Phi Mu
| Phi Mu | |
|---|---|
| ΦΜ | |
| Founded | March 4, 1852 Wesleyan Female College, (Macon, Georgia) |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Les Soeurs Fideles The Faithful Sisters |
| Colors | White |
| Symbol | Quatrefoil |
| Flower | Rose Color Carnation |
| Publication | The Aglaia |
| Philanthropy | Children's Miracle Network Hospitals |
| Chapters | 115 |
| Members | 150,000+ collegiate |
| Mascot | The Lion "Sir Fidel" |
| Headquarters | 400 Westpark Drive Peachtree City, Georgia, USA |
| Homepage | http://www.phimu.org |
Phi Mu (ΦΜ) is the second oldest female fraternal organization established in the United States. It was founded at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The organization was founded as the Philomathean Society on January 4, 1852, and was announced publicly on March 4 of the same year. Phi Mu is one of the two "Macon Magnolias," a term used to celebrate the bonds it shares with Alpha Delta Pi.
Today, Phi Mu has 115 collegiate chapters across the United States and over 150,000 initiated sisters. Phi Mu has chartered over 228 chapters in its history. Phi Mu has 225 alumnae chapters across the nation. Phi Mu's National Headquarters is in Peachtree City, Georgia.[1] Phi Mu's national philanthropy is Children's Miracle Network Hospitals; the organization's open motto is Les Soeurs Fideles meaning "The Faithful Sisters" . Additionally, Phi Mu has internal organizations, such as the Phi Mu Foundation which supports further involvement in the organization.
Contents |
History [edit]
The Philomathean Society, a literary society, was founded in January 1852 at Wesleyan College by Mary Ann Dupont (Lines), Mary Elizabeth Myrick (Daniel), and Martha Bibb Hardaway (Redding). Wesleyan was the first institute to grant bachelor's degrees to women and is known as the birthplace of the collegiate sorority. However, some sororities predate the term "sorority" (coined by Gamma Phi Beta) and are known as "fraternities for women". The Philomathean Society joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1904, taking on the Greek letters "Phi Mu". Alpha Delta Theta, a small national sorority founded at Transylvania University merged with Phi Mu in 1939.
Philanthropy [edit]
Phi Mu's interest in philanthropy is expressed in the first line of their Creed, "To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand," a guiding principle for Phi Mu. As the only sorority corporate sponsor, Phi Mu is committed to raising over $500,000 for CMN every year. The money raised and donated is used locally to support one of the 170 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals nationwide. In total, Phi Mu has contributed over $8.5 million dollars, and countless hours, improving the quality of life for children and their families throughout the country.[2]
Notable alumnae [edit]
Arts and Entertainment
- Susan Harling (Kappa Iota) - inspiration for the play and movie Steel Magnolias[3][4]
- Elizabeth Horton (Gamma Tau)- Miss North Carolina (2006),[5] contestant in Miss America (2007)[6]
- Ashley Hatfield (Alpha Delta) - Miss Illinois (2007),[7] contestant in Miss America (2008)[8]
- Dana Ivey (Alpha Omega) - actress (The Addams Family, Sleepless in Seattle, Orange County), five-time Tony nominee[9]
- Pam Long (Theta Alpha) - Miss Alabama (1974),[10] contestant in Miss America (1975)[6] and head writer for CBS' Guiding Light[3]
- Leah Massee (Kappa Beta) - Miss Georgia (2007),[11] contestant in Miss America (2008)[12]
- Amy Mulkey (Alpha Alpha) - Miss Georgia (2002),[13] contestant in Miss America (2002)[13]
- Mary Wickes (Zeta Epsilon) - actress, (Little Women, Sister Act)[3]
- Kimberly Schlapman (Alpha Gamma) - member of Little Big Town[3][14]
- Madeline Mitchell (Alpha Zeta)- Miss Alabama USA (2011) - Top 3 in Miss USA 2011 pageant
- Rachel Reilly (Gamma Mu) - Reality Star & TV personality
- Shannon Oliver (Lambda Epsilon)- Miss New York 2012
- Anna Bryan (Alpha Gamma)- Miss Alabama 2012 - Top 12 in Miss America 2013 pageant
Aviation
- Jerrie Mock (Psi) - first woman to fly solo around the world[3]
- Mary Weber (Delta Epsilon) - astronaut[3]
Business
- Evett Simmons (Alpha Tau) - president of the National Bar Association (2000)[3]
- Pat Mitchell (Alpha Alpha) - president, PBS[3]
- Toria Tolley (Beta Nu) - VP/consultant, The Psychological Advantage, former CNN weekend anchor [3][15]
- Tammy Cohen (Alpha Lambda) - owner and founder of Employers Reference Source, Inc. (ERS),[3][16]
Politics & Public Service
- Carol Laise (Gamma Delta) - U.S. Ambassador to Nepal 1966-1973, first woman director general of the Foreign Service [17][18]
- Betty Montgomery (Delta Kappa) - first female Attorney General of Ohio[3]
- Melinda Schwegmann (Alpha Eta) - first female Lt. Governor of Louisiana[3]
- Elizabeth Weaver (Delta) - former Michigan Supreme Court Justice and chief justice [3]
- Tova Wiley (Eta Alpha) - first woman to hold the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy, winner of the Legion of Merit Award[3]
- Beverly B. Martin (Alpha Iota) - U.S. Federal Judge, sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit[19]
Literature
- Kathryn Stockett (Alpha Zeta) - author, The Help[3][20]
- Jill McCorkle (Gamma Lambda) - author, Good Ol' Girls and eight other novels and short story collections, five of which are New York Times notable books [3][21]
- Debbie Phelps (Beta Chi) - author, A Mother for All Seasons & mother of Michael Phelps[3][22]
- Joyce Carol Oates (Beta Zeta) - author, (Blonde, The Gravedigger's Daughter, We Were the Mulvaneys)[3]
Sports
Phi Mu chapters [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Home. Phi Mu. Retrieved on July 1, 2010. "National Headquarters 400 Westpark Drive Peachtree City, GA 30269."
- ^ "Philanthropy". Phi Mu. Retrieved 2011-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Famous Phi Mus". Phi Mu. Retrieved 2007-08-21.[dead link]
- ^ Scott, Mike (September 30, 2008). "'Steel Magnolias' to unspool for a good cause". NOLA.com. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
- ^ http://www.missnc.org/history/
- ^ a b http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/missusamagicf/MA1975Delegates.html&date=2009-10-26+02:45:07
- ^ http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2007/07/01/news/local/doc46873b1569b83896065223.txt
- ^ "About Ashley". Ashley Hatfield, Miss Illinois 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
- ^ "Dana Ivey, ΑΩ". The Aglaia. Winter Spring 2008.
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V40MAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AWYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5302,1378689&dq=pam-long+miss+alabama
- ^ McDearmon, Brian (2007-07-01). "Miss Capital City, Leah Massee, a frontrunner throughout the competition, wins title". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
- ^ http://www.missamerica.org/scholarships/recipients-2008.aspx
- ^ a b http://www.missamerica.org/competition-info/national-contestants.aspx?state=Georgia&year=2002
- ^ "samfordcrimson.com".[dead link]
- ^ http://www.americanprofile.com/article/2079.html
- ^ http://www.infomart-usa.com/news/news-abcthreepronged.asp
- ^ http://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/laise-caroline-clendening
- ^ Cook, Joan (1991-07-26). "Carol Laise, 73, Ex-Ambassador and High State Dept. Aide, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_B._Martin
- ^ http://www.phimuaglaia.com/secondary.aspx?item=Fall%202009/Features/Fall%202009%20Cover%20Story.xml&secondary=Fall%202009/Features/Fall%202009%20Cover%20Story/Kathryns%20Stocketts%20First%20Novel.xml&page=2
- ^ http://www.jillmccorkle.com/biography.html
- ^ http://www.phimuaglaia.com/secondary.aspx?item=Fall%202009/Features/Fall%202009%20Cover%20Story.xml&page=3&secondary=Fall%202009/Features/Fall%202009%20Cover%20Story/Debbie%20Phelps.xml
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winners_of_the_Boston_Marathon#Women.27s_Open