Pi Beta Phi

North American collegiate sorority

Pi Beta Phi

ΠΒΦ
Founded| April 28, 1867; 158 years ago (1867-04-28)
Monmouth College
Type| Social
Affiliation| NPC
Status| Active
Scope| North America
Motto| Friends and Leaders for Life
Member badge|
Colors|   Wine and   Silver Blue
Symbol| Arrow
Flower| Wine carnation
Mascot| Angel
Publication| The ARROW
Philanthropy| Read > Lead > Achieve
Chapters| 136 active
Members| 21,000+ active
Headquarters| 1154 Town & Country Commons Drive
Town & Country, Missouri 63017
United States
Website| www.pibetaphi.org

Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ), often known simply as Pi Phi, is an international women's fraternity founded at Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois on April 28, 1867, as I. C. Sorosis, the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the men's Greek-letter fraternity.

Pi Phi's headquarters are located in Town and Country, Missouri. Since its founding, the fraternity has installed over 200 chapters and more than 300 alumnae organizations across the United States and Canada. Most of the fraternity's official philanthropies fall under the category of education/literacy programs or the preservation of traditional arts and crafts. Pi Beta Phi is one of 26 international sororities that are members under the umbrella organization of the National Panhellenic Conference.[1]

## History

[edit]

Pi Beta Phi was founded as a secret organization under the name of I. C. Sorosis on April 28, 1867 at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Pi Beta Phi is regarded as the first national women's fraternity, although Kappa Alpha Theta was the first Greek-letter fraternity known among women in 1870.[2] The founders were:

* Clara Brownlee Hutchinson
* Libbie Brook Gaddis
* Emma Brownlee Kilgore
* Margaret Campbell
* Rosa Moore
* Ada Bruen Grier
* Nancy Black Wallace
* Jennie Horne Turnbull
* Rachel Jane "Jennie" Nicol
* Inez Smith Soule
* Fannie Thomson
* Fannie Whitenack Libbey[3]

The organization was formed "to enjoy the benefits of a secret society similar to those formed by collegiate men."[4] They planned their society at a home where two of the women rented a room, choosing I. C. Sorosis as the name and "Pi Beta Phi" as the motto.[5]

Shortly after the founding, the sisters had a jeweler design their official badge: a golden arrow with the letters "I. C." on the wings. When the name was changed to "Pi Beta Phi," the Greek letters replaced "I. C." on the wings. At the Yellowstone Convention of 1934, they voted to limit the links in the badge's chain; there are 12, one for each of the founders.[4]

The first fraternity convention was held in 1868 at the home of Fannie Thomson in Oquawka, Illinois. The fraternity's second chapter was established that same year at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The expansion made Pi Beta Phi the first national (multi-chapter) women's secret society.[5]

### Name change and NPC membership

[edit]

At the 1882 convention, the society officially adopted its motto as well as the fraternity colors of wine and silver blue. It began to use Greek letters as its name six years later, in 1888, when the name was changed from I. C. Sorosis to Pi Beta Phi. In 1893, with the number of alumnae members growing, the fraternity organized a national alumnae department. Cooperation among women's fraternities and sororities was formalized in 1902 with the founding of the National Panhellenic Conference, of which Pi Beta Phi was a founding member.[6] Meanwhile, chapter expansion continued, and in 1908 the fraternity's first Canadian chapter was established at the University of Toronto.[5]

The fraternity's first philanthropy, Pi Beta Phi Settlement School, was organized in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 1912. In 1913, the fraternity created local Alumnae Advisory Committees to support its chapters individually. Central Office, the fraternity headquarters, was established in 1925.

In the 1960s, G. William Domhoff, writing in Who Rules America?, listed Pi Beta Phi as one of "the four or five sororities with nationwide prestige."[7]

## Symbols

[edit]

The official symbol of Pi Beta Phi is the arrow. Its flower is the wine carnation.[8] The fraternity colors are wine and silver blue.[8] The unofficial mascot is the angel, nicknamed "Angelica". Pi Beta Phi does not have an official gemstone.

The crest is a lozenge emblazoned with the crest of the Brownlee family, two of whom were founders of the fraternity. The badge is a golden arrow with the Greek letters ΠΒΦ on the wings and a loop of chain on the shaft.[8] The pledge pin is a golden arrowhead with the Greek letter Β.[8]

The Kansas Alpha chapter began publication of The Arrow in 1885; it would eventually become a quarterly magazine published by the international fraternity for all its members.[9][8]

## Chapters and alumnae clubs

[edit]

Main article: List of Pi Beta Phi chapters

Pi Beta Phi alumnae, initiated members in good standing who have graduated or otherwise left their college or university, can organize into local alumnae clubs, which are recognized by the fraternity.[10] Like collegiate chapters, alumnae clubs are grouped geographically into regions, which is led by an Alumnae Regional Director.[10]

## Governance

[edit]

The international fraternity is governed by a Grand Council, elected at each biennial convention and comprising a Grand President and six Grand Vice Presidents (Alumnae, Collegians, Finance/Housing, Community Relations, Fraternity Growth, and Member Experience). Also elected biennially are seven international Directors (Alumnae, Operations, Finance/Housing, Community Relations, Recruitment, Risk Management and Member Experience) and two Directors for each region (Collegiate Regional Director and Alumnae Regional Director). The work of Directors is supervised by a member of the Grand Council.[10]

In addition to the elected officers, there are several appointed international officers assigned certain functions, such as an archivist and a fraternity historian.

## Philanthropies

[edit]

Like many sororities and fraternities, Pi Beta Phi members take part in several philanthropy programs. Over the fraternity's history, philanthropies have included education, literacy, and the preservation of regional arts and crafts.

In 1990, Pi Beta Phi created the Pi Beta Phi Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.[11]

### Read > Lead > Achieve

[edit]

Woman reading picture book to children

Pi Phi's philanthropy is called Read>Lead>Achieve and is centered around children's literacy.[12] Pi Phi's believe in unlocking the power of reading to create a more literate and productive society. To do so, Pi Phi has started a reading enrichment program for students in pre school through third grade called, "Champions are Readers".[13] This program is funded through the Pi Beta Phi foundation and provides students with all materials needed for the program. Additionally, members can join a virtual book club to share their love of reading with their sisters.

### Educational and cultural philanthropies

[edit]

Pi Beta Phi opened the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 1912 to provide education, economic opportunity, and health care to the rural area.[14] Over the years, as the community took over childhood education, Settlement School began to adapt by offering arts and crafts classes to preserve and promote the region's crafts tradition. An extension of the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School called the Craft Work Shop was begun in 1945 in cooperation with the University of Tennessee.[15] Now an independent nonprofit organization known as the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, it is one of the oldest arts and crafts centers in the South.[15]

## Notable members

[edit]

Main article: List of Pi Beta Phi members

## Local chapter or member misconduct

[edit]

In 2005, the chapter at the University of California, Los Angeles was penalized for hazing pledges.[16]

In 2010, the chapter at Cornell University received national attention after the release of a seven-page email sent to members of the chapter to address what is acceptable and unacceptable attire for recruitment. The tone of the e-mail—with lines such as "No muffin tops or camel toe" and "I will not tolerate any gross plastic shizz [jewelry]"—drew criticism from the Huffington Post and many online young adult forums.[17]

In 2010, the chapter at the Miami University was suspended for one year after underage drinking, vomiting, littering, and damaging Lake Lyndsay Lodge in Hamilton, Ohio.[18] In August 2017, the organization closed its chapter at Miami, saying that "... the decision was made because the membership experience has routinely fallen below Fraternity expectations, particularly in regards to risk management and the lack of commitment to Pi Beta Phi's core values."[19]

In 2012, the chapter at Bucknell University was suspended for at least three years for violation of the international chapter's policy and position statements regarding event planning-management and alcohol use. The chapter has since closed permanently.[20]

In 2013, the chapter at the University of Nevada at Reno was banned from campus until the last active member graduated due to repeated hazing violations.[21]

In 2013 and 2014, sorority women from multiple chapters at the University of Alabama – including Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, and Alpha Gamma Delta – alleged that either active members or some of their alumnae had prevented them from offering membership to black candidates because of their race.[22][23] An anonymous Pi Beta Phi member told the university newspaper, The Crimson White, that alumnae threatened to cut financial support from the chapter if they offered membership to a black candidate the chapter had wanted to recruit.[23][24] Students held a campus march to integrate Greek life on campus, and following media and national outcry, the university held a second round of recruitment in hopes of offering membership to more women, including black women.[22] In 2021, Emory University's chapter faced allegations of racism and sexual assault cover-ups.[25]

## See also

[edit]

* List of social sororities and women's fraternities

* National Panhellenic Conference

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Our Member Organizations". National Panhellenic Conference. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
2. ^ "Welcome to Pi Beta Phi". Pibetaphi.org. 1996-10-19. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
3. ^ "Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women". www.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
4. ^ a b "Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women". www.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
5. ^ a b c Baird, William Raimond; Lurding, Carroll (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities – Student Life and Culture Archives – U of I Library". www.library.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
6. ^ "National Panhellenic Conference | Pi Beta Phi History". history.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
7. ^ Domhoff, G. William (2015). Who Rules America? (Seventh ed.). McGraw Hill College. p. 57\. OCLC 912380768.
8. ^ a b c d e "Manual of Information" (PDF). National Panhellenic Conference (23rd ed.). January 2018. p. 26\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
9. ^ "The Arrow | Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women". www.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
10. ^ a b c "Alumnae Club Histories | Pi Beta Phi History". history.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
11. ^ "Pi Beta Phi Foundation Website". Archived from the original on 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
12. ^ "READ > LEAD > ACHIEVE". Pi Beta Phi. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
13. ^ "Champions Are Readers". Pi Beta Phi. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
14. ^ "Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women". www.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
15. ^ a b Josh Flory, Pi Beta Phi fraternity to sell Arrowmont land, Knoxville News Sentinel, August 16, 2008
16. ^ "Hazing in Greek system not frequently litigated".
17. ^ "Sorority Hazing Increasingly Violent, Disturbing - ABC News". ABC News.
18. ^ "Sororities' drunken actions shock MIami alumni, students". 2018-07-04. Archived from the original on 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
19. ^ "Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women". www.pibetaphi.org. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
20. ^ "Bucknell sorority suspended for 3 years". 18 July 2012.
21. ^ "Pi Phi Beta Sorority Suspended for Minimum of 3 Years - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe Sparks News, Weather, Video". 2019-04-25. Archived from the original on 2019-04-25. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
22. ^ a b Webley Adler, Kayla (2014-08-06). "Revolution on Sorority Row". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
23. ^ a b Gladu, Alex (2013-11-13). "The Truth About Racism at Southern Sororities". Her Campus. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
24. ^ Brown, Melissa (2013-09-11). "Alabama sorority alumnae, advisers blocked black rushees, students say". AL.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
25. ^ Huynh, Anjali. "Despite Attempts to Reform, Sorority Members Decry Systemic Failures". Retrieved 10 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women

* v
* t
* e

National Panhellenic Conference

Current members|

* Alpha Chi Omega
* Alpha Delta Pi
* Alpha Gamma Delta
* Alpha Epsilon Phi
* Alpha Omicron Pi
* Alpha Phi
* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Alpha Sigma Tau
* Alpha Xi Delta
* Chi Omega
* Delta Delta Delta
* Delta Gamma
* Delta Zeta
* Delta Phi Epsilon
* Gamma Phi Beta
* Kappa Alpha Theta
* Kappa Delta
* Kappa Kappa Gamma
* Phi Mu
* Phi Sigma Sigma
* Pi Beta Phi
* Sigma Delta Tau
* Sigma Kappa
* Sigma Sigma Sigma
* Theta Phi Alpha
* Zeta Tau Alpha

Former members|

* Alpha Delta Theta
* Beta Phi Alpha
* Beta Sigma Omicron
* Delta Sigma Epsilon
* Iota Alpha Pi
* Lambda Omega
* Pi Kappa Sigma
* Pi Sigma Gamma
* Phi Omega Pi
* Sigma Phi Beta
* Theta Sigma Upsilon
* Theta Upsilon

* v
* t
* e

Fraternities and sororities

Active academic fraternities originating from North America

General|

* Colony
* North American fraternity and sorority housing
* Stepping
* U.S. racism
* Hazing in Greek letter organizations
* U.S. deaths
* Philippines deaths
* Mother of Fraternities

History|

* Fraternities and sororities
* North America
* High school
* Professional
* Service
* Canada
* Lists by country/territory
* France
* Philippines
* Puerto Rico

Historically
African-American|

* ΑΚΑ
* ΑΦΑ
* ΔΣΘ
* ΖΦΒ
* ΗΦΒ
* ΙΦΘ
* ΚΑΨ
* ΣΓΡ
* ΦΒΣ
* ΦΡΗ
* ΩΨΦ
* WΨΦ

Historically
Asian/Pacific Islander-American|

* ΑΙΟ
* αΚΔΦ
* ΑΦΓ
* ΒΧΘ
* ΧΔΘ
* ΔΕΨ
* ΔΚΔ
* ΔΣΙ
* ΔΦΩ
* ΙΝΔ
* ΚΦΓ
* ΚΦΛ
* ΛΦΕ
* ΠΑΦ
* ΠΔΨ
* ΣΒΡ
* ΣΟΠ
* ΣΨΖ
* ΣΦΩ
* ΧΡΟ

Christian
fraternities and sororities|

* ΑΔΓ
* ΑΔΧ
* ΑΓΩ
* ΑΛΩ
* ΒΕΓΓΑΡΣ
* ΒΣΨ
* ΒΥΧ
* ΣΑΩ
* ΣΘΕ
* ΣΦΛ
* ΦΒΧ
* ΧΑΩ

Historically Jewish|

* ΑΕΠ
* ΑΕΦ
* ΖΒΤ
* ΣΑΕΠ
* ΣΑΜ
* ΣΔΤ
* ΤΔΦ
* ΤΕΦ

Multicultural|

* ΔΞΝ
* ΔΞΦ
* ΓΗ
* ΖΣΧ
* ΖΦΡ
* ΖΧΦ
* ΘΔΣ
* ΘΝΞ
* ΛΤΩ
* ΛΨΔ
* ΜΣΥ
* ΣΛΒ
* ΣΛΓ
* ΣΘΨ
* ΤΦΣ
* ΨΣΦ
* ΩΔΦ
* ΩΦΧ
* Delphic

Historically Scout-affiliated|

* ΑΦΩ
* ΕΤΠ
* ΓΣΣ
* ΩΦΑ

LGBTQ|

* ΑΛΖ
* ΔΛΦ
* ΓΡΛ
* ΘΠΣ
* ΚΘΕ
* ΟΕΠ
* ΣΦΒ

Native American|

* ΑΠΩ
* ΦΣΝ
* ΣΟΕ

Latino and Puerto Rican|

* ΑΒΧ
* ΑΖ
* ΑΨΛ
* ΑΟΣ
* ΔΤΛ
* ΓΑΩ
* ΓΖΑ
* ΗΓΔ
* ΚΔΧ
* ΛΑΥ
* ΛΠΥ
* ΛΠΧ
* ΛΣΥ
* ΛΘΑ
* ΛΘΝ
* ΛΘΦ
* ΛΥΛ
* ΜΑΦ
* ΝΑΚ
* ΝΣΒ
* ΣΔΑ
* ΣΙ
* ΣΙΑ
* ΣΛΑ
* ΣΛΥ
* ΣΠΑ
* ΦΔΓ
* ΦΗΜ
* ΦΙΑ
* ΦΛΑ
* ΦΣΑ
* ΧΥΣ
* ΨΑΚ
* ΩΦΒ

Major specific|

* ΑΓΡ
* ΑΓΣ
* ΑΚΨ
* ΑΣΚ
* ΑΩΕ
* ΔΣΠ
* ΚΚΨ
* ΣΑΙ
* ΤΒΣ
* ΦΣΓ
* ΦΣΡ
* Ceres
* FarmHouse
* Triangle

Social sororities|

* ΑΓΔ
* ΑΔΠ
* ΑΕΦ
* ΑΞΔ
* ΑΟΠ
* ΑΣΑ
* ΑΣΤ
* ΑΦ
* ΑΧΩ
* ΓΦΒ
* ΔΔΔ
* ΔΓ
* ΔΖ
* ΔΦΕ
* ΖΤΑ
* ΘΦΑ
* ΚΑΘ
* ΚΒΓ
* ΚΔ
* ΚΚΓ
* ΠΒΦ
* ΣΔΤ
* ΣΚ
* ΣΣΣ
* ΣΨ
* ΦΜ
* ΦΣΣ
* ΧΩ
* Clovia

Social fraternities|

* ΑΔΦ (Fraternity/Society)
* ΑΚΛ
* ΑΣΦ
* ΑΤΩ
* ΑΦΔ
* ΑΧΑ
* ΑΧΡ
* ΒΘΠ
* ΔΚΕ
* ΔΣΦ
* ΔΤΔ
* ΔΥ
* ΔΦ
* ΔΧ
* ΔΨ
* ΖΨ
* ΘΔΧ
* ΘΞ
* ΘΧ
* ΚΑ Order
* ΚΑ Society
* ΚΔΡ
* ΚΔΦ
* ΚΛΨ
* ΚΣ
* ΛΧΑ
* ΟΚΕ
* ΠΚΑ
* ΠΚΦ
* ΠΛΦ
* ΣΑΕ
* ΣΔΑ
* ΣΘΠ
* ΣΝ
* ΣΠ
* ΣΤΓ
* ΣΦ
* ΣΦΔ
* ΣΦΕ
* ΣΧ
* ΤΚΕ
* ΦΓΔ
* ΦΔΘ
* ΦΔΨ
* ΦΚΘ
* ΦΚΣ
* ΦΚΤ
* ΦΚΨ
* ΦΛΧ
* ΦΜΑ Sinfonia
* ΦΜΔ
* ΦΣΚ
* ΦΣΦ
* ΧΓΕ
* ΧΦ
* ΧΨ
* ΨΥ
* Acacia

See also|

* Freemasonry
* Odd Fellows
* Gentlemen's club
* Secret society

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