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Last Updated: 08/22/2007

KKG History

"On a little wooden bridge spanning a small stream that flows through the northeastern corner of the Monmouth campus, two college girls one day held a school girls' conversation, out of which grew the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity." -- --Mary Louise Bennett

Mary Moore Stewart, Hannah Jeannette Boyd, and Mary Louise Bennett met to discuss the fact that the world was moving too slowly. Their aim was to create a special society with membership of only the choicest spirits among the women at Monmouth. Acceptance into the group would be based on their literary work and social development. The three women quickly admitted to their solemn councils Anna Elizabeth Willits, and the four decided on our form of organization, the motto, and the pin. Soon after the organization of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Martha Louisa Stevenson and Susan Burley Walker were added to the original membership.

The six young women were indeed pioneers when they dared to march into the most public part of Monmouth College campus, its chapel, on October 13, 1870, wearing their golden keys in their hair. The Greek-letter men cheered for the women, and the minister had to quiet them all down before he could start the service. The founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma were among the first women to avail themselves of the privilege of Greek-letter societies, that is, to organize into a congenial social group for the cultivation of friendships and intellectual stimulation. The organization of Kappa Kappa Gamma is remembered every year on Founder's Day, October 13th, a day on which the founders are honored.

Theta Chapter History

On April 2, 1875, Ida Dickson Aldrich, Ella Dimmitt, Mary Harbison, Nellie E. Gould, Laura G. Johnston and Laura Agnes Peters founded Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Missouri-Columbia, creating the first female Greek letter fraternity on campus.

In 1880, the University barred all secret societies, yet Theta Chapter continued to meet. Finally, in 1887 the pledge was excluded and fraternities and sororities began to re-emerge.

In 1900, the Kappas began discussing the idea of living together in the same house. They decided to rent the Hale House on Hitt Street, which lodged nine women. In 1913, a new home with accommodations for 25 girls was built two blocks from the campus, on the corner of Rollins and Richmond. By 1926, the old house had become too small for the growing group of women. C.B. Rollins bought the old house with no restrictions and sold Theta Chapter the lots across the street. The building and decorating was completed by spring and the Kappas moved in May 1, 1929.

In 1966 the Theta Chapter House Corporation had bought the house next door for potential expansion. The new wing plans were created, with a larger kitchen and dining room as well as improved housing for the house mother. Twelve bedrooms and four baths were added upstairs.

In 2000 Theta Chapter proudly celebrated its 125th Anniversary. Alumnae from all over the world attended the two-day event on the MU campus. Alumna Jann Carl, co-host of Entertainment Tonight, returned to her alma mater as master of ceremonies.