The Gamma Phi Beta Founding Story
Pictured (left to right): Mary A. Bingham, E. Adeline Curtis, Frances E. Haven, Helen M. Dodge.
A Serious Minded Group of Girls
They were, as Frances said, “a serious minded group of girls,” each of whom appreciated the rarity and value of the opportunity they’d been given for scholastic achievement. United in the bonds of friendship, this like-minded group of women offered each other the kind of constructive criticism and encouragement that would make it possible for them to prove themselves worthy of the opportunity they’d been given. In an atmosphere that was not always amenable to their presence, they consoled and celebrated one another. Their friendships grew quickly and with the help of brothers and friends who had experience with fraternity life and the encouragement of Frances’ father, Dr. Haven, they took steps to elevate their friendship to a more formal level.
