George Washington University

D.C. Alpha

Know someone who would feel at home in this chapter? Let us know by submitting a Recruitment Information Form (RIF)!

Submit a RIF
Four individuals wearing white dresses sitting on a couch

Our Roots

Originally established by Emma Harper Turner as one of Pi Phi’s earliest chapters, D.C. Alpha closed in 1968 amid declining membership and campus unrest. In the early 2000s, dedicated alumnae and past Grand President Emily Russell Tarr, Texas Beta, led a successful reinstallation effort. The celebration included a Preparatory Ceremony and Cookie Shine in the Marvin Center, followed by installation at the Westin Hotel.

Notable Chapter Alumnae

Professional headshot of Kyle Zimmer wearing a black blazer in front of a black background

Kyle Zimmer

President, CEO and co-founder of First Book

Professional headshot of Kyle Zimmer wearing a black blazer in front of a black background

Kyle Zimmer

President, CEO and co-founder of First Book

In 1992, Kyle Zimmer co-founded First Book, one of the largest networks helping provide books and resources to children in low-income communities. Now as president and CEO, Kyle has helped transform lives across North America through the platform she built. Kyle is also the recipient of the Texas AFT’s Child Advocate Award (2019) and EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2017 Award-Mid-Atlantic Region amongst other professional achievements. From 2004-2008, Fast Company named Kyle one of 45 Social Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the World. Pi Phi currently partners with First Book to distribute Beta Phi Literacy Grants in the form of gift certificates to the First Book Marketplace, where recipients can make purchases based on the unique needs of the community they serve.

Kyle was initiated in 2019 as an alumna initiate. 

Historical sepia-toned headshot of Margaret Truman Daniel wearing a black shirt and pearl necklace in front of a beige background

Margaret Truman Daniel

Author, Performer and Daughter of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman 

Historical sepia-toned headshot of Margaret Truman Daniel wearing a black shirt and pearl necklace in front of a beige background

Margaret Truman Daniel

Author, Performer and Daughter of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman 

Margaret Daniel first came to public attention as the daughter of U.S. President Harry S. Truman, but she built a substantial career of her own across multiple fields. Trained as a classical singer, she performed professionally and appeared regularly on radio and television during the 1940s and 1950s.

Margaret later turned her attention to writing, where she found enduring success. She authored a long-running series of Washington, D.C.-based murder mysteries, as well as several well-received works of biography and history focused on the American presidency. Her biographies of her father and her mother, Bess Truman, drew on rare personal access and are considered among the more intimate portraits of a First Family in American literary history.

Margaret was initiated in 1943.

Professional headshot of Davina Durgana wearing a turquoise shirt and black blazer in front of a turquoise background

Dr. Davina P. Durgana

Award-winning Human Rights Statistician

Professional headshot of Davina Durgana wearing a turquoise shirt and black blazer in front of a turquoise background

Dr. Davina P. Durgana

Award-winning Human Rights Statistician

Dr. Davina P. Durgana is an award-winning human rights statistician whose research has helped advance the global fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. She earned her Ph.D. in international relations from American University and has developed influential statistical models used to assess vulnerability to forced labor, human trafficking and more. Davina is best known as a co-author and senior statistician for the Global Slavery Index, one of the world’s leading resources for measuring and understanding modern slavery. She is also known for her work with the Minderoo Foundation, one of Asia’s largest philanthropic organizations.

Throughout her career, Davina has received numerous honors for her contributions. She was named the American Statistical Association’s Statistical Advocate of the Year in 2016 and was recognized on the 2017 Forbes “30 Under 30” science list. She has also served as Vice Chair of Statistics Without Borders and was selected as an inaugural Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Davina was initiated in 2007.

Chapter Awards

2019

Excellence in Recruitment COB

2019

Excellence in Chapter House Corporation Service