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 international sororities in the world.

Did You Know...

The term "sorority," meaning sisterhood, was coined for Gamma Phi Beta in 1882. Similar women's organizations had been known as female fraternities until then, and many are incorporated even today as fraternities. Gamma Phi Beta is a true sorority.

Gamma Phi Beta Sorority is one of the seven original founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference (1902) along with Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, and Delta Delta Delta.

Helen M. Dodge was born September 26, 1850 in Verona, New York. She was a member of the second freshman class at Syracuse University, took the classical course, and graduated in 1876. She married the Reverend J.V. Ferguson. Helen died on October 21, 1937, leaving a substantial bequest to Syracuse University for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta.

Frances E. Haven was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on May 27, 1854. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1877 and her diploma is housed at the Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters. Frances married Charles M. Moss in 1878 and moved with him to Illinois where she was instrumental in establishing Omicron Chapter at the University of Illinois. She died on June 16, 1937.  

E. Adeline Curtis was born on December 22, 1854, in Moravia, New York. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1878 with a bachelor's degree in music. She married Frank Curtis and they had one son, Edward. Adeline was the soprano soloist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Syracuse for 33 years. She died on January 14, 1923.

Mary A. Bingham was born in Watertown, New York, on August 30, 1856. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1878 with a degree in art. She married M.E. Willoughby in 1883. They had two children, a son Francis and a daughter Ernestine. She lived in Utica, New York and died on January 14, 1916.