On October 13, 1870, Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Kappa Kappa Gamma’s founders are Mary Moore “Minnie” Stewart, Anna Elizabeth Willits, Susan Burley Walker, Hanna Jeanette “Jennie” Boyd, Mary Louise “Lou” Bennett, and Martha Louisa “Lou” Stevenson. Some of the founders recalled that the organization was founded in March, 1870, but that the appearance was delayed until fall, because the badges had been difficult to procure. Willet’s mother was the one who came up with the idea of using a key as the badge. The first badges were made by the Bennett’s family jeweler who was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In order to have the badges made, 12 had to be ordered at a price of $5 each. The Kappa Kappa Gamma’s first public appearance at chapel took place on October 13, 1870 and since the 1876 Convention, October 13 has been celebrated as Founders’ Day.
Having walked the Monmouth campus and downtown many times, I always try to envision what life was like for those 1870 coeds. It never fails to amaze me that Kappa and its Monmouth Duo partner, Pi Beta Phi, are here today. Both were forced to cease operations when the college banned all fraternal organizations in the late 1870s.
Below are links to posts about previous #WHM profiles. I invite you to learn more about these interesting women.
Irene Simpson Van Brunt was an initiate of the University of Nebraska chapter.
Irene Simpson Van Brunt, P.E.O. (and Kappa Kappa Gamma), #NoteableSororityWomen, #WHM2024
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Frances Steen Suddeth Josephson was an initiate of the Goucher College chapter.
Frances Steen Suddeth Josephson, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2024
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Mignon Talbot, Ph.D., was an initiate of the Ohio State chapter.
Mignon Talbot, Ph.D., Kappa Kappa Gamma, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2023
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Dorothy Canfield Fisher was an initiate of the Ohio State Chapter
Dorothy Canfield Fisher on Kappa Kappa Gamma’s 152nd!
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Ruth Shellhorn was an initiate of the Oregon State chapter and affiliated with the Cornell University chapter.
Ruth Shellhorn, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2022
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Aryness Joy Wickens was an initiate of the University of Washington chapter.
Aryness Joy Wickens on Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Founders’ Day #NotableSororityWomen
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Mary Conway Kohler was an initiate of the Stanford University chapter.
Mary Conway Kohler, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2021
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Anna Harbottle Whittic was an initiate of the Syracuse University chapter.
Anna Harbottle Whittic, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2020
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Shelley Smith Mydans was an initiate of the Stanford University chapter.
Shelley Smith Mydans, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2019
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Alexine and Marion Mitchell were initiates of the Stanford University chapter. Alexine later affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley chapter.
Alexine and Marion Mitchell, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #notablesororitywomen, #WHM2017
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Elizabeth Gowdy Baker was an initiate of the Monmouth College chapter.
Elizabeth Gowdy Baker on Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Founding Day
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Tade Hartsuff Kuhns was an initiate of the Butler College (University) chapter.
Tade Hartsuff Kuhns on Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Founders’ Day
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Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman was an initiate of the University of California, Berkeley chapter.
Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman, Kappa Kappa Gamma, #notablesororitywomen
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Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch was an initiate of the Boston University chapter.
Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch, Settlement House Founder and Kappa Kappa Gamma
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Katharine L. Sharp was charter member of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Upsilon chapter at Northwestern University.
Katharine L. Sharp, Library Science Pioneer and Kappa Kappa Gamma Grand President
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Alice Duer Miller was an initiate of the Barnard College chapter.
Alice Duer Miller, Suffragist and Kappa Kappa Gamma
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Peggy Kirk Bell was an initiate of the Rollins College chapter.
