In the late 1940s, the Fraternity’s membership remained exclusive to men, as it had been since the founding. While that would change in the mid-70s (see the past articles to learn more about the 1977 ratification), many of the women who accompanied their husbands to Delta Sigma Pi events found the same camaraderie among themselves and wanted an organization like the brotherhood their husbands shared.

The Royal Order of Pink Poodles began on September 8, 1949, at the Baltimore Congress. On that day, Gig Wright was one of the first to arrive in Baltimore with his wife, Alice. While sharing a ride to the hotel, John, Johns Hopkins, and Marie McKewen, in her position as Chairman of the Ladies Program, discussed some of the events arranged for the wives. Alice Wright suggested a Pink Poodle Initiation and then the Royal Order of Pink Poodles was born.

The first party was held that same day and seventy-seven wives of Deltasigs, representing 17 chapters and residing in 15 states, were initiated into the Royal Order. At the next Congress (Dallas 1951), the Royal Order of Pink Poodles was officially recognized. Baltimore was declared Kennel #1, and the women who had been initiated there were declared charter members. Kennel #2 (43 Poodles) was installed in Dallas and officers were named within the organization, and it was decided that a reunion meeting would be held biennially during each Congress, and a new kennel would be installed.

Marie McKewen, Dora Edwards, Edna Moore (wife of James, Johns Hopkins), Betty Feltham (wife of Grand President Harry, Johns Hopkins), and Eleanor Lawson (wife of Bruno, New York) worked on other aspects of the organization including creating a preamble, ritual, ceremonial robes, regalia, songs, an emblem, and of pins.

Ruth “Stonie” Sutton, (wife of Charles I. “Buzz” Sutton, both Arizona State) became a member of the Pink Poodles in 1965 at the Bahamas Congress. Stonie had a deep fondness for the friendships shared among the Pink Poodles. “It was fun, and the brothers treated us like queens at the banquet,” she said. “We felt as if it were fitting recognition for standing by our husbands at so many Congresses and other events.” Arlene Hughes, wife of Bob Hughes, Pennsylvania, was another charter member of the Pink Poodles who has fond memories of the organization. “It was actually the women who persuaded their husbands to come to Congress,” Arlene says with a laugh. “We were such a close group—all the women looked forward to coming. We had a coffee hour every morning, and everyone worked as a group to organize shopping trips, sightseeing outings, dinners, and other events.”

The organization continued to grow throughout the years. When some of the members became widows, they continued to attend Congresses on their own and develop memories with the Pink Poodles. In 1995, the organization was officially discontinued, but the memories and friendships shared within the Royal Order of Pink Poodles are a treasured history of Delta Sigma Pi, and the Pink Poodles will remain a unique part of the legacy. Visit the Central Office in Oxford, Ohio to see the Poodles history and memorabilia in the Buzz and Stonie Sutton’s Archives Room.

To honor this monumental anniversary, Delta Sigma Pi is providing informational and historical profiles about some of the dedicated Deltasigs of our organization— all throughout the year. Stay up to date for new updates every week!   Check back next week to hear about more amazing women in Delta Sigma Pi as we celebrate 50 years of women being initiated into Delta Sigma Pi.

Pink Poodle Pins, Membership Cards, and Stickers!

The Pink Poodles provided a forum for wives of Deltasigs at a time when the Fraternity was only open to men. Here, the Fourth Kennel of the Royal Order of Pink Poodles gather at the 1955 Grand Chapter Congress in Detroit.