Association History

You have to know where you’ve been to know where you are going. Kappa holds a special place in its heart for Fraternity history, but every association of our organization has unique beginnings of its own. Each plays a part in shaping us today and continuing the Kappa tradition beyond college.

On May 25, 1935, an organization by the name of SACRAMENTO VALLEY ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION OF KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA was granted its Charter signed by Eleanor Bennet, Fraternity President, Almira McNaboe, Vice President and Clara O. Pierce, Executive Secretary.

Clara O. Pierce, Executive Secretary and five Kappas in Sacramento, California, met and discussed the formation of an alumnae association. These five ladies were Mildred McDuffee, Marjorie Matthew, Frances Sheibley, Mary Nicolaus Stephens and Grace Dean. The task of locating Kappa alumnae scattered throughout the Sacramento Valley was undertaken by Marjorie Waybur at the instigation of two National officers, Eleanor Bennett and Almira McNaboe, who were closely associated with Pi Chapter during their college days and knew the need for further organization of alumnae in California.

Many hours of phone calls resulted in gathering 28 Kappas on the appointed day for a formal installation ceremony presided over by Mrs. E.R. Bolton, South Western Province Vice President from Tucson, Arizona. Mrs. Bolton was the guest of honor at the tea that followed at 4:00 PM and remained in Sacramento for two days as the house guest of Mrs. Arnold Waybur.

A second meeting of charter members of the Sacramento Valley Alumnae Association, was held on May 20, 1935, in a private room of the Senator Hotel, where luncheon was served. The election of officers took place.

The first slate of officers consisted of:

President: Mrs. Herbert McDuffee

Vice President: Mrs. M.J. Dillman, Jr.

Recording Secretary: Mrs. Albert Smith

Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. L.M. Jeffers

Treasurer: Mrs. Arnold Waybur

Members at Large: Mrs. Elson Glide, Mrs. George McCoy

The Charter Fee of $5.00 was mailed to the Council Executive Secretary, Clara O. Pierce at 404 Ohio State Savings Building, Columbus, Ohio. Receipt of the fee was acknowledged on April 25, 1935. The Charter, signed and dated May 25, 1935, was sent to Sacramento by National Headquarters.

The annual dues were set at $1.00 per member. The meetings were programmed on a monthly basis to be held at the homes of members in rotation. Before the usual summer exodus, a third meeting of the Charter membership was held at the home of Mrs. M.C.C. Van Loben Sels near Walnut Grove, where a gala luncheon was served, followed by music. This meeting took place on June 12, 1935.

There have been some very dedicated members who have volunteered their time to the Sacramento Valley Alumnae Association. Endless hours have been spent as board members, committee chairpersons, and supporters for Epsilon Omicron Chapter at University of California, Davis.

The leadership and talent of the SVAA members paid off through the years. The Sacramento Valley Alumnae Association has received many awards at National Conventions and Province Meetings. Some of these are:

The McNaboe Award – for an Outstanding Alumnae Group with 100-200 Members;

The Rheva Ott Shryock Award – given in recognition of distinguished service to an active chapter;

An Award of Merit for helping to establish an active chapter;

Outstanding Achievement Award for general association improvement;

Creative Programming Award;

At one Province Meeting, our own Grace Dean received the Convention Award for attending more conventions than anyone else in the Province.

Members of the Sacramento Valley Alumnae Association have held National positions with the Fraternity. Some of these positions are Vice President, Province Director of Alumnae, Province Director of Chapters, Finance Committee, Fraternity Education, Volunteer Editor of The Key, Assistant to the Director of Alumnae, Chairman of the Owls Out on a Limb, to name a few.