Founders Bettie Locke Hamilton, Alice Allen Brant , Bettie Tipton Lindsey, Hannah Fitch Shaw
National History
The startling idea of a Greek letter fraternity for women in 1870 was the inspiration of Bettie Locke Hamilton, a young woman who was years ahead of her time. Her vision of quality higher education for women in coeducational institutions prompted her to investigate the possibility of an organization based on friendship and a sharing of high ideals.
Pioneering in education was not new to Bettie Locke. She was the first woman admitted to Asbury University in 1867. Bettie soon realized that the fulfillment of an education went beyond the attainment of academic prowess. She thought the close friendship of young women with similar scholastic goals and personal values could provide the encouragement and stimulation which would attract women to coeducational colleges and help them attain a degree. An organization based on the fraternity idea would be a means of uniting young women in common goals, by providing them with a lasting loyalty to each other and to the ideals of the organization.
Another member of the first group of women to enter Asbury was Alice Allen. Alice was Bettie's closest friend and the first to know her secret plan for a woman's fraternity. The worked together on the new venture, studying ritual and organization in order to create a plan for their fraternity.
More members were needed for the nucleus of the new society and after careful consideration, Bettie and Alice chose Hannah Fitch and Bettie Tipton. Meeting secretly, the four women designed a badge and wrote a simple initiation ceremony -- all of which is still included in present-day Kappa Alpha Theta ritual. The first formal Theta meeting took place on January 27, 1870, and the first step in their big dream was a reality.
Kappa Alpha Theta Today
Today, Kappa Alpha Theta has 123 active chapters and has initiated over 170,000 women. The Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation supports Theta's educational programs as well as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Theta's international philanthropy. Additionally, the Foundation annually awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate sisters.
National History
The startling idea of a Greek letter fraternity for women in 1870 was the inspiration of Bettie Locke Hamilton, a young woman who was years ahead of her time. Her vision of quality higher education for women in coeducational institutions prompted her to investigate the possibility of an organization based on friendship and a sharing of high ideals.
Pioneering in education was not new to Bettie Locke. She was the first woman admitted to Asbury University in 1867. Bettie soon realized that the fulfillment of an education went beyond the attainment of academic prowess. She thought the close friendship of young women with similar scholastic goals and personal values could provide the encouragement and stimulation which would attract women to coeducational colleges and help them attain a degree. An organization based on the fraternity idea would be a means of uniting young women in common goals, by providing them with a lasting loyalty to each other and to the ideals of the organization.
Another member of the first group of women to enter Asbury was Alice Allen. Alice was Bettie's closest friend and the first to know her secret plan for a woman's fraternity. The worked together on the new venture, studying ritual and organization in order to create a plan for their fraternity.
More members were needed for the nucleus of the new society and after careful consideration, Bettie and Alice chose Hannah Fitch and Bettie Tipton. Meeting secretly, the four women designed a badge and wrote a simple initiation ceremony -- all of which is still included in present-day Kappa Alpha Theta ritual. The first formal Theta meeting took place on January 27, 1870, and the first step in their big dream was a reality.
Kappa Alpha Theta Today
Today, Kappa Alpha Theta has 123 active chapters and has initiated over 170,000 women. The Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation supports Theta's educational programs as well as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Theta's international philanthropy. Additionally, the Foundation annually awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate sisters.
Fraternity Purpose: The intellectual ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of highest scholarship. The social aim of the Fraternity shall be to exercise the widest influence for good. The moral aim of the Fraternity shall be the standard of love.
Mission Statement: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Kappa Alpha Theta exists to nurture each member throughout her college and alumnae experience and to offer a lifelong opportunity for social, intellectual and moral growth as she meets the higher and broader demands of mature life.
Theta Facts:
Theta's symbol is the kite-shaped badge.
Theta's colors are black and gold.
Theta's flower is the black and gold pansy.
Check out Kappa Alpha Theta's National Website at www.kappaalphatheta.org.
