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History
Introduction In a society where women were discouraged from entering college due to their "insufficient brainpower" and "delicate health," four women from Syracuse University came together to form a society they named Gamma Phi Beta. Now 125 years later we celebrate the vision and dedication of those women and all that have come since then, who have built Gamma Phi Beta into one of the largest and most well-respected sororities in the world. Here is a timeline of Gamma Phi Beta throughout the years.
Four Founders :
Helen Mary Dodge was born September 26, 1850 in Verona, New York. She was a member of the second freshman class at Syracuse University, took the classical course and graduated in 1876. A talented musician and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and other organizations, Helen’s chief interest was the mission work sponsored by her church. She married the Reverend J. V. Ferguson, who preceded her in death. Helen died October 21, 1937, leaving a substantial bequest to Syracuse University for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta.
Frances E. Haven was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on May 27, 1854, while her father was teaching at the University of Michigan. When he became president of Northwestern University, Frances entered with the first group of women students. After he was named chancellor of Syracuse University, she transferred there and graduated in 1877. Her diploma, signed by her father, is displayed in Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters. Frances married Charles M. Moss in 1878 and moved with him to the University of Illinois where she was instrumental in establishing Omicron Chapter. She died June 16, 1937.
Eunice Adeline Curtis was born on December 22, 1854 in Moravia, New York. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1878 with a bachelor’s degree in music. She married Frank Curtis and they had one son, Edward. Adeline was the soprano soloist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Syracuse for 33 years. She died January 14, 1923.
Mary Alice Bingham was born in Watertown, New York on August 30, 1856. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1878 with a degree in art. In 1883, she married M. E. Willoughby, who died in 1913. They had two children, a son Francis and a daughter Ernestine. Mary Willoughby and Helen Ferguson were the only Founders who were able to continue their close association after their college years, as both lived in Utica, New York. Mary died on January 14, 1916.
Memories In the late 1800s, the few women that were admitted to colleges and universities in the United States were admitted reluctantly and negatively, facing harsh opposition from their conservative friends, family and faculty. The few "appropriate" and "genteel" careers open to women included dressmaking, teaching music and china painting, and instructing elementary classes – all with low pay. It took a truly ambitious woman to succeed.
Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis and Mary A. Bingham were courageous women that could see beyond the limits of their time. They recognized the opportunity a women’s society presented, and aimed to establish one that would promote literary culture and social improvement among its members.
On November 11, 1874, the four founders met in Dr. J. J. Brown’s study for the first official meeting of Gamma Phi Beta. As The University Herald, Syracuse University’s newspaper, reported the following spring, "A new ladies’ society made its appearance at the close of last term, and is to be known as Gamma Phi Beta . . . The ladies have started on the right principle, are select in the choice of members, and we see no reason why a prosperous future is not in store for Gamma Phi Beta."
The years that followed were full of growth. The society drafted a constitution, decided on rituals and expanded membership. The women took intellectual advancement seriously, taking time at every meeting to discuss current world issues and share new ideas. In those days, new members were initiated for the high price of $2.50, and tardy members were fined a nickel.
Eight years after their first meeting, two members of the Alpha chapter went to the University of Michigan to charter the Beta chapter. Upon their return to Syracuse, Professor Frank Smalley commented, "I presume that you young women are now members of a sorority." Thus, Gamma Phi Beta became the first women’s fraternity to be called a sorority.
As Gamma Phi Beta and other sororities grew in membership and popularity, they faced unique challenges. The changing status of women was threatening to many, and women’s groups were targets of abuse and criticism. A series of harsh articles appearing in Century magazine in 1912 attacked fraternal chapters and threatened membership. Around the same time, a bill was introduced to the Ohio State Legislature that proposed to remove all Greek-letter societies from state supported institutions. The bill was defeated. Sororities across the country celebrated their success, and proved to the world that they were here to stay.
Another big challenge in Gamma Phi Beta’s history came with the Depression. College enrollment was down, and with it came declining membership in the sorority. While foreclosure and bankruptcy haunted every homeowner in the country, Gamma Phi Beta held on to every chapter house. Only one bank holding Gamma Phi Beta funds closed, and the financial status of the sorority was back to normal within a few years. A shining spot of Gamma Phi Beta’s past came with the impressive community service during World War II. Gamma Phis sold war bonds to finance hospitalization for the wounded in their "Bonds Buy Mercy" campaign. They raised nearly $15 million dollars for the cause!
After the war came the rebellious ‘60s and ‘70s. The antiestablishment movement threatened institutions across America, and Greek membership was down. Gamma Phi Beta, however, succeeding in chartering 22 new chapters during this time, moving forward to the Greek Renaissance of the mid ‘70s. PACE and SisterLink were both introduced, offering chapter programming, public relations, total education and professional assistance to the sorority members.
In the following two decades, the anti-Greek movement returned with power. Faculty, administrators and the public attacked the Greek system for straying from their founding ideals, saying that the organizations were too focused on social activities and irresponsible behavior. Gamma Phi Beta fought back with improved PACE, new member and scholarship programming.
Now at its quasquicentennial, Gamma Phi Beta stands strong and proud. Gamma Phi Beta withstood the harsh attacks on Greek organizations during the early parts of the century, two World Wars, the economic hardship of the Depression, the anti-Greek movement of the 60’s, and the Greek renaissance of the 70’s and 80’s. From 4 members in one chapter, Gamma Phi Beta has grown to include more than 200,000 members and 250 collegiate and alumnae chapters worldwide. Through love, dedicated labor, continuous learning, and loyalty to the high ideals the founders envisioned, Gamma Phi Beta has proven to the world that it is founded upon a rock.
Information taken from the Gamma Phi Beta International Webpage |
