Convention 2012 Logo
Convention 2012: Denver, Colorado
When the Sorority celebrated its 75th Convention, it was the largest ever with 875 women in attendance. Held in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, the theme — appropriately enough — was “Elevate.”
At the flag processional, collegiate chapters were introduced in Greek alphabet order with a chapter representative carrying a flag featuring their Greek letters and school colors. A total of 125 chapters were represented. Delegates from the chapter stood proudly as their flag entered the convention hall.
The International Headquarters opened its doors to more than 440 members for tours. Women from all over the country took the opportunity to see for themselves the Constitution, handwritten by Founder Helen M. Dodge; the silver vase given to Gamma Phi Beta’s first pledge, Clara Worden (Syracuse, 1875); antique badges; and other personal items.
Cathy Guthrie Lindauer (Iowa State) led the Confirmed Conventioneers parade with 22 carnations in her hat representing the 22 Conventions she’d attended over the years. The parade began at Convention 1974 and remains a favorite tradition. Sally Erikson Lewis (Northwestern), one of the self-proclaimed “old gals,” wrote in the fall 2012 edition of The Crescent and said of the parade, “This is when the collegians see what lifetime commitment really means.”
Education Vice President Becky Boyd-Obarski (Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) announced the Sorority’s newest philanthropic partner — Girls on the Run, an organization established in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and dedicated to providing pre-adolescent girls with physical activity-based development programs. With their missions and visions in perfect alignment, Elizabeth Kunz, president of Girls on the Run International, said, “We are excited to see and are grateful for the positive impact that Gamma Phi Beta will have on the lives of thousands of girls.” Speaking at the Convention, Girls on the Run founder Molly Barker gave a powerful speech, saying, “Wouldn’t it be awesome, just awesome, to give little girls an awareness of their own potential, worth and glory? Together, we can inspire little girls to celebrate their unique identities and recognize their inner strength.”
Alpha Chapter (Syracuse) members pose with their flag after the processional.
Past and present collegiate leadership consultants at the Confirmed Conventioneers celebration.
Conventioneers visit the museum at Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters during Convention 2012.
Additionally at Convention 2012, it was announced that Gamma Phi Beta’s new philanthropic focus would be Building Strong Girls.
The Building Strong Girls philanthropic umbrella was created to counteract the popular image of women — the one presented on so-called reality television shows, movies and the Internet. When the program was announced in the summer 2013 edition of The Crescent, it was accompanied with the slogan, “We are Women Building Strong Girls.” “Let’s teach girls how to be intelligent leaders who contribute to their communities and make a positive difference in the world,” the article read. As women Building Strong Girls, Gamma Phi Beta’s new philanthropic focus was about helping girls feel secure, make positive choices, think critically, express their feelings and grow up with a “can-do” attitude. Just when the problem of bullying, on the Internet now as well as in school, was appearing on the evening news with increased frequency, Building Strong Girls helped empower girls to combat peer pressure and stand up to the bullies no matter what form they took.