History Of Phi Mu
However, it was on January 4, 1852 when this organization was first brought to life. On this day, Mary Myrick Daniel, Mary DuPont Lines, and Martha Hardaway Redding founded an organization called the Philomathean Society at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.
Two months later on March 4, 1852, the members of the Philomathean society, which later became known as Phi Mu Fraternity, publicly announced the formation of this organization. Therefore, Phi Mu became the second female fraternity to be formed. To this day March 4 has been observed by Phi Mu Members as Founders ’ Day.
By the turn of the century, the Philomathean Society at Wesleyan College had developed a strong body of alumnae, a history rich in tradition, and were ready to expand into a national organization.
Today, Phi Mu has grown to encompass a diverse membership of more than 140,000 women throughout the nation. These women strive to uphold the ideals of love, honor, and truth as they serve God and their “faithful sisters.”
Creed Of Phi Mu
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.
Noted Phi Mus
Arts & Entertainment
Pamela Long Hammer- head writer for CBS' Guiding Light
Susan Harling- inspiration for the play and movie Steel Magnolias
Joyce Carol Oates- author of Blonde: A Novel , We Were the Mulvaneys , and many other renowned novels
Mary Wickes- actress, Aunt March in Little Women and Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act
Aviation
Jerrie Mock- first woman to successfully fly solo around the world
Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D- astronaut, Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission, May 2000; Space Shuttle Discovery Mission, July 1995
Business
Tammy Cohen- owner and founder of ERS, a multi-million dollar corporation that performs employee screening for Fortune 500 Companies
Evett Simmons-president of the National Bar Association
Government
Carol Laise Bunker- U.S. Ambassador to Nepal 1966-1973, first woman director general of the Foreign Service
Betty Montgomery- currently serving as the first female Attorney General of Ohio
Kathleen D. Morrison- first commanding officer of the Naval Medical Clinic and Legion of Merit award winner
Melinda Schwegmann- first female Lt. Governor of Louisiana
Elizabeth Weaver- currently a Michigan Supreme Court Justice and former chief justice
Commander Tova Wiley- first woman to hold the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy, winner of the Legion of Merit Award
Journalism
Pat Mitchell- president, PBS
Toria Tolley- VP/consultant, The Psychological Advantage, former CNN weekend anchor
Sports
Gail Barron- winner of the Boston Marathon, 1978. Partner of multi-million dollar fitness center franchise
Ann Bowden- Wife of Bobby Bowden, the head coach of the FSU football team