Pi Beta Phi Fraternity

Overview

Pi Beta Phi is an international women's fraternity, founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, as I. C. Sorosis. It became the first national secret college society for women modeled after men's Greek-letter fraternities.

History

Pi Beta Phi was established on April 28, 1867, by a group of 12 pioneering women who sought to form a society similar to those created by collegiate men. 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, and Fannie Whitenack Libbey. The fraternity's second chapter was established in 1868 at Iowa Wesleyan University.

Philanthropy

Pi Beta Phi is committed to education and literacy through its Read > Lead > Achieve program. This initiative focuses on improving children's literacy skills and includes programs like Champions are Readers. Additionally, Pi Beta Phi has a rich history of supporting arts and crafts preservation, notably through the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Governance and Membership

Pi Beta Phi is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and has over 136 active chapters with more than 21,000 active members across the United States and Canada. The fraternity has also established over 300 alumnae organizations, which play a crucial role in its operations.

Symbols and Traditions

Pi Beta Phi's symbols include the golden arrow and angel. The fraternity's colors are wine and silver blue, and its flower is the wine carnation. The motto is Friends and Leaders for Life, reflecting its mission to foster lifelong friendships and leadership development among its members.