Sororities

Wilma B. Prescott (Class of 1945) describes in an interview the discrimination that the sorority Chi Omega practiced during the World War II. According to Prescott, the Chi Omegas discriminated in their membership policies, which explains why the sorority is no longer on campus. Chi Omegas could not take "oriental or Jewish" members into the sorority. As Prescott explains, "You were a WASP...." Prescott points to the war as an explanation for discrimination against the Japanese in their membership policies.

In 1953 the Dickinson College Pan-Hellenic Council continued its annually-scheduled activities including Rush, the Doll Dance, and Pan-Hellenic weekend, which aimed to promote interfraternity spirit. The officers in 1953 were Marjorie E. Heymann, president and Shirley A. Holland, secretary-treasurer.

The members of Phi Mu continued to maintain a full schedule of philanthropic and social activities. They held their annual Pledge Tea and Pledge Formal, intended to present the new members, as well as their Spring Formal, held in honor of the graduating seniors. They contributed to their philanthropies by sponsoring cake bakes and rummage sales, and they visited the Carlisle Hospital weekly with a toy cart. In addition, the members of Phi Mu have embarked upon a mission of friendship with other local Phi Mu chapters, in an effort to bring together members founded on the same ideals.

Members of the Dickinson chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha continued to dedicate themselves to philanthropic work related to cerebral palsey in 1953. Their efforts included fundraising and awareness through a published brochure. In addition, they continued to support their scholarship loan fund, which assists both Zetas and non-Zetas. The officers in 1953 were Patricia A. Bradley, president; Evelyn L. Sciotto, vice president; Barbara R. Mattas, secretary; and Kay M. Meyer, treasurer.

In an interview, Mary Synder Hertzler reports that groups at Dickinson College did discriminate in membership policies or in rush during the World War II period. "We were the only ones that did," says Hertzler of her sorority, the Pi Phis. The Chi Omega sorority "left," according to Hertzler, because the national chapter prohibited the extension of membership to minorities. Hertzler initially claims to remember one woman of color at Dickinson College but later revokes that statement, recalling that there "were some Puerto Ricans or somebody" at prep school.

The Delta chapter of Chi Omega strived to fulfill its national motto of "Hellenic Culture and Christian Ideals" in 1953. This was accomplished through dedication to service activities including working with elderly in Carlisle and supporting war-torn countries with care packages. Their social schedule included a number of events such as the Pledge Dance, Spring Formal, and the Initiation and Alumnae Banquets. The officers of Chi Omega were Ann L. Boyd, president; Kathryn G. Jordan, vice president; Elizabeth A. Hollinger, secretary; and Patricia Kort-Kamp, treasurer.

In 1953, Pi Beta Phi members held a full schedule of scholastic, social, and philanthropic activities. They continued to support their settlement school in Tennessee and they also assisted a struggling German family through connections with one member who was studying abroad there. They also sponsored the annual Pledge Formal, Pledge Tea, Spring Formal, and Spring Tea. The group was led by Ann L. Prescott, president; Shirley J. Chase, vice president; Julia T. Yoshizaki, secretary; and Caroline T. Rhodes, treasurer.

The Pan-Hellenic council was made up of Pi Beta Phi, Chi Omega, and Phi Mu sororities. The constitution, printed in the 1921 student handbook, details its purpose, officers, and regulations on voting and amending the constitution. According to the constitution, the purpose of the Pan-Hellenic council was to:

• fix the date of pledge day
• regulate the rules for rushing
• regulate any other matters of inter-fraternity interest
• cooperate with college authorities in questions of general college interest

Andrea Allen, President of Panhel thanks Martha Slotten, librarian, for her slide show about the history of women at Dickinson. She writes: "Perhaps in another 10 to 20 years someone else will do a history on Dickinson women. I'll be proud to tell them of the wonderful female leaders that are (were) friends here at Dickinson."

Panhellenic Council sponsored a traditional Doll Dance, which required one doll or stuffed animal as admission.  Usually held before Christmas, the event was moved to before Easter because of deferred rushing.  Each pledge class of the five women's fraternities would present a skit at the dance.