Phi Mu (ΦΜ)
Founded	March 4, 1852 (1852-03-04) (157 years ago) Wesleyan Female College, (Macon, Georgia)
Type	Social
Scope	National
Motto	Les Soeurs Fideles The Faithful Sisters
Colors	Rose and White
Symbol	The Quatrefoil of Phi Mu
Flower	Rose Color Carnation
Publication	The Aglaia
Philanthropy	Children's Miracle Network
Chapters	150+
Members	140,000 collegiate
Mascot	The Lion "Sir Fidel"
Headquarters	400 Westpark Drive Peachtree City, Georgia, USA
Homepage	http://www.phimu.org

Phi Mu (ΦΜ) is the second oldest female fraternal organization established in the United States. It was founded at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The organization was founded as the Philomathean Society on January 4, 1852, and announced publicly on March 4 of the same year. Phi Mu is one of the two "Macon Magnolias," a term used to celebrate the bonds it shares with Alpha Delta Pi.

Today, Phi Mu has over 150 collegiate chapters across the United States and over 150,000 initiated sisters. Phi Mu has 225 alumnae chapters across the nation. Phi Mu's national headquarter is in Peachtree City, Georgia. Phi Mu's national philanthropy is Children's Miracle Network; the organization's creed is Love, Honor, and Truth. Additionally, Phi Mu has internal organizations, such as the Phi Mu Foundation which supports further involvement in the organization.

Contents 1 History 2 Philanthropy 3 Symbols 4 Creed 5 Notable alumnae 6 Phi Mu chapters 7 References 8 External links

[edit] History

The Philomathean Society, a literary society, was founded in January 1852 at Wesleyan College by Mary Ann Dupont (Lines), Mary Elizabeth Myrick (Daniel), and Martha Bibb Hardaway (Redding). Wesleyan was the first institute to grant bachelor's degrees to women, and known as the birthplace of the collegiate sorority, though most sororities predate the term "sorority" and are known as "fraternities for women". The Philomathean Society joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1904, taking on the Greek letters "Phi Mu". Alpha Delta Theta, a small national sorority founded at Transylvania University merged with Phi Mu in 1939.

[edit] Philanthropy

Phi Mu's interest in philanthropy is expressed in the first line of their Creed, "To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand," a guiding principle for Phi Mu. Phi Mu is the only sorority to be a corporate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network. Supporting 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals nationwide, Phi Mu has raised over $7 million since 1986.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Symbols

The official symbol of Phi Mu is "the quatrefoil of Phi Mu". The Quatrefoil is a unique symbol amongst Greek organizations; though it bears special meaning to sisters, its use can be traced back to early European design.^[1]

The Phi Mu Badge is a shield of gold shaped in the Quatrefoil, overlaid with a black shield bearing the two bonds, three stars, hand clasping a heart and the Greek letters “Phi Mu.” Sarah Amelia Bardwell (Wright) designed the first badge in 1852. The first Phi Mu badge was created from a $20 gold piece that was given to Mary Ann Dupont (Lines) by her father when she left home to attend Wesleyan.^[1]

New/Provisional Members, or "Phis", of Phi Mu wear the organization's new member pin, given to them when they formally pledge Phi Mu. The Phi Pin (or Provisional/New Member pin) is a black and gold shield with the Greek Letter “Phi.” ^[1]

The lion is the official mascot of Phi Mu. Lions have always been a part of Phi Mu history and are also shown on the Coat of Arms. Phi Mu's mascot, "Sir Fidel", is a name adapted from the fraternity's open motto, Les Soeurs Fideles. Sir Fidel was created in 1973.^[1]

The rose-colored carnation is the official flower of Phi Mu. In the language of flowers, the rose carnation means "friendship", but according to the Grand Historian (1907-1908), Lillian Estes (Davis), “pink carnations are, and always have been, the emblematic flower".^[1]

[edit] Creed

To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.

To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.

To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.

To be to others what we would they would be to us.

To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just,

Thus being true to the womanhood of love.

To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.

Being steadfast in every duty small or large.

Believing that our given word is binding.

Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.

Being honorable, courteous, tender,

Thus being true to the womanhood of honor.

To serve in the light of truth avoiding egotism, narrowness, and scorn.

To give freely of our sympathies.

To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.

To minister to the needy and unfortunate.

To practice day by day love, honor, truth.

Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu.^[2]

[edit] Notable alumnae

Arts and Entertainment

• Susan Harling (Kappa Iota) - inspiration for the play and movie Steel Magnolias^[3][4]
• Elizabeth Horton (Gamma Tau)- Miss North Carolina (2006)^[5], contestant in Miss America (2007)^[6]
• Ashley Hatfield (Alpha Delta) - Miss Illinois (2007)^[7], contestant in Miss America (2008)^[8]
• Dana Ivey (Alpha Omega) - actress (The Addams Family, Sleepless in Seattle, Orange County), five-time Tony nominee^[9]
• Pam Long (Theta Alpha) - Miss Alabama (1974)^[10], contestant in Miss America (1975)^[6] and head writer for CBS' Guiding Light^[3]
• Leah Massee (Kappa Beta) - Miss Georgia (2007)^[11], contestant in Miss America (2008)^[12]
• Joyce Carol Oates (Beta Zeta) - author, (Blonde, We Were the Mulvaneys)^[3]
• Mary Wickes (Zeta Epsilon) - actress, (Little Women, Sister Act)^[3]

Aviation

• Jerrie Mock (Psi) - first woman to fly solo around the world^[3]
• Mary Weber (Delta Epsilon) - astronaut^[3]

Government

• Carol Laise (Gamma Delta) - U.S. Ambassador to Nepal 1966-1973, first woman director general of the Foreign Service ^[13][14]
• Betty Montgomery (Delta Kappa) - first female Attorney General of Ohio^[3]
• Melinda Schwegmann (Alpha Eta) - first female Lt. Governor of Louisiana^[3]
• Elizabeth Weaver (Delta) - currently a Michigan Supreme Court Justice and former chief justice ^[3]

Business

• Evett Simmons (Alpha Tau) - president of the National Bar Association^[3]

Journalism

• Pat Mitchell (Alpha Alpha) - president, PBS^[3]
• Toria Tolley (Beta Nu) - VP/consultant, The Psychological Advantage, former CNN weekend anchor ^[3][15]

[edit] Phi Mu chapters

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Phi Mu

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