The History of Phi Beta Psi

  • May Eva Lied Smith

    Founder

  • Anna McSweeny Martin Cisler

    Founder

  • Mildred Daniel Van Atta

    Founder

  • Katherine Ruder Routzong

    Founder

  • Gertrude Brown Foster

    Founder

  • Edith Ellen Wolf

    Founder

The Early Years

Back in 1904, May Lied invited five girls to her parents home in Columbus, OH, for the purpose of organizing what has become this national non-academic sorority.

North High School allowed this first chapter and May Lied's father assisted with their by-laws, constitution, and aims to make the organization a success. The original group was incorporated in the state of Ohio on the 15th February 1904 as PHI BETA PSI.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

May Eva Lied Smith

Anna McSweeney Martin Cisler

Mildred Daniel Van Atta

Katherine Ruder Routzong

Gertrude Brown Foster

Edith Ellen Wolf

Sorority Growth

By the year 1907, the group was holding a National Convention in Columbus and chapters were found in Chillicothe, Coshocton, Newark, and Canton, Ohio, and in St. Louis, Missouri. Allis Mangan of Alpha Chapter was elected the first Grand President.

The first National Convention was held in 1913. These conventions have always been important to the success of PHI BETA PSI as the time for new ideas to be introduced and adopted. By 1917, twelve chapters had been installed and growth continued.

The ties of friendship were strong, and PHI BETA PSI communicated across the United States to members with their publication "The Mercury.”

Indiana held the first State Convention in April 1924. At this time there were 21 chapters nationwide and more were added in the following years.

Our aims through the years have been to promote fraternal relationship among our members, to assist in civic improvement in our communities, to do all kinds of charity, and of course, to further our National Project.

National Project

In 1939, our members felt that we should have a National Project and began a year-long investigation into choosing this project. In 1940, the group agreed to purchase an Iron Lung at a cost of $ 1,372.65. This Iron Lung was immediately put to use in Indianapolis, Indiana; and later permanently placed with the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

In June 1941, a permanent National Project was adopted, that of establishing a fellowship to be used for Cancer Research. Chapters assisted this fund and in December 1941, we were able to place $1,000.00 with the International Cancer Research Foundation. Since then, we’ve raised and provided over $11,000,000 to doctors in the field of cancer research.

Today, we are one of the largest non-academic Sorority groups in the country and possess a 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code as a non-profit charity organization.

(Click here for more about our National Project)

Pat and Bob Dolack with two of our founders at National Convention

Pat and Bob Dolack with two of our founders at National Convention

Bonnie Colson (Theta Delta) with Edith Wolf

Bonnie Colson (Theta Delta) with Edith Wolf

Edith Wolf talking to current President Jenny Mefford's dad, Bob Dolack, at National Convention.

Edith Wolf talking to current President Jenny Mefford's dad, Bob Dolack, at National Convention.