History of Women in AFW

1. History of Women in AFW Fall 2001

2. Overview • Relevance to Pledge Program • Admission of Women • Advancement of Women • Involvement of Women Today • Fraternity Terminology History of Women

3. Relevance to Pledge Program To non-members, often one of the most confusing aspects of Alpha Phi Omega is our co-educational status. This is primarily due to the Fraternity’s Boy Scout heritage and continued use of masculine terminology. It is important that members are familiar with the history of the Fraternity’s membership policies so that they may fully understand the composition of the organization to which they belong and how it has changed throughout the years. History of Women

4. Admission of Women • During the late 60’s and early 70’s many chapters began incorporating women into their membership in a variety of creative ways • After a couple of failed attempts, the voting delegates of the 1976 National Convention voted to allow chapters to admit women as full Brothers • According to the ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ of the ‘76 Convention, chapters were given the choice on whether or not to go co-ed PM Pg. 10-11 History of Women

5. Admission of Women (Cont.) • Today there are just over a dozen chapters left that remain all male. If these chapters ever die they must become co-ed when restarted • Many of the campuses where all-male chapters are located also have chapters of the service sororities Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha PM Pg. 10-11 History of Women

6. Advancement of Women • By 1978 40% of the chapters registered women as official Brothers • The 1985 National Pledge Class Namesake was Phyllis M. Tenney, who had been an advisor for the Phi Epsilon Chapter since 1969 • At the 1986 National Convention, the delegates elected the first woman to the National Board of Directors: Kay Hairgrove as National Service Chair 1986-1990 PM Pg. 11 History of Women

7. Advancement of Women (cont.) • The National Distinguished Service Key (the Fraternity’s highest award) was awarded to Betsy Ulrich in 1988, Kay (Hairgrove) Krenek in 1998, and Dr. Lisa Covi in 2000 • At the 2000 National Convention, the voting delegates approved a new National Award in honor of Chapter Advisors. It will be known as the Phyllis M. Tenney National Chapter Advisor Award PM Pg. 11, 13 History of Women

8. Involvement of Women Today • Today not only are the vast majority of chapters co-ed, but several chapters are also predominately female • There are currently six women on the National Board of Directors • Dr. Lisa Covi - Leadership Development Program Director • Maggie Katz - Membership/Extension Program Director • Teri Sheets - Planning/Advancement Program Director • Jamie Conover - Region III Director • Erica Roberts - Region IX Director • Dr. Elizabeth Tom - Region X Director PM Pg. 16-20 History of Women

9. Involvement of Women Today (cont.) • There are also numerous women serving as Section Chairs and in various other alumni volunteer positions • To-date the Fraternity has never had a female National President or National Vice-President History of Women

10. Fraternity Terminology • Even though women are an essential part of Alpha Phi Omega, the Fraternity has chosen to continue using masculine terminology such as Brothers, Fraternity, Men, and Brotherhood. However, these terms are interpreted to include all Members of APO • During the National Convention legislative sessions every two years, the Fraternity debates whether or not to continue using this terminology • The voting delegates of the 2000 National Convention decided once again to continue using the traditional language of APO PM Pg. 44 History of Women

11. Fraternity Terminology (cont.) • Some chapters may refer to female Brothers as ‘Sisters’. However this is not consistent with the National Bylaws as decided by the actives at the National Convention in 1998 • APO Philippines has two separate organizations, one for men and one for women. Thus, they do have Brothers and Sisters PM Pg. 44 History of Women