Kappa Kappa Gamma's Founders' and Beginnings

Mary Moore Stewart:

Stewart was the first to think of organizing a greek-letter fraternity for women at Monmouth College. She also served as the first president of the Alpha chapter and the entire fraternity as other Kappa chapters were founded.

Hannah Jeanette Boyd:

Boyd was the first secretary of Alpha chapter and the first secretary of the entire fraternity.

Mary Louise Bennett:

Bennett was one of the original four founders who met to organize the motto and the badge of our fraternity.

Anna Elizabeth Willits:

Willits played a significant role in selecting the badge of our fraternity — the golden key.

Susan Burley Walker:

Walker was the first initiate and youngest of the founders, at age 14. She was also the first Kappa alumna.

Martha Louisa Stevenson:

Stevenson conducted the first meeting of Kappa Kappa Gamma at her home in Monmouth, Ill.

Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill. These six young women were indeed pioneers when they dared to march into the most public part of the Monmouth College campus, its chapel, on Oct. 13, 1870, wearing their golden keys in their hair.

The six founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma were among the first women to avail themselves of the privilege of greek-letter societies, that is, to organize into a congenial social group for the cultivation of friendships and intellectual stimulation.

The historic founding of the fraternity by these six women is remembered every year on Founders Day, Oct. 13, a day on which the founders are honored. Founders Day is also a time for Kappa members of all generations to come together in sisterhood and friendship.