Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, and Mary A. Bingham founded Gamma Phi Beta on November 11, 1874 at Syracuse, New York. They were imaginative, courageous risk takers who cooperated unselfishly as they worked to achieve the same ideals Gamma Phi Beta emphasizes today.

Instead of joining the two-year old Alpha Phi, Frances asked three friends to assist her in organizing a society. They sought the advice and help of Dr. Haven, their brothers, the faculty and members of two existing fraternities.

After the installation of Beta chapter at the University of Michigan in 1882, Syracuse faculty member Dr. Frank Smalley coined the word sorority especially for Gamma Phi Beta. It has been used ever since

The Omega chapter of Gamma Phi Beta was founded at Iowa State University on December 21, 1918. We have been in the same house ever since, which is exciting as it is the oldest house on Sorority Circle. We have a long tradition of strong academic and extracurricular excellence, and pride ourselves on the foundation set by those who have come before us.

Mission and Fast Facts

Our mission is to foster a nurturing environment that provides women the opportunity to achieve their potential through life-long commitment to intellectual growth, individual worth and service to humanity.