History

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, on April 28, 1867, as I. C. Sorosis. The founding of Pi Beta Phi took place at Holt House. Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the Greek-letter fraternities of men. During a time when few women were admitted to colleges and universities, Pi Beta Phi created a feeling of unity among pioneering women.

Mission Statement: The Mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service.

Pi Beta Phi Symbols

Badge: Golden Arrow

The badge of I.C. Sorosis was decided upon by the Founders in 1867, and consisted of a golden arrow with the letters IC on its wings.

Pledge Pin

The pledge pin is an arrowhead of Roman gold mounted with the Greek letter B (Beta) in burnished gold.

Official Crest

The crest or coat-of-arms is a lozenge on which is blazoned the Brownlee family crest. An eagle is displayed in the middle, on top of which is the seal of Monmouth College. The blazing sun, with the Latin word "LUX" in the center, is on the eagle's chest. In the eagle's right talon is the monogram IC, and the left talon holds the arrow of Pi Beta Phi. The lozenge signifies that the arms are that of a women's organization; the eagle, by holding the IC in one talon and Pi Beta Phi arrow in the other signifies the absolute identity between I.C. Sorosis and Pi Beta Phi Fraternity.

Official Colors: Wine and Silver Blue

The colors of the Fraternity, wine and silver blue, and the first Greek Motto, Pi Beta Phi, were adopted at the convention in 1882.

Flower: Wine Carnation

Adopted at the 1890 Convention, the wine carnation is now our official flower. At the convention it was said, "The roots of the flower are the Founders, for from them the whole plant grew ...the stem represents the Grand Council. It gives to us what was received from the roots. It gives us height and strength... the leaves of our flower are the alumnae. They stand nearest the stem and assist it in its work. They are in communication with the world and breathe in for us the best of the world's ideals... the petals are red for the girls are loyal. As it is the rich, wine color that makes the flower attractive, it, too, is the warm fervent loyalty of its members that makes Pi Beta Phi beautiful in the eyes of everyone... The pistil is the spirit and the stamens are ideals of Pi Beta Phi. The petals stand closely united around these to defend and protect them."

Angels

Fraternity history indicates that songs about Pi Phi angels became popular in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and that skits depicting Pi Phis as angels were often used in recruitment. Angel collections are popular among many Pi Phis. The Founders did not choose the angel as a fraternity symbol; however, it is a worthy unofficial symbol of Pi Beta Phi.

Our Founders

Jennie Nicol M.D., Libbie Brook Gaddis, Clara Brownlee Hutchinson, Ada Bruen Grier, Emma Brownlee Kilgore, Fannie Thomson, Margaret Campbell, Jennie Horne Turnbull, Rosa Moore, Nancy Black Wallace, Inez Smith Soule, Fannie Whitenack Libbey