HISTORY
OF THE
KANSAS CITY
SHAWNEE MISSION
PI BETA PHI ALUMNAE CLUB
1913-2013
History of the Kansas City-Shawnee Mission
Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club — 1913-2013
Compiled from club minutes, historian reports, Arrowlet newsletters
and Blue Book directories by
1913-1953 — Ramona Caslavka Schmidt, IA Gamma, historian 1955-56
1954-2003 — Barbara Kellogg Elliott, KS Beta, for the 90th Anniversary
2004-2013 — Kay Knittle Brock, CO Alpha, for the Centennial
Special thanks to Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Archivist Fran Becque for her assistance.
Copyright 2013 Kansas City-Shawnee Mission Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club
M
artha Schabacker King (Mrs. Burritt S.), IA Zeta, came to Kansas City
in 1891. In 1893, another Pi Phi called on her and a small group then
got together and started to meet. From 1900 to 1903 various unsuccessful attempts were made to establish an alumnae club in Kansas City.
In the summer of 1903, Nell Taylor, KS Alpha, called together a group of Pi
Phis of her acquaintance with the idea of establishing a club and holding regular
meetings. Not more than half a dozen attended. Several were skeptical. “It can’t
be done. They won’t come.” were their predictions. Undaunted and with a faith
in the future. Nell Taylor and a few who shared her enthusiasm continued to hold
meetings and to call on new Pi Phis as they learned of their addresses. Nell Taylor
attended the Pi Beta Phi convention in St. Louis in 1904.
In 1904, another group of younger women got together, invited the former group
of older Pi Phis to join them and formally set up the alumnae club. Nell Taylor was
the first president of this combined group and it originated at her home at 3031
Wabash. Among the first members were Lulu Burt Cravens (Mrs. W.B.), IL Beta;
Marie Jones Walls (Mrs. George L.), KS Alpha; Martha Schabacker King (Mrs. Burritt S.), IA Zeta; and Emily Hulme Cooke (Mrs. Thornton), KS Alpha.
There were no officers elected for several years and little or no routine business.
These were social gatherings entirely. It was not until 1913 that a charter was
granted to the club.
History of Pi Beta Phi, 1915
Their small gatherings have grown into meetings of as many as 116 (in April 1953)
Yes, indeed, Nell Taylor’s original idea proved very popular and worthwhile!
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1916-1917 — President Mary Campbell Gregory (Mrs. James K.), AR Alpha
• Ten Saturday luncheon meetings held at the Kansas City Athletic Club and
in the homes of members.
1917-1918 — President Marjorie Marshall Beach (Mrs. Albert I.), KS Alpha
• Seven meetings held in homes.
• Adopted a soldier boy from Gatlinburg and sent gifts and needed items to
him at Camp Custer.
• Table at the Red Cross Surgical Dressing Room with no fewer than 10 in
attendance.
1918-1919 — President (No record)
• Six Luncheon meetings held (25 cents).
• Open Air School for Children, made garments for needy children under the
age of six.
1919-1920 — President Marjorie Marshall Beach (Mrs. Albert I.), KS Alpha
• “The nominating committee reported they are unable to name anyone who
is willing to accept the nomination for president.” Past president prevailed
upon to continue in office until someone else could be found.
• Tea at the Hotel Muehlebach at 3:30 pm the third Friday of each month in
addition to the regular monthly luncheons.
• $60 donated by various members to the Near East Relief Campaign.
1920-1921 — President Mary Campbell Gregory (Mrs. James K.), AR Alpha
• Saturday luncheon meetings at Kansas City Athletic Club and in homes (six
assisting hostesses) through June.
• Dollar-a-Plate Charity Bridge Nov. 22, Brookside Hotel ($225.25 profit).
• $75 each given to MU, KU and K-State in the fall over a three-year period.
(First to KU becaise they had asked for financial assistance.)
• $100 to Settlement School.
• Secretary called roll and members answered to name by rising and giving
their chapters.
• Campaign for new members. Associate members by request only.
• Sent letters of sympathy and congratulations throughout the year for deaths,
marriages and births.
• Cody & Olmstead jewelers made a Pi Beta Phi plate for use by any Pi Phi.
• Talent of club rallied at each meeting and had at least one entertainer
• May meeting transformed into tea for rushees and their mothers at the
home of Mrs. Faeth.
• 67 paid Pi Phi members in Panhellenic (55 Kappas, 30 Thetas)
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• Panhellenic had social items about alumnae clubs listed in the paper under a
fraternity calendar.
• Sent Mrs. Gregory to the National Convention on Charlevoix, Mich., June
30-July 5; special assessment or $1 to defray expenses of delegate.
• Committee appointed to draft a constitution for club from our national one.
• Constitution: Article I. Name-.called the “Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club of
Kansas City.”
• Article II Object: To further the Fraternity interests of all Pi Phis in the
vicinity of Kansas City; to assist the active chapters and to help Settlement
School and such other Pi Phi interests as may be desired.
• Article III. Eligibility: Any Pi Phi member
• Article IV. Quorum: 10 members
• Article V. (None stated)
• Bylaws Article I Election of Officers annually in April by a ballot, majority
constituting election. (Officers: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Registrar, Treasurer and Panhellenic Representative)
• Bylaws Article II Duties of officer: Regular (Vice President served as Corresponding Secretary)
• Bylaws Article III Dues Annual dues, $2 payable by Nov. 1
• Bylaws Article IV Meetings Monthly meetings. Each member expected to
assist in entertaining once a year.
• Bylaws Article V Ritual read at each regular meeting.
• Bylaws Article VI Amendments 2/3 vote amendment having been submitted at previous meeting.
1921-1922 — President Mary Campbell Gregory (Mrs. James), AR Alpha
• Five meetings in homes (except January at Women’s City Club.)
• 10 cent collection made to buy a scholarship cup for the province.
• $75 to MU in accordance with plan setup the previous year.
• $5 given for a screen for the Well Babies station at the Children’s Bureau.
• Membership divided into four groups (four for Missouri and three each for
Kansas, Manhattan and Miscellaneous). Each group to raise as much money
as possible for one year (expiration in April.)
• A member’s husband visited Settlement School and said it was the only
modern school in that part of the country.
• Plea from Manhattan for its $75 at once (almost a year ahead of time!)
• Amendment of Bylaws (February)
• Amendment I Board of Direction Section I: The officers of the club and
three other members chosen by the president constitute a Board of Direc-
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tors who shall have executive authority. Section II: 5 members shall constitute a quorum. Section II: The Board shall meet at the call of the president
on April 10.
• Mrs. Gregory was presented with a silver water pitcher in appreciation of
her work for the past two years. A newspaper reporter and the three-woman
committees were appointed: hostess, entertainment and courtesy.
• Rushing tea in June, Pi Phis and rushees from St. Joseph were invited.
1922-1923 — President Nell Taylor Adams (Mrs. Dickens S.), KS Alpha
• Eight luncheon meetings in homes with the exception of January at the
Women’s University Club and March at the Kansas City Club.
• Motion made and passed to limit the cost of the luncheon to $3 per hostess
with eight hostesses each time.
• 65 attended the second meeting Nov. 4.
• Motion that alumnae who accept invitations to luncheon and do not come
will be asked to pay 25 cents, which will go to Settlement School.
• First mention of Pi Beta Phi Magazine agency.
• An obituary was read for Mrs. R.A. Small, first Grand President.
• Benefit dance for Settlement School ($145 profit).
• December meetings Panhellenic Report “Kappa wants dues to be reduced
to 25 cents and the association to merely social!”
• Benefit bridge parties two days in January $4 a table ($122.02 profit).
• Pan-Hell Report was given and discussed at length. Delegate reported that
local Panhellenic was willing to have us identified with them with no obligation to work for their charities and to reduce the dues to 25 cents per member. Moved, seconded can carried that we do not withdraw from Pan-Hell.
• The posting of names for the non-payment of dues was discussed.
• “A very interesting and spirited history of the Kansas City Alumnae Club
was given by Mrs. Cravens, who paid special tribute to our 16 presidents
who have organized and guided us through the years.”
• March — Motion made that we send $500 to the Settlement School this
year and keep the balance on hand in our treasury to help with rushing and
convention delegate expenses.
• All the Kansas City alumnae were invited to Lawrence for the Founders’
Day Banquet on April 28, 1923 to participate in the 50th Anniversary of the
founding of the Kansas Alpha chapter. (30 members went.)
• It was decided to give a subscription dance March 15 at the Jack O’Lantern.
• April — Pan Hell has withdrawn from the Council of Clubs.
• Mrs. Clifton was elected unanimously as delegate to Convention.
• June — Party given at the Kansas City Club for the rushees going to college
in the fall.
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1923-1924 — President Clarabel Denton Irion (Mrs. F.C.), KS Alpha-MO
Alpha
• Seven meetings (first Saturday of the month) in homes and at the University
Club and Women’s University Club.
• Executive Board reported it had decided to handle Royce perfumes.
• President asked all members to save old newspapers and magazines and
deliver same to her home as another means of revenue to the club.
• Nov. 3 — “Panhellenic voted to give $120 this year instead of the usual
$100 to help the girl they are sending through high school.
• First mention of club selling Christmas cards ($178.66 profit).
• “Miss Bird gave a report on how other clubs make money for Settlement
School. Several plans were suggested. One was that each member give 25
cents per week.”
• December — It was decided to sell cokes, candies, etc. at some of the meetings, the money to go to Settlement School.
• Bridge benefit January 25 at the Women’s University Club committee composed of chairman of four groups (KU, MU, K-State and Miscellaneous).
• Food sale Feb. 23.
• $82 from dues money to Coolidge Portrait Fund.
• April — “Vice President hereafter takes over all the work concerning Settlement School and thus lightens the president’s work and responsibility.”
• Mr. A. I. Beach, candidate for mayor, came and gave us a campaign talk.
• May 3 — Club’s members regrouped — groups of 15 to 20 formed for the
purpose of making money for our Settlement School.
• President proposed an Amendment to the Constitution: “Any matter that
would involve the expenditure of the club’s money above the sum of $5
shall be discussed by the Executive Board before being presented in the
form of a motion to the organization.”
• May 16 — Evening card party at University Women’s Club.
1924-1925 — President Agnes Manley Hughes (Mrs. Elmer L.), MO Beta
• Oct. 4 — $750 pledge to Settlement School.
• Feb. 7 — An appeal for interest in the Little Theater. Arrangements made
for a line party at the matinee performance of “Outward Bound.”
1925-1926 — President Willie Reed Porter (Mrs. Clyde H.), IA Gamma
• November — $100 to Settlement School. Each member to give $5 toward
Settlement School Fund, due Feb. 1.
• December — Sent $25 to three chapters.
• The list of paid members was read by the treasurer.
• March — “The Vice President read the list of members who are paid up on
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their Settlement School donation.”
• “Miss Leona Baumgartner, Vice President of Eta Province, was present and
gave an informational short talk.”
• “Mrs. Van Hall told of her recent trip to Columbia and her visit with Missouri Alpha. She presented the chapter with a silver tea service, a donation
from this alumnae club made possible by a benefit bridge given by Mrs.
Hall.”
• April — An invitation from Kansas Alpha for spring dinner dance was read
by the president.
• “Mrs. Beach was persuaded to tell us of her visit at the White House with
Mrs. Coolidge, in which we were all very much interested.”
1926-1927 — President Willie Reed Porter (Mrs. Clyde H.), IA Gamma
• Again sold Christmas cards ($173.74)
• Nov. 13 — Mrs. Coolidge here Nov. 11 and club gave her a woven dress
pattern made by a girl in the Settlement School. (Note: The First Lady’s visit
was for the Armistice Day dedication of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas
City, Mo., with President Coolidge.)
• December — “Met at the home of Mrs. N.T. Veatch. This was purely a social meeting in the form of an afternoon tea. The husbands and sweethearts
of Pi Phi were invited and provided quite a success.”
• January — Bridge luncheon at Park Lane Hotel.
• February — A letter was read from Mrs. Coolidge in acknowledgement of
the gift from the club.
• Establishment of the office of Second Vice President.
1927-1928 — President Ernestine Biby McArthur (Mrs. Charles E.), KS Beta
• Oct. 1 — “Genevieve Herrick Smith, assistant to the Grand Vice President,
explained the new national ruling of active and inactive membership.
• Important letter received from Amy Burnham Onken, Grand President, in
which she asked the Kansas City Alumnae Club to be the official committee
in charge of the $50,000 Endowment Fund. This fund was voted at Convention in memory of the 60th Anniversary of Pi Beta Phi. This Endowment Fund will be available for internal development and chapter house
loans. The local committee in charge of this drive included Alice Bartlett,
Grace Phelan, Ernestine McArthur, Elizabeth Robison and Marguerite
Lewis.
• Nov. 5 — Dues for inactive members was discussed, and the following rules
were voted: a charge of 15 cents for luncheons for members holding the
dollar national membership and a charge of $1 for members not holding
any memberships.
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• The honored guest was Margaret Jackes Ball, Province Vice President, talked
on the importance of membership in an alumnae club; cooperation with the
active chapter and the Settlement School.
• A vote was carried to pay for the Pauhellenic Delegate’s monthly luncheon
• February — A tea was held for Mrs. Fletcher Stark at the University Club
with 416 Pi Phis and guests present.
• Saturday evening, April 26, Founders’ Day Banquet at the Hotel Muehlebach
with Amy Burnham Onken, Grand President, guest of honor.
• June open meeting at Mission Hills Country Club in honor of Mrs. Frederick Fischer of Calcutta, India, with friends of the Fraternity invited.
1928-1929 — President Geneva Hunter Montieth (Mrs. John), KS Alpha
• A third Vice President added to the list of officers.
• Oct. 2 — Two bridge tournaments (Contract in afternoon; auction in evening for men, too!) at the home of Mrs. Robert Calwell.
• Nov. 5 — Aprons sold ($134.46 profit)
• Dec. 7 — Rummage sale ($100.06 profit)
• It was decided to collect rummage again in the spring and have two sales a
year.
• Miniature sale ($100.50 profit)
• Members brought toys to send to Settlement School for Christmas.
• February — It was voted on to take over the Orpheum Theater for the
performance of Feb. 24 ($586.76 profit.)
• Gave winner of benefit ticket selling contest paid dues for active membership the next year.
• May 27 — Mrs. Charles McArthur gave a report on the Endowment Fund.
($12,000 of the $50,000 was raised in two years.)
1929-1930 — President Lorette Chapman Terrell (Mrs. Frank H.), KS Alpha
1930-1931 — President Dorothy Jackes Miller (Mrs. Warren), MO Beta
• Nov. 4 — Budget system for club proposed by committee.
• $100 each year to the Endowment Fund until paid up; $25 each year to Missouri Alpha and Kansas Alpha; remainder to Settlement School.
• A turkey was raffled.
• Dec. 6 — a walnut cricket from Settlement School was raffled.
• February — Shubert Theater Benefit the play “Michael and Mary” with
Madge Kennedy ($1,090.72 profit, $1,000 to Settlement School.)
• Cookie Shine April 28 took the form of a “Tacky Party.”
• June 2 — made 200 small red sachet hearts at a cost of not more than $10
for members to take to convention to be distributed stunt night. (Lorette
Terrell delegate)
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1931-1932 — President Marguerite Graybill Lewis (Mrs. Arthur), KS Alpha
• Stationery sold.
• January — Another Shubert Theater benefit Monday night January 18 musical play “Crazy Quilt” ($1,224.21 profit)
• April — Miss Onken present at the April meeting.
1932-1933 — President Marguerite Graybill Lewis (Mrs. Arthur), KS Alpha
• October — Dinner dance at Bellerive Hotel $3 per couple, 242 sold.
• Chow puppy donated and raffled at the dance, yielding profit of $60.10.
($200 total profit)
• February — Members asked to save bands from cans of Folgers Coffee
(worth 3 cents each) for alumnae club.
• Birthday Bank Each member gave as many pennies as she was years old.
1933-1934 — President Katharine Kibler Lyons (Mrs. Donald E.), KS Alpha
• Dinner dance at Hotel Kansas Citian.
• Dec. 2 — Towle Silver Company’s Plan ($75 to club for audience of 100
people to see silver display) held January 11 and 12 at homes of Katherine
Lyons and Hallie Woods.
• April — Loving Cup passed at Founders’ Day Cookie Shine.
• Anges Hildebrand Daniel, Epsilon Province President “At the March
meeting it was moved and seconded that we give up any further project for
making money this year and that we ask for voluntary contributions at the
Cookie Shine.” (A silver offering was taken up and a total of $171 received
including several donations received in the mail from members who were
not present.)
• Club placed second in this district in the sale of magazines.
1934-1935 — President Margaret Armstrong Foster (Mrs. John M.),
MD Alpha
• “Geneva Monteith talked about Blentex powder, which the club sells, and
showed examples of the rouge and lipstick.”
• Active alumnae paid 25 cents for luncheon, inactives $50 cents.
• December — “An amendment to the Constitution was submitted for the
club’s consideration, this amendment including an historian among the
club’s list of officers.” (Motion carried in January.)
• Dinner dance at Mission Hills Country Club.
• April — Club sponsored the Abbey Players at the Schubert Theater Monday
night April 22 in “The New Gossoon.” A guarantee of $1,350 was made to
the theater ($400 profit).
• Candlelighting service took the place of the Loving Cup at the Founders’
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Day Cookie Shine.
• Settlement School coverlet raffled.
• Magazine Agency made $2,000 for the Settlement School.
• Virginia Wookhead’s minutes deserve special mention for they were outstanding in the whole lot a joy to read and look at!
1935-1936 — President Mildred Johnson Webb (Mrs. Lynn), MO Alpha
• Every other meeting an evening meeting beginning this fall.
• Katherine Lyons, Epsilon Province Vice President
• Transportation committee to see that everyone had a means of transportation to alumnae club meetings.
• 5% offered on purchase made at the B&G Outlet Hosiery Shop.
• A letter was read concerning the publishing of a Pi Beta Phi Cook Book by
the Los Angeles Alumnae Club.
• April 7 — Women’s City Club Decided to give a scholarship award to a
junior or senior girl at the University of Kansas City (then three years old)
$100 divided into two semester payments starting September 1937.
• Recipes collected and sent to L.A. club.
• May 1 — Cookie Shine 6 pm at the University Women’s Club took the form
of a Hillbilly Party. The club purchased a quilt which was raffled.
1936-1937 — President Jeannette Cochrane Jenkins (Mrs. J.W.), KS Beta
• Cost of printing the Blue book was $27. ($22 profit)
• Mothers’ Club and mothers of active Pi Phis to March meeting.
• Founders’ Day banquet at Hotel Muehlebach April 24. ($1.75)
• Carnival Saturday May 22 at Indian Hills Country Club 50 cents per person
for admission and dancing concessions and Keeno game. ($353.55 profit)
1937-1938 — President Marian Keck Simmons (Mrs. Oliver B.), KS Alpha
• Bridge luncheons for new members the Monday following each regular
meeting resumed.
• First Vice President’s treasury: Income from any money-making project,
money collected at meetings and profits from sale of Settlement School
merchandise. General treasury: dues, dividends, surplus hostess money,
money from sale of foods and excess funds from Blue Book.
• Dinner dance Feb. 24 at Kansas City Club.
• Acme Cleaning Project 68 in attendance ($6.80 profit)
• Mrs. Clyde H. Porter gave a talk, “Steamboat Days Along the Missouri.”
1938-1939 — President Marian Keck Simmons (Mrs. Oliver B.), KS Alpha
• 110 paid members (greatest number in 10 years.)
• Boake Carter lecture netted $540.02.
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• Founders’ Day Banquet at Hotel Muehlebach Saturday evening April 1 at 7
pm with Mrs. Alford, Arrow editor, guest of honor.
• Octra Acrea appointed agent for making reservations in Estes Park lodges
and hotels (Alumnae club makes a percentage of the profit.)
• Heard at convention (Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC) that our club was the
largest contributor to the Endowment Fund which was completed this year.
Our total contribution for the entire period was $1,175.)
1939-1940 — President Dorothy Halcomb Cozad (Mrs. William B.), MO
Alpha
• Fashion Show by Cricket West
• Volunteer Service Bureau (Pi Phis represented more than half the time given
by Panhellenic)
• Attractive new Pi Beta Phi book plates sold at $1.50 per hundred.
• Blue Books sold for 5 cents a copy.
1940-1941 — President Dorothy Halcomb Cozad (Mrs. William B.),
MO Alpha
• Oct. 3 — First mention in minutes of Arrowlet, “a magazine whose
purpose is to interest both new and old members in the club’s work for the
coming year.”
• Marian Simmons sent out the first issue two years earlier.
• Night bridge club formed by girls who were employed.
• 110 actives and 195 inactives listed in the Blue Book.
• Included in budget for year, Helen Louise Kassebaum had “W.P.A. Nursery
School” Each contribution was matched by the government
• Sponsored motion picture “Third Finger Left Hand” at Plaza Theater Nov.
24 to 27 Goal 3,500 tickets $500 profit. Prizes of $3 and $2 to first and
second selling tickets
• Bridge tournament 44 people played on each of four days; prizes awarded.
• Blue Book printing costs $34 sold for $0.05 a copy.
1941-1942 — President Helen Bangs Keene (Mrs. A.S.), KS Alpha
• October — Amendment to Constitution “33.3% instead of 50% of membership at a meeting constitutes a quorum; 7 members of Executive Board
• $290.75 on benefit sale of personalized address labels and postal cards.
• Kansas Mothers’ Club organized, Mrs. Larry Winn, president.
• Red Cross group meets twice a week, 102 garments turned over to date
• Working girls meet for dinner on the evenings of the alumnae club luncheon
meetings.
• Fashion Show by Jay’s on the Plaza.
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1942-1943 — President Helen Bangs Keene (Mrs. A.S.), KS Alpha
1943-1944 — President Virginia Blackburn (Mrs. Howard E.), OH Beta
• October — 7 pm meetings
• Each member asked to bring two meat points which would be good at the
time of the next meeting.
• “The K.C. alumnae took the prize over the entire country in magazine
subscriptions. Dorothy Lombard was congratulated on her excellent work in
handling this.”
• Settlement School Tea because merchandise so limited.
• The Toy Cart at General Hospital was mentioned and each member was
asked to contribute the pennies in her purse.
• “Elioise Dibble suggested that we bring Mrs. Eisenhower to a meeting as a
featured speaker.”
• 10 cents charged inactives for Blue Books.
• Our gift for Holt House mentioned but not specified.
• Marian Simmons, chairman reported that Pi Phi had not only met her quota
at the Blood Bank but had doubled it with 12 volunteers in March.
• “George B. Peck’s offer on coat storage was explained, credit to the club of
50 cents for every fur coat and 25 cents for cloth ones.)
• Towle Silver Display April 20 from 10-12 and 1-3 at the home of Gertrude
Newcomer
• White Elephant Auction
1944-1945 — President Dorothy Snyder Stecker (Mrs. Gilbert D.), IL Epsilon
• Meetings in homes
• Raised the prices of an inactive’s dinner to 75 cents.
• Volunteers at Bond Booth
• November “It was reported that at the first meeting of the Kansas City
Alumnae Club was in 1893 and that Mrs. Burritt King was one of the first
members. Mrs. King was present at the meeting. It was moved. seconded
and passed that Mrs. King be made an honorary charter member and the
first lifetime member of the Kansas City Alumnae Club.”
• January — In place of a meeting, the club sponsored a Bingo Game at the
Brookside Hall, 63rd and Brookside. (Played for Defense stamps or merchandise $201.72 profit)
• “Last week B.M.A. and John Taylors each purchased 100,000 worth of War
Bonds from our booth.”
• Mrs. Clyde Porter gave a talk on the Medicine Man and showed the things
he carries in his bag.
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• February — “New Rushing Plan was announced. Starting this year, each
school will have its own rushing chairman. Kate Shannon will be head of all
rushing.”
• March — Each member was asked to bring one food point to every meeting
• White elephant sale
• Mrs. Winn reported at the April meeting that Settlement School sales were
$1,790.48 and that $100 worth of merchandise on order was already sold.
(Grand total amounted to $2,230.52.)
• Dorothy Weaver reported $242 as our commission on magazine sales.
($1,300 worth of magazines sold and our club ranked first)
• Founders’ Day Banquet May 5 at Hotel Continental $2 informal dress.
• “The Pi Beta Phi Cookie Shine held Tuesday May 8 at the home of Mrs.
E.C. Winters, was called to order by the president. A minute of silent meditation for the victory in Europe was observed.
• Before installing the new officers, Dorothy Stecker thanked the Board for its
cooperation and presented the club with a gavel.
1945-1946 — President Dorothy Williams Lombard (Mrs. George), TX Beta
• Met in homes.
• October “Recognition was given to Margaret Foster, who is Vice President
of Epsilon Province, and Marian Simmons who is National Chairman of
Holt House.”
• Nov. 8 — Blue Book report given by Mrs. Acuff, cost of printing $80.
• December — Kansas Alpha was sent three silver-plated gravy boats.
• February — Sponsored Bingo Game at Indian Hills Country C1ub $310.17
profit.
• Amy B. Onken, President of National Panhellenic, given L.L.D.. degree
from Miami University.
• March — 142 active members, raised fees for dinner to 50 cents for actives
and $1 for inactives.
• Founders’ Day Banquet at Hotel Muehlebach. Marianne Reid Wild, speaker.
• Convention June 23 at New Ocean House, Swampscott, Mass.
1946-1947 — President Dorothy Williams Lombard (Mrs. George), TX Beta
• Buffet supper or luncheon meetings first Tuesday of each month at the
Kansas City Young Matrons’ Club.
• Sold Social Capers Calendar and Cook Book.
• January — The president read a touching note of appreciation from Mrs.
Burritt King, a resident of the Armour Home and member of the Fraternity
60 years for the gift of a Pi Beta Phi arrow to replace hers lost many years
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ago. The presentation was made in the name of the club Christmas Eve to a
deeply appreciative recipient.”
• Dance Feb. 14 on the balcony of the Kansas City Club $5.50, formal dress
for ladies, optional for gentlemen. 104 couples and one stag, $45.23 profit
• “It was announced that our honorary member, Mrs. King was seriously ill
and members were urged to send her small remembrances or messages.”
• 184 paid members.
1947-1948 — President Frances Bruce Campbell (Mrs. Richard), KS Alpha
• Oct. 7 — “Mildred Acuff introduced Mrs. Eleanor J. Kemper, who gave a
talk on the Rehabilitation Center that is being organized in Kansas City.”
• Mrs. Foster told of the ceramic angels made by Margaret Mitchell that may
be sold by the club.
• Annual Dance Feb. 13 at Hotel Continental (Sky Hi Room.)
• April — sponsored “All My Sons” at the Resident Theater ($159.70 profit)
• Annual Cookie Shine April 29 took the form of a buffet supper at the
Young Matrons’ Club with Golden Arrow members, Emily Cooke and Mrs.
Crandall Payne guests of honor.
• Convention June 27-Ju1y 3 at French Lick Springs, Indiana.
1948-1949 — President Elizabeth Heryer Loth (Mrs. William), KS Alpha
• Meetings held at the University Women’s Club (Sopbian Plaza) at 7 pm with
dessert before the business meeting ($0.25 for actives, $0.50 for inactives)
• Oct. 12 — “The president announced the Board recommends that an assistant treasurer be appointed and that both the treasurer and her assistant
be bonded.”
• January — Postponed due to severe weather. (First and only mention to date
of a postponed meeting.)
• “A report from the Rehabilitation. Institute was given. Mrs. Acuff has been
appointed a member of the Board of Directions of the Institute.”
• April — Mrs. Alford, editor of the Arrow, our guest at a pot luck supper at
the Armacost farm.
• Mrs. Delaney announced that Mrs. Foster, Province Vice President, had
resigned and that Mrs. William Mansfield of St. Louis will be her successor.
1949-1950 — President Dorothy Wilson Ware (Mrs. Keith), IA Zeta
• Rummage Sale Oct. 21 and 28 netted $175.
• Settlement School Tea Nov. 15 at the home of Mrs. Delaney
• Coke party for new members at home of Margaret Foster Oct. 24
• March — Frances Weaver announced the organization of a get-acquainted
club in Prairie Village. Of the 45 Pi Phis living there 20 were present at the
last meeting. Meetings will be held the fourth Thursday of each month.
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• March — $711.50 net profit on raffle $150 and $50 gift bonds from Woolf
Brothers, tickets were 50 cents each.
1950-1951 — President Dorothy Wilson Ware (Mrs. Keith), IA Zeta
• Meetings were still at the University Women’s Club but half hour later (7:30
pm) with food (cokes and sandwiches) served at the end.
• Dues raised to $5.50 to cover the increase in national dues.
• Vanishing Bridge Parties ($150).
• Settlement School Tea Dec. 12 ($822.65).
1951-1952 — President Agnes Hildebrand Leonard (Mrs. George) MO Alpha
• October 425 members, 219 active
• Printing of Blue Book cost $182.60.
• Jane Launder announced that Pi Phi had the largest pledge classes at Missouri Alpha, Kansas Alpha and Kansas Beta.
• Dec. 11 — Drawing for $100 Gift Bond (Woolf Brothers) won by Milton
McGreevey.
• Profit on Raffle $925.30, 2,121 tickets sold.
• January — Mrs. Carl Bolte offered her home for the first meeting of an afternoon group of Pi Phis to be held January 28 at 12:30 pm. Each member
took a sandwich and coffee, tea and relishes were served by the hostess.
• April 8 — Second in U.S. in magazine sales.
• Founders’ Day Banquet Saturday, April 26, at 6:30 pm at Hotel Muehlebach
$4, Alice Mansfield, Province Vice President, speaker.
1952-1953 — President Agnes Hildebrand Leonard (Mrs. George) MO Alpha
• 6:30 pm dinner meetings at Young Matrons’ Club with business meetings
following at 7:30 pm, actives $1.25; inactives $1.50
• Oct. 1 — Fashion Show Tea head in garden of Mrs. J. Frank Hudson,
clothes by Pete Potter and Marcia’s Playmate House — Pi Phi models —
Tickets $1.25. Each member expected to sell five tickets — 774 tickets sold;
575 attended, $804.20 c1eared.
• $139.80 for printing of 500 Blue Books by Mission Press.
• Kitty Dickson our new Province Vice President.
• Oct. 14 — To make money, Panhellenic is selling rubber scrubbers at $0.15
each. Pi Phi is to sell 400. Virginia Weaver reported 450 sold.
• 61 invitations to actives and pledges at 13 schools sent for coffee given by
board members Dec. 29 at Muriel Bolte’s.
• Golden Arrow guard given to Mrs. J.H. Coursault for her 50th year in Pi Phi
at Founders’ Day Cookie Shine (April).
• Feb. 10 — $100 to each of the schools for rushing instead of the usual $50.
• The new Epsilon Province Scholarship Supervisor is Marilyn Kiene.
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• Picnic Pot-Luck Supper Tuesday, June 9, at the Armacost Farm, swimming 3
pm and supper 6 pm $0.75.
1953-1954 — President Virginia Reinecke Weaver (Mrs. William H.), IL B-D
• Nelly Don Fashion Show Tea, Thursday Oct. 1, in garden of Mrs. J. Frank
Hudson, served 400, $545.40 profit.
• Settlement School Christmas Coffee Dec. 3 from 9 till 1 at Young Matron’s
Club $200.
• Started selling Christmas cards and gift wrappings again; Friendship Gift and
China House in Mission gave us 10% commission on the cards and 15% on
the wrappings.
• Rummage sale March 11 at 2205 E. 12th $211.49 profit.
• Founders’ Day 1 pm Saturday, April 24 at Hotel President, $2.10; Marianne
Reid Wild, Grand President, speaker.
• 182 paid members
• Active-Alumn Picnic planned potluck June 15 at Sally Rendig’s Lake Lotawana home.
• Epsilon Province co-hostess at national convention in July at Roney Plaza
Hotel, Miami; Kansas City organized the banquet.
1954-1955 — President Virginia Reinecke Weaver (Mrs. William H.), IL B-D
• Settlement School Coffee Dec. 1 from 9 to 1 at Young Matrons’ Club
Christmas Boutique cleared $255.68.
• Marian Simmons, National Historian, discovered that Pi Beta Phi was not
listed as the first sorority under the sorority section of the World Book.
• March — Checks of $50 sent to MU and K-State.
• April — Bank balance $899.65, 195 paid members.
• Sponsored Dione Lucas, French Cooking Expert, in a cooking school
Wednesday, May 11, at the Plaza Theater $2.50, Bazaar Francais Booth.
1955-1956 — President Marilyn Sweet Newton, KS Alpha
• Coke Party Oct. 6 at 8 pm at the home of Marilyn Hudson for the 60 new
members this year.
• Sponsored Dione Lucas in a second cooking school, featuring Christmas
Cookery, Wednesday, Nov. 16 $1,250 profit Petit Bazaar sold $600 worth
of merchandise day of show. Reception for press to meet Dione Lucas the
evening beforehand at Berl Berry home.
• Tea for Pi Phi alums to meet Dione Lucas from 3 to 5 day of show at Jeannette McCray’s home
• Joyce Gosnell, Settlement School Chairman, sent out a clever mailing in
the fall in an effort to sell merchandise for Christmas presents, offered gift
wrapping, mailing and delivery service.
15
• Courtesy Chairman Ann Davis introduced plan for new members in the
city: “They will have their own meetings in their homes; elect their own officers and do all their own planning until they join in actively with the “big”
club, probably 1 or 2 years.”
• Bridge Settlement School Tea, “Pi Phi Spring Shower,” Wednesday April 4
from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Carson Cowherd estate
• Founders’ Day Luncheon Saturday, April 28, at 1 pm at Hotel Muehlebach
$2.50.Virginia Voorhees Speaker, Grand Secretary, speaker
• Picnic, including husbands and beaus, at 6:30 pm Wednesday, May 23 in
Leawood, gay carnival atmosphere
• Annual summer picnic Tuesday, June 12
• Non-profit mailing permit purchased for $10 a year — allowing $0.02 mailing to go for $0.01
• Another issue of the Arrowlet compiled.
• Ways and Means Questionnaire distributed to members for suggestions on
next year’s project
• Constitution revised
• Tour of Mozart Exhibit at the Nelson Art Gallery offered to members.
1956-1957 — President Marie Wilson Klemp (Mrs. Fred Jr.) CO Alpha, and
Ann Huddleston Davis (Mrs. James C.), KS Beta
• Marie Klemp was elected club president in March 1956 and was tragically
killed in a mid-air collision coming home from Pi Beta Phi’s convention in
Pasadena that June. The club dedicated the Blue Book that year to “a gracious and loyal Pi Phi.”
1957-1958 — President Sally Holmes Hunt (Mrs. Harold), WY Alpha
• Met at Young Matron’s Club House on the second Tuesday
• Sally Hunt, president, and Mary Zimmerman Knipmeyer (AR Alpha); Marian Keck Simmons (KS Alpha); Rose McColloch Dressler, KS Alpha; and
Betty Rowton Holt, KS Alpha, are all national officers.
• In October 1957, 107 attended the dinner meeting.
• First “Theater Holiday” Tour to New York was conducted as a benefit for Pi
Phi philanthropies. It was Muriel Bolte who suggested the club consult Martin Snyder, Inc., a company that organizes group theater trips to New York
to see Broadway plays. The enthusiastic response of the first tour patrons
convinced the club that the trip should become an annual event.
• Milruth Carson was Ways and Means Chair and Ann Davis assisted. Dorothy Ware was chose as the first president of the Rehabilitation Institutes’
Women’s Auxiliary. An unusual re-sell-it sale was held that year.
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1958-1959 — President Sally Holmes Hunt (Mrs. Harold), WY Alpha
• “Avenue of Ideas” at Ranchmart Auditorium; Joyce Gosnell was chairman
and the net was $2,167.65.
• Newcomer Bridge groups formed.
• Theater Holiday cost $240 this year.
• Settlement School sold approximately $1,900 worth of merchandise.
• Treasurer’s report: $3,333.26 and 219 paid members
• Meetings held 2nd Tuesday for dinners and first Wednesday for luncheons.
1959-1960 — President Betty Rowton Holt, KS Alpha
• Theater Holiday cost $250.
• Profit on “Calendar of Ideas” at Ranchmart was $2,517.69, more than 2,000
tickets sold for $1. (400 at the door)
• 211 paid members
• In November, 54 people went on Theater Holiday, $1,200 profit.
• One of the unusual programs was “Come as you were in College” including
pledge class reunions.
1960-1961 — President Betty Rowton Holt, KS Alpha
• Meeting changed to first Tuesday of each month.
• Investigation committee appointed to determine why attendance is low.
1961-1962 — President Dorothy O’Donnell Muck, KS Beta
• Sept. 27 Pi Phi Idea Market (Serendipity) with 1,817 tickets sold and
$2,785.22 profit.
• Invesigation steeting committee met and gave a report via Sally Hunt. Recommendations included: Change meeting place to homes; send Newsletter
to entire membership; Blue Books to paid members only and new Pi Phis;
charge 50 cents for non-paid members; area meeting to be held in September and January; disband afternoon group; meeting at Young Matron’s
discontinued; ads eliminated from Blue Book.
1962-1963 — President Dorothy O’Donnell Muck, KS Beta
• Met at Garden Center and homes.
• Fashion Gallery was the project at Ranchmart combined with the “Uncommon Market.”
1963-1964 — President Milruth Hawkinson Carlson, KS Beta
• Serving trays and fillers ordered so that dinners may be served in homes.
• The Junior Club (Night Group) was formed in the Spring of 1964 to attract
young alums just out of college. It functioned as a junior group within the
Pi Phi alumnae club structure and had its own officers.
17
• It was voted that the Blue Book be given only to those who paid their dues
and new members.
1964-1965 — President Milruth Hawkinson Carlson, KS Beta
Night Group President, Karen Peterson (1964-65)
• The project was the Fashion Safari and Market Place at Ranchmart on April
29-30. Luncheon was served. 2,861 tickets sold. $5,046.72 profit with $4,600
given to the club and $445.72 left as projects balance.
1965-1966 — President Barbara Kellogg Elliott, KS Beta
Night Group President, Debbie Hines Norman, KS Beta (1965-66)
• The board voted that reservations not cancelled within 24 hours in advance
should be paid for (billed).
• Garage-on-the-Go-Go was a giant garage sale for Centennial held at
Ranchmart May 7. $329.61 profit.
• Committee appointed to study our volunteer services and philanthropy.
1966-1967 — President Barbara Kellogg Elliott, KS Beta
Night Group President, Karen Kirtley Stubbs, MO Alpha (1966-67)
• October Theater Holiday had a six-state mailing to 5,600 persons and 82
took the trip. Gave the club $1,772 from the October tour.
• Founders’ Day Charm sold by the Junior Club.
• Alum Mum program is introduced to promote contact with local actives
• Centennial Memory book was presented to the club by Sally Hunt. Centennial Founders’ Day Celebration features Pi Phi Margaret Twyman, Director
Community Relations, Motion Picture Assoc. of America
• Club contributes $4.268 to Centennial Fund.
1967-1968 — President Ramona Caslavka Schmidt, IA Gamma
Night Group President, Betsy Transou Solberg, MO Alpha (1967-68)
• Questionnaires were mailed to Club Members for vital information record.
• Junior Club made $250 on charms.
• Rosie Smithson announced that 99 people went on the Theater Holiday
Tour giving the club $2,175.
• Boutique de Noel gave Planned Parenthood about $3,000.
• 125 attended the Christmas Coffee.
• Total sales for Arrowcraft goods were $3.693.90. Independence sold $1,500
at their old fashioned Settlement School Tea at the Jennings home.
1968-1969 — President Ramona Caslavka Schmidt, IA Gamma
Night Group President, Nancy Rich Porch (1968-69)
• Arrowmont Scholarship Program is established for local art teachers.
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1969-1971 — President Patty Piffer Mathews, KS Beta
Night Group President, Emmie Limpo Yant, NE Beta (1969-70)
Night Group President, Davoren Dustman Tempel, MO Alpha
(1970-71)
Arrow Group President, Ann Currie Jury, KS Beta (1969-71)
• Theater tour netted $1843; 224 paid members.
• Tickets to the movie “Airport” will benefit Pi Phi philanthropies.
• Club member and former president, Sally Hunt, becomes Grand Vice President of Philanthropies (1969-1974)
• May 1970 — With club membership including more alumnae from Johnson
County/Shawnee Mission, a request was made to the Fraternity to change
the name of the club to the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club of Kansas City,
Missouri-Shawnee Mission, Kansas. The Arrow Group was also formed for
those interested in meeting in Johnson County.
————————————— 1973 to 1983 —————————————
1971-1973 — President Jean Brewer Miller, MO Alpha
Night Group President, Mary Ann Rudyk Jermann, OH Zeta
(1971-72)
Night Group President, Patty Thompson Reece, OK Alpha (1972-73)
Arrow Group President, Sue Green Harpster, KS Beta (1971-72)
Arrow Group President, Marcia Hall Logsdon, KS Alpha (1972-73)
1973-1975 — President Athelia Sweet Clingan, KS Beta
Night Group President, Harriet Meals Haas, KS Beta (1973-74)
Night Group President, Kristie Carlson Wolferman, VT Alpha
(1974-75)
Arrow Group President, Rosemary Kennedy Boyd, KS Alpha (1973-74)
Arrow Group President, Kay Knittle Brock, CO Alpha (1974-75)
1975-1977 — President Anne Booth Wilson, MO Gamma
Night Group President, Mary Kerr Knighton, KS Alpha (1975-76)
Night Group President, Linda Hoober Wassberg, KS Beta (1976-77)
Arrow Group President, Judy Hopp King, KS Beta (1975-77)
1977-1979 — President Jann Duchcssois Lund, KS Alpha
Night Group President, Laura Macarelli Dye, NE Beta (1978-79)
Arrow Group President, Donna Thorpe Martin, MO Gamma (1977-78)
Arrow Group President, Suzanne Hostinsky Muir, KS Beta (1978-79)
1979-1981 — President Mary Ann Rudyk Jermann, OH Zeta
Night Group President, Tammy Case Stone, KS Beta (1979-80)
Night Group President, Molly Morris Seymore, TX Alpha (1980-81)
Arrow Group President, Joyce McFarland Howes, SD Alpha (1979-81)
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1981-1983 — President Nancy Kolo Miller, OH Z
Night Group President, Jo Tussing Keatley, MO Alpha (1981-82)
Night Group President, Gail Cardinal Kelly, MO Alpha-KS Beta
(1982-83)
Arrow Group President, Adrienne Childers Melcher, KS Alpha
(1981-83)
• John Wornall House Museum becomes club’s local philanthropy, and club
sponsored “J.W.’s Cobweb Corner” shop opens for holiday shopping.
• Board hosts alternate year special luncheons for Golden Arrow members.
• Theatre Holiday expands to add Theatre Holiday to London every spring.
• Seven Interest Groups are formed — Bridge, Gourmet, Investment, Mercy
Hospital Sewing, Pi Phi Singers, Tennis, and Wornall House Docents.
• Vintage clothing from The Fashion Group and University of MissouriKansas City highlights Founders’ Day Luncheon.
• Patchwork pots holding calico flowers created by club members are centerpieces for the Arrowmont Dinner at Convention in Hot Springs.
• Recommendations Committee adjusts to new terminology: “Recommendation Sheets” become “Rush Information Forms.”
————————————— 1983 to 1993 —————————————
1983-1985 — President Kay Knittle Brock, CO Alpha
Night Group President, Sara Schlievert, MO Alpha (1983-84)
Night Group President, Sue Kingsley Robinson, MO Alpha (1984-85)
Arrow Group President, Betty Dunne Nelson, KS Alpha (1983-85)
1985-1987 — President Judy Gray McEachen, KS Alpha
Night Group President, Sara Benignus, KS Beta (1985-86)
Night Group President, Susan Coulter Zimmerman, KS Beta (1986-87)
Arrow Group President, Gene Carr Fenley, IA Gamma (1985-87)
1987-1989 — President Kathy Horridge Smith, KS Beta
Night Group President, Sally Spradling Stuart, MT A-KS Alpha
(1987-89)
Arrow Group President, Judi Rogers Knight, MO Gamma (1987-89)
1989-1991 — President Jean Challinor Hall, KS Alpha
Night Group President, Elise Johnson Chapline, TX Beta (1989-91)
Arrow Group President, Sally Vinnedge Haake, IL Epsilon (1989-91)
1991-1993 — President Barbara Lee Fay, IL Beta-Delta
Night Group President, Angela Young Wagner, KS Alpha (1991-92)
Night Group President, Cynthia Rice Svec, KS Beta (1992-94)
Arrow Group President, Jayne Grover Ireland, KS Alpha (1991-93)
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• Club hosts 1985 Pi Beta Phi Convention in Kansas City - a huge committee
of local members led by Athelia Clingan does fantastic job.
• At convention, the Night Group proposes the Fraternity remove the age
limit for belonging to a “Junior Group” to accommodate more working
members and it’s adopted.
• Membership hits record of 509 and club wins Marianne Reid Wild Trophy
for greatest increase.
• Marion Kreamer became the clubs’ first alumna initiate and was initated into
Kansas Alpha at the Kansas City Convention.
• Benefits such as “Country Fare,” “British Faire,” “Serendipitous Silent
Auction,” and “Fall Faire Silent Auction” benefit local philanthropies such
as Theatre for Young America, Hospice Care of Mid-America, Adolescent
Clinic of Mercy Hospital, Keith Worthington ALS Society, Missouri Repertory Theatre, Cradles and Crayons, and Crippled Children’s Nursery School.
• Pi Phi of the Year Award becomes new club tradition.
• A Scholarship and Special Needs Fund is established to help Pi Phi collegians and alumnae in financial need, and soon gains 501c3 tax exempt status.
• Much cheering at the 1990 Convention as club wins first Ideal Club Award.
• Theatre Tours to New York approach sell-out heights.
• Club hosts Regional Retreat for Sigma Province alums.
• Arts Weekend at Arrowmont becomes annual jaunt for interested members.
• A three-year $50,000 pledge is made to new projects at Arrowmont.
• “Beau & Arrow Round up Silent Auction,” “Sun, Moon and Stars Silent
Auction,” “Angels - Art - Antiques - Affair,” and “Artisans and Angels”
benefits give financial aid to local and national philanthropies.
• Members mourn closing Arrowcraft Shop in Gatlinburg and loss of beloved
Pi Phi purses.
• First Lady of Kansas Linda Graves, OK Beta, speaks at Founders’ Day.
• “Porch Party” celebrates completion of dormitory porch at Arrowmont
financed by club’s $50,000 donation.
• Club wins Fraternity’s top award, Ideal Club, in 1996 and 1997.
• Barbara Fay and Marie Whitacre are named National Emma Harper Turner
Award winners, and Kay Brock takes a seat on Grand Council as Grand
Vice President of Membership and Chapter Extension.
• Neighborhood Gatherings are briefly revived.
• Links to Literacy program takes on stronger emphasis with club members
volunteering at the Kreamer Resource Center at Children’s Mercy Hospital,
reading in classrooms and donating books to various children’s agencies.
Club also brings actor/author Robert Guillaume to Kansas City for a Links
to Literacy Day of exciting events.
• Fall Progressive Dinners (a first) are great fun with wonderful attendance.
• Pi Phis and Kappa revive Monmouth Duo with two successful luncheons.
• Pi Phi Night at the Symphony Designer Show House benefits Scholarship
and Special Needs Fund.
• Membership totals 465; 2003 Founders’ Day marks club’s 90th year!
————————————— 1993 to 2003 ————————————
1993-1995 — President Kim Dunne Jackson, KS Alpha
Night Group President, Ann Dallenbach Tinsman, AZ Beta (1994-96)
1995-1997 — President Marie Gruetzemacher Whitacre, MO Alpha
Night Group President, Nancy Mossman McConnell, NE Beta
(1996-97)
1997-1999 — President Jeanne Taylor Cockayne, MO Alpha, and Adrienne
Childers Melcher, KS Alpha
Night Group President, Jorie Niemiec Siegwak, TX Delta (1997-99)
1999-2001 — President Jennifer Johnson Wenzel, MO Gamma-TX Beta
Night Group Presidents, Lisa Rhinehart Hoffman, KS Alpha and
Jane Foster Emley, KS Alpha (1999-00)
Night Group President, Roxanne Edelman Campbell, MO Gamma
(2000-01)
2001-2003 — President Linda Hickerson Cozad, MO Alpha
• National honors increase with yearly appearances on the Top Ten Club Lists
and two more Ideal Club Awards.
————————————— 2003 to 2013 ————————————
2003-2005 — President Judi Rogers Knight, MO Gamma
2005-2007 — President Lynette Potockik Henkel, OK Alpha
2007-2009 — President Becky Akin Larsen, AZ Beta
2009-2011 — President Ann Dallenbach Tinsman, AZ Beta
2011-2013 — President Barbara Roe Luhrs, KS Beta
• Many of the club’s philanthropic and social activities continue to be successful and annually the club is recognized with national honors. Awards have
included being named a Club of Excellence, Excellence in Communications
and being a Top 10 Club. The Kansas City-Shawnee Mission Alumnae Club
was the Fraternity’s Ideal Club in 2001 and 2003 and won Premier Club in
2009. Donations to the Pi Beta Phi Foundation place in the Top 10 year
after year.
• Donations to local and Pi Phi programs average $20,000 with most income
coming from Theatre Tour and Artisans and Angels. Theatre Tour discon-
21
22
tinued the London tour in 2005, but still averages $13,000 a year. Artisan
and Angels benefit averaged $6,000.
• In 2012, the Fraternity marked 100 years since the founding of Settlement
School/Arrowmont with “Celebrating a Century of Literary Service.” With
the continued emphasis on literacy, the club has risen to the top with new
events:
• Participating in Champions are Readers, Pi Beta Phi’s third-grade
classroom reading incentive program
• Donation of books to the Ronald McDonald House
• Filling library shelves in Greensburg, KS, after the tornado
• Organizing the Fraternity Day of Service
• Being the first club to hold a First Book Speed Read in 2007
• Holding The Big Read with Barnes & Noble and Literacy
KC, 2010-2011
• Hosting activities with READ - Reading Education Assistance
with Dogs at local assisted living center, 2011-2012
• Participating in the Kansas Book Festival with Kansas’ First
Lady Mary Brownback, KS Alpha
• West Bottoms Antique Event for First Book and the Children’s Place
• The club has been represented on Grand Council twice during the past 10
years. Sue Robinson was elected as Grand Vice President Collegians (20072011) and Cindy Svec was elected as Grand Vice President Alumnae (2009).
• Membership numbers hover around 400. The club sponsored alumnae initiates, Marion Weltsch in 2011 and Barbara Butler 2012. Arrowlet newsletters
are mailed twice a year to all alumnae in the area; email and the club website
hosted by the Fraternity keep members connected.
• In 2012-13, the year-long Centennial Celebration included activities and
events that toasted the club’s long tradition of philanthropic service, leadership development and sincere friendship. The club sponsored its third
alumna initiate, celebrated our panhellenic involvement by including Alumnae Panhellenic guests at the fall Progressive Dinner and collaborated with
collegians to create a Leading with Values seminar on Lifelong Commitment.
The final Centennial Celebration event was Founders’ Day at the Kansas
City Country Club on April 13, 2013 with special guest Grand President
Mary Tatum.
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Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Officers since 1927
The Kansas-City Shawnee Mission Alumnae Club is proud to have had these alumnae serve the
international Fraternity while living in the Kansas City area.
Serving in 2012-13
Grand Vice President Alumnae: Cindy Svec
Collegiate Regional Operations/Advisor Specialist: Judy Klote
Fraternity Housing Corporation Advisory Committee: Leah Fitzgerald
Past Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Elected and Appointed Officers & Committees
Grand Council: Sue Robinson, Grand Vice President Collegians; Kay Brock, Grand Vice President Membership & Chapter Extension; Sally Hunt, Grand Vice President Philanthropies
Leadership & Nominating Committee: Barbara Hakkio (chair), Mary Knipmeyer
Collegiate Regional Director: Sue Robinson
Alumnae Regional Director: Cindy Svec
Director of Membership: Barbara Fay, Kay Brock
Director Chapter Support: Sue Robinson
Director Alumnae Programming: Barbara Fay
Collegiate Regional Specialists: Nan McConnell, Brittany Carter, Colleen Hochberg,
Anne Wildeboor, Holly Mosher
Collegiate Province President: Sue Robinson, Sarah Neustrom Becker, Barbara Hakkio,
Judy Toalson, Mary Knipmeyer, Agnes Leonard, Lorette Terrell
Province Vice President: Margaret Foster, Katherine Lyons
Alumnae Regional Specialist: Cindy Svec
Alumnae Province President: Cindy Svec, Barbara Fay, Martha Weishahn, Jean Hall, Kay Brock,
Martha Malsbury, Sally Hunt, Mary Hart, Betty Holt
Province Coordinator: Kim Jackson, Athelia Clingan, Gail Kelly, Sara Benignus, Cindy Svec
Province Scholarship Supervisor: Marilyn Sweet Newton
Leadership Development/Traveling Graduate Consultants: Megan Van Emon, Katie Elwell,
Deborah Wilkerson, Barbara Hakkio
Convention Site Coordinator: Martha Malsbury
National Music Chairman: Pat Ballard, Mary Engel, Linda Wassberg
Assistant Music Chairman: Cynthia Hicks
Supervisor of Chapter Histories: Rose Dressler
National Historian: Marian Simmons
Arrowmont Board of Governors: Cynthia Chandler, Kim Jackson, Athelia Clingan
Links to Literacy Committee: Barbara Luhrs
Foundation Alumnae Continuing Education Committee: Marie Whitacre, Linda Wassberg
Foundation Alumnae Continuing Education Scholarship Fund: Marie Whitacre (chair)
Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship Committee: Barbara Hakkio (chair)
Foundation Graduate Fellowship Committee: Deborah Wilkerson (chair)
Holt House Committee: Caralee Reynolds (chair), Marian Simmons, Lorette Terrell
National Scholarship Committee: Rose Dressler, Marilyn Sweet Newton
National Membership Committee: Mary Knipmeyer
National Endowment Committee: Ernestine McArthur
24
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Awards won
by the Kansas City-Shawnee Mission Alumnae Club — 1985-2012
1985
Marianne Reid Wild Award (for greatest increase in membership); Alumnae Club
Yearbook
1989
Nashville Award
1990
Ideal Alumnae Club; Top Ten Alumnae Clubs
1991
Top Ten Alumnae Club
1993
Top Ten Alumnae Club; Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Award for Promotion of Arrowmont, Honorable Mention
1994
Top Ten Alumnae Club
1995
Top Ten Alumnae Club; Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Award for Promotion of Arrowmont; Excellence in Communications
1996
Ideal Alumnae Club, Top Ten Alumnae Club; Excellence in Communications
1997
Ideal Alumnae Club, Top Ten Alumnae Club; Nashville Award, Honorable Mention; Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Award for Promotion of Arrowmont, Honorable
Mention; Excellence in Communications; Emma Harper Turner Leadership Award
Barbara Fay
1998
Top Ten Alumnae Club; Houston A.C. Links to Literacy
1999
Top Ten Alumnae Club; Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Award for Promotion of Arrowmont, Honorable Mention; Excellence in Communications; Emma Harper Turner
Leadership Award Marie Whitacre
2000
Top Ten Alumnae Clubs Excellence in Communications
2001
Ideal Alumnae Club; Top Ten Alumnae Club, Marianne Reid Wild Award (for
greatest increase in membership); Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Award for Promotion of
Arrowmont; Excellence in Communications
2002
Top Ten Alumnae Club
2003
Ideal Alumnae Club; Top Ten Alumnae Club; Houston Alumnae Club Links to
Literacy Award; Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Award for Promotion of Arrowmont;
Excellence in Communications
2004
Top Ten Alumnae Clubs
2005
Marianne Reid Wild Award (for greatest increase in membership); Adrienne Hiscox
Mitchell Award for Promotion of Arrowmont, Honorable Mention
2006
Clubs of Superior Performance
2007
Club of Superior Performance
2008
Club of Excellence; Excellence in Communication
2009
Premier Club; Club of Excellence; Excellence in Communication, Regional Winner
2010
Club of Excellence; Excellence in Communication, Regional Winner
2011
Club of Excellence; Excellence in Communication, Regional Winner
2012
Club of Excellence; Excellence in Communication, Regional Winner