ΘΦΑ – Theta Phi Alpha

Founded	August 30, 1912 (1912-08-30) (age 95) (University of Michigan, (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Type	Social
Motto	Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring
Colors	Blue, Gold and Silver
Symbol	Compass
Flower	White Rose
Jewel	Sapphire and Pearl
Publication	The Compass
Philanthropy	Glenmary Lay Missioners, The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built
Mascot	Penguin
Headquarters	27025 Knickerbocker Road Bay Village, Ohio, USA
Homepage	http://www.thetaphialpha.org

Theta Phi Alpha (ΘΦΑ) women's Fraternity was founded at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor on August 30, 1912. Theta Phi Alpha is one of 26 national sororities recognized in the National Panhellenic Conference. Originally a Catholic sorority, Theta Phi Alpha has opened its doors to women of all faiths and celebrate a proud tradition of religious diversity amongst its members.[1] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (U of M, U-M or simply Michigan) is a coeducational public research university in the state of Michigan, and one of the foremost universities in the United States. ... For the railroad company, see Ann Arbor Railroad. ... Blue (from Old High German blao shining) is one of the three primary additive colors; blue light has the shortest wavelength (about 470 nm) of the three primary colors. ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Standard atomic weight 196. ... General Name, Symbol, Number silver, Ag, 47 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 5, d Appearance lustrous white metal Standard atomic weight 107. ... A compass (or mariners compass) is a navigational instrument for finding directions on the Earth. ... Species Between 100 and 150, see list A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa, and the flower of this shrub. ... For other uses, see Sapphire (disambiguation). ... Freshadama grade cultured freshwater pearls. ... The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (U of M, U-M or simply Michigan) is a coeducational public research university in the state of Michigan, and one of the foremost universities in the United States. ... For the railroad company, see Ann Arbor Railroad. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 inter/national womens sororities. ...

History

In early 1909 the organization, originally Omega Upsilon, was started as a sorority for Catholic women. Father Edward D. Kelly was the pastor of the student chapel at the university and saw a need for Catholic women to have a place to go for socialization and friendship. At the time, other sororities on campus openly discriminated against Catholic women and would not welcome them into their organizations. Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Born December 30, 1860 in Hartford, Michigan, Father Edward Denis Kelly was ordained on June 16, 1886 in Detroit, Michigan. ...

By the Spring of 1912, Omega Upsilon was failing financially and membership was low. Kelly, now the Bishop of Grand Rapids, requested the assistance of Amelia McSweeney who graduated from the University in 1898. Amelia and other alumni of Omega Upsilon began actively to redesign the failing sorority.

Throughout the summer of 1912, Amelia McSweeney, seven other alumnae, and two undergraduate women worked tirelessly, meeting at the home of Dorothy and Katrina Caughey, to prepare the plans for the new organization. May C. Ryan contributed the name, motto, and original coat of arms, and the membership selected the Fraternity's flower, jewels, and colors.

The symbol of TPA

Two undergraduate members of Omega Upsilon became members of Theta Phi Alpha. They were Eva Stroh, a sophomore, and Otilia Leuchtweis, a senior, who became Theta Phi Alpha's first Chapter President. Plans for the coming school year were completed on August 30, 1912, and Theta Phi Alpha began operation on the campus of the University of Michigan. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Otilia and Eva, the undergraduate members, proved an enthusiastic team. During the first week, they pledged Kathlyn Holmes, Theta Phi Alpha's first pledge sister, and Marie Sullivan. With the aid of the alumnae, they held their first initiation on November 16, 1912.

Founders

Theta Phi Alpha reveres these ten women as the Founders:

• Dorothy Caughey Phalan
• Katrina Caughey Ward
• Mildred Connely
• Selma Gilday
• Otilia Leuchtweis O'Hara
• Amelia McSweeney
• Camilla Ryan Sutherland
• Helen Ryan Quinlan
• May C. Ryan
• Eva Stroh Bauer Everson

[2]

Philanthropy

The Founders' Foundation of Theta Phi Alpha oversees the organization's philanthropic causes. Theta Phi Alpha nationally supports Glenmary Lay Missioners and The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built. Glenmary's work is in depressed rural areas of the United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains, where they distribute food, clothing, and books to needy persons, and assist in providing medical care, job training and tutoring. The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built is Theta Phi Alpha's newest philanthropic cause, established in 1993. The common goal through The House is to improve the plight of the homeless in any way. The chapter can seek to provide assistance to organizations that help the homeless, shelters, home building or neighborhood revitalization projects. This goal permits all Theta Phi Alphas to help those in need in their own community, while remaining united in our aim and purpose. Theta Phis also actively support Camp Friendship.

Badge and motto

The badge is a gold letter "Theta" set with pearls, superimposed upon plain gold letters "Phi" and "Alpha." The badge of Theta Phi Alpha is worn only by initiated members and is at once a means of identification and a source of pride to the wearer. The Fraternity badge is to be worn over the heart and is always placed above any other piece of jewelry.

Pledge Pin

Upon death of a member, her badge is either sent to the Fraternity's archives or buried with her. Each member has the responsibility to see that her family knows of these alternatives, and should arrange to have one or the other followed at her death. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The Badge

Theta Phi Alpha recognizes Saint Catherine of Siena as the patroness. Her motto, "Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring," is the sorority's official motto. The Siena Medal, awarded by the fraternity, is the highest award given to a non-member of Theta Phi Alpha. Because of the deep respect and reverence for Saint Catherine, her feast day, April 29, is used to celebrate the sorority's founding because the original date, August 30, frequently does not fall within the academic year and most universities. [3] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Saint Catherine of Siena (born in Siena, Italy, March 25, 1347; died in Rome, April 29, 1380) was a Dominican Tertiary or lay-affiliate of the Dominican Order. ... The Siena Medal is an award given by the historically Catholic sorority Theta Phi Alpha. ...

Creed

The creed of Theta Phi Alpha is important to its members as a foundation of the sisterhood. The ideals of the sisters of Theta Phi Alpha are expressed in the creed. The creed connects pledge sisters, collegiates and alumnae of Theta Phi Alpha accross generational and geographical distances. It reads as follows:

Justice to each fellow man,

Wisdom in each deed and plan,

Loyalty to every friend,

Faith that sorrow can transcend.

Truth to God and truth to self,

Honor valued over wealth,

This is the creed that in us lies,

The creed of loyal Theta Phis.

The white rose for its purity,

The sapphire blue for loyalty,

The compass for its needle sure,

That holds our course firm and secure.

The silver for a precious faith,

That knows no end not even death,

This is the creed that in us lies,

The creed of loyal Theta Phis. [4]

Siena Medal

The Siena Medal is an award given by Theta Phi Alpha. The medal is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member and is named after Saint Catherine of Siena. Saint Catherine of Siena (born in Siena, Italy, March 25, 1347; died in Rome, April 29, 1380) was a Dominican Tertiary or lay-affiliate of the Dominican Order. ...

Some Past Recipients of the Sienna Medal:

• Agnes Repplier (1939)
• Anne O'Hare McCormick (1941)
• Katharine Drexel (1943)
• Frances Parkinson Keyes (1946)
• Sister M. Madeleva Wolff (1948)
• Loretta Young (1950)
• Sister Ignatia (1954)
• Phyllis McGinley (1956)
• Maria Augusta Trapp (1962)
• Candy Lightner (1986)
• Ann McGlone Burke (1988)
• Helen Thomas (1990)
• Eileen Stevens (1992)
• Linda Fuller (1994)
• Nancy Brinker (1996)
• Kay Redfield Jamison (2000)

[5] Agnes Repplier (1858–1950), American essayist born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Anne OHare McCormick (1882-1954) was a foreign news correspondent for the New York Times, in an era where the field was almost exclusively a mans world. In 1937, she won the Pulitzer Prize for foreign correspondence, becoming the first woman to receive a major category Pulitzer award. ... Katharine Marie Drexel (November 26, 1858 – March 3, 1955) is a Roman Catholic Saint. ... Frances Parkinson Keyes (1885 – 1970) was an American author, and a convert to Roman Catholicism, whose works frequently featured Catholic themes and beliefs. ... Sister M. Madeleva Wolff, CSC, was the third president of Saint Marys College in Notre Dame, Indiana. ... Loretta Young in 1935 Loretta Young (January 6, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Mary Ignatia Gavin (1889–1966) of the Sisters of Charity of St. ... Phyllis McGinley (March 21, 1905 - February 22, 1978) was an U.S. writer of childrens books and poet about the positive aspects of suburban life. ... Maria von Trapp was born Maria Kutschera in Austria on January 26, 1905. ... Candy Lynne Lightner (born May 30, 1946), was the organizer and founding president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). ... Ann McGlone Burke (born circa 1944) is an Illinois Appellate Court Judge and the founder of the Special Olympics. ... President George W. Bush conveys birthday wishes to reporter Helen Thomas in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Linda Fuller, with her husband, Millard, founded Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). ... Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker (born December 6, 1946 in Peoria, Illinois) is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization named after her only sister, Susan, who died from breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 36. ... Kay Redfield Jamison (born October 14, 1946) is an American psychologist and science writer who is an expert on bipolar disorder. ...

External link

• Theta Phi Alpha.