Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Rho Chapter
The University of Mississippi
Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity History
"Kappa Kappa Gamma at its core is friendship, leadership and scholarship...an opportunity and experience for a lifetime"
History
History
Until 1870, Greek-letter fraternities were a privilege afforded only to men. That year, almost simultaneously, two Greek-letter fraternities (referred to as such because the term "sorority had not yet been coined) were founded for women. Kappa Kappa Gamma was one.
On October 13, 1870, Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded by six young women on the campus of Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Marching into the campus' chapel bearing golden keys in their hair, Mary Louise Bennett, Hannah Jeanette Boyd, Martha Louisa Stevenson, Mary Moore Stewart, Susan Burley Walker and Anna Elizabeth Willits became pioneers in women's leadership.
These young founders were much like the young women today in that they were balancing expectations and the pursuit of higher education with social relationships and family commitments. They sought a home away from home, a community based on common interests and values. They sought equality and excellence and believed that "in union, there is strength."
While the Fraternity has grown more complex in its organization and governing law since the days of the founders, the noble ideals of the ritual are the same as those inaugurated in 1870, and the principles upon which Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded have not changed.
This historic event is remembered every year on Founders Day, October 13, a day on which the founders are honored.
On October 13, 1870, Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded by six young women on the campus of Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Marching into the campus' chapel bearing golden keys in their hair, Mary Louise Bennett, Hannah Jeanette Boyd, Martha Louisa Stevenson, Mary Moore Stewart, Susan Burley Walker and Anna Elizabeth Willits became pioneers in women's leadership.
These young founders were much like the young women today in that they were balancing expectations and the pursuit of higher education with social relationships and family commitments. They sought a home away from home, a community based on common interests and values. They sought equality and excellence and believed that "in union, there is strength."
While the Fraternity has grown more complex in its organization and governing law since the days of the founders, the noble ideals of the ritual are the same as those inaugurated in 1870, and the principles upon which Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded have not changed.
This historic event is remembered every year on Founders Day, October 13, a day on which the founders are honored.
Worldwide
Kappa has 131 collegiate chapters and nearly 300 active alumnae associations. More than 200,000 Kappas have been initiated since the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma in 1870! That way, there's a Kappa sister practically anywhere you go!
Basic Info About KKG:
Our Badge is the Golden Key, worn by initiated members of the Fraternity. The Key was selected by the founders as the badge of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Members may not lend their badges to anyone except other Kappas. To keep badges only in the possession of members, it is encouraged that the badges of deceased members be returned to Headquarters.
Our Fraternity Coat-of-Arms combines the well-known symbols of Kappa Kappa Gamma: the key, the Greek letters, the fleur-de-lis, the owl and the two blues.
Our colors are Dark and Light Blue, which have been described as those shades which in light and ark tones reproduce the "soft velvety blue approaching the cornflower in shade," which is also a description of the sapphire, the Fraternity jewel. The sapphire is recognized as a symbol of truth, sincerity and constancy.
Our flower, the fleur-de-lis, was chosen as the Fraternity flower because of its general dignity, stateliness and grace, and because it combines the two blues of the Fraternity in one flower.
The owl is the bird of wisdom, as well as the bird of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom.
Our Badge is the Golden Key, worn by initiated members of the Fraternity. The Key was selected by the founders as the badge of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Members may not lend their badges to anyone except other Kappas. To keep badges only in the possession of members, it is encouraged that the badges of deceased members be returned to Headquarters.
Our Fraternity Coat-of-Arms combines the well-known symbols of Kappa Kappa Gamma: the key, the Greek letters, the fleur-de-lis, the owl and the two blues.
Our colors are Dark and Light Blue, which have been described as those shades which in light and ark tones reproduce the "soft velvety blue approaching the cornflower in shade," which is also a description of the sapphire, the Fraternity jewel. The sapphire is recognized as a symbol of truth, sincerity and constancy.
Our flower, the fleur-de-lis, was chosen as the Fraternity flower because of its general dignity, stateliness and grace, and because it combines the two blues of the Fraternity in one flower.
The owl is the bird of wisdom, as well as the bird of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom.
The Founders
