Charmed by Sisterhood

by FRAN DESIMONE BECQUE, New York Alpha

We all know what it means to carry a memento of our membership in Pi Beta Phi. Whether it’s the golden arrow badge, a necklace from a big sister or a ring to commemorate our sisterhood, we wear our love for Pi Phi in myriad ways. One such representation of Pi Phi membership goes beyond the typical member experience: a charm bracelet recognizing the 34 chapters visited by a former member of Grand Council during her travels from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Washington Beta SARAHJANE “SALLY” PAULSON VANASSE joined Pi Beta Phi in 1930. During her time in the chapter, she had the chance to engage with Pi Phi on a deeper level, including meeting founder INEZ SMITH SOULE. After graduating and marrying her sweetheart, a Kappa Sigma, Sally became involved with the Seattle Alumnae Club.

She began her alumnae service to Pi Phi as President of the Seattle, Washington, Alumnae Club and a member of Washington Alpha’s Alumnae Advisory Committee. Sally's journey to international service began with a four-year stint as an Alumnae Province President, followed by another four on the Committee on Fraternity Study and Education as a province chairman.

Sally’s service to the Fraternity turned to the international level in the 1960s. In 1964, she was elected Director of Programs. Because the Fraternity shifted convention years to celebrate Pi Phi's Centennial in 1967, she served a threeyear term. That same year, she was elected Grand Vice President. Two years later, she became Grand President, a position she held until 1973.

When Sally began her work with collegians, women’s empowerment was still on the precipice of what we see today. For example, women still had time restrictions placed on housing and social functions. They had to be in the sorority house or residence hall by a curfew, typically 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and midnight or 1:00 a.m. on weekends. Women followed a strict dress code; hats and gloves were essential components of a college woman’s wardrobe. It's interesting to consider that at this time, Sally was known as Mrs. Horace Vanasse because even within Pi Phi, women were identified by their husbands' names and not their own. It's equally interesting to consider the sweeping changes Sally must have witnessed during six decades of Pi Phi involvement.

As her Pi Phi leadership responsibilities grew, Sally began traveling to visit chapters across the country. According to her daughter, Washington Beta JOY VANASSE GOODENOUGH, “Mother was not a traveler until she started her Pi Phi trips.” Sally wanted a way to commemorate her visits and recognize the impact Pi Phi had on her life. She began to fill a bracelet with charms from each of her travel destinations. “This was her way of displaying the memorabilia of the amazing journey she took,” Joy said. Joy and her sister, Washington Beta JULIE VANASSE VAUX, gave the bracelet to the Fraternity after their mother's death in 1996. It's adorned with 34 charms, all representing chapters Sally visited during her tenure.