On November 11th, 1874 in Syracuse, New York four women came together and started the first all-women sorority that would come to be known as Gamma Phi Beta. These women, Francis E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, Mary A. Bingham and Helen M. Dodge, became the pillars of our organization and the values we hold so dear to us today. They knew that if love, labor, learning and loyalty was at the core of every action there would be nothing but success.
Thirty-six years later, Gamma Phi Beta would charter a new chapter, Xi Chapter and the University of Idaho... US! Along with the four founders vision and value of love, labor, learning and loyalty. Xi would also adopt laughter as their fifth value. Since the day we were founded Gamma Phi Beta has been a home to many and a long living sisterhood to all. We are located on the University of Idaho campus, nestled right in the heart of Moscow, Idaho.
709 Elm has become home away from home for so many of us! Thanks to our founders, we are able to live through our values each and everyday. Inspiring the highest type of womanhood is something we love to do, whether it be in Xi Chapter, or anywhere else our days as a collegiate member or alumni may take us.
Philanthropic Service
As Gamma Phi's, we live out our core values through our philanthropy: Building Strong Girls! We are women supporting other women, within our chapter and outside of it. We have the unique opportunity to serve our philanthropic purpose every single day.
Our Focus
We aim to provide experiences that build social, mental, and spiritual resilience in girls so that they grow into women who will better the world around them. We directly do this through our philanthropic partner, Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is a non-profit program that inspires and motivates young women to understand and accept themselves and others through an engaging and active curriculum. Every girl is born with power and purpose, and we want every girl to have the confidence to use her strength.
Our members are proudly involved in several service projects and volunteer organizations throughout the year. Gamma Phi’s serve over 2,500 hours a year.
Our Fundraisers
Not only do we build strong girls directly through Girls on the Run, but we also host a variety of fundraiser events. Moonball is our signature kickball tournament. Members of Greek Life and the larger University of Idaho student body form teams to compete in a bracket style tournament. Our members coach and cheer on these teams throughout the fun-filled day. We also look forward to our annual Gamma Phi-Lanthropy Night where we educate the campus and community about Girls on the Run and offer up grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Girls on the Run
Xi Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta runs a program at an elementary school in Moscow. This means that our members have the unique opportunity to provide hands-on service for our philanthropy by serving as Girls on the Run coaches. At the end of the program, all Gamma Phi Betas join together with the Moscow community to host a 5k run for the girls. We get to celebrate their accomplishments and see our philanthropy’s impact first-hand.
All of our philanthropy events raise thousands of dollars that we donate directly back to our local Girls on the Run program. This ensures that our program is the best that it can be.
To learn more about Girls on the Run: https://www.girlsontherun.org/
