Welcome to Pi Beta Phi

Local History

Brief History

In the spring of 1920, three University of Idaho students approached the Dean of Women with respect to the organization of a new sorority group on campus. The three women were Vera Luse and Helen Ramsey of Spokane, and Ann Paige of Nez Perce. Dean French encouraged the women to go along with their plans.

Accordingly, a chapter of ten to twelve women was established with the name of OMEGA PHI ALPHA. To this day, members of this local group have never divulged the significance of their name. Some have guessed it to have meant that the last will be "First"; others have speculated that the Omega and the Alpha of anything denotes "perfection." Colors chosen were gold and dark blue and the torch became the pin.

Then the women, encouraged by leading faculty members, resolved to wait and strive for the first national organization among campus women. At Ester Park Convention, Helen Madden from Caldwell and an active member of Oregon Alpha, presented the Omega Phi Alpha Petition. This is the same convention which initiated Grace Jordan, who was later to become the first lady of Idaho. The Idaho Alpha chapter of Pi Beta Phi was installed September 28, 1923 by Agnes Wright Spring, then the Arrow editor, and Grace Hancher Beck, the province president. The first person initiated was Margaret Springer of Boise, Idaho who went on to become Idaho Alpha’s first president.

When Omega Phi Alpha first organized they leased a small yellow house from the University on the site where French Hall is now located. Fraternity and sorority groups on campus sent the women gifts of silver and framed pictures; otherwise it was very simply furnished by the University. Idaho Alpha's first house was at 720 Deakin on the lot now occupied by Alpha Gamma Rho. In the fall of 1926, the Omega Phi Alpha building corporation of Pi Beta Phi erected the present brick dwelling for AGR. In May 1958, ground was broken for the present structure. This was also the year that Idaho Alpha received the Philadelphia Bowl given at the convention to the chapter placing third among 106 chapters throughout the nation and Canada. No other sorority on campus has built as many establishments as rapidly as PI BETA PHI!

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was founded by 12 women at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, on April 28, 1867, as I.C. Sorosis. The name Pi Beta Phi was once regarded as a secret motto, until 1888 when the founders officially changed their name to Pi Beta Phi. Pi Beta Phi was the first national collegiate society of women to be modeled after the Greek-letter fraternities of men. Pi Beta Phi created a feeling of unity among pioneering women that has lasted through the years.

Jennie Nichol, M.D.
1845-1881
A pioneer among women physicians, she was one of the first females to study medicine.

Emma Brownlee Kilgore
1848-1925
A true leader and Pi Beta Phi's first president. The coat of arms of Pi Beta Phi is derived from those of the Brownlee family.

Rosa Moore
1849-1924
Generous and sensitive to the needs of others, she spent her days in social work and missionary endeavors. Rosa speaks: "The one word out of my heart to every other heart is give all that you are and have..."

Libbie Brook Gaddis
1850-1933
The youngest founder, she established Pi Beta Phi's second chapter at Iowa Wesleyan University . Libbie speaks: "...for while there are deeper and holier relations than that of...Pi Beta Phi, still nothing purer or lovelier graces the name of friendship."

Fannie Thomson
1848-1868
Radiating happiness, with a beautiful voice, in her short year of membership she was a faithful and enthusiastic member. Fannie speaks: "our object... is to send out into the world women who will ever be an honor and a blessing."

Nancy Black Wallace
1845-1918
Pi Beta Phi's first secretary and an enthusiastic extensionist. Nancy speaks: "...I am glad that the great sympathetic heart of Pi Phi Fraternity has responded to the call of true service...uplifting the womanhood of our own..

Clara Brownlee Hutchinson
1850-1931
Gentle and shy, she was Emma's younger sister. When needed, she showed an admirable strength of character.

Margaret Campbell
1846-1936
Pi Beta Phi's first treasurer and promoter of philanthropic work.

Inez Smith Soule
1846-1939
Independent, beautiful, witty, she established a long Pi Phi legacy through a Pi Phi daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter. About Inez: "There is an inner radiance expressed by her actions which finds no other medium."

Ada Bruen Grier
1848-1924
A teacher and minister's wife, the friendships she formed in Pi Phi lasted her entire lifetime. Ada speaks: "It has always been a real joy to me that I had a little part in the founding of Pi Beta Phi, and I wish for you all continued prosperity of success..."

Jennie Horne Turnbull
1846-1932
Quiet and charming, her life revolved around her work as a minister's wife and Pi Beta Phi. Jennie speaks: "The Founders dreamed dreams as to our future...words fail to express the pride the Founders feel in the work, and well we should.

Fannie Whitenack Libbey
1848-1941
Her home was where the ground work was laid for the formation of Pi Beta Phi. She always remained young at heart. Fannie speaks: "I trust that the companionship and friendships formed in your college may prove sweet and lasting as those of us girls in 1867...a tie that will bind you to achieve the highest and best in life."

	The Badge The badge of I.C. Sorosis was decided upon by the Founders in 1867, and consisted of a golden arrow with the letters IC on its wings. When the name of the Fraternity was changed to Pi Beta Phi, the Greek letters replaced the IC on the wings. In 1934, at the Yellowstone National Park Convention, the Convention voted that there should be just twelve links in the chain of the badge - one for each Founder. Upon initiation, a member is given a gold-filled arrow badge. If she wishes, she may order a jeweled badge through Headquarters at nominal cost. The golden arrow badge is to be worn only by initiated members of Pi Beta Phi and is worn over the heart.
	The Crest The crest or coat-of-arms is a lozenge on which is blazoned the Brownlee family crest. An eagle is displayed in the middle, on top of which is the seal of Monmouth College (where Pi Phi was founded). The blazing sun, with the Latin word "LUX" in the center, is on the eagle's chest. In the eagle's right talon is the monogram IC, and the left talon holds the arrow of Pi Beta Phi. The lozenge signifies that the arms are that of a women's organization; the eagle, by holding the IC in one talon and Pi Beta Phi arrow in the other signifies the absolute identity between I.C. Sorosis and Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. The coat-of-arms was adopted as the official fraternity crest at the 1912 Convention.
	The Carnation Adopted at the 1890 Convention, the wine carnation is now our official flower. At the convention it was said, "The roots of the flower are the Founders, for from them the whole plant grew ...the stem represents the Grand Council. It gives to us what was received from the roots. It gives us height and strength... the leaves of our flower are the alumnae. They stand nearest the stem and assist it in its work. They are in communication with the world and breathe in for us the best of the world's ideals... the petals are red for the girls are loyal. As it is the rich, wine color that makes the flower attractive, it, too, is the warm fervent loyalty of its members that makes Pi Beta Phi beautiful in the eyes of everyone... The pistil is the spirit and the stamens are ideals of Pi Beta Phi. The petals stand closely united around these to defend and protect them."
	The Pledge Pin The pledge pin is an arrowhead of Roman gold mounted with the Greek letter B (Beta) in burnished gold.
	The Angel Fraternity history indicates that songs about Pi Phi angels became popular in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and that skits depicting Pi Phis as angels were often used in recruitment. Angel collections are popular among many Pi Phis. The Founders did not choose the angel as a fraternity symbol; however, it is a worthy unofficial symbol of Pi Beta Phi.
	Colors and Motto The colors of the Fraternity, wine and silver blue, and the first Greek Motto, Pi Beta Phi, were adopted at the convention in 1882.