DAI-BONS Jewish Sorority

Dai-Bons  was made up of  girls from two high schools in Seattle. There are archived photos from 1958 and 1959. The sorority was active as of late summer 1963, with a patio party scheduled for August 30, 1963.

References
The Jewish Transcript, August 19 1963, p. 2

copyright2016 Eta Sigma Sigma Η Σ Σ 

THETA CHI SORORITY- a mystery

Above the official entry for the sorority in the 1909 edition of  Ida Shaw Martin's The  Sorority Handbook.

Further research reveals that Theta Chi started at Converse College (Spartanburg, SC) in 1893. From the History of Marshall County, Iowa, author Gerard Schultz writes, "The original Charter was issued to a National Non-collegiate group at Converse College... in 1893." The Converse chapter lasted until 1900; Chevy Chase's until 1910 (Martin, p. 102).

 Martin, in a subsequent edition of her handbook, classifies Theta Chi as a Class B organization with Eta Upsilon Gamma and Sigma Iota Chi (pp. 88-91).

The sorority appears to have continued as a community-based organization. In January 1931, the sorority organized their Omega chapter in Marshalltown, Iowa (Schultz, p. 173). In 1967, the sorority is mentioned, and it can be inferred that it was active at the time of writing, by Joseph Christopher Lavoie in the book The High School Sorority and Its Relation to Certain Youth Culture Variables.

 Information on Theta Chi sorority is hard to come by, as internet searches are clouded by results for Theta Chi fraternity and Delta Theta Chi sorority. I found several obituaries from Marshalltown residents mentioning their involvement in Theta Chi sorority, which leads me to conclude that the Omega chapter was a success.

Several websites list Theta Chi as a non-profit organization in Iowa. Again, Marshalltown's Omega chapter was probably the nucleus of the organization at some point.

The mystery remains- was Theta Chi intentionally started as a non-collegiate organization, as Schultz reported, and this non-collegiate organization just happened to start at a college? Or, did it start as a collegiate sorority and decide to plant chapters at secondary schools?

References

Lavoie, Joseph Christopher (1967). The High School Sorority and Its Relation to Certain Youth Culture Variables. University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Martin, Ida Shaw (1909, 1911). The Sorority Handbook. George Banta Publishing Co., Menasha, WI. (1907, incl. image, retrieved from www.hathitrust.org ; 1911 retrieved from www.archive.org)

Schultz, Gerard (1955). History of Marshalltown, Iowa. Marshall Print Company. (entry and snippet retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=mJEGAQAAIAAJ&q=theta+chi+sorority+1893&dq=theta+chi+sorority+1893&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6sZOvnvrKAhWMez4KHdh-CwcQ6AEIUjAJ)

copyright 2016, High School Sororities H Σ Σ 

HIGH SCHOOL: DeVilbiss High's sorority-like organizations in the 1930s

(The oldest DeVilbiss Pot O' Gold annual available to me is from the 1932-1933 school year.)

Sorority and fraternity-like groups bloomed during the Depression at DeVilbiss High School in Toledo Ohio. Certain clubs restricted membership to those with certain physical characteristics- Twin Club for identical siblings, Altae Puellae for girls 5'7" and taller, U.S.S.R. for naturally red-haired girls and boys.

Literary Societies
Girls' literary societies were founded at nearby Scott and Central High Schools two decades prior to their expansion to DeVilbiss in the early 1930's. Such societies lasted throughout the 1930's. The Delta chapter of Zetalethean was established in 1932 to promote the literary interest of the members of the organization and to interest outsiders in [their] purpose." The motto was "Nullie Sine Labour". They wore sweaters with official insignia- a Z within a diamond.

Epsilon of Pericleans was founded in November 1931. Their purpose was "to discover and to encourage original talent; to create enthusiasm for scholarship; and to promote encouraging leadership." Their motto was "Nulli Secundae", translated Second to None. Their insignia was the Greek letter Pi.

Philathean's purpose was "to learn about and become familiar with the works and lives of great authors as well as to become intelligently aware of our own and other foreign countries and their inhabitants." The Greek letter Phi was their symbol.

Social Clubs
Sorelle Social Society was, as the name states, organized for pure social reasons. It was school-sponsored and active every year from 1933 to 1939.

 The Tri-Hi-Y sponsored the Senior and Junior Friendship Clubs, eventually adding Sophomore and Freshman sections. Each section was "united by the bonds of consecrated, loyal friendship, not only for each other, but for others with whom they come in contact." Their slogan was "Try to face life squarely." The purpose was "to find and give the best." The Clubs were founded on friendship and service.

Societas Amicitae was a closed group formed by the second hour business English class to help its girls work on mechanics and "further study of literature." Membership was confined to girls in that specific class at that specific time. They also studied playwrights and their playwrights and the "art of dramatization".

Sub-Debs, "organized purely for social purposes", started a chapter in the 1933-34 school year.

References
DeVilbiss High School Pot O' Gold yearbooks; 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939.

copyright 2014, Alpha Chi Notes

COMMUNITY-based: ZETA BETA CHI

Zeta Beta Chi (ZBX) pins are quite common in flea markets, online auctions, and e-stores specializing in fraternal ephemera.

THE BEGINNING
But who is Zeta Beta Chi? It appears to have been a non-collegiate business sorority sponsored by the World Caravan Guild. In my search of newspaper archives, the earliest mention of ZBX was in a 1939 article mentioning Dr. Victor Hamm of Marquette University as the Wisconsin Alpha chapter's new program director. The sorority's meetings were "social and cultural in nature".

Trouble was brewing for ZBX in 1939, when the Milwaukee Better Business Bureau investigated claims that three young women, working out of a hotel room, were " ' high pressuring the girls into joining the organization..." The sorority denied the allegations, claiming a headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 10,000 members in various cities. An officer explained that new members paid a $41 fee for life membership and participation in a two-year cultural program and a monthly social meeting; however, the member also paid $1  a month for 10 months "... to provide for a local meeting place the first two years." After the first two years, members were to pay another fee if they wished to participate in a new cultural program.

ZBX and World Caravan Guild kept plugging away at the sorority, naming University of Pittsburgh faculty member Dr. Andred N. Cleven as program director in 1939.

BIG TROUBLE
On August 26, 1941 Zeta Beta Chi voluntarily dissolved amid an investigation ordered by district attorney Edward M. Curran. "... several girls who said they signed 'membership applications' complained that they found they had signed binding contracts to pay World Caravan $41.50 as well as $10 to a local chapter for a two-year membership." The charges were investigated, prompting ZBX officials to submit a sworn statement that its national headquarters would be immediately removed from Washington, D.C., and, per the August 23 meeting of World Caravan stockholders, "a resolution releasing each individual member of the sorority from ' all obligations and claims of every character' and releasing to the local chapters ' their right in and to the name of the sorority."

At the time of dissolution, there were four chapters in D.C. and in Atlanta, the Twin Cities, St. Louis, Cleveland, Rochester, Birmingham, and Baltimore.

A SECOND CHANCE
Post-dissolution Zeta Beta Chi functioned as a cultural and social sorority for business and professional women. Among their events:

In July 1945, the Ohio Delta chapter sponsored Jayteen Clubs with the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Delta Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

In May 1952, there was a 4-day national convention held at the Commodore Perry Hotel in Toledo, Oh.

In July 1956, the seventh annual convention was held in Akron, Oh.

In November 1962, the Ohio Delta chapter observed "National Night" with a dinner and installation of one pledge. At this time, members were office workers, nurses and teachers."

From June 11- 14, 1964, an international-themed convention was held at the Commodore Perry Hotel.

Although Zeta Beta Chi was able to thrive after its dissolution and departure from World Caravan Guild, it dissolved again in 1980.

The Milwaukee Journal. New Sorority Is Scrutinized: ' High Pressure Methods on Business Girls Denied by Group's Leader Here. Aug. 30, 1939, p. 1. 

Milwaukee Sentinel. Dr. Victor Hamm Named Program Director of Zeta Beta Chi. Jul 28, 1939, p. 18

Meriden Record. Zeta Beta Chi, Business Girls' Club, Dissolved. August 27, 1941 (morning edition), p. 3.

Pittsburgh Press. Program Director Named. Apr. 30, 1939, p. 21. 

Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi Installs Officers: National Convention Closes in Toledo. May 18, 1952, section 1, p. 8.

Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi Elects Toledoan National Officer. Jul. 6, 1956, p. 23. 

Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi To Observe National Night. Nov. 18, 1962. section 5, p. 2. 

Toledo Blade. Ohio Delta of Zeta Beta Chi Observes National Night. Nov. 21, 1962, p. 11

Toledo Blade. Horizons and Plans Unlimited. May 28, 1964, p. 18.

COMMUNITY-based: PI OMICRON

Sororities were booming in 1920. All 26 of the current NPCs had formed.

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta, three of the four current NPHC sororities, formed. Other sororities, some that eventually joined the NPC (ex. Achoth/Phi Omega Pi), were in existence. Pedagogical sororities (ex. Pi Kappa Sigma) came together in the AES. Sororities like Eta Upsilon Gamma were for women in junior colleges. Then there were the sororities that which never affiliated with an umbrella organization, ex. Kappa Sigma Tau and Pi Alpha Tau.

High school girls formed sororities, too. Some groups went on to become national, non-collegiate, philanthropic, community sororities, ex. Sigma Alpha and Psi Iota Xi.

But what about women who were no longer in high school and never enrolled in college? Would they have the opportunity to enter the bonds of a sisterhood, preferably one with two or three Greek letters in its name? Now, if such women were to have a sisterhood particular to their non-collegiate status, would there be a program in place for educational and cultural opportunities? Pi Omicron was an option.

"The object of the National Pi Omicron sorority is to prepare its members ' to attain a greater share in the beauties and benefits of cultural and liberal education.' 

The sorority is the outgrowth of the adult educational movement thru [sic] which large numbers of people outside of universities and colleges are seeking higher education. The many students who each year are turned away from overcrowded educational institutions are taking outside courses, say leaders of the group, and the sorority in its numerous chapters offers these seekers after knowledge the benefits of group study in the most important branches of adult education.

Courses are outlined for the chapters by the University guild in Atlanta, Ga., which also furnishes the library used in the courses. Each member receives 24 volumes of text material in one three-year course and the courses include not only biographies of famous individuals who have contributed to world progress in the arts and sciences, but the outstanding fiction of the day. " (Hartough, Toledo News-Bee, Sept. 4, 1929)

Here are a few examples of their scholastic endeavors:
March 17, 1931- San Jose chapter - University Guild- members listened to discourse by Dr. Carl Holiday.

March 7, 1932 - The St. Petersburg chapter was lectured on the life and works of Sidney Lanier and Francis Bacon and heard a review of Crane's The Red Badge of Courage.

November 14, 1934- The Salt Lake City chapter met for lecture on the life and works of Robert Louis Stevenson.

June 28, 1936- The Saint Joseph, Missouri chapter had completed its active season with reviews of plays, poetry recitals, mythology study, and discussion of the Social Security Act.

September 12, 1944- Youngstown, Ohio chapter discussed various world events.

Pi Omicron celebrated Founders Day on April 1. The founding year was 1928 or 1929. It was probably organized in Atlanta, Ga., with many early chapters forming in the Toledo, Oh. area. Some chapters catered to business women; at least one chapter was for mothers.

The colors were blue and gold. The flower was the yellow rose.

In 1933, headquarters was located in Chicago; in 1979,  it was Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ceremonies included installations for elected officers and new members, with new members receiving "... a symbolic candlelight ceremony..."

Pi Omicron was active at least through 1980, judging solely by newspaper articles.



Hartough, Marie Cochran. XI Chapter, Pi Omicron Sorority, Will Be Installed and Officers Elected Friday Evening. Toledo News- Bee. Sept. 4, 1929, p. 9.

Deseret News. Pi Omicron Sorority. Nov. 13, 1934, p. 14.

San Jose News. Pi Omicron Sorority. Mar. 21, 1931, p. 14

St. Joseph News- Press. Pi Omicron Sorority Will Close Season With Dinner. Jun. 28, 1936, section B, p. 1

St. Petersburg Times., Pi Omicron Hears Interesting Talk. Mar. 9, 1932, section 2, p. 4.

Youngstown Daily Vindicator. Pi Omicron Chapters Observe Founders Day. Apr. 5, 1978, p. 45.

Youngstown Daily Vindicator. Handicapped Helped by Pi Omicron. Oct. 19, 1979, p. 29.

Youngstown Vindicator. Pi Omicron to Review World Events. Sep. 11, 1944, p.12.

Youngstown Vindicator. Pi Omicron Installs New Sorority Members. Oct. 27, 1944, p. 24.

copyright 2013, womensfraternities.com

COMMUNITY -based sororities: Intro

(For the purposes of this blog, I will use the term community sorority. In my original blog, I referred to such groups as noncollegiate. Now that I have created Chi Beta Nu, I will refer to such groups as community sororities; however, previously written posts will not be edited to reflect the change. The focus of this blog will be sororities that were found outside the four-year university, which means sororities founded at business schools will be included. )

There are many ways to describe sororities that are not associated with universities and four-year colleges. These sororities have been called nonacademic, noncollegiate, community, or philanthropic; an older label was business sorority or sorority for business and professional women. As I stated in my entry on high school sororities, several current community sororities  started as high school organizations.

There are many ways to categorize these sororities. This is what I came up with, sometimes basing my categorization on newspapers' description of these groups. Several active sororities do not maintain websites, nor are officers' email addresses available. There will be overlapping with categories.

Italicized organizations are no longer active.


ORGANIZED FOR CULTURAL PURPOSES, in that women could have access to cultural and academic endeavors without college enrollment
Beta Sigma Phi (1931)
Epsilon Sigma Alpha (1929; now co-ed)
Pi Omicron (1928 / 1929)

ORGANIZED BY UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE WOMEN, in that the (many) founders were enrolled in four-year institutions of higher education or college graduates. These groups may have originally started out as an "adult world" answer to college sororities. For example, Theta Delta Xi started as a "friendship club".
Delta Theta Chi (1920)
Omega Nu (1920; Beta Chapter formed for high school girls)
P.E.O. (1869)
Sigma Phi Gamma  (1920)
T.T.T. Society (1911)
Theta Delta Xi (early 1930's)

ORGANIZED BY and/or FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN, these organizations started at business schools or for the purpose of uniting women working in business
Alpha Iota (1925)
Delta Tau (before 1930)
Eta Phi Beta (1942)
Gamma Phi Delta (1943)
Iota Phi Lambda (1929)
Lambda Kappa Mu (1937)
Pi Rho Zeta (partnered with a men's fraternity [1929] with the same name and purpose)
Sigma Alpha Sigma (circa 1949)
Theta Alpha Delta (1940)
Zeta Beta Chi (before 1939)

ORGANIZED BY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS, and eventually dropped the high school affiliation to become philanthropic organizations for women. Currently, the  education requirement is most often a high school diploma.
Alpha Zeta Beta (1897)
Delta Theta Tau (1903)
Kappa Kappa Sigma (1915)
Phi Beta Psi  (1904)
Psi Iota Xi  (1897)
Sigma Alpha (1913)
Tri Kappa (1901)

ORGANIZED SPECIFICALLY TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO OTHERS
Delta Chi Sigma (1925;"Although most of the sorority members are college graduates, this is not a requirement, and the organization places social pleasures in a rank subordinate to service to the community.")
Kappa Delta Phi  (1925; inspired by men's Phi Delta Kappa Social Club)
Sigma Beta (1923)

OTHER SERVICE/SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS (Not sure where to place them)
Chi Sigma (1922)
Delta Sigma Kappa (1924)
Lambda Sigma Pi (circa 1938)
Lambda Tau Delta ( 1909; 75 chapters in 1933)
Omega Nu Tau (1922)
Phi Epsilon Phi (1937)
Phi Tau Omega (1925;  founded "to bring together a congenial group of girls in a bond of friendship for social, charitable and moral purposes")
Psi Delta Sigma (1924; founded by a group of women in their late teens
Theta Tau Theta (1922)
Theta Phi Sigma (1922; "Benevolent")

The Miami Daily News. Members of Local Lambda Tau Delta Attend Convention. Jul. 9, 1933; Society section, p. 2. The Miami Daily News. Delta Chi Sigma Chapter to Give Benefit Bridge. Apr. 21, 1935; section 2, p. 2.

copyright 2013, womensfraternities.com

HIGH SCHOOL: Iota Beta sisters in court

On February 21 1912, six East Division High Iota Beta (IB) sorority members were suspended from school for 60 days for violating their second promise to disaffiliate from IB. The girls' parents wanted a hearing with the school board, to no avail. Their attorneys filed petitions demanding their daughters be reinstated, or, per the judge's orders, have the school board answer as to why the girls should not be reinstated.

"The petitions allege the rule of the school board against fraternities and sororities is beyond the power of the school board to enact or at least enforce to the extent of depriving the pupils of the right to attend classes."

"Upon the outcome of this case, testing the power of the school board to enforce the rule regarding sororities and fraternities, as far as suspending pupils from classes....", the school board, if ruled against, would have to lift its 1910 ban on high school sororities and fraternities and have no power in whether or not the students became members.

The school board's complaint committee had two meetings regarding the girls' suspension, on March 5 and 14, where members voted to uphold the suspensions. And then, the judge who heard the case upheld the school board's decision- the Iota Beta (ex)members' suspensions were "proper". The article reported that the judge "holds that the violation of the rule had been admitted and the only question was whether the suspension was justifiable, provided that the rule was justified, in view of the fact that the suspensions had followed the second promise to desist from membership in the sororities on Feb. 21." The rule, of course, being that students could not be involved with secret societies.

References
Milwaukee Sentinel. Parents Get Writs To Return Girls. Mar. 26, 1912. 


Milwaukee Sentinel. Court Upholds Suspension Of Girls In East Division High School Case; Says Students Must Obey Rules. Apr. 13, 1912, p. 1.