New sorority sought diverse group for charter class
Posted on January 24, 2008
Indiana Asbury, currently known as DePauw University, opened its doors to women in 1867, but as the school’s first female students would quickly learn, acceptance into the school did not guarantee acceptance from their male peers.
Frustrated at being ignored or taunted by the boys, student Betty Locke turned to her biological brother’s fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, for help. Hoping that brotherhood could provide her with a system of support, she appealed to Phi Gamma Delta for membership. Indiana Asbury’s chapter rejected the idea of allowing women members and instead offered her a position as their mascot. Locke said that if they would not initiate her into their fraternity she would start her own.
True to her words, Locke founded Kappa Alpha Theta, the first women’s Greek-letter fraternity, in 1870. KAT is alive and thriving today, with over 125 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. KAT’s Eta Rho chapter is the latest addition to the Greek family at James Madison, having just been inducted this past December.
Sophomore Katelyn Hodges is proud to be included among Eta Rho’s first 115 members.
“I think it’s so cool to be a charter member,” Hodges said. “We get to set the standard for how people see us.”
Hodges would like KAT to be seen by others as a good group of girls with plenty of diversity.
“We have an image we want to portray,” she said. “We don’t want to come across as the slutty group or as the stereotypical group. Right now we have a very diverse group of girls and I would love for it to stay that way.”
Though KAT is just starting, the chapter has participated in many social events. Its first semi-formal, which included dancing and appetizers, took place in November and was held at local restaurant Panos. To celebrate the holidays the group made Christmas cards with Delta Delta Delta, baked cookies and watched Elf with Zeta Tau Alpha, and participated in Theta Chi’s annual charity event, 12 Days. Some of the sisters also played in Delta Chi’s powder puff football game.
“I was out in the first round,” Hodges said. “But it was really fun.”
In addition to having fun and socializing, chapter President Landry Bosworth said KAT is in the process of planning fundraising events for their philanthropy, Case Appointed Special Advocates. CASA is an organization of trained volunteers who stand up for abused children in court.
“We are establishing relationships with the CASA in Staunton and Charlottesville to begin working on projects with them,” Bosworth said.
KAT is planning for their big move this upcoming fall, when they will be settling into their house on Greek Row. They will be moving into either Elm or Cedar Hall, which they will be sharing with Delta Gamma.
“I think it’s good for Greek life to have a new sorority on campus,” said Michelle Scotellaro, a sister of Delta Gamma. “I’m excited to share a house with them and I hope we can get to really know each other.”
Although Hodges is optimistic about the future of KAT, she said that it’s both exciting and nerve-wracking to think about their advisors departing this May.
“It will be interesting to see how we float, but I think we’ll be okay,” she said. “We’re a good group of girls.”
