Alpha Phi

At a time when society looked upon women only as daughters, wives, and mothers—and therefore not in need of higher education—our ten founders were pioneers of the coeducational system. Attending school with the handicap of implied, if not open, opposition, our founders sought support from each other.There was a need for a social center, a place of conference, a tie which should unite, a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another in their perplexities. They formed Alpha Phi in 1872 at Syracuse University.

Alpha Xi Delta

On April 17, 1893, Alpha Xi Delta was officially founded, and the quill was adopted as our symbol of sisterhood. Two months later, on June 17, 1893, the Constitution was formally signed, signifying the unification of the Fraternity.  In 1903, Alpha Xi Delta became one of the ten organizing groups of the National  Panhellenic Council, organizing the concept of Fraternities for generations to  enjoy and love. It was Alpha Xi Delta's first NPC Chairman who wrote the  Panhellenic Creed, which is still recited on college campuses today. Alpha Xi  Delta has remained strong ever since, and the bonds of sisterhood continue to grow, uniting each member with a sense of strength, pride, love, and, of course,  sisterhood. Ten women met in the secret of sisterhood in a small sitting room at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois. They were not there to chat idly about their classes, nor were they there to laugh about the events of the week; these ten women had a purpose. So many other students at the college had tried to organize themselves into full-fledged groups - and had failed. Secrecy was the key, but sisterhood was the mission.

Delta Zeta

Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902.   When six young women came together in 1902 to form a social sorority, they had a vision of lifetime sisterhood fostered by ideals that they cherished.  These friends bonded quickly as they faced the challenges of starting a sorority on a male-dominated campus (women had just been given full status as students at Miami University in 1902). Although fraternities were well-established by the time Alfa Lloyd, Mary Collins, Anna Keen, Julia Bishop, Mabelle Minton, and Anne Simmons met with Dr. Guy Potter Benton, then president of the university, to make their idea a reality, they faced derision from the male students of the university.  This adversity served to bond them even closer. They applied for and received the Articles of Incorporation from the State of Ohio.  The date of incorporation, October 24, is Alfa Lloyd’s birthday and that date is a tribute to her, for she quickly showed a leadership that was effective. Soon the men’s fraternities, seeing that the Delta Zeta Founders were in earnest, looked upon Delta Zeta with pride as another organization to establish one more Miami tradition.  

Pi Beta Phi

Pi Beta Phi was founded on April 28, 1867, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. The 12 founders had a vision to form the first national secret society for women at a time when only five state universities admitted women. Pi Beta Phi distinguishes itself in the Greek world by leading the way as one of the first of seven founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) an umbrella organization for 26 inter/national women’s fraternities and sororities. Pi Beta Phi was also the first organization to form an alumnae department in 1893, the first to organize a national philanthropic project in 1910 and the first to establish an alumnae advisory committee for each chapter in 1913. The founders of Pi Beta Phi created the Fraternity to cultivate sincere friendship, establish real-life objectives and promote happiness.

Zeta Tau Alpha

ZTA was founded Oct. 15, 1898, by nine women at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Va. Only 14-15 years of age, these young women desired permanence to their friendships and hoped to perpetuate their sisterhood long after college. Though dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter group, the band of nine delayed selecting a formal name. A temporary name of “???” was taken when, as legend has it, a member of another group met with the Founders. Raising her eyebrows and forming her fingers in the shape of a question mark, she asked “Who are you?” In unison, the group answered “Yes, Who? Who? Who?” Thus, the group came to be known as “???” while they sought an appropriate Greek name and symbols. During this time, the group received valuable assistance from two of the members’ brothers -- Maud Jones Horner’s brother, Plummer Jones, and Frances Yancey Smith’s brother Giles Mebane Smith. Both were students at the college of William and Mary, members of men’s Greek-letter organizations and knowledgeable of Greek lore. After a year of careful contemplation, the group chose the formal name, the patron goddess and the badge.