Our History
Members of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority are proud of our rich and accomplished history, dating back to our founding on November 11, 1874, at Syracuse University in New York.
In a society where women were discouraged from attending college because of their "insufficient brainpower" and "delicate health," four friends came together to form a women's society. They bonded together to face adversity and to encourage one another's intellectual growth. Now, more than 135 years later, we celebrate the vision and dedication of those women -- and all who have come since then -- who have built Gamma Phi Beta Sorority into one of the largest and most well-respected sororities in the world.
Gamma Phi Beta was the first chapter to ever be called a sorority. Today, there are over 114 active collegiate chapters and over 156 alumnae groups throughout the United States and Canada with more than 130,000 members worldwide.
This sorority strives to be recognized among other associations as a leading women's organization. We work to develop leaders among our campus and community. We provide an open forum for issues pertaining to women and society on a regular basis. We enhance our community as well as ourselves through volunteering and learning. Finally, as a chapter we strengthen our lives by constantly giving back to others. It is our goal to create these opportunities for ourselves, our families, and all those around us through leadership positions, philanthropy and education opportunities.
The Scholar Helen Mary Dodge Ferguson was a talented musician and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and other organizations. Her chief interest was the mission work sponsored by her church. Helen died in 1937, leaving a substantial bequest to Syracuse University for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta. Her love of learning has endeared her as the scholar of the four.
The Artist Frances "Fannie" Elizabeth Haven Moss entered Northwestern University, where her father was president, as one of the first female students. After he was named chancellor of Syracuse University, she transferred to Syracuse. Frances later moved with her husband to Illinois where she was instrumental in establishing Omicron Chapter at the University of Illinois. She was also the only Founder to have a daughter join Gamma Phi Beta. An accomplished artist, many of Frances' original watercolor paintings are on display at International Headquarters.
The Friend Eunice Adeline "Addie" Curtis graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor's degree in music. She was the soprano soloist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Syracuse for 33 years and had a son, Edward, with her husband, Frank Curtis. Addie was described by others as kind and generous to a fault, always cheerful, always sympathetic, the most charitable person who ever lived and deeply loved. In a word: friend.
The World Traveler Mary "Minnie" Alice Bingham Willoughby graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in fine arts.She was a world traveler, having accompanied her parents to numerous sites in Europe. Minnie and Helen were the only Founders able to continue their close association after their college years, as both lived in Utica, New York. Minnie is described as having "a delight in all things that led to a cultural life," and a "pride in all conduct that led to the beauty of knowledge."