Zeta Phi (professional)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

FoundedMay 29, 1900; 125 years ago (May 29, 1900)
Syracuse University College of Medicine
AffiliationIndependent
StatusDefunct
Zeta Phi
ΖΦ
FoundedMay 29, 1900; 125 years ago (May 29, 1900)
Syracuse University College of Medicine
TypeProfessional
AffiliationIndependent
StatusDefunct
EmphasisMedicine
ScopeInternational
Colors  Black,   White, and   Gold
FlowerDaisy
Chapters10
Headquarters
United States

Zeta Phi (ΖΦ) was an international professional women's fraternity for medicine. It was established in 1900 at the Syracuse University College of Medicine in Syracuse, New York. It established chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Africa before going inactive in the 1980s.

Zeta Phi was a medical women's fraternity that was established at the Syracuse University College of Medicine in Syracuse, New York, on May 29, 1900.[1] The founders announced the fraternity's establishment in September 1900.[2] Its purpose was "to bring the women of the medical profession into closer touch with one another".[3][4]

Zeta Phi's founders were Anna T. Bingham, Emma C. Clark, Phoebe Anna Ferris, Elizabeth L. Shrimpton, Mary F. Sweet, and Anna B. White.[1][2][5][6] Elizabeth Blackwell, the first women physician and a prior graduate of the Syracuse University College of Medicine, was an honorary charter member of the fraternity.[3][4][2]

The fraternity added a second chapter at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1903, followed by a third chapter at Johns Hopkins University in 1906.[1] Gamma at Johns Hopkins University rented a chapter house.[1] Zeta Phi became international with the addition of a chapter at the University of Toronto in 1907. A chapter was added at Tufts College Medical School in 1909.[1]

Membership in Zeta Phi was open to women studying medicine and women doctors, with the latter being initiated at the fraternity's conventions.[7] In 1907, Zeta Phi had 25 active members and a total of 100 members.[8] In 1912, it had five active chapters and 125 members.[1] Its membership had grown to 45 active members and 400 lifetime members by 1923.[9] A chapter was installed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1928.[10]

The sorority had active chapters into the 1980s.[11]

Symbols

The fraternity's Greek letters stand for Zeuxis philōa.[4] Zeta Phi's badge was a black enamel quatrefoil, bearing the Greek letters "ΖΦ" in white to the left and right of a white winged caduceus with a gold serpent.[8][1] The sorority's colors were black, white, and gold.[8][9] Its flower was the daisy.[8][9]

Philanthropy

Members of Zeta Phi raised funds to support a medical student loan fund.[12][13]

Chapters

Governance

The fraternity was governed by five national officers, elected through a biennial convention.[1][14] Its officers included president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.[21]

Zeta Phi's fifth convention was held in Toronto in 1909 and 1910.[22][7][23] The convention was held in Boston in 1911, Syracuse in 1913, and Boston in 1923.[14][9][23] The 1925 convention was in New York City.[24] The 1932 convention was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[25][26]

Notable members

See also

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI