
On January 4, 1852, Mary Ann DuPont (Lines), Mary Elizabeth Myrick (Daniel) and
Martha Bibb Hardaway (Redding) founded an organization called the Philomathean
Society at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia. Wesleyan was the first
institution to grant college degrees to women.
For the next two months the Founders were busy gathering additional members,
creating a constitution, devising an initiation service and adopting a secret
and an open motto. On March 4, 1852, the members announced the formation of
their new society, which became the Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity. Since
that time, March 4 has been observed as Founders' Day.
By the turn of the century, the Philomathean Society had developed a strong body
of alumnae, a history rich in tradition and the confidence to expand into a
national organization. On August 1, 1904, the Philomathean Society was chartered
by the State of Georgia as a national organization with the exclusive use of the
Greek letters
and the right to
establish additional chapters on other campuses.
Today Phi Mu has grown to encompass a diverse membership of more than 140,000
women nationwide.
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| Badge | Les Soeurs Fideles "The Faithful Sisters" Our Open Motto |
Colors Rose and White |
Mascot The Lion "Sir Fidel" |
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| Symbol Quatrefoil |
Flower The Rose Color Carnation |
Greek Letters Phi Mu |