Pi Beta Phi
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Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ) is an international sorority that was founded on April 28, 1867 in Monmouth, Illinois at Monmouth College as I.C. Sorosis. It is now headquartered in Town and Country, Missouri and includes over 130 active chapters and 350 alumnae clubs across the United States and Canada.
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History
Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret woman's society to be founded after the male fraternity model. Pi Beta Phi was the first organization of college women founded as a national fraternity for women, and was one of the seven founding groups of the National Panhellenic Conference. Pi Beta Phi was also the first to have a national philanthropy, The Settlement School, which is now the Arrowmont School for the Arts and Crafts and is affiliated with the University of TN, and was the first to have an alumnae department and form an Alumnae Advisory Committee for each collegiate chapter.
Pi Beta Phi is governed by the sorority's Grand Council, headed by the Grand President.
Image:Pi beta phi founders.jpg
Mission statement
The mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service.
Famous Firsts
- First organization of college women founded as a national fraternity of women.
- First to have a national philanthropy.
- First to have an alumnae department.
- First to form Alumnae Advisory Committees.
- First to have a Coffee Table Book.
- One of seven founders of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
Philanthropies
Like many sororities, Pi Beta Phi members take part in a number of philanthropy projects. Pi Beta Phi's philanthropy programs include "Links to Literacy," Arrowmont, Arrow in the Artic, and Holt House.
Symbols
The official symbol of Pi Beta Phi is the arrow and the unofficial symbol is the angel, and the sorority colors are wine and silver blue. The sorority's official flower is the wine carnation.
Notable Alumnae
Entertainment
- Susan Atkin - Miss America 1985
- Marilyn Van Derbur Atler - Motivational speaker and Miss America 1958
- Faye Dunaway - Actress
- Jennifer Garner - Actress
- Courtney Gibbs - Miss USA 1988 and Actress/Model
- Marilyn Horne - Opera Star
- Susan Lucci - Emmy Winning Actress
- Dianne DeWitt Menicheschi - Model
- Patricia Neal - Actress
- Paula Ragusa Prentiss - Actress
- Jacquelyn Mayer Townsend - Miss America 1963
- Anna Eileen Heckart Yankee - Actress
Government
- Grace Coolidge - wife of Calvin Coolidge
- Margaret Truman Daniels - Author and daughter of President Harry Truman
- Anna B. Fisher - Astronaut
- Kay Bailey Hutchison - Texas Senator
- Barbara Bush- Alumnae initiate and wife of George H. W. Bush
Literature
- Frances Allison Weaver - Author and lecturer. Senior editor for the "Today Show."
- Sue Grafton - Mystery novelist.
Media
- Ruth Walsh McIntyre - Journalist/News Anchor
Miscellaneous
- Carrie Chapman Catt - Founded the League of Woman Voters and led the fight for the passage of the 19th amendment allowing women the right vote
- Jane Bryant Quinn - Author and Financial columnist
- The Original Gerber baby.
- Mrs. Wrigley from Wrigley's Gum... why do you think their symbol is an arrow!?!
Sports
- Nancy Hogshead - Olympic Gold Medalist: Swimming
- Tracy Ruiz - Olympic Gold Medalist: Synchronized Swimming