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Phi Mu
ΦΜ
File:Phi mu crest.jpg
FoundedMarch 4, 1852; 172 years ago (1852-03-04)
Wesleyan Female College, (Macon, Georgia)
TypeSocial
ScopeNational
MottoLes Soeurs Fideles
The Faithful Sisters
Colors  Rose   White
SymbolQuatrefoil
FlowerRose Color Carnation
PublicationThe Aglaia
PhilanthropyChildren's Miracle Network Hospitals
Chapters123 and 3 planned colonies
Members185,000+ active
MascotThe Lion "Sir Fidel"
Headquarters400 Westpark Drive
Peachtree City, Georgia
USA
Websitehttp://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 123 collegiate chapters, 6 extending chapter, 145 alumnae chapters, and more than 180,000 initiated sisters. In its 164-year history, Phi Mu has chartered over 228 chapters. 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."

History

Phi Mu was founded on January 4, 1852 – though not publicly announced until March 4, 1852 – originally as a literary society referred to as The Philomathean Society 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" and are thus known as "fraternities for women." Phi Mu is one such sorority, as its formal name is Phi Mu Fraternity. 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. Philomathean is derived from the Greek philomath, which means a lover of learning.

Symbols

Phi Mu's open motto is Les Soeurs Fideles ("The Faithful Sisters").

Initiated members wear the Phi Mu Badge which depicts a quatrefoil with black and gold enamel bearing ΦΜ, a hand engulfing a heart, and three stars. Sometimes the badge is partnered with a guard chain accompanied by the chapter's lettering (for example, the Kappa Omicron chapter of Phi Mu wold have a ΚΟ assisting).

A Phi Badge is worn by Phi Mu's new, uninitiated members. it is a small gold and black quatrefoil pin bearing the Φ symbol.

The official open colors are rose and white. Rose symbolizes the womanhood celebrated by all women in Phi Mu, while white symbolizes truth and purity.

The official symbol is the quatrefoil, its meaning is heavily guarded and considered one of my Phi Mu's most precious secrets, along with their hidden motto.

The official flower is the rose color carnation.

Phi Mu's mascot is a lion named Sir Fidel. In addition to the lion, ladybugs have been adopted as unofficial symbols of Phi Mu.

Phi Mu does not have an official stone but often adopts pearls, diamonds and rose quartz.

Creed

Phi Mu's creed is the uniting statement that every member of Phi Mu is expected to know and live her life by. The creed defines what it means to be a noble woman, enumerating several practices. The second-to-last line of the creed sums up the most important Phi Mu belief: "To practice day by day love, honor, truth."


To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.
To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.
To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.
To be to others what we would they would be to us.
To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just,
Thus being true to the womanhood of love.

To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.
Being steadfast in every duty small or large.
Believing that our given word is binding.
Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.
Being honorable, courteous, tender,
Thus being true to the womanhood of honor.

To serve in the light of truth avoiding egotism, narrowness and scorn.
To give freely of our sympathies.
To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.
To minister to the needy and unfortunate.
To practice day by day love, honor, truth.
Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu.[2]

Philanthropy

Phi Mu's interest in philanthropy is expressed in the first line of its Creed, "To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand," a guiding principle for Phi Mu. As the only sorority corporate sponsor for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Phi Mu is committed to raising more than $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 and countless hours in an attempt to improve the quality of life for sick children and their families throughout the country. Phi Mu has also established an annual "National Philanthropy Day" each October.[3]

Controversies

In 2010, the Phi Mu chapter at the University of Texas at San Antonio was disciplined for hazing and humiliating pledges. Pledges were blindfolded, roped, and forced to a remote barn to recite the sorority's creed and imitate animals.[4]

In 2011, the sorority made national headlines after the chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi dressed in blackface for a "Cosby" themed party. The sorority members involved were placed on probation by Phi Mu's national headquarters and offered a public apology for their misconduct.[5]

Notable alumnae

Arts and Entertainment

Business

  • Evett Simmons (Alpha Tau) - president of the National Bar Association (2000)[6]
  • Pat Mitchell (Alpha Alpha) - president, PBS[6]
  • Toria Tolley (Beta Nu) - VP/consultant, The Psychological Advantage, former CNN weekend anchor[6][18]
  • Tammy Cohen (Alpha Lambda) - owner and founder of Employers Reference Source, Inc. (ERS),[6][19]
  • Kristin E. Watts (Theta Beta) - Senior National Advertising Account Executive; Cox Enterprises, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[20]

Politics & Public Service

  • Carol Laise (Gamma Delta) - U.S. Ambassador to Nepal 1966-1973, first woman director general of the Foreign Service[21][22]
  • Betty Montgomery (Delta Kappa) - first female Attorney General of Ohio[6]
  • Melinda Schwegmann (Alpha Eta) - first female Lt. Governor of Louisiana[6]
  • Elizabeth Weaver (Delta) - former Michigan Supreme Court Justice and chief justice[6]
  • Tova Wiley (Eta Alpha) - first woman to hold the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy, winner of the Legion of Merit Award[6]
  • Beverly B. Martin (Alpha Iota) - U.S. Federal Judge, sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit[23]

Literature

Athletics

  • Gayle S. Barron (Alpha Alpha) - winner of the Boston Marathon, 1978.[6][27]

Chapters

Main article: List of Phi Mu chapters

References

  1. ^ Home. Phi Mu. Retrieved on July 1, 2010. "National Headquarters 400 Westpark Drive Peachtree City, GA 30269."
  2. ^ "Our Mission and Creed". Phi Mu. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Philanthropy". Phi Mu. Retrieved 2011-04-04.
  4. ^ http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/UTSA-sorority-on-probation-for-hazing-795586.php
  5. ^ http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-11-15/blackface-cosby-sorority/51214224/1
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Famous Phi Mus". Phi Mu. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Scott, Mike (September 30, 2008). "'Steel Magnolias' to unspool for a good cause". NOLA.com. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  8. ^ [1] Archived September 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/missusamagicf/MA1975Delegates.html&date=2009-10-26+02:45:07
  10. ^ PAUL DAILING - pdailing@kcchronicle.com. "New Miss Illinois crowned | Kane County Chronicle". Kcchronicle.com. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  11. ^ "About Ashley". Ashley Hatfield, Miss Illinois 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-02-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Dana Ivey, ΑΩ". The Aglaia. Winter–Spring 2008. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ [2][dead link‍]
  14. ^ McDearmon, Brian (2007-07-01). "Miss Capital City, Leah Massee, a frontrunner throughout the competition, wins title". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
  15. ^ "Recipients 2008". Miss America. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  16. ^ a b "2014 National Contestants". Miss America. Archived from the original on 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2014-08-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "samfordcrimson.com". Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ http://www.americanprofile.com/article/2079.html
  19. ^ "Background Screening | Background Check | Employment Screening | Employee Background Checks | InfoMart". Infomart-usa.com. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  20. ^ "AJC.com: Atlanta News, Sports, Atlanta Weather, Business News". Retrieved 2016-02-09.
  21. ^ "Caroline Clendening (Carol (Laise) Bunker) Laise - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". History.state.gov. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  22. ^ Cook, Joan (1991-07-26). "Carol Laise, 73, Ex-Ambassador and High State Dept. Aide, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  23. ^ Beverly B. Martin
  24. ^ "The Aglaia Summer 2014". Phimuaglaia.com. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  25. ^ [3] Archived October 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "The Aglaia Summer 2014". Phimuaglaia.com. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  27. ^ List of winners of the Boston Marathon#Women's Open
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