Yet within three years of admittance into the school, four young revolutionaries founded Kappa Alpha Theta, the first Greek Letter Fraternity for women. Never one to remain passive in her quest for contentment, Bettie Locke refused affiliation with a male fraternity by declining their offer to be their mascot.
Depauw University in Indiana, there existed a pioneer, fearless in her endeavors to make friends and find support and encouragement for their academic pursuits. Known at the time as Asbury University, the school had recently opened its doors to women to the great distaste of the male population. The women were taunted, ridiculed and ignored by their childhood friends who remained "proper", attending female conservatories.
"If you won't initiate me into your fraternity, I'll start my own." So she did, founding Kappa Alpha Theta along with Alice Allen, Bettie Tipton, and Hannah Fitch on January 27, 1870. The resulting fraternity includes over 120 chapters and 170,000 women.
Bettie Locke Hamilton
Alice Allen Brant
Bettie Tipton Lindsey
Inspired by the principles and ideas upon which Kappa Alpha Theta was based, Norma Jorgenson set about establishing a chapter at the University of Connecticut. The Gamma Zeta chapter was officially created on October 3rd 1942.
In our earliest years of existence, our house was located on the former Frat row, the current location of South Campus. Disbanded by the University in 1971, Gamma Zeta was re-established in 1979. In 1982, we acquired our second house located on Willowbrook Road.
2002 saw the creation of the Husky Village, houses for Greeks where we currently reside today.
Fraternity Purpose
The intellectual ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of highest scholarship. The social aim of the Fraternity shall be to exercise the widest influence for good. The moral aim of the Fraternity shall be the standard of love.
Mission Statement
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Kappa Alpha Theta exists to nurture each member throughout her college and alumnae experience and to offer a lifelong opportunity for social, intellectual and moral growth as she meets the higher and broader demands of mature life.
"I dream of the endless possibilities for the good and close friendship that this fraternity makes possible through the years, and it awes me a little to think that I had a part in starting it. Just think... If it grows and multiplies, it may someday bring together into sisterly relationship women from all parts of the country who have never seen each other before, who are all friends, because of Theta..."
-Bettie Lock Hamilton, Founder of Kappa Alpha Theta
Yet within three years of admittance into the school, four young revolutionaries founded Kappa Alpha Theta, the first Greek Letter Fraternity for women. Never one to remain passive in her quest for contentment, Bettie Locke refused affiliation with a male fraternity by declining their offer to be their mascot.
