The Phrateres was an all female organization for college students centered around socialization, leadership, networking and service. By 1944, there were 13 official chapters, including one at the University of British Columbia, making it an international organization. Though structured like a sorority with pledging and rushing, the Phrateres emphasized membership with few restrictions. Their group slogan was “Famous for Friendliness.” A Phrateres chapter was organized and installed at Augustana College on January 30, 1941, and was labeled the Omicron Chapter. At the February 27, 1945 meeting, the group voted to disband Phrateres and to form instead an organization that would include a "council of independent girls" as the leaders of the larger group. |
The Phrateres collection is small, consisting of two bound record books and some miscellaneous documents. The first bound book contains the group’s meeting minutes as well as their constitution and group song. The second bound book is a membership directory. The miscellaneous documents includes a copy of the 1944 “Phraterean,” the official bulletin of the group; three membership certificates; and hand-written sheet music to the Phrateres song. |
Box 1
Meeting minutes and constitution, 1940-1945
Membership directory, 1941-1944
Miscellaneous documents, 1944, undated |
