Colleges and universities admitted few women students in the 1870s. In fact, administrators and faculty members gave women a rather reluctant welcome.  They argued women had inferior minds and could not master mathematics and the classics. In this   controversy, Dr. E. O. Haven, Syracuse University chancellor and former president of the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University, maintained that women should receive the advantages of higher education. He enrolled his daughter, Frances, at Syracuse, which in 1874 had approximately 200 students and 10 faculty members.

Frances asked three friends to assist her in organizing a society. They sought the advice and help of Dr., Haven, their brothers, the faculty and members of two existing fraternities. The minutes of their first meeting on November 11, 1874 state:  "Miss Dodge was appointed to draft a Constitution."  Frances Haven and Helen Dodge agreed to ask Dr. Haven for a suitable name and motto. The Founders met again on November 16 for further decisions as recorded in the minutes: "The merits of the six mottoes suggested by Chancellor Haven were discussed, and the motto of Gamma Phi Beta unanimously accepted." They agreed on a badge design for which they had sought the help of Charles M. Cobb and Charles M. Moss, Frances' future husband. Helen's brother, a divinity student, suggested the Hebrew word. The jeweler delivered the first badges on December 16, 1874. After the installation of Beta chapter at the University of Michigan in 1882, Syracuse faculty member Dr. Frank Smalley coined the word sorority especially for Gamma Phi beta. It has been used ever since.

Our Founders...

Helen M. Dodge

Helen M. Dodge was born on 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. A talented musician and member of the Daughters of the Revolution and other organizations, Helen's chief interest was the missing work sponsored by her church. She married the Reverend J.V. Ferguson, who preceded her in death. Helen died October 21, 1937, leaving a substantial bequest to Syracuse University for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta.

Francis E. Haven

Francis E. Haven was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on May 27, 1854, while her father was teaching at the University of  Michigan. When he became president of Northwestern University, Frances entered with the first group of women students.  After he was named chancellor of Syracuse University, she transferred there and graduated in 1877. Her diploma, signed by her father, is displayed in Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters. Frances married Charles M. Moss in 1878 and moved with him to the University of Illinois where she was instrumental in establishing Omicron Chapter. She died June 16, 1937.

E. Adeline Curtis

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 a soprano soloist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Syracuse for 33 years. She died January 14, 1923.

Mary A. Bingham

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. IN 1883, she married M.E. Willoughby, who died in 1913. They had two children, a son Francis and a daughter Ernestine.  Mary Willoughby and Helen Ferguson were the only Founders who were able to continue their close association after their college years, as both lived in Utica, New York. Mary died on January 14, 1916.

Timeline...

1874	Founded November 11 at Syracuse University
1875	First initiate, Clara Worden, initiated in March
1882	First extension effort, Beta Chapter installed at the University of Michigan
1882	First alumnae chapter chartered, Chicago, Illinois
1902	Gamma Phi Beta and six other sororities found the National Panhellenic Conference
1919	First Canadian chapter, 25th Greek-letter chapter, Alpha Alpha at the University of Toronto
1940	50th Greek-letter chapter, Beta Beta at the University of Maryland
1960	75th Greek-letter chapter, Gamma Gamma at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
1971	100th Greek-letter chapter, Delta Delta at California State-Fullerton installed
1972	First Crescent Circle
1986	125th Greek-letter chapter, Epsilon Epsilon, Union College
1995	150th Greek-letter chapter, Zeta Zeta, Coastal Carolina

Government Timeline...

1874	First Constitution written
1893	First Executive Board
1911	First Council
1915	First Grand Council
1924	Province system established
1927	First business office opened at Zeta Chapter, Goucher College
1958	Gamma Phi Beta incorporated
1974	Gamma Phi Beta Celebrates 100th Anniversary
1982	PACE Model established
1984	SisterLink Service established
1990	First International Council
1991	International Headquarters building dedicated
1999	Gamma Phi Beta Celebrates 125th Anniversary