Phi Mu

Phi Mu (ΦΜ) is the second oldest female fraternal organization established in the United States. It was founded at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The organization was founded as the Philomathean Society on January 4, 1852, and announced publicly on March 4 of the same year. Phi Mu is one of the two "Macon Magnolias," a term used to celebrate the bonds it shares with Alpha Delta Pi.

Today, Phi Mu has over 150 collegiate chapters across the United States and over 150,000 initiated sisters. Phi Mu has 225 alumnae chapters across the nation. Phi Mu's national headquarter is in Peachtree City, Georgia. Phi Mu's national philanthropy is Children's Miracle Network, which raises money to support children's hospitals across the country. Phi Mus all across the nation share the ideals and bond of their creed: Love, Honor, and Truth.

Additionally, Phi Mu has internal organizations, such as Phi Mu Foundation which supports further involvement in the organization.

The Philomathean Society was founded in January 1852 at Wesleyan College by Mary Ann Dupont (Lines), Mary Elizabeth Myrick (Daniel), and Martha Bibb Hardaway (Redding). Wesleyan was the first institute to grant bachelor's degrees to women, and known as the birthplace of the collegiate sorority, though most sororities predate the term "sorority" and are known as "fraternities for women". Through the founding of the Philomathean Society, a literary society, the three founders sought to improve their minds and delighted in the close bonds of friendship they formed. The Philomathean Society joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1904, taking on the Greek letters "Phi Mu".

The official symbol of Phi Mu is "the quatrefoil of Phi Mu". The Quatrefoil is a unique symbol amongst Greek organizations; though it bears special meaning to sisters, its use can be traced back to early European design.

The Phi Mu Badge is a shield of gold shaped in the Quatrefoil, overlaid with a black shield bearing the two bonds, three stars, hand clasping a heart and the Greek letters “Phi Mu.” Sarah Amelia Bardwell (Wright) designed the first badge in 1852. The first Phi Mu badge was created from a $20 gold piece that was given to Mary Ann Dupont (Lines) by her father when she left home to attend Wesleyan.

New/Provisional Members, or "Phis", of Phi Mu wear the organization's new member pin, given to them when they formally pledge Phi Mu. The Phi Pin (or Provisional/New Member pin) is a black and gold shield with the Greek Letter “Phi.”

The lion is the official mascot of Phi Mu. Lions have always been a part of our history and are also shown on our Coat of Arms. Its mascot, "Sir Fidel", is a name adapted from the fraternity's open motto, Les Soeurs Fideles. Sir Fidel was created in 1973.

The rose-colored carnation is the official flower of Phi Mu. In the language of flowers, the rose carnation means "friendship", but according to the Grand Historian (1907-1908), Lillian Estes (Davis), “pink carnations are, and always have been, the emblematic flower".

Arts and Entertainment

• Ann Bowden (Alpha Gamma) - wife of Florida State University Head Coach Bobby Bowden and mother to Clemson University Head Coach Tommy Bowden, Auburn University Head Coach Terry Bowden and FSU's Offensive Coordinator Jeff Bowden^[1]

• Pam Long (Theta Alpha) - Miss Alabama (1974),Fact|date=March 2008}} and head writer for CBS' Guiding Light^[2]
• Alison White (Psi Beta)- Miss Delaware (1997)
• Elizabeth Horton (Gamma Tau)- Miss North Carolina (2006), ^[3]
• Dana Ivey (Alpha Omega) - actress (The Addams Family, Sleepless in Seattle, Orange County), five-time Tony nominee^[4]
• Leah Massee (Kappa Beta)- Miss Georgia (2007), ^{[citation needed]}
• Ashley Hatfield (Alpha Delta) - Miss Illinois (2007), ^[5]
• Lacey Fitzgerald (Zeta Lambda)- Miss Missouri (2008)
• Joyce Carol Oates (Beta Zeta) - author, (Blonde, We Were the Mulvaneys)^[2]
• Mary Wickes (Zeta Epsilon) - actress, (Little Women, Sister Act)^[2]

Aviation

• Jerrie Mock (Psi) - first woman to successfully fly solo around the world^[2]
• Mary Weber (Delta Epsilon) - astronaut^[2]

Government

• Betty Montgomery (Delta Kappa) - first female Attorney General of Ohio^[2]
• Melinda Schwegmann (Alpha Eta) - first female Lt. Governor of Louisiana^[2]

Journalism

• Pat Mitchell (Alpha Alpha) - president, PBS^[2]

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_North_Carolina ^[1]

• Phi Mu