2002: The 70th Convention – A New Philanthropic Mission
More than 700 Gamma Phi Beta sisters convened in Washington, D.C., for the Sorority’s 70th Convention held June 26-29, 2002, at the splendid Crystal Gateway Marriot. Still feeling the emotional aftereffects of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, Gamma Phis chose the theme, “History in the Making,” and were moved by the presentation of a flag, flown over the capitol in honor of Gamma Phi Beta just that day, and hand-delivered by an Eagle Scout.
Members volunteer their time at a Camp Fire camp, 2003.
Among other business conducted at Convention, Gamma Phi Beta Convention delegates adopted a new philanthropic mission that reflected the changing role of women and girls in society at large: “To provide experiences and resources that build spiritual, mental and social resiliency in girls.”
A task force, led by former philanthropy chairman Judy Graham (Oklahoma), was organized in 2002 to examine Gamma Phi Beta’s philanthropy subsequent to a resolution voted on at Convention 2000 in Houston. As the new international philanthropy chairwoman, Julie Wright and the rest of the task force weighed the Sorority’s new philanthropic mission against the entire camping program.