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Theta Kappa Phi (sorority)

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This article is about the Asian-interest sorority. For the defunct social fraternity, see Theta Kappa Phi.
Theta Kappa Phi
ΘΚΦ
FoundedJune 4, 1959; 65 years ago (June 4, 1959)
University of California, Los Angeles
TypeService
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAsian-interest
ScopeLocal
PillarsFaith, Love, and Trust
ColorsPink and White
Chapters1
NicknameThetas
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
United States
Websitewww.thetakappaphi.com

Theta Kappa Phi (ΘΚΦ) is an Asian-interest service sorority at the University of California, Los Angeles. It was established in 1959. The sorority is a member of the Southern California Asian Greek Council.

History

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After World War II, racial prejudice against Asian Americans, especially those of Japanese ancestry, was high along the West Coast of the United States.[1] While a high school student, Margaret Ohara received a Panhellenic Scholarship to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[1] However, when the UCLA Panhellenic panel discovered the freshmen student Ohara was Japanese-American, they "regretted that the woman they chose could not be invited to join any of the Greek society."[1]

Ohara recruited eight other students to form an Asian sorority.[2] The women were assisted by Mrs. Rex P. Enoch who had formed the UCLA chapter of Alpha Delta Pi and had previously visited Japan.[3][4] The university recognized Theta Kappa Phi as a service sorority on June 4, 1959.[5][3][4] Its purpose was "to promote friendship and service to the university and community and to further the scholastic achievements of its members."[6]

The sorority's members were of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean ancestry.[3] Its founders were:[4]

  • Kyoko Fukimoto
  • Arleen Kondo
  • Janice Mirikitani
  • Margaret Ohara
  • Jane Osuga
  • Joan Ota
  • Ellen Shiayama
  • Misako Tomita
  • Kathryn Yakura

Theta Kappa Phi's founding faculty advisor was Robert S. Kinsman who served in this capacity for 45 years.[1][7][3] Kinsman was a professor of English who had studied Japanese and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.[7] Enoch was its Panhellenic advisor and sponsor.[2][4]

The sorority's first volunteer activity was to paint the "C" in front of UCLA's Sproul Hall.[4] During the 1960s, Theta Kappa Phi held campus programs about Japan served as hostesses for the Japan American Society's functions.[8][5][3] It also had a position on the Keiro Nursing Home Collegaite Board.[3] The sorority and its alumnae association's main philanthropy was the San-ai-en orphanage in Shikoku, Japan.[9][5][3] During the Nisel Week Festival in 1966, the sorority and its alumnae held a fashion show to raise money for the orphanage.[9][2] Sorority members also raised funds for UCLA's UniCamp.[5]

Theta Kappa Phi is a member of the UCLA Asian Greek Council and the Southern California Asian Greek Council.[1][10]

Symbols

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Theta Kappa Phi's pillars are Faith, Love, and Trust.[11] Its members are called Thetas.[11] Its colors are pink and white.

Philanthropy

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The sorority's main philanthropy is breast cancer awareness, raising funds by participating in the Revlon Run Walk and by holding Battle, an annual campus dance competition.[12] Members also participate in beach cleanups and the UCLA Volunteer Day.[12]

The UCLA Theta Kappa Phi Alumnae Association established the UCLA Theta Kappa Phi Alumnae Association Scholarship Fund at the university.[13] It funds two annual scholarships for sorority members, the Dr. Robert S. Kinsman Scholar for Academic Achievement and the Margaret Ohara Shinohara Scholarship for Leadership and Service.[13]

Governance

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The sorority's officers include the president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, treasurer, chaplain, keeper of the insignia, and publicity-historian.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "About : History". Theta Kappa Phi. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  2. ^ a b c "Sorority Will Sponsor Nisei Fashion Show". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. 1966-08-04. p. 33. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Oriental Sorority to Give Skit". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. 1964-09-13. p. 351. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ward, Jean (1963-05-05). "Oriental Sorority Provides Service and Scholarship". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. p. 307. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Sorority Will Launch Rush Season with Tea". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. 1965-09-09. p. 169. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  6. ^ "Theta Kappa Phi Sorority | Community". University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  7. ^ a b "Kinsman, Robert Starr (86)". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. 2006-03-19. p. 33. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  8. ^ "Perry's Japan Journey Topic". Newspapers.com. North Hollywood, California: Valley Times. 1969-08-11. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  9. ^ a b "Alumnae to Hold Show at Grove". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. 1966-08-07. p. 70. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  10. ^ "Community Directory | Fraternity & Sorority Life". University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  11. ^ a b "About : Sisterhood". Theta Kappa Phi. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  12. ^ a b "About : Fundraising". Theta Kappa Phi. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  13. ^ a b "UCLA Theta Kappa Phi Alumnae Association Scholarship Fund". University of California-Los Angeles. Retrieved 2024-10-22.

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