April 2019 - Phi Mu

Apply for the 2019-20 Collegiate Leadership Council

Jessi on April 30, 2019

Each year, Phi Mu Foundation selects a group of exceptional collegiate donors to represent their chapters on the Collegiate Leadership Council. Together, the council shares their passion for philanthropy and the Foundation’s powerful mission by educating, motivating and inspiring others to give back to Phi Mu Foundation.

Members of the Council will provide perspective on collegiate engagement, cultivation, stewardship, as well as provide insight on fundraising and other philanthropic efforts. They’ll also serve as social media advocates for the Foundation and have the opportunity to be mentored throughout the year by the women who serve on the Board of Trustees.

If you’re a rising junior or senior member in good standing with at least a 3.0 GPA, apply today! All applications must be completed by June 7, 2019.

Please contact Foundation Communications Strategist Jessi Horne at jhorne@phimu.org with any questions.

Fund Endowment Update

Jessi on April 22, 2019

We are always grateful to work with members to establish endowed funds that honor a special sister, chapter or program. Take a look at three funds below where your dollars can make a difference!

Amanda Baker Scholarship Fund

Honoring Rho Alpha alumna Amanda Baker, this academic scholarship fund is aimed at helping women who are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering or math). Amanda passed away earlier this year after a valiant battle with cancer and this scholarship fund was established by her husband to help her legacy live through others.

Zeta Sigma Sisterhood Scholarship Fund

Honoring the 30^th anniversary of the Zeta Sigma Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, chapter alumnae created this fund to provide academic scholarship opportunities to Zeta Sigma members.

Sharon L. Henson Adviser Development Fund

Honoring longtime Chapter Adviser Sharon L. Henson, Delta Eta, Georgetown College, this fund was established by National President Andie Kash, Delta Eta, and Beth Denney Ward, Delta Eta in honor of the Delta Eta Chapter’s 50th anniversary. This fund will support continuing education and leadership coaching of advisers and chapter support volunteers; prepare advisers as conduits in the evolution of the holistic student and advancing an inclusive collegiate experience; and for specific individual training, group conferencing – both in person and through technology, and educational resources.

If you would like to contribute to these funds, visit www.phimufoundation.org/give and select any of these funds from the drop-down menu to designate your gift.

If you are interested in establishing a named fund/grant or scholarship, please contact Director of Major Gifts Mandi Young at myoung@phimu.org or at 770-632-2126 for more information.

Lifting Each Other Up in the Eye of the Storm

Jessi on April 15, 2019

6 months. 180 days. 4,380 hours.

That’s about how long it’s been since Hurricane Michael ravaged the southeastern United States with catastrophic impacts felt from the Florida panhandle all the way to the Mid-Atlantic region. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the tiny coastal town of Mexico Beach, Fla., destroying nearly everything in its path and leaving even those whose homes were spared without power and access to resources for weeks.

For the residents of Mexico Beach and surrounding areas, these past five months seem like yesterday and years ago, all at the same time. Eventually, the news media left town and front page stories turned from the destruction and despair in this area to other trending topics. Those unaffected switched gears and moved on with their lives, but for those who call Mexico Beach home, the journey down this difficult road had just begun.

At the helm of breathing life back into this beautiful beach town is Mexico Beach Community Development Council President and Phi Mu Foundation Donor Kimberly Pickett Shoaf, Kappa Gamma. She and her husband Andy are lifelong residents of nearby Port St. Joe, raising their two girls in the same hometown where they grew up, met and fell in love.

Staying along the Florida coast was important to them as they began their family, but they never imagined they’d be faced with completely rebuilding their lives. From the loss of their home as well as their family beach house in Mexico Beach, rebuilding brings on a new meaning for their family. The last few months have been trying for Kimberly and her family, but have also reminded them that even when faced with tragedy, they are here to stay.

“One of the many things I learned from my collegiate experience in Phi Mu is to continue to lend to those less fortunate,” said Kimberly. “Although my family has lost so much, thousands of others have lost just as much, if not more, and will need assistance as time goes on. Even before I was allowed back into town, I was already working to ensure that Mexico Beach, its residents and visitors, stay resilient.”

Kimberly credits her neighbors, Phi Mu sisters and many complete strangers for helping residents in the surrounding areas begin to get back on their feet. One of the residents who felt the impact of that generosity was Evan Hall, Gamma Sigma.

About 100 miles north of Mexico Beach in Donalsonville, Ga., Evan and her family watched on the local news as Hurricane Michael approached the Florida coast. They were expecting some residual effects of being in the outer bands of the storm – maybe heavy rain and wind gusts – but with no evacuation orders in place, they hunkered down to ride out the dicey weather. As the eye of the storm made its way over their home, they knew right away they were in for more than they had anticipated.

Evan recalled: “The power went out almost immediately as the storm approached, and my mother, sister and I took refuge inside a small room in our home. We heard the dreadful noise of our roof being crushed as massive trees landed less than 100 feet from where we were positioned. Soon, the house began to take on water and we were left with no choice but to take shelter in our car in the garage. We spent that entire night in the car, too terrified to move.”

When Evan’s family emerged from the garage, they knew the damage to their home was catastrophic. The roof and some exterior walls had caved in from trees toppling over, and there was water damage throughout the house, the worst being in Evan’s bedroom.

“Because of the severe damage in my room, I was left with nothing – no clothes, no mattress to sleep on – it was all gone just like that. My family had to relocate to a hotel in nearby Dothan, Alabama, just to have a safe shelter. It will be at least a year before our home will be back to normal, but because of the generosity of my Phi Mu sisters, my family and I are getting back on our feet,” she added.

With the encouragement of friends and family, Evan reached out to Phi Mu Foundation to apply for member assistance. She was awarded a grant from the Leona Hughes Hughes Heart and Hand Fund and was able to purchase things like clothes and groceries to help her family begin to recover from this devastating experience. Through the Foundation’s Leona Hughes Hughes Heart and Hand Fund and Betty Nell Wilkinson Emergency Scholarship Fund, eligible collegiate and alumnae members who are facing tragic and life-altering situations due to natural disasters, medical emergencies or other unique circumstances may apply for financial assistance. In a case like Evan’s, it was just the peace she needed during a time of great chaos.

“I’m so thankful that Phi Mu was there for me when I needed it the most,” said Evan. “Although I don’t know them personally, I want to show my appreciation to every person who’s ever made a donation to Phi Mu Foundation to help families like mine recover from disasters. Phi Mu continues to be a light in my life and I will always remember the love my sisters showed me during this time.”

Designate Your Foundation Gift to Emergency Assistance Programs

Following the destruction left by Hurricane Michael in the southeastern United States and the wildfires that spread across California, the Foundation has awarded more than $15,000 in member assistance grants this fiscal year. Right now, we need your support in order to continue to fulfill these requests from members. If you are planning to make a gift to Phi Mu Foundation, please consider designating your gift by clicking ‘Give Now’ and select either ‘Heart and Hand’ or ‘Emergency Scholarship’ from the drop-down menu.

Featured photo credit: Jeremy Cowart

Phi Mu Presents “Carnation Ball”

Jessi on April 3, 2019

An excerpt from The History of Phi Mu: The First 150 Years by Annadell Craig Lamb, Delta Alpha:

A movie about Phi Mu had long been a dream of Adele Redditt Williamson, Delta. When she was National President the idea was proposed at the 1964 National Convention and funding was found. Collegiate members agreed to an assessment of one dollar per member per year for the 1964-66 biennium. The assessment was continued another biennium, resulting in sufficient funds for the project. Alumnae did not participate in raising the funds.

The University of Georgia Communications Department was selected in 1965 to produce the movie, with Hill Bermont as director. The department’s Yolande Branham finalized the script originated by Public Relations Director Annadell Craig Lamb, Delta Alpha.

Having the primary site of the movie located at the University of Georgia eliminated extensive travel costs since the impressive new home of Alpha Alpha Chapter could be used for most of the scenes. Scenes about Phi Mu’s heritage were filmed in nearby Macon, the location of Wesleyan College and the Philomathean Room. Other chapters featured in the movie were filmed at Mr. Bermont’s specific direction by local motion picture photographers. The chapters were Eta Zeta at Fresno State College, Alpha Eta at Louisiana State University, Epsilon at Millsaps College, Eta Iota at the University of Arizona and Delta Epsilon at Purdue University.

There were no professional actresses or actors in the movie. The collegiate and alumnae members represented in the film were really Phi Mus, and the young men were fraternity friends of Alpha Alpha members.

The first film of its kind to be produced by a women’s fraternity, Phi Mu’s “Carnation Ball” was an 18-minute color production with sound, costing $7,000. Fourteen copies, at $100 each, were purchased by Phi Mu. They were kept in constant circulation for several years.

The movie was based on preparations for a Phi Mu dance, the traditional Carnation Ball. As chapter members make preparations for the dance, five of them and their Chapter Adviser, one by one, tell what part Phi Mu has played in her life. The film featured the Fraternity’s emphasis on scholarship, social service, alumnae membership, group participation and recruitment.

Although the film was about Phi Mu, it was not a documentary or history of the organization. It was intended primarily for audiences of prospective members or for use in extension visits. It was made available for Phi Mu groups for their chapter development programs, for member recruitment, cultural hours, parents’ days, all-campus convocations, chapter alumnae weekends and state days.

As a representation of sorority life, the movie was used by many Panhellenic groups for high school orientation programs and similar occasions. It was shown also at national meetings of college administrators and of other NPC sororities. Its most extensive use, however, was in Phi Mu extension work.

The film premiered in connection with the National Leadership Conference at Purdue University in July 1967. An excited crowd of about 400 came to the movie’s first showing. Guests included national officers and other representatives of many fraternities and sororities, community leaders, Purdue University administrators, Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council representatives, local alumnae and their husbands, and of course, the Phi Mus attending the Leadership Conference from all parts of the country.

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