Member of the National Panhellenic Conference
Member of the National Panhellenic Conference
| Our History On Jan. 3, 1924, the Association was organized by Lucille Quinn (Mrs. Peter VanDresser). Dues were set at $1 per year. In 1926 the Panhellenic Scholarship Fund was started. During the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s scholarships ranged from $100 to $400 and alternated between half gift and half loan. In 1949, the Seminole Indian Kindergarten was founded in Dania and became a permanent project of the Philanthropy Committee. Our association with this school continued until 1967, when the government took over the school. We furnished much-needed play tools and swing sets and financed repairs and equipment replacements during this period. We also sent the first Seminole away to college with several new complete outfits and some cash for expenses. Billy Cypress graduated from Stetson University in 1965 and was presented with $25. In the 1950s our rush information booklets began, as did the Senior Tea and Coffee. We associated with the National Panhellenic Conference during the 1955-56 school year, when dues were $3 to the NPC. Also in 1956, the Panhellenic Grace was adopted, submitted by Mildred Paine, a member of Chi Omega. One of the fundraisers during this period was an annual hat auction. “Social Capers,” a calendar and social engagement book, was also started as a continuing project. Panhellenic Club Woman of the Year was started in 1957, and Margery Martin, Pi Beta Phi, was our choice. We also submitted her name to Broward County Club Woman of the Year contest, and she was chosen the winner. In the 1960s, we were asked to participate with the Junior Chamber of Commerce in the City College Convention Committee in connection with the “spring invasion” of college students. Our members were to work in Hello Booths, in headquarters etc. Bridge marathons were introduced as a fundraiser. We received our income tax exemption on June 18, 1963, and filed our first income tax return. A Panhellenic Choir Group was formed with Ruth Mauger as accompanist. In 1963, Panhellenic was invited to join local organizations with at the annual Beaux Arts Promenade. The Miami Herald’s Club of the Year awards were extended for the first time to include Broward County. Our entry, prepared by Peg Pinther and Connie Murray, was awarded First Prize of a silver punch bowl. During the summer of 1965, Panhellenic was the recipient of a bequest from Gladys Dixon, Pi Beta Phi, to be used for scholarships for worthy women. The proviso was that the interest on the bequest could be used for scholarships, and the fund could not drop below the original amount of $5,000. Today this fund has grown to about $20,000. We presented $1,400 to the Fort Lauderdale Swimming Hall of Fame with proceeds from ID tags sold during the “college invasion.” A plaque is supposedly hanging on a wall to commemorate this. During the next year, Panhellenic donated $1,000 to the Friends of the Library to be used to buy books to stock the new Bookmobile. In June 1967, we made a donation of $1,000 to the Nova University Library Society. The annual Fashion Show/Luncheon was begun as a fundraiser. Because of people’s many obligations during the holiday season, the Choral Group was disbanded. In 1977, students attending out-of-state colleges were eliminated from the scholarship consideration. SAT scores and grade point averages were important additions to qualifications. Also, it was decided that no more than one winner would be chosen from any one school. A personal letter from each applicant was required as part of the applications. The fashion show and bridge marathon continued during this decade. In 1973-74, our 50th anniversary, the first Woman of the Year award was given. During the 1980s, we continued with the annual Fashion Show, Christmas gifts for migrant children and the bridge marathon, and we worked with Kids in Distress. In 1982-83, some complaints were received when luncheon charges got up to $9. The first male recipient was given a scholarship (how this happened with the proviso from Gladys Dixon was unknown). Dues were raised to $8. Philanthropies included Early Childhood Development, Family Day Care Center and Broward Center for the Blind. Our name as currently used was adopted. A Memorial Book was started to contain the names of members who contributed to the scholarship fund. In 1985, dues were raised to $10, to include the yearly membership book. Previously, members who wanted a book could purchase one. Sad news when Judy Resnick, a fraternity woman, perished with the Challenger. Sally Ride, another fraternity woman, also flew into space. A policy book was established to list policies adopted but not necessarily placed into our constitution or bylaws. Dues were due in May and delinquent June 1. Goals of Leadership, Scholarship and Enlightenment were adopted. Two merit awards have been received from NPC for scholarship donations, 1967 and 1991. Our first Champagne Brunch was held in 1992. In 1996 and 1997, the big fund-raisers were cruises. In 1998, the management of the Scholarship Fund was assigned to the Community Foundation of Broward. The association retains a role in selecting recipients. The first minutes book of our organization, covering the period from January 1925 to October 1932, was deposited with the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society by vote of the Executive Board of 1983- 84. As of July 1998, all minutes and scrapbooks pertaining to the organization were deposited with with the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society for safekeeping. Although some years’ records are missing because they were soaked by water during a storm, surviving records indicate that the Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Panhellenic Association has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships since its inception. In the early years, when only loans were given, it is pleasant to note that all loans were repaid by the recipients. Currently all scholarships are outright gifts. In January 1999, a luncheon and fashion show to mark our 75th anniversary was quite successful as a fundraiser. The event has been repeated in subsequent years with similar success. Irma Frazier’s recipe for punch during the college Tea/Coffees is essential if this report is to be complete. One-half hour before serving, pour one quart of ginger ale over one quart of sherbet. Before serving, add one quart of ginger ale. Fresh strawberries, orange slices or other fruit may be added for color. Sadly, Irma passed away on Feb. 6, 2002. She will be sorely missed. This is a short summary of the minutes kept throughout the years, and various officers’ reports. Our organization continues to believe that helping students attend college is very important, and we continue in our efforts to finance these opportunities. Compiled by Doris D. Emmett |
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Member of the National Panhellenic Conference
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ftlap.org
| Ft. Lauderdale Alumnae Panhellenic |
| Affiliate of the National Panhellenic Conference |