SUBMITTED PHOTO Belvidere Republican
The Panhellenic Society of Belvidere 100th anniversary celebration took place March 2, at the Boone County Museum of History.

The Panhellenic Society of Belvidere celebrated 100 years with an anniversary tea at the Boone County Historical Museum. Attendees included women who were members of national sororities while in college and several recipients of the annual high school scholarships awarded to Belvidere graduates.

The event celebrated the history of women and their changing role in society. One hundred years ago, few females were given the opportunity to attend college, and they had few options for socializing, until the era of the Roaring ’20’s. Life choices were expanding. In 1925 13 local women joined together create a new group. They called themselves the “Panhellenic Society of Belvidere.”

The original 13 were members of seven sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. They wanted to socialize with women of like purpose in the hope of making new friends. The women who had made Belvidere their home bonded together not as one specific sorority house of alumnae, but as an organization of many Greek sororities thus the name Pan-Hellenic or “all-Greek”.

During the 1950s and into the 1960s, Panhellenic hosted an annual tea for senior girls from BHS who were headed off to college. The girls would dress up to attend this ‘white glove’ affair. Times changed and by 1986 the group hosted an evening pizza party at the old Grampa’s Restaurant a then popular teenage hang-out.

Sometimes we had cookies and sometimes we had pizza….The party was different, but the mission was the same: Encourage young women to seek a higher education and offer information on the Greek system hoping they might pledge a sorority on their campus.

Sometime in the 1950s, Panhellenic began a local scholarship for BHS graduates. Funding was obtained in a variety of ways. For many years they hosted a bridge luncheon in Joyce Drake’s home. Tickets were sold, the women were treated to food prepared and served by the Panhellenic members followed by rounds of bridge. Smaller bridge groups of 4 or 8 often met during the year and kept score culminating in a competitive bridge and pie party in Sara Wolf’s home. The women put in a few dollars toward the yearly competition and this funded the scholarships. Bake sales at Oktoberfest, garage sales, and tulip bulb sales were also revenue sources.

Two of our bigger events were memorable. Prom Pizazz was a fashion show led by the downtown owner of Whitney’s Weddings. It featured Belvidere high school students as models for party dresses and tuxedos. The show drew sell-out audiences. Our Fall Tour of Homes showcased homes full of autumn décor, the designs of local florists, and the crafts of area artisans.

As the available funds grew, so grew the scholarships. During the last 64 years, Panhellenic has awarded 139 scholarships to Belvidere and Belvidere North high schools. Currently, we award four $1,000 scholarships.

The women of Panhellenic enjoy educating themselves, being involved in community events, and small social gatherings. Once we all tried to learn disco dancing; we’ve been seen at Oktoberfest and Hometown Christmas; we’ve toured local museums including the Pettit Chapel; and donated toys to the Salvation Army and Christmas gift bags to nursing home residents; and most recently we collected diapers and other items for the Baby Bank. We’ve gathered to paint wine glasses, to discuss whether our treasures were antiques or relics for the garage sale, and we’ve circled a fire for Door-County style fish boils.

If you were a member of a sorority while in college, if you believe in supporting young women as they pursue a higher education, and if you enjoy community spirit, consider joining the Panhellenic Society of Belvidere. Contact Sarah Foster [email protected].

 
 
 
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