A brief history of Kappa Kappa Gamma

Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded at Monmouth College on October 13, 1870 by Mary Louise Bennett (Boyd), Hannah Jeannette Boyd, Martha Louisa Stevenson (Miller), Mary Moore Stewart (Nelson, Field), Susan Burley Walker (Vincent) and Anna Elizabeth Willits (Pattee).

The fraternity established by the founding sisters was built for "the cultivation of intimate friendships and intellectual stimulation". The sisters sought equality and a community based on common interest and values. Today Kappas all over the world are much like the founding sisters in that they are independent, strong women who hold Kappa Kappa Gamma close to their hearts.

Rho chapter grew out of another Greek organization. In 1867, a group of girls attending Ohio Wesleyan Female College formed a society called Rho Sigma. This group, which was the only one of its kind, rented a room in the old American Hotel, where they had meetings and dances. Had they survived, they would have been the first Greek letter fraternity for women, but it disappeared, as two literary societies of the day grew in strength.

This is just a taste of the beginnings of Rho chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Our chapter was first founded on Ohio Wesleyan's campus on November 25, 1880. Our charter was later revoked in 1884 when all secret societies were banned from campus. Rho Sigma flourished underground until 1912; Greek societies were banned again from campus until 1924. Kappa was reinstated on May 1, 1925. All alumnae members of Rho Sigma were initiated into Rho deuteron chapter. The term "deuteron" in our chapter's name refers to our chapter being installed twice.

Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first fraternity to publish a magazine, The Key in 1882, establish a central office in 1922, establish a permanent fraternity headquarters in 1952, and join another sorority in a co-housing venture in 1965. Some famous Kappas include Kate Spade, Ashley Judd, Nancy Olson, Jane Pauley, Susan Harrell Black, and Stephanie McCrady.