History
Theta’s long legacy of excellence goes back to its establishment as the first Greek letter fraternity for women on January 27, 1870. Thirty years after its founding in 1837, Indiana Asbury (now DePauw University) officially admitted women for the first time. Among these first courageous female students was Bettie Locke, who would become the primary founder of Theta. Despite great difficulties faced inside and outside the classroom, Bettie Locke and her classmates sought to establish a niche for themselves in the social and academic life of the university. When she was offered a position as the “mascot” of a male fraternity, but denied full membership, Bettie instead founded Theta with three friends— the first fraternity for women. Thus, women were finally granted the same kind of support, sisterhood, and belonging that their male counterparts found in their fraternities. The Epsilon Tau chapter of Theta at Yale continued this tradition of pioneering in 1986, becoming the first women’s organization of its kind on campus.
Mission Statement
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Kappa Alpha Theta exists to nurture each member throughout her college and alumnae experience and to offer a lifelong opportunity for social, intellectual and moral growth as she meets the higher and broader demands of mature life.
Fraternity Purpose
The intellectual ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of the highest scholarship. The social aim of the Fraternity shall be to exercise the widest influence for good. The moral aim of the Fraternity shall be the standard of love.
Theta’s Fraternity colors are black and gold. Our symbol is the kite, and our flower is the black and gold pansy.
Courtesy of kappaalphatheta.org