Zeta Phi () was an international professional women's fraternity for medicine. It was established in 1900 at the Syracuse University College of Medicine in Syracuse, New York. It established chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Africa before going inactive in the 1980s.
History Zeta Phi was a medical women's fraternity that was established at the Syracuse University College of Medicine in Syracuse, New York, on May 29, 1900. The founders announced the fraternity's establishment in September 1900. Its purpose was "to bring the women of the medical profession into closer touch with one another".
Zeta Phi's founders were Anna T. Bingham, Emma C. Clark, Phoebe Anna Ferris, Elizabeth L. Shrimpton, Mary F. Sweet, and Anna B. White.Root, Elihu. History of the Mohawk Valley, Gateway to the West, 1614–1925: Covering the Six Counties of Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer, and Oneida, vol. 3. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, p 807. via Google Books. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first women physician and a prior graduate of the Syracuse University College of Medicine, was an honorary charter member of the fraternity.
The fraternity added a second chapter at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1903, followed by a third chapter at Johns Hopkins University in 1906. Gamma at Johns Hopkins University rented a chapter house. Zeta Phi became international with the addition of a chapter at the University of Toronto in 1907. A chapter was added at Tufts College Medical School in 1909.
Membership in Zeta Phi was open to women studying medicine and women doctors, with the latter being initiated at the fraternity's conventions. In 1907, Zeta Phi had 25 active members and a total of 100 members. In 1912, it had five active chapters and 125 members. Its membership had grown to 45 active members and 400 lifetime members by 1923. A chapter was installed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1928.
The sorority had active chapters into the 1980s.
Symbols The fraternity's Greek letters stand for . Zeta Phi's badge was a black enamel quatrefoil, bearing the Greek letters "" in white to the left and right of a white winged caduceus with a gold serpent. The sorority's colors were black, white, and gold. Its flower was the daisy.
Philanthropy Members of Zeta Phi raised funds to support a medical student loan fund.
Chapters Following are the chapters of Zeta Phi, with inactive chapters and institutions indicated in italics.
ChapterCharter date and rangeInstitutionLocationStatusAlpha – 1912Syracuse University College of MedicineSyracuse, New YorkInactiveBeta1903Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaInactiveGamma1906–1914Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MarylandInactiveDelta1907University of TorontoToronto, Ontario, CanadaInactiveEpsilon1909–after 1937Tufts College Medical SchoolBoston, MassachusettsInactiveThetaUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburgh, PennsylvaniaInactive19xx ?Columbia University College of Physicians and SurgeonsManhattan, New YorkInactive19xx ?Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, MexicoInactive19xx ?New York Homeopathic Medical College Manhattan, New YorkInactive19xx ?University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South AfricaInactive
Governance The fraternity was governed by five national officers, elected through a biennial convention. Its officers included president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Zeta Phi's fifth convention was held in Toronto in 1909 and 1910. The convention was held in Boston in 1911, Syracuse in 1913, and Boston in 1923. The 1925 convention was in New York City. The 1932 convention was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Notable members
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first women physician Dorothy Boulding Ferebee, obstetrician and civil rights activist Esther Silveus, radiologist and medical researcher based at the Lahey Clinic
See also
Professional fraternities and sororities
References