In 1960, the club petitioned Headquarters to become a Theta Alumnae Chapter, partially to support the new collegiate chapter, Delta Epsilon, at Arizona State University in Tempe. The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter has grown almost as quickly as Phoenix itself. Over the years, both the city and its Theta alumnae organization have grown and changed with the times. Philanthropy has always been a strength of
the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter, which has been honored many times at Grand Convention for reaching new plateaus of giving to Foundation, as well as recognition for its ongoing philanthropic efforts. The longest-term philanthropy event was the Habitats Tour, started in 1973. For more than 15 years, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter set up a day to allow the public to tour some of the most beautiful homes in the Phoenix metro area, along with a baked goods sale, plus an evening cocktail party and silent auction. The Habitats event annually raised more than $8,000 for organizations including Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, the Institute of Logopedics, the voices CASA children, ASU Speech & Hearing, and Sunshine Acres Children's Home. In 1994 waning interest and rising liability led to a change in the annual philanthropy. For several years, the chapter hosted a Golf Benefit, including a tournament and silent auction. Starting in 1997, the chapter launched its annual Wine Tasting, which has grown substantially over the years; in 2003, the event drew more than 100 people and netted over $6,000 in proceeds for our philanthropies. Our philanthropic endeavors have never stopped with simply a signature event. In the 1960s, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter hosted fashion shows and bridge tournaments to raise money for the Institute of Logopedics. From the late 1960s into the 1970s, the chapter hosted "Flaming Festivals" in which alumnae offered arts and crafts such as table settings, candles, and gifts. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Phoenix alumnae helped with clothing donations to the Sunshine Acres home for children; in the 1990s, we started hosting an annual picnic with games and prizes for the local voices of CASA children volunteers and children; starting in 2000, took up the call from voices of CASA children to "Pack with Pride," sending more than 35 packpacts filled with school supplies to the local voices of CASA children organization. In 2006 we sent students back to school with more than 40 backpacks. Our other joint philanthropy with Delta Epsilon collegians is the Stocking Stuffer party; in 2006, we donated more than 100 stockings filled with gifts to the voices of CASA children. As the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter is the largest Greek woman's organization in the Valley of the Sun, we are quite involved with Phoenix Panhellenic. We volunteer a tremendous number of hours at the FBR Open (formerly the Phoenix Open), where our volunteer efforts result in the Phoenix Thunderbirds making a substantial donation to Phoenix Panhellenic for scholarships to worthy collegiate and alumnae Greek women in the Phoenix area. Phoenix Panhellenic has selected five Thetas as its Woman of the Year since it started the award in 1976--Kay Van Ness, Julianne Lewis, Sandra Black, Sarah Fedirka and Molly Wendell. At a national level, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter has always set a high standard of achievement. Grand Convention has honored the chapter numerous times: "Most Outstanding Chapter," Best Large Alumnae Chapter in a College Town, Golden Kite Award winner, Twin Star Award winner and, most recently, the Black & Gold Award winner--all recognizing outstanding performance and exceeding the expectations of an alumnae chapter. The chapter has also received several awards from Grand Convention for its philanthropic activities, donations to Foundation, programming, newsletter, and support to a college chapter. Our interaction with the Delta Epsilon chapter has taken on many dimensions. Since its inception, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter has provided strong women to serve on the advisory and housing corporation boards. Marcia Wright and Marilyn Miller, co-chairs of the housing corporation in the 1990s and 2000s, were instrumental in working with Arizona State as they pioneered a new concept in sorority housing at the university, ensuring Theta was well represented in the discussions about safe, affordable chapter housing for Theta's collegians today and in the future. Thetas have also served as "Aunts" and mentors to new initiates and graduating seniors. The Phoenix Alumnae has assisted with initiation, and since it's founding has hosted a gathering to honor the graduating seniors. The format has changed over the years from a tea to a barbecue to a salad dinner, but the concept remains the same--welcoming collegians to the alumnae world and encouraging their continued participation. Founder's Day has always been an important part of the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter's continued recognition of the important role Theta plays in our lives. Founder's Day is generally held at a country club in the Phoenix area, and both alumnae and collegians are invited to participate. In 2007, more than 200 Thetas attended Founder's Day at the Phoenix Country Club. As Phoenix has rapidly grown into a choice retirement location, the number of 50- and 75-year Thetas has grown exponentially through the years. The Delta Epsilon collegians continually remark how much they enjoy meeting these members at Founder's Day, as they epitomize "Theta for a Lifetime". Beyond philanthropy and support to collegians, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter helps connect sisters and foster new friendships. Educational programming and social activities have drawn Thetas together through the years. Newsletters from the 1980s describe both "Dress for Success" events as well as an annual Champagne Holiday Party, which even included a trolley ride for several years. Cooking classes, lunch groups, gourmet dinner clubs, Night Kites (young alumnae) happy hours, women's health discussions, bridge groups, financial planning seminars and much more have made up some of the programming and special events hosted by the chapter through the years. Today we continue to host numerous special interest groups which grow and change as our membership continues to.
