Through the Years
Pi Phi’s story has been shaped by the women who came before us. Every milestone, accomplishment and defining moment has helped create a community rooted in friendship, belonging and lifelong connection. As you explore our history, discover the moments that continue to inspire our future.
1867
I.C. Sorosis Was Founded
Ada Bruen (Grier) and Libbie Brook (Gaddis) rented a room from "Major" Jacob Holt to attend Monmouth College, where I.C. Sorosis was founded on April 28, 1867. To represent their newfound sisterhood, the founders chose the arrow as their badge. A few months later, they walked into the chapel wearing golden arrows in their hair for the first time. Later that year, the very first convention was held at the home of Fannie Thomson in Oquawka, Illinois.
1868
I.C. Sorosis Grows
The second I.C. Sorosis chapter was founded by Libbie Brook (Gaddis) at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
1873
A Sweet Tradition
After Kansas Alpha was chartered on April 1, 1873, the chapter members hosted the first I.C. Sorosis party. The University Chancellor dubbed the celebration a “Cookie Shine,” creating one of the most beloved Pi Phi traditions still enjoyed by chapters and clubs today.
1882
Brand New Beginnings
At the 1882 Burlington Convention, it was voted to publish a Fraternity magazine, and our beloved wine and silver blue colors were also chosen to represent our sisterhood. It was not until the 1884 Iowa City Convention that the Kansas Alpha Chapter was given the responsibility of publishing the magazine, and Kansas Alpha Mary E. Miller (Barnes) was elected as the first editor.
1885
The First Issue of The Arrow
The very first edition of The Arrow, titled “May 1885,” was mailed on June 25 of that year and included 20 pages. In the same year, Pi Beta Phi's first literacy service project took place when the Nebraska Alpha Chapter established a library in York, Nebraska, with 225 books. Though the chapter closed in 1892, it gave more than 1,000 volumes to help start the city's library.
1888
I.C. Sorosis Becomes Pi Beta Phi
After a convention vote, I.C Sorosis officially changed to Pi Beta Phi. In the same year, Iowa Alpha Louise “Lulu” Sawyers Linn wrote the song “Ring Ching, Ching,” which has remained a favorite song across chapters and generations.
1890
Symbols of Sisterhood
The wine carnation was chosen as the official Fraternity flower and Chapter Meeting Ritual was also written by D.C. Alpha Anna Hazelton.
1892
Honoring Our Founders
By convention vote, April 28 became known as Founders' Day to celebrate the 12 courageous women who founded our sisterhood.
1893
The Alumnae Association
At the 1893 Chicago Convention, Emma Harper Turner stepped down as Grand President and advocated for the creation of the Alumnae Association, the first for any of the women’s fraternities.
1899
Sounds of Sisterhood
"Songs of Pi Beta Phi" was published on January 1, 1899. It was 117 pages and contained 78 songs, becoming the first official songbook compiled and published by the Fraternity.
1902
Lighting the Way
Pi Beta Phi became one of the seven founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference. Today, there are 26 member organizations.
1910
The Settlement School
By convention vote, a plan was adopted to establish a Settlement School in the Appalachian Mountains. D.C. Alpha Emma Harper Turner presented the philanthropic project as a way to honor our founders and Pi Beta Phi’s beginnings.
1912
Our Commitment Continues
The Pi Beta Phi Settlement School opened in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, beginning with 14 students and growing to 33 before it closed after three months. The same year, Pi Phi’s coat of arms, or crest, was officially copyrighted. The coat of arms is blazoned with the Brownlee family crest after the first president of I.C. Sorosis Emma Brownlee (Kilgore). An eagle is displayed in the middle with the seal of Monmouth College on top, and the blazing sun with the Latin world ‘lux,” meaning “light,” in the center of 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—symbolizing the shared identity between I.C. Sorosis and Pi Beta Phi.
1913
Alumnae Advisory Committees
An Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) was established for each collegiate chapter. Today, AAC members continue to mentor collegiate women, sharing their wisdom and supporting the growth of chapter leaders.
1915
Strengthening Alumnae Clubs
By convention vote, alumnae clubs were required to meet at least four times each year. One meeting focused on the nearest chapter, another on Founders’ Day, a third on the Settlement School and a fourth on the Constitution, historical documents and examination questions. This year, the “Convention Daily” was also published for the first time and distributed to convention attendees.
1918
Honoring Members
After serving 10 years as Grand President, Maryland Alpha May Lansfield Keller was named Grand President Emerita. This same year, academic requirements to initiate into Pi Beta Phi were adopted.
1921
The Balfour Cup
The Balfour Cup, the Fraternity’s highest honor for a collegiate chapter, was first awarded to Virginia Alpha at the 1921 Charlevoix Convention. Originally named the Ruth De Hass Balfour Memorial Cup, the silver trophy was gifted to Pi Beta Phi by Lloyd G. Balfour, a Sigma Chi and fraternity jeweler, in memory of his wife.
1923
Leading the Way
Executive Councils were created this year, and some of the original positions include Vice President, Secretary to Alumnae, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Pledge Supervisor and Rush Captain. Though these roles look different today, chapter officers continue to uplift and shape the future of our sisterhood through their leadership.
1924
The Grace Coolidge Portrait
The Fraternity presented a portrait of First Lady Grace Goodhue Coolidge, Vermont Beta, to the White House. More than 1,200 members accompanied by their mothers attended the event. Suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, Iowa Gamma, spoke at the presentation and past Grand Vice President Anna Robinson Nickerson, Massachusetts Alpha, was the banquet toastmistress. Today, the portrait hangs in the China Room of the White House.
1925
The Central Office
The creation of a Central Office was authorized this year. Today, Central Office is known as Pi Beta Phi Headquarters located in St. Louis, Missouri.
1934
Linking Our History
At the 1934 Yellowstone Convention, it was voted there should be 12 links in the chain of the badge, one to honor each founder. Today, the 12 links on our badge continue to represent the courage and commitment of these women.
1941
Holt House
Though Holt House was where I.C. Sorosis was founded, it was later abandoned and fell into disrepair following the passing of the Holt family. At the 1940 Convention, a vote was passed to restore the home, and a committee was appointed to lead the effort. After a dedicated year of renovation, the restored Holt House officially opened on April 26, 1941. To mark the occasion, the Illinois Alpha Chapter and the Monmouth, Illinois, Alumnae Club hosted a celebratory gathering over tea. Today, Holt House stands as a historic landmark and a lasting symbol of our sisterhood’s beginnings.
1946
Recognizing Our Members
The Order of the Golden Arrow was established to honor members celebrating 50 years of membership in Pi Beta Phi. The Emma Harper Turner Memorial Fund, an emergency assistance grant fund designated for sisters navigating an unexpected crisis, was also established this year with a $50,000 endowment. The fund still exists today through Pi Beta Phi Foundation, supporting our sisters when they need it most.
1962
The First of Many
Past Grand President Sarah Ruth "Sis" Mullis, South Carolina Alpha, attended her first convention this year—she has not missed a convention since! Chapter Executive Councils were also increased from seven to 11 members this year to better support growing chapter needs.
1964
Honoring with Art
At the 1964 Victoria Convention, the project committee proposed The Centennial Project, an arts and crafts center to be developed on Fraternity property in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in honor of the Fraternity's 100th anniversary.
1966
Pi Beta Phi Elementary School
By 1966, Sevier County took over the administration of the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School, and the Fraternity deeded the land to the county. Existing facilities were remodeled, and the property was renamed to Pi Beta Phi Elementary School. Past Grand President Marianne Reid Wild, Kansas Alpha, was also named Grand President Emerita this year.
1967
Arrow in the Arctic
Arrow in the Arctic was created this year, making it the first Canadian philanthropy established by a National Panhellenic Conference group. The book, "A Century of Friendship in Pi Beta Phi," was also published this year, covering Fraternity history from 1867 to 1967.
1968
The Consultant Program
The Traveling Graduate Consultant Program officially began this year. It was later renamed to the Leadership Development Consultant Program, and today, these positions are considered full-time Headquarters staff members known as “consultants.”
1985
100 Years of The Arrow
The Arrow magazine's centennial was celebrated with a special anniversary issue, featuring historical information and greetings from past Arrow Editors and past Grand Presidents.
1990
New Establishments
Pi Beta Phi Foundation was created to ensure a financially sustainable future for the Fraternity and support our sisters through scholarships, leadership development programming, philanthropic efforts and more. The Links to Literacy Program and Pi Phi Express were also established this year.
1991
The First of Many
The Chapter Banner Parade debuted this year at the St. Louis Convention. Collegiate members designed their own banners with symbols specific to their chapter and campus, and these banners continue to be shared proudly at each biennial convention.
1995
Lighting the Way
Past Grand President Jean Wirths Scott, Pennsylvania Beta, became National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Chair this year. The practices she helped implement continue to ensure NPC remains a guiding light in the fraternity/sorority life community.
1997
Our First Website
The Fraternity’s first website was launched, averaging 77 visits per day. Today, the Pi Phi website receives more than a million visits per year.
2000
New Year, New Establishments
In 2000, rush became known as recruitment, rushee became Potential New Member, pledge became New Member and the preference card became formal membership recruitment acceptance. In the same year, the Order of the Diamond Arrow was established for Pi Phis celebrating 75 years of membership. Recognition included a congratulatory letter and a framed certificate signed by the Grand President.
2001
Honoring Our Members
The Silver Arrow Society was established for Pi Phis celebrating 25 years of membership. Recognition included a special pin featuring the Pi Beta Phi crest.
2002
The New Headquarters
A grand opening was hosted for the new Pi Beta Phi Headquarters in Town and Country, Missouri. The celebration included a ribbon cutting, tours and a reception.
2003
New Establishments
Champions Are Readers® (CAR), Pi Beta Phi's own reading enrichment program, was launched this year along with Leading with Values®, our Member Development Program. Pennsylvania Beta Jean Wirths Scott was also named Grand President Emerita.
2006
The First Fraternity Day of Service
The first Fraternity Day of Service was celebrated in 2006, and Pi Phis honored the day by gathering in sisterhood, hosting book distributions and promoting our commitment to literacy.
2007
First Book®
The Fraternity began its partnership with First Book®, a nonprofit organization eliminating barriers to a quality education for children in low-income communities. This partnership would allow Pi Phi to expand our literacy efforts and increase access to books for children across North America.
2008
The Fraternity Housing Corporation
The Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) was established to ensure our members experience the unforgettable opportunity to live, learn and grow together. Today, FHC oversees housing on an international level and helps local Chapter House Corporations operate effectively and efficiently.
2009
Preserving Holt House
Holt House received its historical landmark status from the Illinois State Historical Society.
2011
Read > Lead > Achieve®
Pi Beta Phi launched Read > Lead > Achieve, our philanthropic effort, which inspires a lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential.
2015
Ring Ching Roadshow
To celebrate the countdown to 150 years of sisterhood, the Ring Ching Roadshow made its debut at the 2015 Chicago Convention. The Pi Phi car was named after one of our founders, Libbie, and it began a two-year road trip to gather sisterhood stories from across the United States and Canada.
2016
New Additions
Pi Beta Phi launched its risk prevention education programming, Critical Conversations®, and the inaugural Leadership Institute was also held this year. In addition, more than 4,000 square feet were built onto the back of the Pi Beta Phi Headquarters building.
2019
Shining Sisterhood
Pi Beta Phi Foundation celebrated the success of the SHINE THROUGH campaign—Pi Phi's largest philanthropic endeavor to date and the largest fundraising effort in National Panhellenic Conference history at the time—raising more than $32 million.
2020
New Adaptations
In March, 110 Pi Phi chapter facilities temporarily closed due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later this year, Grand Council adopted a Commitment to DEI Statement that defines a sisterhood rooted in inclusivity, kindness and care.
2023
Honoring Beloved Sisters
The Fraternity appointed the lifetime titles of Grand President Emerita to Sarah "Sis" Mullis, South Carolina Alpha, and Grand Vice President Emerita to Carol Inge Warren, North Carolina Beta.
2024
A Milestone Member
In November, California Beta Aimee Cho was initiated as Pi Beta Phi's 350,000th member, making Pi Phi the second National Panhellenic Conference organization to reach this achievement.
2025
The Evolved Meeting Ritual
After a dedicated two-year feedback and study process, members stood together at Pi Beta Phi's 75th Biennial Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and spoke an evolved version of our meeting Ritual for the first time.
Learn About Your History
Whether founded by a local group of women or inspired by alumnae who saw an opportunity to grow our sisterhood, each chapter’s history holds a unique and meaningful place in Pi Phi’s story. Want to learn more about how your chapter began?
