By Beth Losik, Baker (KS)

By March 1976 (according to the issue of The Deltasig magazine), more chapters were reporting they were recruiting women, and by May they were reporting initiated women. Finally, at the 1977 Grand Chapter Congress (GCC) in Toronto, the action was ratified, and co-educational membership was final. Many female brothers attended this Congress, with several even serving as their chapter’s delegate! By this time, chapters had already been initiating women for two or three terms.

Amid this monumental decision in Deltasig history, members became questioning the limitations of the honored term of “brother” bestowed on all initiated members of the Fraternity. Historically, using the word brother when referring to someone within a Fraternity comes from the Latin word “frater,” meaning “brother.” A Fraternity is a brotherhood, and all members are considered brothers to each other.     This term caused some discourse with the introduction of women initiates into Delta Sigma Pi.

At the 1977 Congress, Gamma Omega Chapter Delegate Jan Garland Kasun (first female president of Gamma Omega Chapter) and Laurie Gail Senko, also Arizona State, paved the way with how women would be referred to in the organization. They created a straw vote and surveyed all the female attendees at Congress on what they preferred to be called (brothers, members, etc.); then Jan addressed the delegates to report their findings and make a passing motion that all members remain “brothers.”

“It was amazing to be there and participate in history being made. I didn't necessarily realize the future impact, but we did find it important to survey all the women in attendance and report back to the Grand Chapter [if women wanted to be called “brother”] ... Most of us early female brothers did NOT want to change the traditions and ritual…. To me, the meanings of words are socialized and who is to say that the word "brother" must denote a gender? To me, it means a brotherhood and common familial bond,” said Laurie Gail Senko, Arizona State (First Female Golden Helmet)

It was a busy Grand Chapter Congress! Although some members had reached a consensus with the terminology decision, many chapters were still struggling with the idea to initiate women. Then Grand President Mike Mallonee remembers “it was the Board’s decision to allow chapters who didn’t want to admit women to have extra time to come around. I would estimate that close to 95% of our chapters admitted women within the first year.” 

After GCC, only a few chapters refused to initiate women (often with pressure from their alumni), and they would hold out for many years. Eventually, they were told to open membership to women, or their charters would be revoked. One of the advantages of accepting women was that many chapter numbers improved, which lead to a period of steady growth in membership in the 1980s. View the reports below to get an insight on some of the first women initiated in Delta Sigma Pi! Reports are from the May 1976 issue of The Deltasig:

Ohio: “This winter quarter three out of four of our [pledges] are women. Congratulations to them; it is about time.”

Kent State (OH): “During winter quarter we initiated eight new members into our chapter, including Penny Burdette, our first female member.”

Siena (NY): “Theta Upsilon Chapter initiation took place in November of this past year. As one of the first women (Carol Reuter) initiated, l would like to say we are all proud to be members of Delta Sigma Pi…We have already elected two women to executive positions: our Treasurer and our Vice President-Professional Activities…Each woman in our chapter feels she can work hard to help because she has the interest and drive to accomplish our goals. We do not feel that men are the only successful people in the business world; women are equally important. We hope all chapters will realize women are an asset and welcome them into your chapter.”

Cincinnati: “Alpha Theta Chapter at the University of Cincinnati has enjoyed a rebirth due to our successful [recruitment] of sixteen young men and women.  Fall quarter, Alpha Theta Chapter initiated its first woman member. This term, eight women are awaiting induction into the Fraternity. The enthusiasm and hard work of these young ladies has already proven to be an asset to the chapter…Truly, Delta Sigma Pi may now become fully representative of the professional world.”

Illinois: “Twenty-nine women have chosen to become members. We are the first professional business Fraternity on campus to offer full membership to women. We are proud to welcome them to our chapter.”

Arizona State: “Our chairman, Harvey Goodman, really did a fine job of procuring some outstanding members of which 21 are women… Gamma Omega Chapter may have the distinction of having the first husband-wife team in the history of Delta Sigma Pi: Jeff and Mary.”

Since the ratification at the 1977 GCC, progress within Delta Sigma Pi continues —and the Fraternity will continue to pursue growth for another 50 years and beyond. 

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.

In March 1978, the Miami-Ohio women’s football team reached the semifinals in their first year! From left: Julie Williams, Connie Reittler, Kristi Wenger, Sandy Emerling, Brad Bays (their coach), Diane Cooper-Watton, Jan D’Angelo, and Linda Krebs. 

SIENA (NY) initiated new members, including women, in March 1978.