Founders

History of Kappa Kappa Gamma

  • Groundwork is formed!

    Groundwork is formed!
    The six founders met at the home of Anna Willits to lay the groundwork for the formation of the first Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter.
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma is founded!

    Kappa Kappa Gamma is founded!
    Kappa Kappa Gamma ws founded on October 13, 1870 at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. On that day six women marched in the chapel wearing keys in their hair with the letters KKG pronouncing themselves as a new women's fraternity. The first chapter, Monmouth, is named the Alpha Chapter,
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    History of Kappa Kappa Gamma

  • The Key is born!

    The Key is born!
    In 1881 Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first women's fratrenity to publish a quarterly magazine, The Key.
  • The Owl

    The Owl
    The symbol, the owl, is adopted in 1881. The owl is the bird of wisdom as well as the bird of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom.
  • Kappa establishes National Panhellenic Conference

    Kappa establishes National Panhellenic Conference
    In 1891, Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first to call a meeting of all the other women’s fraternities – thus the pre-cursor to the National Panhellenic Conference.
  • The New Member Pin

    The New Member Pin
    The pin is worn by new members during the new member period. It is surrendered when you are initiated. It was adopted in 1914.
  • Service Women's Centers

    Service Women's Centers
    In 1942, Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first women’s fraternity to set up Service Women’s Centers during World War II.
  • First to purchase a Headquarters building!

    First to purchase a Headquarters building!
    In 1952, Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first to purchase a Headquarters building, and base their operations permanently in Columbus, OH.
  • Kappas are first to share a house

    Kappas are first to share a house
    In 1965, Kappa Kappa Gamma became the first fraternity to share a house with another fraternity, Kappa Alpha Theta.
  • Reading is Fundamental

    Reading is Fundamental
    Kappa began working with Reading is Fundamental. RIF has distributed 300 million books to more than 25 million children nationwide and provides programs and services at more than 19,000 sites throughout the United States and its territories.
  • Heritage Museum is established

    Heritage Museum is established
    In 1980, The Heritage Museum was established, and Kappa Kappa Gamma became the first fraternity to own a Museum.
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation

    Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
    In 1989, The Minnie Stewart Foundation purchased the Stewart Family Home, which was then merged into the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation in 2000.
  • Pathways is launched

    Pathways is launched
    Kappa Kappa Gamma launched Pathways – Kappa’s Continuous Education Experience, leading men's and women's fraternities into new frontiers of education and training.
  • The Voyage of Discovery

    The Voyage of Discovery
    Kappa Kappa Gamma released The Voyage of Discovery, a virtual tour through women's history.
  • Kappa Leadership Academy

    Kappa Leadership Academy
    The Leadership Academy began offering undergraduate and alumna members intensive leadership development at an outdoor weekend retreat. Programming for the Leadership Academy has been developed in partnership with The Tompeters! Company and Bradford Woods, an outdoor education facility in Indiana.
  • Kappa Learning Institute

    Kappa Learning Institute
    Kappa Kappa Gamma launched the Kappa Learning Institute, an interactive online portal which provides free e-courses to active members and alumnae.
  • Aspire to Be

    Aspire to Be
    Kappa Kappa Gamma updates its tagline. The new tagline is "Aspire to Be."