ogburn, Margaret Parsons, Shirley Rawles, Annette Rogers, Mary Lee Utley.

First officers of Beta Epsilon were: Frances Barnard, president; Winifred Rew, vice president; Catherine Curling, secretary; Ann Ireland, treasurer; Maxine Calfee, registrar; Dorothy Phillips, Chaplain (replaced by Naomi McAllen when she did not return the following fall); Frances Drewrey, collegiate representative; Frances Beaton, editor.

Advisers of the group have been Misses Marie Louise Boje and Edythe Schneider.

Less than a year after installation, Beta Epsilon was asked to have the model initiation at the Washington Regional Convention. In the period during which the chapter has been a part o£ Alpha Sigma Alpha, members have proved themselves true A.S.A.'s in loyalty, character, and leadership. In addition to possessing the presidents of many campus organizations, the chapter sponsored the stamp collection for the Daughters of the American Revolution, sponsored the issuing of War Ration Book Four, and has been a member of the Campus Defense Committee and worked on surgical dressings for the Red Cross in World War II. Among those who are especially responsible for the successful assimilation of Beta Epsilon into Alpha Sigma Alpha is Mrs. Kathryn Johnson Carrico, who, living but 40 miles from the college, was able to attend many chapter meetings and advise the group on important questions.

In 1943-44, Beta Epsilon gave Madison a student government president, Jean Jones, and many important campus officers. Three members were selected for Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities: Evangeline Bollinger, Lee Ann Deadrick, Jean Jones.

THE PHOENIX

BET A ZETA CHAPTER Southwestern Louisiana Institute, Lafayette, Louisiana It was fall and the southern sun was losing its blistering touch when a group o£ girls at Southwestern Louisiana Institute banded together under the name of Zeta Delta Phi with Miss Jessie Keep, Assistant Professor of Physical Education at the college, as their adviser. This was in October, 1938.

On April 14-15, I939, Mrs . Wilma Wilson Sharp, Educational Director of Alpha Sigma Alpha, visited the girls. An informal petition had been signed on January 12 by 17 girls. Later they compiled a scrapbook and sent it in as a formal petition . On May II, 1940, Mrs . Sharp, Miss Clio Allen, Psi Psi adviser, and Mary Allen Caraway, Manette Swett, Cecil Mae Caillouet, and Sidney Gremillion of Psi Psi pledged the local group to Alpha Sigma Alpha. Pledging took place at the home of Mrs . George B. Claycomb, a patroness. Three girls were also initiated. The program included an informal party at the home of Mrs. Kenneth B. Hait, patroness, a luncheon at Oak Grove, and a reception for the faculty at Harris Hall on the campus. The girls were delighted to find three A.S .A. alumn<r as members of the campus staff-Lelia Holt Wilson, Mu Mu, and Edna Bowles Roberts, Beta Beta, faculty wives, and Mildred Jones, Psi Psi, secretary to the president.

The installation of Beta Zeta Chapter was unique in the history of Alpha Sigma Alpha because it was an off-campus installation, held during the New Orleans Regional Meeting, November 2 and 3, I940.

Surely there could have been no lovelier setting for Alpha Sigma Alpha ceremonials than the spacious University Room of the Roosevelt Hotel-transformed into a sanctuary by palms, flowers, and candlelight. Wilma Wilson Sharp acted as installing officer.

Other principal participants were: Genevieve S. Leib, National Editor; Clio Allen, Psi Psi adviser; Manette Swett, Director of Region IV; Clarice Ice, Beta Delta; Mary Allen Caraway, Psi Psi. Installation of Beta Zeta Chapter followed the beautiful formal banquet Saturday night. The chapter charter was received by Emma Dell Mendoza, chapter president. Miss Jessie Keep, chapter adviser, presented the individual membership certificates.

Beta Zeta was welcomed into Alpha with 39 fully initiated members and a fine Freshman pledge class. Of the girls initiated at the time of Beta Zeta pledging, two, Merrell Tucker and Beryl Dutsch, were present for installation . It was a matter of keen regret that Christine Dyer could not be present.

The charter roll of Beta Zeta follows: Jessie Keep, adviser; Bolivar Lee Hait (Mrs. Kenneth B.) patroness, but initiated as a full member o£ the sorority; Mrs. George B. Claycomb, patroness; Ethel Bergeron, Gladys Mary Buller, Mae Daigle, Beryl Dutsch, Christine Dyer, Thelma Marie Giroir, Erin Marie Le Blanc, Yvonne Toups, Merrell Tucker, alumn<r; Sydney Beauxis, Barbara Anne Darnall, Phyllis

JANUARY,

1945

Louella Dixon, Fabiola Mae Dupuy, Caroline Travis Elliott, Virginia 0 . ' Fields, Evelyn Frost, Sibyl Blake Glaser, Margarite Louise Hail, Oliver Mae Hitter, Mary Catherine Hudson, Josephine Joseph, Alice Mae Judice, Daphne Mary Kerrison, Ouida Mae La Maire, Emma Dell Mendoza, Noella Marie Ogeron, Lillian Evelyn Paine, Hazel Rita Rebstock, Geneva F. Richard, Lois Richey, Evelyn A. Songe, Mildred M. Songe, Hazel Louise Theriot, Evelyn A. Toups, Lolita Watkins, Barbara E. Wild, Dorothy J. Wild, actives.

The ceremonials for Beta Zeta were given the place of prominence on the regional convention program. At the formal banquet, crested red foil banquet programs reflected the gleam from candelabra which held miniatures of the Phoenix and red candles.

Favors were presented each Beta Zeta member.

In addition to the president, Emma Dell Mendoza, other officers were: Mildred Songe, vice president; Barbara Wild, secretary; Margarite Hail, treasurer; Geneva Richard, registrar; Catherine Hudson, chaplain; Lolita Watkins, collegiate representative; and Evelyn Toups, editor.

The girls who formed Zeta Delta Phi set a precedent which has become tradition . They made good grades, received high honors, and were among the most active on the campus. Emma Dell Mendoza, first president, was honored by being included in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in both 1939-40 and 1940-41. From 1941-44, the chapter held the following presidencies: Orchesis Dance Club, Red Jacket Pep Organization, Y.W.C.A., Math Club, Home Economics Club, Little Theater, (two years), Pi Gamma Mu, Sigma Theta, Panhellenic Council. They also had the editor of the NeUJman Club Handbook, the editor of Vermillion, the weekly publication, two "Beauties," and four in Who's Who. When war came, Beta Zeta girls immediately volunteered for defense activities. Indeed, the first girls to take auto mechanics on the Southwestern campus were five Alpha Sigmas of Beta Zeta .

BETA ETA CHAPTER State Teachers College, Dickinson, North Dakota On May 17, 1941, Alpha Sigma Alpha became the first national sorority to enter the campus of State Teachers College, Dickinson, North Dakota. Reporting this event to the PHOENIX, Mary German wrote, "A year ago in October that very grand person, Mrs. Sharp, came to our campus through the invitation of our Dean of Women, Leila G . Woods, to tell interested girls about educational sororities.

Interest grew and grew and grew, and finally on December 2, 16 girls met at South Hall, organizing a local sorority with the aim of petitioning for membership in Alpha Sigma Alpha. Our first officers of A.S .A. were Mary Meulemans, president; Betty Bruvold, vice president; Gwendolyn Bell, secretary; and Marian Carlson, treasurer. Miss Woods was

unanimously chosen our adviser." The local group had taken the name "A.S.A." "Then followed weeks of plan ning and working as we aspired to become Alpha Sigmas. Through hops, sponsoring a show, a candy sale, and a silver tea, our fund grew. Work on our scrapbook absorbed our attention and spare time. Then, we sought membership, and after a little while of anxious waiting and great suspense, our petition was accepted by the National Council. " By this time, we had gained five new girls, and an outstanding alumna member, Mrs. Hattie Gaines Parker. We all studied our pledge manuals more' ambitiously and more eagerly than any texts, with Miss Woods serving as our very wise and helpful instructor.

"At last came the wonderful week-end of May r6-r8 when we attained our goal, the sisterhood of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

"In rapid succession, we were pledged, examined and initiated . Although the whirlwind of important events left us almost breathless, we were deeply impressed by the beauty 路 and solemnity of the pledging and initiation ceremonies. Our banquet, at which Beta Eta was installed by Mrs. Sharp, was the loveliest affair imagineable. Mary Meulemans presided as toastmistress for the program which included presentation of guests by Mrs. Leib. Thrilling were our gifts; 'recognition pins and programs from the national officers, a president's gavel from Miss Evelyn G. Bell, flowers from the three campus fraternities, and telegrams and notes of congratulations from college and alumna: chapters and other frien~s . .

"For the perfect conclusion to this all-important week-end, we attended St. John's Lutheran Church Sunday morning, and in the afternoon, honored our guests at a four o'clock tea given at South Hall to which the faculty, faculty wives, and presidents of the fraternities were invited. Our patronesses, Mrs. Ethel Bowen and Mrs. Hazel Scott, poured.

"Oh, yes, at our very first business meeting as Alpha Sigmas, we elected these officers : Mary Jane Alguire, president; Betty Bruvold, vice president; Marjorie Sadler, secretary; Muriel Marklund, treasurer; Evelyn Morland, registrar; Mary German, editor; and Clara Pierce, chaplain; and of course, our adviser- Miss Woods ."

Installing officers of Beta Eta Chapter were: Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, National Educational Director; Mrs. Polly Schlosser, National Treasurer; and Mrs.' Genevieve S. Leib, National Editor. These were assisted by Mrs. Mary Whitcraft, Chi Chi adviser; Mrs. Marie Kingdon, Chi Chi alumna; Mary Ethel Earl, Tau Tau active; and Ruth Voetsch and Bertrude Crane, Beta Beta actives.

Charter members of Beta Eta were: Miss Leila G. Woods, adviser; Mary Jane Alguire, Julia E. Armstrong, Gwendolyn A. Bell, Marjorie V. Berdahl, Elizabeth M . Bruvold, Marian H. Carlson, Mary E.German, Helen R. Hoeger, Muriel E. Marklund, Mary A. Meulemans, Evelyn M. Morland, Frances M.

THE PHOENIX

ro8 Morrell, Betty Page, Alice Peterson, Clara M . Pierce, Lucile E. Pinder, Marjorie I. Sadler, Helen T. Sloan, Mavis A. Thompson, Hattie A. Tiegs, F. Ardyce 路Zempel, Grace A. Williams, and Hattie Parker.

Patronesses of the charter group were: Mrs. Hazel Scott and Mrs. Ethel Bowen.

The year 1941-42 saw Beta Eta girls active in many campus activities. Keeping up the Alpha Sigma standards for activity, the chapter was honored by having two members selected for Who's Who Among College and University Students in America -Clara Pierce and Betty Bruvold. Traditional ASA good times were likewise enjoyed by the chapter.

Nor did it forget service to others. Together with the other girls on the campus, each Alpha Sigma signed up to do two or more hours of Red Cross work each week. Professionally, the group was honored when the article, "I Look Forward to Teaching," written by its president, Mary Jane Alguire, was selected for publication by the Peabody Journal of Education. Last, but by no means least, four successive Homecoming Queens, from 1940 to 1943, were Alpha Sigmas of Beta Eta. The first member of Beta Eta to join the armed forces of World War II was Betty Lou Petska, alumna of 194路3.

BETA THETA CHAPTER Central Michigan College of Education, Mount Pleasant, Michigan Beta Theta is Alpha Sigma Alpha's Fortieth Birthday Chapter. It was at the Fortieth Anniversary Convention held in Chicago in August, 1941, that its first member was initiated . Nora Sheehy, chapter president, represented her pledge chapter at the convention and became a full member at the traditional model' initiation conducted by the National Council.

As the very newest Alpha Sigma Alpha, it was she who was chosen for a recorded interview with Louise Cox Carper, Founder, on the history of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Her questions about her sorority formed the basis for Mrs. Carper's story of the organization's early days. Then, on the day when the national sorority was exactly forty years old, November 15, 1941, Beta Theta became a regularly chartered chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Beta Theta Chapter traces its origin to the organization of the Rachel Tate Literary Society in 1924.

The name was taken in honor of Miss Rachel Tate of the English Department, who acted as adviser to the group. In May, 1940, as a part of the general campus movement in the direction of Greek letter organizations, Rachel Tate Literary Society became a local sorority known as Sigma Pi Delta.

On June 15, 1941, this sorority, numbering 19 girls, was pledged to Alpha Sigma Alpha by Wilma ' Wilson Sharp, National Educational Director, in the League Lounge of the Union Building. The service was followed by a tea in honor of Mrs. Sharp and visiting Alpha Sigmas.

As previously mentioned, initiation and installation took place on November rs, of that year, with Evelyn G. Bell, National Alumna: Director, and Genevieve S. Leib, National Editor, as installing officers. Others assisting in the service were Sarah Jane Bumgardner and Hazel Patterson, Detroit Alumna: Chapter; Anne Frankenberry and Loretta Woodruff, Mu Mu; and Carol Frazee, Eleanor Thorn, and June Fernaays, Pi Pi. Mrs. Reba Anderson Ruster, Eta Eta, Mount Pleasant, and Mrs. Elizabeth Uhe Fuller, former National Alumna: Officer, of Grand Rapids, were also present for the services.

These were held at noon in the League Lounge of the Union Building.

During the afternoon, the new chapters of Alpha Sigma Alpha and Theta Sigma Upsilon, installed the same week-end, held a joint open house tea in the League Lounge. Later a formal banquet was held in the beautiful ballroom of the Union Building.

Dean Sharp and Jenna V. Lang, patronesses, were also guests. The speakers' table was centered with a large birthday cake, with candles on either side.

Programs were in gold and white, and gold and white place cards carried a replica of the sorority badge.

At the close of the banquet, Mrs. Leib officially installed Beta Theta Chapter. The charter was received by Nora Sheehy. Charter members of the chapter were: Mary Kenny, Sally Consaul, Leonora Lehman, Rosemary McGuire, alumna:; Nora Mary Sheehy, president, Virginia Hosley, vice president, Nan McNamara, secretary, Henrietta A . Breitzke, treasurer, Jane Francis, chaplain, Mary Ellen Hileman, editor, Donna Martineau, Betty Megarah, Jane Yarnell Orr, Betty Jane Read, and Barbara J. Stout, actives. Miss Helen Marie Achenbach was initiated as adviser.

Following the marriage ana resignation of Miss Achenbach, Mrs. Opal Thorpe became adviser of the chapter in 1942-43.

The chapter has received its share of campus honors: Donna Martineau was crowned Manister Forest Queen in 1942; in 1943, Betty Jane Read was president of the senior class and Arlene Hopkins was editor of the college yearbook; and in 1943-44, Ina Ringle was campus Victory Queen, Frances Mewmaw had the leading role in the production of the dramatic club, and Arlene Hopkins and Mary Jean Coon were chosen for Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

In World War II, Beta Theta has contributed to the Victory Loan Fund and other war work .projects.

BETA IOTA CHAPTER Radford College, Radford, Virginia Gamma Zeta was organized at Radford in November, 1941, with the aspiration of someday becoming a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. This purpose was achieved on the week-end of May 8-10, 1942

JANUARY,

1945

when the group was formally installed as Beta Iota Chapter.

National officers present were Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, National President, Mrs. Genevieve S. Leib, National Editor, and Mrs. Eleanore Smith Thomas, National Fellowship Chairman. Also pre~ent were Polly Keller, Ella Marsh Pilkington, and Nancye Allen, Alpha; Mary McKay, Dorothy White, and Frances Waddell, Beta Epsilon.

The installation banquet was held on Saturday evening, May 9, at the Hotel Governor Tyler, Radford's beautiful new hotel. Following the banquet, the girls met in a suite in Norwood Hall, the JuniorSenior dormitory of the college, for a social time with national officers. On Sunday, the entire group attended the Grove A venue Methodist Church. A tea that afternoon, with parents of the town girls, presidents of the other sororities, and faculty members as guests, held in the Cove, social activities building, concluded the festivities . . Charter members of Beta Iota were; Joella Akin, adviser; Lois Akers, Virginia Boatwright, Alice Brown, secretary, Louise Clement, Mickey Clement, Lucille M. Cox, registrar, Ruth Dudley, Mary Margaret East, Clara Jane Hines, Kitty Karnes, Ch~p­ lain, Rebecca Lowman, Sarah McDonald, Maxme Miller, treasurer, Ella Monday, Jane Mullen, editor, Nancy Lee Scott, Sylvia K. Sublett, president, Ruth Williams, vice president, Elise Wright, Georgie Zebedee.

In 1943, the chapter chose as adviser, Miss Beverly Holmes to succeed Miss Akin who had married and gone to Tennessee.

In October of 1943,- the chapter was happy to be given a room in Tyler Hall. During 1943-4~, the chapter roll was increased so that the total list of initiates since installation was 51. Among these were three members of the May Court-Pauline Lester, Vera Litton, and Ruth Campbell; the president. of the 1943-44 Senior Class, Kitty Karnes, and the Ed1tor of the Bee Hive, (Radford College Yearbook), Nan Wolfe. Among the eight 1943-44 Seniors designated as outstanding by their classmates four were Alpha Sigmas: Kitty Karnes, Lucille Cox, Mary Ann Pace, Nan Wolfe.

BETA KAPPA CHAPTER Western Illinois State Teachers' College, Macomb, Illinois Alpha Sigma Alpha's first chapter in. Illinois. dates to November, 1942, when 20 girls orgamzed Ph1 Tau Phi. However, due to campus conditions, no Greek letter groups were recognized. In January, L?43• a faculty-student committee of the Student Counc1l considered the Greek letter question, and all bans were lifted. On March 10, Phi Tau Phi was officially recognized. It was the first women's Greek .letter group on the campus. The ~rst gro~p to b: nau?nalized was Sherman Hall wh1ch affiliated w1th S1gma Tau Gamma fraternity.

109 After faculty recogmtwn had been received, the girls' group petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha. Notice of the acceptance of the petition was received on April 7· Installation of the chapter, Beta Kappa, was under the direction of Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, National President on the week-end of October 23-24, 1943.

Assisting Mrs. Sharp were · five college chapter presidents: Patsy Magee, Zeta Zeta, Irene Heideman, Phi Phi, Marie Hembree, Eta Eta, Mariana White, Epsilon Epsilon, Judith La Frenz, Alpha Beta, and Sue Covey, alumna of Zeta Zeta.

Following the installation pledging of Saturday afternoon, Alpha Sigma Alpha and Pi Kappa Sigma, which was installing the same week-end, held an inter-sorority dance in Morgan Gymnasium. Initiation services were held on Sunday morning. In the afternoon, an inter-sorority reception was held in the Arts Building.

Charter members of Beta Kappa were: Mary Weinberg, president, Alice Jones, Norma Brown, registrar, Earline Lanterman, recording secretary, Velma Duvendack, treasurer, Dorothy Binder, editor, Betty Jo Lawless, Joyce Lee Staples, Marion Hazalleaf, Margie Jean Miner, Stella Pletkovich, corresponding secretary, Ruth Pletkovich, vice president, Florence Robinson, Erva Mae Montgomery, Phyllis Young, Louise Shinkevich, chaplain, Helen Sowder, Jean .McManus, Margie Ann Irish, Marge Yarde, Mary Elaine Lyons, Betty Lee Lyon, Mary Elizabeth Nelson, Frieda Sowers, Gladys Norstrum, Merna Painter, Carolyn Morrison, Betty Wheeler, Margaret Sloan, and Helen Thomas. Adviser of the chapter was Miss Elna Scott.

During its first year as an Alpha Sigma chapter, Beta Kappa had six members elected to Kappa Delta Pi, two became Pi Pi members, and Margie Jean Miner was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. An A.S.A., Louise Shinkevich, held the presidency of W .A.A. during 1943-44 and before college closed another Alpha Sigma, Dorothy Bmder, had been elected as her successor in 1944-45. In the 1944 Sequel, Western's yearbook, Mary Weinberg, Margie Jean Miner and Mildred Kock were recognized as Campus Personalities and Margie Jean Miner was voted a Campus Leader.

As a local, in the spring of 1943, the chapter had begun the weekly sale of Defense Stamps and Bonds.

This was continued as a major project during 1943-44.

BET A LAMBDA CHAPTER Arkansas State Teachers' College, Conway, Arkansas In the fall of 1936 there were four sororities and five fraternities on the campus of the State Teachers' College at Conway. The Student Interest Committee saw a need for another social sorority. Hence Dr. D. b. McBrien, dean of men, called Melissa and Victoria Fiser to his office to discuss the matter.

These searched ou~ ten other interested girls and,

IIO

choosing Miss Marie Schichtl as sponsor, wrote a constitution.

The object of the group was to form a sisterhood that would promote the social life of its members and aid in the encouragement of and promotion of scholarship and those elements of character that make for effective influence of a college woman. ' The name Zeta Sigma was chosen . Zeta was the initial of Zelotai and Sigma of Sophias,- the name meaning "Followers of Wisdom." Colors were scarlet and cream to signify valor and purity. The flower, at first the talisman rose, was later , changed to the red rose. The badge of Zeta Sigma was a shield bearing a torch through which ran a sword . The â&#x20AC;˘ symbol wa~ a red and white dog with the Greek letters Zeta and Sigma, which the pledge carried for a period of six weeks.

By the end of its second year, the new group had added 14 names to the original 12 and also had four pledges. It continued to prosper and made an enviable place for itself on the Conway campus.

In the fall of 1943, Zeta Sigma petitioned Alpha Sigma Alpha and on March 4, 1944, installation services were held. Installing officers were Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, National President and Miss Esther Bucher, National Treasurer. These were assisted by Miss Clio Allen, Psi Psi adviser, Clare Alexander, Vida Caraway, Evelyn Horn, and Gloria Bayard, Psi Psi; Miss Fern Pascoe, Beta Gamma adviser, Olie May Bittle, Penny Stolper, Jenny Mosier, Dorothy Bartlett, Billy Ray Hogue, Robbie Farris, and Marjorie Ray, Beta Gamma; Marie Hembree, Betty Lance, and Janet Malcolm, Eta Eta; and Annette Pausewang Gruber, Pi Pi alumna . It fact, since the war had made regional conventions impossible, Conway installation was utilized as the next best way to provide contacts between national officers and members of several chapters.

Delta Sigma Epsilon, which was installing at the same time, shared Bernard Hall, which had recently been vacated by a Wac contingent, with the Alpha Si~ma guests.

THE PHOENIX

Following installation services, a formal banquet was held that Saturday evening in the lounge of the Commons building. On Sunday morning, Miss Schichtl entertained the alumna: and visiting Alpha Sigmas with a breakfast at her home, following which everyone attended the Presbyterian Church.

That afternoon, Delta Sigma Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Alpha were honored by a semi-formal tea in the Mirror Room of McAlister Hall, with the other national groups on campus, both men and women, as hosts and hostesses.

Reports of the week-end indicate that songs, conversations, and "get acquainted" sessions of an unofficial nature filled the day and night hours, and that it took only 48 hours to achieve that state wherein everyone knows everyone else and feels that the condition has existed for years rather than days.

Pajama parties, cookies, cokes, and scrapbooks all served their purpose.

Charter members of Beta Lambda were: Florence Morris Lull, Christine Calvert, Mary Frances Gist, Wand a Green, Emma dell High, Ernestine Peters, Ruby Shambarger, Barbara Shuffield, Harriet Umsted, Georgiana White, Polly White, alumna:; Marie Schichtl, adviser; Doris Powell, president, Faydene Carroll, vice president, Vivienne Clifton, secretary, LaNelle Siegel, corresponding secretary, Ida Mae Park,er, treasurer, Elizabeth Mills, historian, Frances Burkett, editor, Peggy Hime, photographer, Virginia Sue Brooks, sergeant-at-arms, Jean Lile Baker, Marjorie Brown, Marian Wilkerson Cooper, Hilda Eidson, Jean Frazier, Martha Goode, Dorothy Hall, Norma Ruth Henderson, Betty Ruth Joyce, Joyce Lively, Frances McGinnis, Glenna Joe Phillips, Jean Frances Trice, Glennie Trimble, Dorothy Wilkerson, Ruth Worm, actives.

In its first riews letter to the PHoENix, it was evident that Beta Lambda will keep pace with sister chapters in good times, activities, and the qualities which make Alpha Sigmas known for their "character, calibre, culture, and charm."

}ANUARY,

1945

III

ALUMNAE CHAPTER ROLL, 1945 Akron, Ohio Alva, Oklahoma Boston, Massachusetts Buffalo, New York Canton, Ohio Central, Pennsylvania Chicago, Illinois Cleveland, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Colorado Springs, Colorado Denver, Colorado Detroit Delta Phi, Michigan Des Moines, Iowa Emporia, Kansas Greeley, Colorado Gunnison, Colorado Hampton Roads, Virginia Hays, Kansas Huntington, West Virginia Indianapolis, Indian~ Johnstown, Pennsylvania Kansas City, Missouri Kirksville, Missouri Little Rock, Arkansas Los Angeles, California Maryville, Mi~souri Muncie, Indiana Muskogee, Oklahoma Natchitoches, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana New York City, New York Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburg, Kansas Richmond, Virginia Rochester, New York St. Louis, Missouri Toledo, Ohio Tulsa, Oklahoma Washington, D. C. Wichita, Kansas

THE PHOENIX

II2

ALUMNAE CHAPTERS The national requirement for an alumnx chapter is eight ex-collegio members living within an area such that a minimum of four meetings a year is possible. It is difficult to discover which was the first such chapter, but records indicate that the earliest groups were organized in the early 19oo's in the college towns where there was an Alpha Sigma Chapter and in the cities near chapters. Sometimes a national officer helped in the organization by furnishing names of alumnx and appointing a local organizer. More often it was a case of two or three girls knowing a fourth who knew a fifth,. and so the group grew. The first petition was probably received from Alliance, Ohio, in 1910. From 1914 to 1918 several strong groups appeared. During the last decade, these groups have signed formal petitions and been chartered by the national organization.

The Los Angeles Alumnx Chapter illustrates one type of chapter. In the spring of 1924, the National President wrote to. Nell Grant, Epsilon Epsilon, in Venice, California, asking her to call upon Marie Brunsman (Berry), Alpha Beta, who had written to find what A .S.A.'s were in the Los Angeles area.

These two were asked to see Mabel Anderson, Alpha Beta, who was ill. In spite of a rainy day, the two met for a Saturday luncheon and listed all the 路 Los Angeles Alpha Sigmas each knew. However, it was not until January, 1926, that the installation of Xi Xi brought the group together. Gradually Alpha Sigmas moved to Los Angeles, and there was a race to see which active chapter would be best represented .

Epsilon Epsilon and Alpha Beta were in the lead until Xi Xi began graduating girls. Yet not until 1933 did the Xi Xi Ex-Collegio Chapter merge with the Los Angeles City Association as it was then known. In IS years, this group grew from ro to over so members with eight or more chapters represented.

Nineteen different communities, within 40 miles of Los Angeles, covering territory from the mountains to the beaches, are represented.

The Cleveland Alumnx Chapter came into existence about 1920. Fifteen or more Delta Delta and Miami girls organized it. The program was purely social, and gradually as some of the teaching members married, moved away, or became too busy, meetings became spasmodic and ceased . In 1937, it was revived with the visit of Evelyn G. Bell, who asked a group of Cleveland alumnx to meet with her for a Washington's Birthday dinner.

The Huntington Alumnx Chapter is found in a college chapter town . During the Christmas holidays

of 1933, Doris Feeley (Lawson) invited all eligible Alpha Sigmas to her home to discuss the organization of a group. At the first, regular meeting, February 9, 1934, which was held in a home, it was decided to sponsor a rush tea in February.

The close relationship possible between college and alumnx chapters geographically near each other is also well illustrated by such groups as Buffalo, Alva, Kirksville, Maryville, Emporia, Boston, Gunnison, Natchitoches. Until the war made it impossible, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, entertained the entire Alpha Gamma Chapter in Pittsburgh annually.

Philadelphia Alumnx aid both Kappa Kappa and Nu Nu. Denver and Kansas City sponsor sorority meetings during district teachers' conventions.

New York and Chicago are each relatively isolated from college groups and find their greatest pleasure in making new acquaintances through sorority contacts. Each is proud of the versatility and diversity of its membership which commutes long distances to meetings.

Columbus loyally preserves the traditions of an inactive college chapter in its own membership and welcomes those of other chapters who are gradually moving to Columbus.

Indianapolis likewise is loyal to the old Chi Chi of the majority of its members but has transferred its affection to the new Chi Chi at Muncie.

Central Pennsylvania finds distances a barrier but gathers in its members four times a year.

The Richmond, Virginia, Alumnx Chapter. is a happy example of the achievement and enthusiasm of very recent A .S.A. graduates. It, with other alumnx chapters, is proof that "leadership in A.S.A.'' continues long after college days.

Although most alumnx chapters were organized primarily to keep intact the pleasant sorority relationships of college days, the majority of these thirty-nine groups have a program embracing service to others and intellectual and spiritual growth for themselves.

The war work of A.S.A. alumnx-both individual and chapter effort-reaches an amazing total.

Realizing that alumnx chapters out number active and alumnx constitute the greater portion of the sorority's membership, Alpha Sigma Alpha has always designated one member of the 路 National Council to supervise alumnx activities. Usually she has one or more assistants among the National Committee Chairmen. The present national alumnx officer has the title Directm路 of Alumnce Activities.

JANUARY,

1945

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA AND THE GREEK WORLD F one can remember the year of the Declaration of the~ American Colonies' Independence from England, she can also remember the date of the first Greek letter organization founded in the colonies. It was then the custom for students of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, to gather in the Apollo room of Raleigh Tavern to discuss the affairs of the day. On the night of December 5, 1776, five good friends had lingered after the others had left. When they finally returned to the college, Phi Beta Kappa, now familiar to graduates 1 of liberal arts colleges for its prestige in the field of general scholarship, had been formed. This organization, therefore, became the parent of the modern fraternity and sorority system. The first members of Phi Beta Kappa made early provision for charter grants to other colleges, yet it was not until a half century had passed that its roll numbered five chapters and another Greek letter society had been founded. By that time, Phi Beta Kappa was stressing the honorary nature of its membership, and new groups did not consider themselves competitors.

At the time of the American Revolution there were only nine colleges in the colonies: Harvard (1636), William and Mary (1693), Yale (1701), Princeton (1746), King's, now Columbia (1754), Pennsylvania (1757), Rutgers (1763), Brown (1764), and Dartmouth (1770).

Naturally these colleges were all for men-w9men of college age were busy with baking and brewing, spinning and weaving, and all the numerous household ' tasks of a pre-mechanical era.

Even the daughters of the well-to-do had little time or interest for any equcation except the superficial knowledge which could be acquired at a fashionable finishing school.

Although the years immediately following the Revolutionary War were not conducive to educational progress, those from 1821 to 1837 found the country in a flourishing condition.

However, in 1787, an ordinance passed by the Continental Congress provided for the government of the Northwest Territory and specified that there should be a reservation in every township for the maintenance of public schools. This was later interpreted as providing also for the reservation of lands for university endowment. In this way, the future of the state university was assured.

The next Greek letter groups were founded in the north, and by 1848, there were 14 national groups for men, six having been founded at Union and two at Miami. In spite of the instability of the period from 1850 to the Civil War, six new groups arose, four in the north and two in the south. In the five years immediately following the war, five new groups were organized, all in Virginia. These 25 fraternities, plus one founded in 1873, had the field practically to themselves for more than 30 years, but the twentieth century brought new groups so that by January 1, 1944, the National Interfraternity Conference listed 59 groups on its roll.

This number does not include the various professional groups. These 59 groups numbered from six to rr3 chapters and had total memberships ranging from 1,500 to 56,337.

When opportunities for collegiate training came for women, it was natural that in the coeducational institutions, especially, the girls should be anxious to have secret organizations also.

Moreover, in some of the southern girls' schools of a semi-collegiate rank, the students had brothers who were members of well known national fraternities, and the girls wished for themselves similar organizations. Apparently the first secret society for wo~en was the Adelphean, founded at Wesleyan College, Macon, Georgia, in 185r. In 1903, the group changed its name to Alpha Delta Pi. In 1852, Philomathean, renamed Phi Mu in 1904, was founded at the same school. Both were suspended during the Civil War due to the closing of the college but were kept alive by the members and began a program of expansion in 1905 and 1904, respectively.

I

THE PHOENIX

I. C. Sorosis, later Pi Beta Phi, was established in 1867 at Monmouth College. It took its Greek name in 1888. The first group to be organized with a Greek name was Kappa Alpha Theta, at De Pauw in 1870. The same year, Kappa Kappa Gamma came into existence at Monmouth. By the end of 1879, there were eight women's groups: Alpha Delta Pi, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, . and Sigma Kappa. Of these, four had but one chapter each.

By the end of the next decade, Alpha路Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, and Beta Sigma Omicron had been organized. , Of the eleven, three still had but one chapter each.

At the end of the nineteenth century, there was a total of 19 groups for women; Alpha Xi Delta, Pi Kappa Sigma, Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Kappa Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Alpha Sigma Tau having been added. However, only six of these 19 had as many as ten chapters each. Half of them were one or two chapter organizations.

The next group to appear in the sorority world was Alpha Sigma Alpha, in the fall of 1901. It was the first sorority to be founded in the twentieth century. If one considers the relationship of dates of founding of all the sororities, it is evident that all dates may be roughly grouped into three periods: those before 1875 (Alpha Delta Pi through Sigma Kappa, in order of founding), those from 1885 through 1904 (beginning with Alpha Chi Omega and including Delta Zeta in 1902 and Alpha Gamma Delta in 1904), and those organized after 1908 (beginning with Beta Phi Alpha and including Phi Omega Pi and Theta Upsilon of the N.P.C. groups with Theta Sigma Upsilon (1921) and Pi Delta Theta (1926) of the A.E.S. groups and the many professional and departmental groups). Thus, Alpha Sigma Alpha was founded in the middle era, 路 the period when education for women was becoming more popular and when girls who could be considered more than mere intellectuals attempting to usurp man's place, were beginning to attend college in noticeable numbers.

Through the years some Greek letter organizations have affected mergers. So, today, exclusive of professional fraternities for women there are 27 national sororities which have as their objectives the enrichment of life for their members. Twenty-one of these are now found in the general college field and are members of the National Parihellenic Congress. Six confine their charter grants to colleges offering professional work in education and are members of the Association of Education Sororities which was organized in 1915 when Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha, having decided to seek their new chapters in the education colleges, established what was then known as the Association of Pedagogical Sororities. Both groups had been founded as general sororities and are two of the four national sororities found- . ed at Farmville, the others being Zeta Tau Alpha and Kappa Delta. As pointed out in the general history of Alpha Sigma Alpha, these four groups were organized within a few years of each other.

The national sororities, in January, 1944, were found to have active chapter rolls of from I I to 96 and membership rolls varying from 2,525 to 38,419.

The age of a sorority does not necessarily determine its size, for the aggressiveness of its expansion policy has varied through the years with the sentiments of the members. Many groups made little effort in their early years to add chapters. Others have felt that a chapter should be well assimilated into the national body before another was admitted. Sometimes the process of admission has hindered rapid expansion, for voting by all chapters on a petition can be a lengthy procedure, and acceptance only by the National Convention is an even lengthier one. Moreover, some groups have limited the number of new chapters desired within a given area. It is noted that of the chapters established between 1870 and 188o, barely 20 had an unbroken existence, and on the chapter rolls of those groups which were organized in the south before 1910, many chapters are now non-existent. This is due to the fact that early charter grants were made to groups in institutions below collegiate rank. As the sororities determined to function only on a collegiate basis, unless the school had by then raised its standards, the chapter was withdrawn. Further,

}ANUARY,

1945

some of the institutions, although of excellent calibre for their period, later ceased to exist or were merged with other schools. Anti-sorority laws were likewise responsible for necreology.

The disparity between number of chapters and number. of members is explained by the various practices in limiting chapter size. In universities where expensive houses must be maintained, it is financially desirable to have chapters of 50 to 75 or more girls. In smaller colleges, where a chapter house is not a problem financially, the size is often limited by the number of sororities and the enrollment of women so that no group may bid more than its 路 quota. Frequently, the national organization specifies or suggests a maximum number, believing that in a chapter of more than 30 or 35, the impossibility of knowing each member well is detrimental to the ideal of a sisterhood whose members are closely bound together. In earlier days, many chapters were considered large with a roll of 20 or 25 girls. Several of the early Alpha Sigma Alpha chapters consisted of no more than a dozen girls because the girls who were already members did not wish more girls in their group. Perhaps one can more readily understand. this attitute when it is remembered that often chapter-s held their meetings in the bedrooms of the members, and never has a college room accommodated more than that number comfortably. , On the other hand, the idea of limitation extended into the national policy in several sororities who felt that if their badge were worn too widely by college students it would lessen the prestige of the organization. 路 路 To rate an organization or a person upon the statistics supplied by size, age, and financial status has been considered always to be satisfactory only with respect to those particular items.

As with individuals, the sorority can be truly rated only upon the basis of its achievements as a group and the character and accomplishments of its members. In" so far as they have lived the ideals of their group- and each group has splendid ones, regardless of its Greek nameand have found joy in sisterhood, that sorority has been successful. 路 A trend in the sorority world was indicated in 1941 when Affiliated Panhellenics cam into being. This interfraternity organization is composed of three representatives from each of the following Associations: National Panhellenic Congress, Association of Education Sororities and Professional Panhellenic Association. The object of Affiliated Panhellenics is "to further the welfare of fraternity women by giving greater emphasis and more widespread recognition to fraternity standards and to safeguard and point the direction of future fraternity life in the educational system." Alpha Sigma's National President served as a representative to Affiliated Panhellenics during the first three years of its existence.

rr6

THE PHOENIX

APPENDIX NATIONAL OFFICERS OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA 1905-06

1910-11

President- Edna V . Elca n , Alpha.

V ice-President- J eanne D. P elha m , Gamma.

Secr etar y-Effie C. Mealy, Beta.

Historia n- Lucy Daniels, Alpha.

Editor of A lpha Si gm a A lpha Magazine -Martha A. Wilson, Ga mm a .

A ssociate Editor s - Marguerite Beirne, Beta, and H elen St. Cla ir Scott ( r eplacing Alma Thraves, Alpha, r esig ned) Gamma.

(Edna V. Elcan had been elected president prior to the first convention h eld in November , 1905, and was r eelect ed a t the convention a lthough sh e w a s n ot present.)

President - Lina Wakefi eld Mattison, Gamma.

Vice-President- Hattie K elly, Alpha.

S ecr etary and Trea surer-Bessie F erguson Cary, Alpha.

Inspector-Madeleine Rollwage, Eta. Cus todian of the Badge-Suzanne Bandell, Ep silon .

Hist orian-Cha rlotte Jones, Alpha .

Editor-in-Chief-Mary C. Shuford, Gamma Beta Sigma.

Co-Editor-Charlotte Jon es, Alpha.

E xchange Editor - Martha C. Henry, Kappa Phi. Alumnre Editor-Hattie K elly, Alpha.

Business Manager--Nannie D. L ee, Gamma B eta Sigma.

Extension Committee-Eliza beth A. Rippel, Kappa Phi, Eliza Mitchell, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sourie Glover , Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Central Alumnre Association - Hattie K elly, Alpha, president ; Elizabeth Alexander, Sigma Phi Epsilon ; Charlotte Battles, Kappa Phi ; Martha Wilson, Gamma.

E xamination Board - Lina Wakefi eld Mattison , Gamma, chail'man ; Hardenia Flet ch er , Iota ; Martha C. H enry, Kappa Phi ; Elizabeth Alexander, 'Sigma Phi Eps ilon.

1906-08 President- Edna V. Elcan , Alpha.

First Vice-President - Jane Birthisel, Beta.

Second Vice-President- Caroline M. Clay, Delta.

Third Vice-President- Annie Hawkin s, Eta. ' Historian- Mary Rose Finn , D elta.

S ecretary and Treasurer - Fredree C. Ansel, Gamma.

Editors of Alpha Sigma A lpha Magazine - Martha A. Wilson , Gamma, a nd H elen St. Clair S cott, Ga mma.

Business Ma nager-Mary H enly Spen cer , Alpha .

1908-09 President - Lina Wakefi eld Ma t t ison , Gamma.

Vice-Presiden t -Ma ry C. A sh e, Gamma .

Secr etary and Trea surer- Bessie F er g uson Cary, Alpha.

Editor -in-chief of A egis- J essie Scott, Gamma .

A ssociate Editor - Beverly Andrews, Alpha.

E x change Editor - Elizabeth Alexander, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Bus iness Ma nager- Julia G. J on es, Sigma Phi Eps ilon.

1909-10 Presiden t - Linda Wakefi eld Ma ttison , Ga mma.

Vice-Presiden t-Mary R ose Finn , D elta.

Secr etary and Trea surer - Bessie F er g uson Ca r y, Alpha.

Insp ect or - Ma deleine R ollwage Eta. Custodian of the Badge-Suzanne Ba ndell, E psilon .

Editor-in-chief of A egis - J essie Scott, Ga mma.

Co-Editor s - Mary C. Shuford, Ga mm a Beta Sig m a and Beverl y Andrew s, Al p ha.

E xch a n ge Editor - Eliza bet h Alexander, Sig m a Phi Eps ilon .

Alumnre Editor- H a ttie K elly, Alpha.

Business Mana ger - Julia Gilbert J on es, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

F or the E xt en sion Committee - Fra n ces Prescott J on es, Alpha, Cha irman ; Cha;rlot te W. Ba ttles, K a ppa Phi, and Sa lhe Hay wo~d Battle, Ga mma Beta Sigma.

1911-12 President - Lina Wakefi eld Mattison, Gamma (Elizabeth Alex a nder, Sigma Phi Eps ilon , had been elected when Miss Mattison r efu sed to con sider r eelection ; when Miss Alexander , w ho was n ot present at the convention, refused, Miss Mattison was p ersuaded to act a s president pro-tem . ) Vice-President- H a ttie K elly, Alpha.

S ecr etary and Treasurer - Arney Robinson , Gamma.

In sp ector - N a ncy B. Clarke , Gamma.

Cust odian of the Badge-Suzanne Bandell, Epsilon.

Historian- Charlotte J on es, Alpha.

Editor -in-Chief-Mary C. Shuford, Gamma Beta Sigm a .

Co-Editor-Charlotte Jones, Alpha.

E xch a nge Editor- Martha H enry, Kapp a Phi. Alumnre Editor - Hattie K elly, Alpha.

Business Mana ger- Nannie D. L ee, Gamma Beta Sig m a .

E xt ens ion Committee-Elizabeth A . Ripp el, Kappa Phi chairman ; Corrine H a rris, K a ppa Phi ; Sourie Glover, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Central Alumnre Associa tion - Hattie Kelly, Al p ha, president ; Elizabeth Alexander , K a ppa Phi; Charlotte Battles, Kappa Phi ; Martha Wilson , Gamma.

Exa mination Board - Lina Wakefield M a~ti son, Gamma , ch a irma n ; H a rdema Flet ch er , Iota ; Martha H enry, Kappa Phi. 1912-14 F or this p eriod, it h as been imp oss ible t o learn who w er e the m ember s of the Grand Council, a s the national officer s

named in the first para graph of each list w er e designated before 1914. Lina Wakefield Ma ttison was not president at any time in 1912. It is probable that Susie D. Gault, Gamma, succeeded her.

1914-18 President- Ida Shaw Martin , no chapter.

Secretary-Elva D oyle, Alpha Beta.

Trea surer-Ruth Duffey, Alpha Alpha.

Historian-Dorothy Batten, Alpha.

Standing Commi ttees Finance-Mrs. Martin and Miss Duffey.

E x t ension-Mrs. Martin and Miss Doyle.

Publications - Miss Batten and Miss Duffe y.

Education-Miss Doyle and Miss Batton.

State S ecr etaries Georgia- Sourie Glover , Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Virginia- Charlotte J on.es, Alpha.

Ohio--Helen Lincoln, Alpha Alpha.

P ennsylvania- Ruth Ritchey, Alpha Gamma.

Missouri- Marion Gardner , Alpha Beta.

West Virginia-Mrs. A. H . Hoge, Alpha.

Cabinet Education- Ida A. J ew ett, Alpha Beta.

S ocial Life-Hattie K elly, Alpha.

H ygiene-Elizabeth Schaef er , Alpha Alpha.

In 1917, the following changes wer e made : Vice-Presiden t - Ida A. J ew ett, Alpha Beta.

R egistrar-Eleanor Lowry, Alpha Gamma.

Librarian- J ennie Lind Green, Beta Beta (part of 1917 only) ; Mary A. Paden, Beta Beta.

Secretary - Edith Gamble, Alpha Bet a (upon the death of Elva Doyle R eed.)

Ritualist- Minnie M. Shockley, Gamma Gamma .

Changes in State Secr etaries, 19 17 : Colorado--V er a Campbell, Beta Beta.

Kansa s -N ell M . Grant, E psilon Eps ilon .

Missouri-Carmen Fish er , Alpha Beta .

Oklahoma -Mrs. Frank G. Munson, Gamma Gamma.

P ennsylva nia - Margaret V eil, Alpha Ga mma.

Virginia-Mildred Moore, Alpha.

1918-22 President- Ida Shaw Ma rtin .

Vice-President- Ida A. J ewett, Alpha Beta.

Secr etary-Marg aret V eil, Alpha Gamma.

Trea s urer-Ruth Duffey, Alpha Alpha.

R egistrar- Naomi Caldwell, Delta Delta.

Hist orian Marguerite Archambeault Chen er y, Alpha.

Librarian- Agnes Sandine Bruns on, Beta B eta.

Ritualist- Minnie M. Shockley, Gamma Gamma.

}ANUARY,

1945

Boa1·d of Supe>·visors Alumnre- H ele n Boggess, Alp h a Alpha (1918-21) ; Edna McCullough, Epsilon Eps ilon.

Art-Grace Lyle , Alpha B eta ( 1918-20) ; Ge rtrude D . Halbri tter, Theta Theta .

Examinations - Grace G. Fultz, Delta Delta.

Exten s ion-Edith E. R amsey, Beta B eta (1918-1 9; Dorothy Dankin, B e ta Beta (1919-21) ; H ele n Boggess, Alpha Al p h a.

Mus ic- Maude Barrige r , Eps ilon Epsilon (191 8-21) ; Marie Ric hte r, Delta Delta.

Paraphe rnalia - Ruth De mp sey, Alpha Gamm a .

Sc holarshi p-Frances Robe rtson, Alph a, ( 1918-21) ; Gladys H utchens Magee, Ze ta Ze ta.

Sorority Study- N ellie Azbell Cole, Gamma Gamma (1918-21); Sue Edwards, Gamma Gamma .

Chapter Activities-E dn a McCarty, Iota I ota (1921-22).

Membership Rosamond Root, A lpha Beta.

1922-26 Preside nt-Ida Shaw Martin , Alpha a nd Alpha Alpha.

Vice- Presid ent - Minnie M. Shockley, Gamma Gamma.

Secretary-Adda Ande r son , Epsilon Ep silon.

Treasure r - Grace G. Fultz, Delta Delta.

R egistrar- Wilma Wilson , Zeta Zeta .

Historian Agnes Sandin e Brunson (Tom s) , Be ta Beta.

Ritualis t-Ruth Duffey, Alpha Alpha.

Edito r - Ida A. J e w ett Alph a B e ta (1922) ; Gertrude D. H a lbritte r , The ta The ta (192 3-1926).

Board of Supe>·visors 1922-Sa m e as for 1921-1922 .

1923 (Changes) E xten sion- Ma bel I. P ay n e, I ota I ota ( 1923 only) ; Grace G. Fultz, Delta D elta ( 1925).

S cholars hip Christina Little, Th eta Theta.

Art-Carol D . Pierce, Gamma Gamma.

Chapte r Activ ities-Dorothy Yelton , Alp h a Alp h a.

Mus ic - J osep hine Dixon (M cMillian) , Zeta Zeta.

1926-30 Preside nt- Ida Shaw Martin, Alph a and Alpha A lpha.

Vi ce-President - Minni e M. Shockl ey, Gamma G ama.

*Secr etar y Adda Ande r son, Ep s ilon Eps ilon ( 1926-27) ; Carol D. Pierce, Gamma Gamma ( 1927-28) .

Treasure r -Grace G. Fultz, Delta Delta.

Ch ap lain- Ma ry A. W agn e r, Kappa K appa (19 26-28) .

R egistrar - Wilma Wilson Sharp , Zeta Zeta . tA lumn re Office r - Kathe rin e B. N evius (He ndri x ) Eta Eta. Editor - Ge rtrude D. H a lbritte r , Theta Theta. *Called " Undergr aduate Secretary" (1 928-30 ) ; L eona Wilcox (192 8-30) . tCalled "Graduate S ecretary" ( 1928-30).

Board of Supervisors Tabe rnacle--Ca rlotta M. Corpron, Mu Mu 1926-28) .

Standards - L eona Wilcox, Iota Iota (1926-28).

Arc hi ves- Violet Randolph , Eps ilon Epsi lon (1926-27) ; M y ra H . Pre nti ce, Kappa Kappa (192 8 ).

II7 Finance Ethel M. Straw, Lambda L a mbda (1926-27) ; Ina M. Ba in , Th eta The ta (1927 -28) ; H ele n L. Be nne tt, Alpha Alp ha, (192 8-29) ; Ruth Duffey, Alpha Alpha ( 1929-30).

Service - Be ulah B. J ohn ston, Kappa Kappa (1926-27) ; Evely n G. Bell, Pi Pi , ( 1927).

Mtombe r ship-Ethel I. PhiUips, Zeta Ze ta (1 926-28) ; T h elma O verturf N e ptun e, Upsilon Upsilon (1928-30).

Program-A lice E . Montgome ry, Eta Eta (1926-2 8 ) ; N elle L. Gabrielson, Iota I ota (192 8-30).

Activities- Sue Edwards, Gamma Gamma ( 1926-27) Ina M. Bain , Theta Theta ( 1928).

Editor- Ge n ev ieve Steele L eib, Chi Chi. Finance Chairman-Elizabet h Bird Small, Pi Pi. '

Chai?·man of National Commi ttees Constitution- Elizabet h U he Fulle r, Alpha Beta.

Historian-Hatt ie Kelly Thom as, Alpha.

Songbook- Ethel T obin, X i X i.

F ellowshi p- E sthe r Buche r, Eta Eta .

Ph ilanthropic- Dorothy Smelker Stockton, Alpha Alpha .

Sc holarsh ip-Joy M a h ach ek , Mu Mu. Sorority E xamination- M ary M. Gaa l, Lambda Lambda .

1930-32

1936-38

President - Wilma Wilson Sharp , Zeta Ze t a .

Vice-Preside nt- Mary A . Wagne r , Kap pa Kappa.

S ecretary-Leona Wilcox, I ota Iota.

Treasu r er - Grace G. Fultz (Haworth) , Delta Delta.

R egistrar- Evely n G. Bell , Pi Pi. Chap la in - Louise N . Ste wart, Ups ilon Upsilon .

A lumnre Office r - Doris L. F eeley, Rho Rho. Editor- Julia E. Lancaster , Theta Theta.

A . E . S . R epresenta ti ve- M inn ie M. Shoc kley, Gamma Gamma.

President- Evelyn G. Bell, Pi Pi. Vice- Presid e nt Dorothy ' William son Crook, Nu Nu. Secr etary- E s the r Buche r , Eta Eta. T reasurer- Polly Smelser S c hlosser , Be ta Beta.

R eg istrar- Mary Mae Paul, T a u Tau. Chap lain - Louise N. Ste wart, Upsilon Ups ilon.

Extension Officer-S. June Smith, Kappa Kappa.

Editor-Genev ie ve Steele L eib, Chi Ch i.

Finance Cha irman Wilma Wilso n Sharp , Zeta Zeta.

Boa1·d of Trustees

Constitution- H azle Cran e J on es, Theta Theta .

Histor ian- Hattie Kelly Th omas, Alpha.

Songbook- H ele n M cCla flin , D elta D elta.

Convention- Georgie Anne Schu lte, P hi Phi. Alumn re-H ele n Bloc k Bradley, Pi Pi. Scholarship- Joy Mahac hek, Mu Mu. Philanthropic-Ethel Tobin, X i Xi .

Exam ination - Thelma Stortz, K appa K a ppa ( 1937-38 ).

Elizabe th Bird Small, Pi Pi , Chairman.

Maude Chris topher Nattinger, Ze ta Ze ta .

E c:telle Bauch, Mu Mu. 1932-34 Pres ide nt- Wilma Wilson S harp , Zeta Ze ta.

Vi ce-Preside nt- Mary A. Wag n e r, K appa Kappa.

Secre tary-Leona Wilcox, I ota I ota.

Treasurer-Grace Ifultz Haworth , Delta Delta.

R egis trar- Evelyn G. Bell, Pi P i.

Chapla in - Louise N . Ste wart, Ups ilon Upsilon.

Extension Office r-Elizabe t h Uhe Fulle r, Alpha B e ta.

Ed itor- Julie E. L ancaster, Theta Theta.

Chairman of Trustees- Eliza beth Bird Small, Pi P i .

Chai1·man of National Comntittees Constitution Dorothy William son (Crook), Nu Nu .

Conve ntion- Mary A . Wag n e r , K ap pa Kappa (19 33-34).

His t orian- H a ttie Kelly Thomas, Alpha.

Songbook-Ethel Tobin, Xi Xi. Fellowship - Polly Smelser Sc hlosser B eta Beta.

Alumme--Car olyn Ray, Ep s ilon Epsilon.

Philanthropic - Ge n ev ieve Steele L eib, Chi Chi. Sc hola r ship- Joy Mahach ek, Mu Mu. So rority Exam ination - S. Jun e Sm ith, Kappa Kappa.

National Committee Chainnen

1938-41 Preside nt- Evelyn G. Bell , P i Pi. V ice- President- E s the r Buch er , Eta Eta. Secr eta r y-Thelm a Stortz (Moyer), Kappa Kappa.

Treasu r er - Polly Smelser Schlosser, B eta Beta.

Registrar- Mary Mae Paul , Tau Tau. Editor-Genev ieve Steele L eib, Chi Chi. Educational Director - Wilma Wilso n Sharp, Zeta Zeta.

1934-36

1Va tional Chairnten Alumnre Orga nize r-Hele n B lock Bradley, Pi Pi (1 939-41).

Alumnre Editor - Sally Baxter H orter, Nu Nu. Constitution- N ell Martindale Ku c hs, Phi Phi .

F ellowship- Ma rie Brun sman B erry, Alp h a Beta.

Sch olars hi p- Joy M a h ac he k, Mu Mu. Histm·ian- Louise N. Ste wart, Ups ilon Ups ilon.

Co nve ntion- H ele n Corey, Kappa Kapp a (1941).

Preside nt - Wilma Wilson Sharp , Zeta Zeta.

Vice- President-Evelyn G. Bell, Pi Pi. Secr et ary-L eona W ilcox, Iota Iota .

Treasurer - Polly Smelser Sc hlosser, B eta Beta.

R egistrar - Do rothy Williamson Crook, Nu Nu .

Chap la in - L oui se N. Stewart, Upsilon Upsilon .

Preside nt - Wilma Wilso n Sharp, Ze ta Ze ta.

Vi ce-Preside nt- Polly Sm elser Schlosser, Be ta B eta.

Secr e tary - E sther Buc he r, Eta Eta (1941 -43) ; Thelma Stort z Moye r , Kappa Kappa ( 194 3-44) ; H ele n ).

Cor e y, Kappa Kappa (1944-

194 1-4 5

THE P HOENIX

rr8 Treasurer- Katherine M. Hale, Theta Theta ( 1941-42) ; Grace Gowen (Cogswell), Theta The ta ( 1942-43) ; Esther Bucher, Eta Eta ( 1943).

R egistrar- Marie Brunsman B"erry, Alpha Bea .

Director of Alumnre- Ev elyn G. Bell, . Pi Pi. Editor-G e n e vi eve Steele L eib, Chi Chi .

National Chairm en Alumnm Organizer-H elen Block Bradley, Pi Pi (1941-44).

Alumnre Editor- Virginia Carpenter, Omicron Omicron ( 1941-44) : Ruth Selly Vorhees, Alpha Beta ( 1944 ).

Constitution- N ell Martindale Kuc hs, Phi Phi. Fellowship Eleanor Smith Thomas, Kappa Kappa.

Scholarship- Ruth Martin (Stone), Beta D elta.

Historian-Louise N. Stewart, Upsilon Upsilon.

Convention- H elen Corey, Kappa Kapp a .

Paraphernalia-Sally Baxter Horte r , Nu Nu. Magazine Subscription Service--Man ette Swett , Psi Psi (1941 -43).

NATIONAL CONVENTIONS 1.

1905- Novembe r 29-30

Richmond g inia .

H otel,

Richmond,

Vir-

2.

1906-Nove mber 29-30

Charleston H otel, Charleston, South Carolina.

3.

1909-J an uary 1-3

Th e Manor, Asheville, North Carolina.

4.

1909-June 10-12

5.

10.

1921-November 23-27

Twe nti eth Anniversa ry Convention.

Hotel Muhlenbach, Kansas City, Missouri.

11.

1926- August 24-27

Hotel She rman, Chicago, Illinois.

12.

1930-Jun e 30-July 3

N e w Ocea n House, Swampscott, Massachusetts and Hotel Statler , Boston, Massachusetts.

Natural Bridge Hotel, Natura l Bridge Virginia.

13.

1932-August 26-29

The Chalets, E st es Park, Colorado.

1910- June 9-11

Stafford, Baltimore, Maryland.

14.

1934- August 22 -26

N e w Chamberlain H otel, Old Point Comfort, Virginia.

6.

1911- June 21 -23

T e nth Anniversary Conve ntion.

Toxaway Inn, L a ke Toxaway, North Carolina.

15.

1936-August 17-21

Breezy Point Lodge, P equot , Minn esota.

7.

191 2- June

Monticello H otel, Norfolk

16.

1938- Augu st 22-26

8.

1914- Nove mbe r 27-2 8

Miami Unive r s ity, O xford, Ohio.

L ake and Canyon Hotels and Old Faithful Inn , Y ellowstone National Park.

17.

1941- Augus t 4-8

9.

1918-Ea st e r week-e nd H otel Sh erman , Chicago, Illin ois .

Fortie th Annive rsary Convention.

Edge water Beach H otel, Chicago.

Illinois.

Virg inia.

CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP, SEPTEMBER r, 1944 319

Tau Tau

Be ta

14

Delta Delta . .. .. .. . ...... . .. . .... .

173

Upsilon Ups ilon

Gamma

43

Epsilon Epsilon

441

Phi Phi

236

24

Ze t a Ze ta

312

Alpha

Gamma Gamma

.. . ........•.. ... . .. . . .. .. .. .. . .

168 34

. ...... . .. . . . • . . ...•... .

286

Chi Chi

243

Evsil on . .. ... ...... ... . .... . •..

9

Eta Eta . ... .. .. . . ..... ... .. .. .. . .

369

Psi Psi

205

Zeta

8

Th eta The ta . . . . . . . . ....• • . ... ....

311

Omega Omega

Eta

32

Iota Iota

146

Be ta Gamma

I ota

25

Kappa Kapp a

326

Beta Delta ..

S igma Phi Epsilon

49

Lambda Lambda

119

Beta Epsilon

Gamma Beta Sigma

33

Mu Mu

244

Beta Ze ta

Kap pa Phi

46

Nu Nu

260

Beta Eta .... . ............ . . . . . .

67

15

Xi Xi . . .... .. . . . .... . .......... . .

145

B eta Th eta . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . .

60

10

61

Delta

Nu

.... . ... . . .. ............. . .

. . . ............. .. .

.. . . . .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . . . . . . .

Chi Iota ..... .. ........... ..... . . .

73

100 90 ....... . .. . .. . .. . 15

. . ........ . ... ........ . .

Omi cron On1i c ron ....... . .... .. .. .

222

Beta I ota

281/

Pi Pi

327

Beta Kappa

589

Rho Rho

166

Be ta Lambda ........... . . .. . . .

Alpha Gamma . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . .

276

Sigma Sigm a ...... . ...... . .. ... . .

Beta Be ta . . . . .

387

Alpha Alpha

.....................

Alpha Beta . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . .

... . . .. . .... .. .. .

..... • ..... • .•.....•.•.. . ... . ...... . . . .. . . ... .

115

36 40

179 Tota l .. .. . . . ....... . . .. .. .... 7,872

fjiftj for ..Men Jn Service

580.,.45

G9G-45

o/ the BLUE

<Jite 1945 CJdi.oH.

BALFOUR

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No . 69 6

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