home philanthropy
history
officers
recruitment
pictures
calendar
members
parents club
links
On November 11, 1874, four women at Syracuse University came together to form a society they named Gamma Phi Beta. Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, and Mary A. Bingham were courageous risk takers who sought to create a society for women in a man’s world. Though at the time women’s societies were given the same name as their male counterparts (fraternities), Dr. Frank Smalley coined the word “sorority” especially for Gamma Phi Beta, making Gamma Phi beta the first sorority.
Over 130 years later, we still cherish the same ideals that our founders worked to achieve: love, labor, learning, and loyalty. Today, Gamma Phi Beta is an international sorority with more than one hundred and twenty-eight collegiate chapters in the United States and Canada and nearly two hundred thousand collegiate members worldwide. We celebrate the vision and dedication of our founders and all the women that have come since then who have built Gamma Phi Beta into one of the largest and most well-respected sororities in the world.
| Founding Date | Gamma Phi Beta was founded on November 11, 1874 at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York | |
| International Colors |  |
Brown and Mode. These colors were chosen by our founders because Dr. JJ Brown a professor at Syracuse University allowed them to use his office to hold meetings. |
| Local Colors |  |
In 2006 the Delta Delta Chapter adopted Pink and Brown as our chapter colors |
| Founders |  |
Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, Mary A. Bingham |
| Flower |  |
The Pink Carnation, chosen for its strength and longevity |
| Symbol |  |
The Crescent Moon |
| Jewel |  |
The Pearl |
| Badge |  |
Designed specifically for Gamma Phi Beta by Tiffany & Co. and has been voted the "Most Beautiful Badge" |
| Sorority Crest |  |
May only be used by initiated members on Jewelry, Stationary, or other Personal Items |
| Local Mascot | Tomato. The CSUF Gamma Phi Beta's adopted a tomato as their mascot when they first arrived at Cal State Fullerton. At the time cute girls were called tomatoes. One of our most known cheers involves the tomato mascot! | |
| Objective | To promote the highest type of womanhood through education, social life, and service to community and humanity. | |
| Creed | Love, Labor, Learning, and Loyalty. Please see the Recruitment section for more information on our Creed. | |
| Tagline | Connect. Impact. Shine. | |
| Motto | Founded Upon a Rock | |
| Quarterly Magazine | The Crescent. This magazine keeps all our members (past and present) up to date on all things related to Gamma Phi Beta. | |
| Our House | The Gamma Phi Beta house is a historical landmark in the City of Fullerton and was recently remodeled by an alumni member of Gamma Phi Beta, who is also a well-know designer in Orange County. |