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.

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 Past National President and current Trustee Robin White Fanning.

What made your collegiate Phi Mu experience special?

My collegiate experience was special because my closest friends and I were able to select a new sorority to bring to our campus, and that was Phi Mu! I was a charter member of my chapter (Beta Iota) and got to meet some great Phi Mu volunteers – Beth Maxson Monnin, Rho, who was my chapter consultant; Mary Raye Casper, Gamma Lambda; Clarice Shephard, Beta Zeta.

I have to say that my favorite Phi Mu job ever was serving as Chapter Adviser for Rho Beta at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It was then that I met Mary Jane Johnson, Gamma Delta. She has been my mentor since I aspired to be Vice President Collegiate Operations and was lucky enough to serve in that role for three years. Then, I served as National President from 2006-2010. I loved being NP, and I will continue to serve our sisterhood with great love and pride.

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

When my chapter was installed, there were alumnae initiates recruited by Ada Henry, Rho – Laurie Cappello and Audrey Linden – who served as two of our advisers. Laurie, Audrey and Ellie Rupp, Sigma, spent many hours assisting our chapter and helping us to be successful in the Clarkson community. Their kindness and support was an example that I knew I wanted to follow and continue in a lifelong experience.

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

There is no doubt that I am the person I am today because of Phi Mu. I never would have met my husband during my college years had I not been Greek. The collegiate Greek experience had a profound effect on our lives. We are better leaders in our community and church and better business professionals because of our Greek experience. If you think about it, life is a big recruitment party! We impact and influence others through networking, and being Greek surely helped us to begin to hone this skill.

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

I hope that I can inspire others to develop a habit of giving. We truly make a difference in the lives of our members through scholarships, leadership programming, member assistance in times of distress, and in preserving our history to share with future generations. We are confident women leading in our communities and having an impact. Kindness is the most important trait we can share and through Phi Mu Foundation we benefit our sisters. We are privileged and it is our responsibility to support Phi Mu through our lifetimes.

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

I would advise a young alumna to invest in Phi Mu Foundation because she would be enabling other sisters to have the same opportunities that she has had and more. We “play it forward” and that is so much more than simply buying a cup of coffee for the next in line. We should play our experience forward investing in it and improving upon it. That is our obligation to this sisterhood.

What is your favorite song on the radio right now?

I can’t pick one! The Message and Beatles channel are my favorites on Sirius radio. I like pop and country music and Broadway soundtracks. The latest – Hamilton!

What book is on your summer reading list?

I have many books and read many at once. Recently I binge watched “Thirteen Reasons Why” and started the book on my last flight from HQ. I am an avid reader of many genres. It is important to me though to understand our students and women and the challenges we face.

What is your favorite Phi Mu tradition?

My favorite Phi Mu tradition is now Carnation Banquet! I always love the presentation of awards and then Darlene Reyes came along and makes it the event of the biennium, and I just find the whole evening so magical. Celebrating our sisterhood and our successes drives us to persevere and improve as we journey into the future.

Robin and her Alpha Chi Rho husband and were college sweethearts and have been married for 31 years. They have two adult sons, Mark and Ethan. Robin loves golden retrievers and has an almost 2-year-old golden pup named Sherman.