Conventions
1883: The First Convention
On November 8 and 9, 1883, Gamma Phi Beta held their first official Convention. One delegate from Beta Chapter (Michigan) and 69 initiated members of Alpha Chapter (Syracuse) attended the Convention. Isadore Thompson Scott (Michigan, 1882) was Beta Chapter's delegate and Helen Mary Dodge Ferguson (Syracuse, 1874), Mary A. Fuller Fearon (Syracuse, 1883), Mary Whitford (Syracuse, 1878) and Ella Irene French (Syracuse, 1877) were the official Alpha Chapter delegates.
Several topics were discussed during the event. Expansion was the main focus, including the price of chartering new chapters. It was also agreed that the Constitution should be revised to instruct that Conventions be held on or as near as possible to November 11 and that they should be held in chapter order. The password, which is still used today, was also introduced during this Convention.
The first Convention Banquet was held at the home of Jennie Reals Baltzel (Syracuse, 1878). The entertainment at the banquet included piano solos, an essay, a poem and a prophecy.
1907 Convention: The Last Gathering of the Four Founders
The 1907 Convention took place in Syracuse, New York, from November 12–15. Helen Mary Dodge Ferguson (Syracuse, 1874), Frances Elizabeth Haven Moss (Syracuse, 1874), Mary A. Bingham Willoughby (Syracuse, 1874) and Eunice Adeline Curtis (Syracuse, 1874) all attended the event, making it the first time all four Founders had been together at a function for many years.
Their photographs appeared on the banquet program, and Irma Schoeplin (Syracuse, 1903) wrote to a friend, “I had never realized that they were so fine-looking—perhaps not beautiful, but very handsome, taller than I expected, dressed in black silk, greeting each of us with dignity and gracious charm. What a privilege to see them.”
Convention delegates and attendees were greatly impressed by meeting of the Founders. Their presence certainly contributed to the attendees' enjoyment of the event.
Sadly, the 1907 Convention was the last time the four Founders would all be together.
Peanuts and Olives Tradition
The origins of the peanut and olive tradition were a mystery until 1908, when an issue of The Crescent cleared up the story. Eunice Adeline Curtis (Syracuse, 1874) and Mary Clara Worden Wilcox (Syracuse, 1875) explained that in the earliest days of Gamma Phi Beta, the banquets were much simpler. They often included simple foods like finger sandwiches, cakes, coffee and ice cream. In 1885, a member of Alpha Chapter held a party that featured peanuts and olives. Guests who attended the affair nicknamed the party a “peanut-taire” and decided to adopt it as a unique Gamma Phi Beta tradition.
Peanuts and olives have been served to mark special occasions of all kinds throughout most of Gamma Phi Beta’s history, including many Convention meals and banquets. The tradition became so popular that it even earned its own song!
Both chapter and international events continue to include peanuts and olives in some event menus to this day.
50th Anniversary Convention
Rather than hold a Convention in 1923, Gamma Phi Beta postponed the event until 1924 so that a Convention could coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Sorority. Alpha Chapter (Syracuse) and Syracuse Alumnae Chapter hosted the event at Lake Placid, New York.
Two hundred and seventy-five women attended this Convention. The delegates traveled to Syracuse University after the business session to celebrate the anniversary with a tour of the campus where the Sorority was founded, as well as to admire the new Alpha Chapter house.
This Convention marked many Convention first and lasts. It was the first Convention at where "The Crescent Moon” newsletter was distributed, as well as the first Convention at which a memorial service was held. Founders Helen Mary Dodge Ferguson (Syracuse, 1874) and Frances Elizabeth Haven Moss (Syracuse, 1874) attended the 1929 Convention, but it was the last Convention attended by any of the Founders.
Memorial Services
The first memorial service at a Convention took place in 1924. It honored the passing of Eunice Adeline Curtis (Syracuse, 1874), the second Founder to die. The same memorial service is still performed at every Convention to honor Gamma Phi Beta members who have passed away. Today, those who attend memorial services wear white ritual attire to mark the importance of the occasion.
"The Crescent Moon” Newsletter
At the 1924 Convention, which celebrated the Sorority’s 50th anniversary, "The Crescent Moon” newsletter was first published and distributed. "The Crescent Moon” served as a daily guide for delegates and visitors and summarized events of previous days of Conventions. It was typical for one issue to be published for each day of the Convention.
Carnation Banquets
At the 1936 Convention, the final banquet was called the Carnation Banquet for the first time. It earned the name because thousands of pink carnations were used for decorating the banquet room. That decor choice ultimately led to the tradition of the Pink Carnation Banquet that Gamma Phi Betas know today.
During these banquets, the new International Council (IC) is installed, making their oaths publicly and members have a chance to meet and congratulate the new IC members. Gamma Phi Beta’s most celebrated chapter and individual awards are also presented at Pink Carnation Banquets.
Centennial Convention
The Centennial Convention was held June 14–17, 1974, in Kansas City, Missouri. More Gamma Phi Betas attended the Convention than ever before. There were 800 full-time registrants and more than 1,000 members took part in some of the events.
The celebrations were joyous, numerous and varied. At the “School Daze” birthday dinner, Convention attendees dressed in fashions from their school days. Another event showcased a film that was produced and directed by Joyce Elaine Brooke Overhoff (Michigan State). At a third event, every former Grand President cut slices from an enormous Gamma Phi Beta birthday cake.
The Pink Carnation Banquet was held in a gigantic ballroom, and 1,100 people attended. The Carnation Award, which honors those women who have achieved regional or national distinction outside the Sorority, was introduced and awarded for the first time as part of the banquet.
Confirmed Conventioneers
One long-standing Convention tradition, and one of the most beloved, is the Confirmed Conventioneer Parade. At each Convention, registrants are given a hat to decorate. They place one pink carnation on the hat for every Convention they have attended. At the Confirmed Conventioneer dinner, sisters who wear the most carnations have the honor of leading the parade celebrating the Convention.
Virtual Convention
The 2020 Convention was originally set to take place in Palm Springs, California. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the organizers for the event had to pivot and plan Gamma Phi Beta’s first virtual Convention. It was held on June 27, 2020, and more than 960 sisters gathered online to conduct Sorority business and celebrate their sisterhood.
Some Convention traditions, like roll call, celebrations and the award ceremony, took place as usual, just online rather than in person. There were a couple of differences, of course. Rather than decorating hats in person, Gamma Phi Beta members dressed the Confirmed Conventioneer hats with GIFs. Groups of sisters also held watch parties throughout the U.S. and Canada.
New traditions might be added and some may fade as Gamma Phi Beta’s Conventions adapt to the times, but the importance of sisterhood and the strengthening of bonds remains of utmost importance throughout the years.
