Founders:
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, on April 28, 1867, as I.C. Sorosis. Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the Greek-letter fraternities of men. During a time when few women were admitted to colleges and universities, Pi Beta Phi created a feeling of unity among pioneering women.

Jennie Nichol
Emma Brownlee Kilgore
Rosa Moore
Libbie Brook Gaddis
Fannie Ann Thomson
Nancy Black Wallace
Clara Brownlee Hutchinson
Margaret Campbell
Inez Smith Soule
Ada Bruen Grier
Jennie Horne Turnbull
Fannie Whitenack Libbey

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Symbols
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.

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.

Flower
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 which makes the flower attractive, it, too, is the warm fervent loyalty of its members which 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."

Pledge Pin
The pledge pin is an arrowhead of Roman gold mounted with the Greek letter B (Beta) in burnished gold.

Colors
The colors of the Fraternity are wine and silver blue.

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 rush. 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.

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Pi Phi Facts
Pi Phi Firsts:
First national women's fraternity
First to have a national philanthropy
First to have and alumnae department
First to form an Alumnae Advisory Comittee (AAC)
One of seven founders of Panhellenic Conference

Pi Beta Phi Dates of Interest
1776: Phi Beta Kappa founded, the first Greek-letter fraternity.
1867: I.C. Sorosis (the original name of Pi Beta Phi)
founded at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois.
1868: First convention held at the home of Fannie Thomson in Oquawka, Illinios.
1868: Second chapter installed at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
1882: Colors and Motto adopted by convention.
1884: The Alpha Chapter of I.C. Sorosis charter relinquished as a result of Monmouth College ban on secret societies.
1885: First edition of The ARROW published by Kansas Alpha.
1888: Name changed from I. C. Sorosis to Pi Beta Phi.
1891: Two delegates met with representatives of seven other women's fraternities in Boston.
1893: National Alumnae Department organized.
1902: Pi Beta Phi became one of the founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference.
1908: Ontario Alpha, Pi Beta Phi's first Canadian chapter, established at the University of Toronto.
1910: Establishing a philanthropy in the Appalachian mountains authorized at Convention.
1912: Settlement School organized at Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
1913: Alumnae Advisory Committee organized.
1924: Portrait of Grace Goodhue Coolidge, Vermont Beta Pi Phi and First Lady,
presented by the Fraternity to the United States. Her portrait hangs in the White House and shows her Pi Phi pin.
1925: Central Office established.
1928: Illinois Alpha reestablished at Monmouth College.
1940: Holt House, founding place of Pi Beta Phi, purchased.
1946: Emma Harper Turner Memorial Fund established.
1948: Harriet Rutherford Johnstone Undergraduate Scholarships established.
1952: Canadian Project established.
1964: Plans for Centennial Project to be called Arrowmont.
1970: Arrowmont construction completed at Pi Beta Phi Settlement School.
1977: Collegiate and Alumnae Departments combined for voting at conventions.
1979: Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts developed year-round programming.
1980: Friendship Fund established for annual alumnae donations.
1984: Friend to Friend, Alcohol Awareness Program, distributed to chapters.
1987: Aiming Straight, Drug Awareness Program, developed.
1990: Pi Beta Phi Foundation established.
1990: Links to Literacy established as international service project.
1991: Directions, Pi Beta Phi's mentoring and networking program, established.
1992: Marianne Reid Wild Society established.
1993: Alumnae department celebrated its 100th year.
1993: Groundbreaking ceremonies for new dormitory at Arrowmont.
1995: Pi Beta Phi assumed a two-year chairmanship of the National Panhellenic Conference.
Jean Wirths Scott, Pi Beta Phi's NPC Delegate and a Pennsylvania Beta, served as chairwoman.
1995: Newest dormitory at Arrowmont dedicated.
1997: Fraternity web site launched.
1997: Woodturning Studio at Arrowmont dedicated.

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Famous Pi Phis
SUSAN LUCCI
Emmy Winning Actress

FAYE DUNAWAY (FL Beta)
Actress

GRACE GOODUE COOLIDGE (VT Beta)
First Lady

MARGARET TRUMAN DANIELS (DC Alpha)
Author & Daughter of President Harry Truman

COURTNEY GIBBS (TX Delta)
Miss USA 1988 & Actress/Model

SUSAN AKIN (MS Beta)
Miss America 1985

JACQUELYN MAYER TOWNSEND (IL Epsilon)
Miss America 1963

MARILYN VAN DERBUR ATLER (CO Alpha)
Miss America 1958 & Motivational Speaker

TIFFANY CRAIG
Miss Oklahoma 1994

PATRICIA NEAL (IL Epsilon)
Actres

ANNA EILEEN HECKART YANKEE (OH Beta)
Actress

PAULA RAGUSA PRENTISS (VA Alpha)
Actress

DIANNE DEWITT MENICHESCHI (TX Beta)
Model

MARILYN HORNE (CA Gamma)
Opera Star

CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT (IA Gamma)
Founded the League of Women Voters & Led the fight for the passage of the 19th Amendment, allowing women the right to vote

KAY BAILEY HUTCHINSON (TX Alpha)
US Senator

JANE BRYANT QUINN (VT Alpha)
Author & Financial Columnist

RUTH WALSH MCINTYRE (SC Alpha)
Journalist/News Anchor

ANNA B. FISHER (CA Epsilon)
Astronaut

NANCY HOGSHEAD (NC Beta)
Olympic Gold Medalist- Swimming

TRACY RUIZ (AZ Alpha)
Olympic Gold Medalist- Synchronized Swimming

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