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2016-17 Year in Review

We’re excited to share with you the 2016-17 Phi Mu Foundation Annual Report At-a-Glance! This year’s digital report highlights just a few of the many women who have been positively impacted by your contribution to the Foundation, as well as a full listing of each sister and friend who supported our mission during the fiscal year.

Take a click around and let us know your favorite stories by sharing them on social media, using the hashtag #sistershelpingsisters!

Preserving our Past for the Future

As members of Phi Mu, each of us has a special place in our hearts for Wesleyan College and the city of Macon, Georgia.

It was home for a brief while to our Founders, Mary Ann DuPont Lines, Mary Myrick Daniel and Martha Hardaway Redding, as they pursued a higher education at the first institution in the world chartered to grant college degrees for women. To just make the trip to Macon from their hometowns must have been an incredible feat itself! Mary Ann had the longest journey to Macon from Florida; it’s assumed her family brought her by covered wagon, taking several weeks to make the trip to Georgia.

We’re incredibly fortunate that within in our organization, many volunteers have dedicated their time to preserving Phi Mu’s rich history, especially Annadell Craig Lamb, ∆A; Mary Jane Bennett Johnson, ΓΔ; and Edith Brady, ΓΓ. Through their efforts, Phi Mu has a well-documented history through two history books, and is preserving relics in the Philomathean Room in the Cannonball House in Macon and the Heritage Museum at Phi Mu National Headquarters in Peachtree City. But … you may not realize that another Phi Mu sister is playing a pretty special role at Wesleyan College right now, helping to preserve their history, and that of the Philomathean and Adelphean Societies.

Meet Wesleyan College Archivist Virginia Blake, Pi.

Upon graduation from the University of Maine, Virginia Blake attended graduate school at the University of South Carolina where she began her studies of Library and Information Science. During her first year at USC, she began a graduate assistantship with the South Carolina Political Collections, which archives materials and oral histories documenting South Carolina government and political activities at the local, state, and national levels, primarily since World War II. This experience piqued Virginia’s interest in archives and historic preservation, and led to her career as the official Archivist of Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia … known fondly to Phi Mus everywhere as the birthplace of the Philomathean Society.

We had the chance to meet with Virginia during a recent visit to Wesleyan, and asked her a few questions about what it’s like to work at a place that’s not only rich in its own history, but also so deeply connected to her Phi Mu sisterhood.

PMF:     Wesleyan College is special to Phi Mu because it is where we were founded over 160 years ago … but why is Wesleyan College special to you, and how has being a Phi Mu influenced the work you do?

VB:         I really love working with the students. Working at an institution that was the very first chartered to award women college degrees is incredible. As I was learning more about the traditions and history here at Wesleyan, it was easy to see why women choose this school. And being a Phi Mu makes this experience even more special, allowing me to understand the importance behind many of Wesleyan’s long-held traditions. Phi Mu certainly plays a part in Wesleyan’s history and I truly feel like it’s something that needs to be preserved and shared.

PMF:     The mission of the Phi Mu Foundation states that historic preservation is one of the key supporting factors in the lifetime development of women. How has the Phi Mu left an impact on Wesleyan College?

VB:         For Phi Mu’s founders to be among those who received degrees here in the 1850s is a big deal! We should absolutely be sharing that information with our members to make sure they understand that not only was Phi Mu founded at Wesleyan, but our Founders were pioneers of their time. We’re constantly having Phi Mu visitors to Wesleyan, and I always like reminding them of that special piece of information.

PMF:     Wesleyan College is an all-women’s college, and is home to the oldest female fraternal organizations. How does the rich history of this campus reflect its current status and traditions?

VB:         Wesleyan is very focused on sisterhood and their traditions are important to them. The women here take classes on sisterhood and spend time studying issues that are impacting females around the world. Although there are no sororities on campus, many traditions that began with the Philomathean and Adelphean Societies (like having big and little sisters) are still relevant to today’s Wesleyan student.

PMF:     What insight would you lend to our members about the value of historical preservation, how keeping our history alive affects our membership and the importance of forming connections between all members?

VB:         I would encourage everyone to spend some time to get to know their own personal history. For Phi Mu sisters, it’s important for us to know where and how our sisterhood started. To think our organization started with just three women on a small college campus in Georgia and now has turned into something that has connected hundreds of thousands of women is fascinating! Passing down our history is a language that translates across many generations; it keeps our values intact, and also reminds us of the many reasons why we joined Phi Mu in the first place.

Being True to the Womanhood of Love

When the news began to travel that the Eta Mu Chapter at University of California-Davis, had lost one of their beloved alumnae, Patricia Bock Jennings, sympathy and well wishes poured in to her family from Phi Mu sisters across the country.  If you speak with anyone who knew Patricia, it’s easy to understand the profound impact she had on every life that she touched. A devoted mother to five young children and a wife to Bill, Patricia was also a trusted mentor to her ‘village’ of sisters and friends.

An attorney by trade, Patricia’s life work was never limited to her career; she was also an active member of her church community who shared a passion for raising her family and serving others who needed a helping hand. From her time at UC Davis, to McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific, and later in the cities she called home – Sacramento, Los Altos and San Jose – Patricia lived an admirable life that echoed the Phi Mu Creed and the values of love, honor, truth.

“Tricia loved parties, especially ones with themes, and she graciously hosted showers, birthday parties, book signings, and Phi Mu events,” said Bill Jennings, Patricia’s husband.

It came as no surprise to Bill when he was approached by a group of Patricia’s Phi Mu sisters with the idea of endowing a scholarship through Phi Mu Foundation in Patricia’s name. Bill knew of Patricia’s love for the organization that brought her so much joy and friendship throughout her life, and instantly agreed to support their efforts. The group reached out to Phi Mu Foundation to begin the process of endowing a scholarship in Patricia’s name in 2014, and now is just steps away from being fully-funded.

“It’s incredible to see the pride beaming from the women who are honoring Patricia’s legacy in such a special way,” says Phi Mu Foundation Director of Major Gifts Mandi Young, AE. “Each year when the Patricia Bock Jennings Scholarship is awarded, her legacy of service learning will live on because of this labor of love.”

Many sisters and friends have rallied around this cause and helped raise more than $23,000 for the Patricia Bock Jennings Scholarship Fund, including the Santa Clara Valley, Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area Phi Mu Alumnae Chapters. The goal is to raise $25,000 in order to meet the Foundation’s endowment minimum and begin awarding scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year. Follow these chapters on Facebook for more information about local fundraisers benefiting the Patricia Bock Jennings Scholarship Fund or click here to make a gift today.

If you would like to learn more about endowing a scholarship through Phi Mu Foundation in honor or memory of someone you love, please contact the Phi Mu Foundation Director of Major Gifts at 770-632-2126.

*Update* As of 8/16, the Patricia Bock Jennings Scholarship Fund has met its goal of $25,000 and is fully-funded! The groups above will continue to fundraise in Patricia’s memory, in order to grow the fund and reach even more women in her memory.

#MeetTheMus: Trustee Jen Free, Kappa Nu

We’re launching a multi-part series this summer called #MeetTheMus, where we’ll introduce one of our Phi Mu Foundation Trustees each week, and give you an inside peek at what drives their passion for the lifetime development of Phi Mu women!

Our Trustee spotlight for this week is Jen Free!

What made your collegiate Phi Mu experience special?

My chapter sisters. They are crazy competitive. Our chapter had to win everything all the time – we won the Carnation Cup twice! My sisters are also sympathetic. They know what you need before you do. A member was never alone. Playing softball sometimes caused me to miss events/practices/socials, but my chapter sisters held me accountable to be the best I could be and filled me in on the what happens. Even when I failed, they picked me up and loved me. They saw things in me that I did not see in myself.

What (or who) influenced you to give back to Phi Mu as an alumnae volunteer?

When I was my chapter’s Membership Director, I attended Leadership Conference in New Orleans. I was in awe of the “adults” who were there because of their connection with Phi Mu not because they “had” to be there. I will never forget Kathy Williams running around the room yelling “I am.” The audience had to reply “Proud to be a Phi Mu” to her satisfaction. We did it a million times that weekend. Even the “adults” were screaming, “Proud to be a Phi Mu.” I wanted to be like those women. They were encouraging, enthusiastic, welcoming, and . . . a little crazy. They loved Phi Mu and her members. They wanted Phi Mu to be successful, (No. 1 among its peers like it is now!)

And then there is Pam Wadsworth. Pam is my Phi Mu idol. She is a wealth of knowledge, and not just Phi Mu knowledge! She has given of her time, talents, and treasures since her beginning in Phi Mu. Despite being from a closed chapter, she knew the importance of continuing to dedicate herself to both the Fraternity and the Foundation. She makes you want to do more.

What legacy do you hope to leave for Phi Mu through your work with the Foundation?

I hope that sisters will see me for who I really am. Someone who will push you and challenge you to be your best. Someone who will be your biggest cheerleader and supporter. Someone who will be available for a long rant about that stupid thing that happened to make you cry. Someone who wants all Phi Mus to receive a scholarship because college is crazy expensive. Someone who can make with laugh with a story about one of my criminal clients. Someone who will pop in when you least expect it. Someone who can remember your querks/dislikes.

How has your journey in Phi Mu impacted the woman that you are today?

Because of my Phi Mu sisters I challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I’m really not a great speaker, I flub my words and repeat way too much. But, my sisters have made me work on that. If I make a mistake, I learn from it and think how would this Phi Mu sister have handled that situation. I’m a better listener because of my sisters.

What would you tell a young alumna about why she should invest with the Foundation?

Why wouldn’t you invest in the greatest organization ever! We are amazing, fabulous women who love like nothing else. We strive for success. We encourage our sisters to be anything and everything they want to be. We have a blast when we are together. We have made tremendous strides in the Greek world. Giving to the Foundation insures that your Phi Mu legacy continues on forever.

What is your favorite song on the radio right now?

I don’t listen to the radio but I can’t workout without listening to, “Get Your Freak On” by Missy Elliott!

What book is on your summer reading list?

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

What is your favorite Phi Mu tradition?

Singing “Linger” at a Phi Mu wedding