Association History
You have to know where you’ve been to know where you are going. Kappa holds a special place in its heart for Fraternity history, but every association of our organization has unique beginnings of its own. Each plays a part in shaping us today and continuing the Kappa tradition beyond college.
History of Richardson-Plano Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma
The Early Years 1961-1975
Look around at the women involved in many Kappa groups today and you probably do not think of them as a bridge playing group or a sewing group! However, the Richardson group go it's start because not everyone played bridge in 1961 yet most knew how or did some sewing! Jane Curry was elected as Chairman in 1962 followed by Pat Johns in 1963 which was also the year of the 1st Panhellenic group. Members of Alpha Delta Pi, Tri Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma formed the first Panhellenic group. This was the beginning of recruiting of Richardson High School girls for Kappa in colleges.
In 1964 Cynthia Archibald was installed as the 1st President and the group applied for a charter as an Association, which was received on March 19,1965! The first year book was printed at a cost of $4.50 with 30 members who paid 30 cents for a yearbook. In 1965 Martha Brewer was elected President and also Province Director of Alumnae!
The first philanthropy project was "March Hare Market Square" where each member made and decorated Easter baskets and Styrofoam eggs and sold plants. Pat Johns was in charge of making sandwiches and coffee to sell. The bazaar benefited the Special Education Department of the Richardson Schools with a gift of $250. In addition, $1500 was sent to the Fraternity for emergency scholarships, the association received Honorable Mention for the recipient Award at Convention that year as well. This association is proud of the fact that is has a long standing of receiving the McNaboe Award since its inception.
In 1966-67 Kay Van Hoy was elected President and Boo Curry pledged Kappa at SMU; Jane Curry was elected PDA at the Province meeting in Tulsa. During this year the Kappa group held it's first night bridge party. 51 members and many husbands came together to build two "Playhouses" under the direction of Bob Wylie. They were called the "Hi Lo House". $1500 worth of tickets were sold for the chance to purchase the houses, which were displayed at NorthPark, and the project netted $1100.
1967 was the beginning of the ever famous Flower Fair fundraiser which lasted for over 40 years! It initially netted $650. President Kay Van Hoy stated: "We are asking that you try to sell at least a $5.00 order many of you can sell much more. If we could build our sales this year, it could easily be our only "ways and means" project in the future." You had something going there Kay! Dues were raised to $5.00 and $1380.06 worth of magazines were sold!
1967-68 was under the leadership of Lisa Judd, the 1st Woman Worry Clinic began in connection with Dallas Mental Health. 153 women attended to hear information on topics such as stress, depression, and family crisis. The first of many Easter Eggs hunts for children also began. Sounds like these early Kappas laid the ground work for 50 years of continuous success! The standards were set, and those who followed have carried the torch ever since, an achievement for which we can be proud!
1968-1969 B. L. Wylie lead the group with a social called "Armed Forces Day Shrimp Peel" with cold beer straight from the tap! A "Blouse Coffee" was the fundraiser for the Centennial Fund! Membership is on the rise as they approached 64! They even got to paint the initiation room at SMU.
1969-1970 found Ann Ince as it's leader and a Founders Day Tea was held to honor Lou Barbeck, the National Fraternity President! Rumor has it that there was a mysterious visitor at one of the night meeting who called himself, "McNaboe"! The "Hootie Award" came into play as a way to honor a worthy member of both the day and night groups several times a year to a member who has gone above and beyond for this group. 1969 came to a close at the home of Bill and Jane Curry as they hosted a Christmas party where "Festivities began at 8:00 pm". The newsletter suggested an assorted gastronomical delights, yet stated bring your own inimitable selection of booze, and be prepared for an evening of incomparable fun and fellowship!
Joan Griffin, President during 1970-1971 and welcomed new member Marilyn Whiteside! Rumor has it and it has been confirmed that Marilyn has held every office within this association at least once! Marilyn also went on to serve as a Province Directory of Chapter and as a Regional Director of Chapter. Marilyn has definitely been a mentor for many over the years! Helen Lodwick won the Centennial Scholarship and received $3000 to attend SMU Graduate School.
1971-1972 Marilyn Putman stepped up to lead the group which continues to grow. Jennifer Ducate is born to Judy Ducate while she serves as the treasurer for the association and years later becomes Fraternity Treasurer! Judy Hensley has a daughter Loren Elizabeth!
1972-1973 Libby Weinman takes over the helm and with Marilyn Whiteside as Flower Fair Chairman, the group nets $1400.61. Patty Klunder Sage joins the Delta Psi Chapter at Texas Tech University who later serves this group as a highly organized, creative Kappa sister. A new award "The Jane Tourner Curry Award" is launched and goes to the chapter with the most inspirational spirit, and the Beta XI Chapter at Texas was the recipient.
1974-1975 rounds out the decade with Judy Ducate as it's leader. Dues were increased to $7.00. Flower Fair nets $1700; group participates in a "canned food drive: for a needy family and 200 needle point rings were made and sold at convention! Elizabeth Mills speaks at Founders Day and also spoke at the Theta Province Convention that was held in Dallas that year.
As We Grow 1975 - 1985
1975-1976 sees Diane Schofield as President, Pam Barbara begins her winning spree as "super saleswoman of 1975" with Flower Fair. Barbara Wilkins is the seminar chairman for "Women Worry Clinic"! The association newsletter heading is changed to "Kappa Key Notes".
Judy Hensley follows behind Diane as the 1976-1977 President and our membership is up to 106! Judy Broadwell steps up her involvement with the group and she too has held every office and worked fervently with the Zeta Sigma Chapter at the University of North Texas. Dues are raised again and this time to $10! Several new groups are formed, first "Dinners for 8", a couples gourmet group. But one group that withstands the changes is the newly formed Night Owls! Twenty five Kappas met at the Villa Placita Restaurant in April of 1977! Carolyn Wilson became the first Chairman, and Candace Baker Anderson, Delta Psi was elected as President. Caroline Cobb Morgan another Delta Psi Kappa was the Corresponding Secretary.
Pam Barbara made the news because she was in a bad car accident which kept her from chairing Flower Fair. It was also a special time as her mother received her 50 year pin!
1977-1978 Grace Hatch with Marilyn Whiteside acting as Treasurer saw many changes. Barbara Wilkins moved away (but fortunately she returned to Dallas in later years).
A group called the Dallas Area Council of Kappa was formed consisting of Richardson, Garland, Irving and Dallas. Our very own Judy Ducate served as Chairman. the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at Baylor was installed, 5 initiation robes were made for the Gamma Phi Chapter at SMU. "Fleur de Lis" becomes the new name for "Assistant Hospitality Chairman"! National Council President Jean Wells spoke at the area Founders Day and macrame blue owls were sold at the National Convention.
1978-1979 Marilyn Whiteside steps up and serves as President! She cements all the programs from Flower Fair, Couples Party, Gadabouts, chapter support, Fleur de Lis and others. Judy Broadwell's mother receives her 50 year pin and a new era of Couples Bridge begins. The groups takes on selling stationary and used books as a way to supplement the budget.
1979-1980 sees Susan Copeland as it's leader as well as the Richardson Alumnae Association is celebrating its 15th Anniversary. The Richardson Mother's Club is formed as well along with a Theater Group and the Gadabouts went to Lancaster to do a rubbing. Debbie Price, daughter of Marilyn Whiteside pledges at SMU! And Pam Barbara who got out of chairing Flower Fair the previous year due to that car accident is committed this time. She also played as a tour guide of Jefferson Texas her "old home place" for some Kappas which they reported was quite beautiful and quiet a treat.
The 80's kick off with Betty Dollins and Night Owl President is Marilyn Schuck! The group made flower pots for Founders Day favors. Betty will be remembered for her fun and friendship that she brought to the group. Marilyn Whiteside, daughter Debbie and Betty attended the National Convention together in Palm Beach. Cookies are still be baked for the Gamma Phi Chapter at SMU and dues increase to $15.00.
Now 1981-1982 brought Virginia Miller a true comedic Kappa to lead the group. A separate Founders Day is held along with a Bingo Party for residence at a nursing home proves to be a great philanthropy. Epsilon Rho is installed at Texas A & M and a tour is in order for the group. Kappa Korral is another name for the spring dinner party and the Kappa Kin programs begins. This happens to be one in which alumnae interact with their daughters; Easter Egg hunts are still around for the little ones!
Sally Ramsey was installed as President for the 1982-1983 year who also brought great laughter to the meetings. A "Color Me Beautiful" lecture was given by Linda Patton, who was serving as the National Philanthropy Chairman. Paperback book sales were still continuing and the "Christmas Boutique" was held. The Night OWls have a cookie exchange under the leadership of Kay Scholberg who served as their President. Marilyn Whiteside was elected as Province Director of Chapters and poinsettias are sold at the Christmas Party.
1983-1984 have Mary Rist, Day Group and Terry Watson serving as President of the Night Owl with combined membership approaching 110! The Night Owls begin their yearly fundraiser and it's called "Wine Tasting"! Pam Barbara continues winning Flower Fair Sales, the Christmas Boutique and poinsettia sales are still going strong.
1984-1985 brings closure to twenty years under the leadership of Mary Darelius and Jan Skinner is Night Owl President. Dues are raised to $18 and a "Kappa Circus" is the spring couples party. Theta Province is divided into East and West. The 20th Celebration is appropriately named "Trip Down Memory Lane!" under the guidance of Sallie Ramsey and Sandy Spears. Mary gave a recap of the events of the day 20 years ago. Special guests were Jane Curry from Phoenix and Maribeth Morehart from Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
A Great and Growing Decade Indeed!
Richardson Becomes Richardson - Plano!
As Sandy Spears and Night Owl President Jane Sussman begin their terms in 1985 - 1986, more members are added and a new project is underway - embroidering initiation stoles for each chapter in our province! What an undertaking! Kappa continues to be a top choice for young ladies seeking a sorority and many legacies go Kappa! But the biggest change is the name change! We become " The Richardson - Plano Alumnae Association" because of the many alumnae members from Plano plus the large number of girls going through rush from Plano. Other exciting news, Judy Broadwell announces magazine sales have tabulated over $1500! A new alumnae association is formed in McKinney with 15 members. Initiation robes are made for the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at Baylor.
It finally happens Pam Barbara is President in 1986-1987 with once again Jane Sussman serving as President of the Night Owls. One can only imagine the fun and excitement that Pam brings to the group. Ten initiation robes are made for Epsilon Rho! The "Hawaii Christmas Party" brings out the Kappa Kickers, better known as some of the husbands who dressed up at some of the Kappa parties and entertain the group! Pam was known to say that they only do this so they can meet and drink beer! Well, it's been a rumor that they became a much sought after entertainment group! What a year for Pam as she was able to pin her mother's 65 year pin on her - Mary Atwood. "Rosie, the Great Horned Owl" was adopted by Pam at the Dallas Zoo and was on the cover of The Key. The association was once again able to host a Fraternity President this time Marian Williams thanks to Marilyn Whiteside who spoke at the September luncheon. Marilyn Whiteside is elected as PDA for Theta West. Chatter is beginning with news of a chapter at North Texas State University which becomes the University of North Texas years later.
What better person to follow Pam than Judy Broadwell in 1987-1988 with Betty Hovas serving as the Night Owl President. Membership is truly growing with the combined groups up to 148 members; 30 are new members! The Night Owls now have 40 members, with their "Edible Events" cookbook arriving! The Kappa Key Notes is pared down to just 4 a year. A gift shop appeared in Marilyn Whiteside's kitchen as a fundraiser. The association continued to "Adopt a Family" in the area to provide needed items, and our Rose McGill Kappa receives a $50 worth of gifts. Kappas, Pi Phi's and Thetas have a joint meeting. PDA Marilyn Whitesides speaks on importance of Philanthropy. A "50's" party is a hit!
Mary Ann Hill serves in 1988 - 1989 along with Night Owl President Patty O'Neill. The group continues to win awards year after year at both National and Province Conventions! Pillow cases with yellow keys were being sent to new initiates! The biggest news in 1989 is the formation of the Zeta Sigma Chapter at North Texas State which numbered around 140 by the next fall! Marilyn Whiteside was re-elected as PDA for Theta West.
Diana Patterson and Melissa Tucker serve as presidents of the two groups in 1989 - 1990. "Kappa Kin" continues to bring alums and their daughters together. All alums are advised that they are "obligated to buy or sell flowers or make a donation." Hmm, how did that go over??! Probably good since Flower Fair was a success for at least another 15 years. Dallas host the National Convention and members of the Richardson Plano group served as greeters. Care packages known as "Goodie Baskets" were sent to North Texas in the fall and spring: 60 from the day group and 48 from the Night Owls. The Night Owls are still "wine tasting" for a fundraiser! The couple's party is "Cinco de Mayo"... Ole!
Jean Wolfe and Traci Hirshfeld - Debi Means serve our group from 1990 - 1991 as we move into the 90's. Sadly the Kappa Krafters and Gadabouts gets the "boot" but they had a great run. The convention boutique raised $993 from pillow cases, t shirts, tote bags and note pads. While membership was down a little we provided $50 for chapter assistance to each of the chapters in our Theta Province! With Traci Hirshfeld moving to Toledo Debi Means takes over for the Night Owls.
Sandy Sweeney and Karen Tabone are Presidents in 1991 - 1992 and dues must increase to $30. Pam Barbara, Melissa Tucker and Sandy Sweeney wrote a ceremony for 65 year Kappas which was presented to Headquarters. There is a 19% increase in membership which takes us to 162 paid members - the most ever! Congratulations! Sylvia Dodson is PDA. The Hootie Award is given to Mary Haworth Atwood for the "successful rearing of Pam Haworth Barbera!" Judy Broadwell becomes known for her colorful minutes as secretary and this is the year of the cucumber sandwiches for Founders Day.
1992 - 1993 bring Barbara Lasater as President and Kim Ludwig as Night Owl President. Awards given to our association continue and our membership is at 156. In an effort to increase membership the board called everyone on the galley! An area Kappa gave a cooking demonstration at a meeting. The association participated in the SEEK program from Headquarters. For a second year, the association shared Rose McGill with the North Texas Kappas. The Night Owls have a "Phantom Tea" and donated $400 to Operation Kindness.
Another humorous president emerges in 1993 -1994 Karen Orr and she is joined by Pam Harmon, Night Owl President. Judy Broadwell has twin boys and daughter Beth pledges at Epsilon Rho! It's a sad year with the passing of Sallie Ramsey and Nancy Adams. On a lighter note, Goodie Bags continue to be sent to UNT. The Night Owls retreat to Lake Whitney and have a "Tea Bag" fundraiser for the Family Gateway Center.
Terry Watson and Kathy Hiter join forces in 1994 - 1995. "Love is the Key" tiles sold out quickly at convention and Kappa gets it own credit card. We are still selling poinsettias at Christmas this year and the Night Owls continue their "Kappacino Progressive Dinner" and event still in progress. Diane Lemon is a new name but not a new face! Marilyn Peck answers our landscaping questions at the Flower Fair kick-off. Pam Barbara is responsible for 1/3 of all sales! Barbara Laster wins another golf tournament. Marilyn Whiteside once again becomes Treasurer!
Another great decade with many accomplishments has passed.
High Tech but Not Too High Tech 1995 - 2005
The world is changing and we are getting on board, but not to the expense of staying in close contact with our sisters.
Julie Turner and Night Owl President Cathi Wisler usher in the next decade with 151 members in 1995 - 1996. Richardson and Plano join together to form the Plano Richardson Panhellenic. And guess what? An English Tea is a program in 1996. We're still trying to learn how to do it! Barbara Koch opens her garage to Flower Fair and does so for many years to come. A shopping 38 girls pledge Kappa as Brenda Cerrato heads up References. In 1975 Pam Barbara Flower Fair sales were $172.15 and in 1996 it was $2,142! Unbelievable, Pam! Also, "Carrie" has been our Rose McGill Kappa for 3 years now. Members of our associations have made her life better through their donations. The Therta joined us for dessert for Founders Day. The Night Owls still gather with their kiddoes for "Kappa Kids".
Welcome the talent of Melissa Tucker and her lovely Night Owl President Heather Colomina in 1996 - 1997! It is now a requirement that the group vote on whether to participate in the McNaboe Award. Of course, we haven't missed a year! Lots of alums redecorate the chapter room at UNT. RDA Carolyn Simpson, helps celebrate our Founders Day, and silver fleur de lis rings are sold at Province Convention. Speaking of Province, our silver tray "Hootie Award" will be on permanent display at North Texas as the awards will be replaced with certificates. Described as "Rainiest Flower Fair Ever",Kappa still comes shining through! Right, Meg? Night Owl "Wine Tasting" continues. And, drum roll, Judy Ducate is elected PDA.
Here comes Mary Scott and Fran McQuirter in 1997 - 1998. Membership is now at 160! Terrific - 2nd highest. The Night Owls have a "White Elephant Auction" and a Chili Cook-Off and Patty Sage makes a "Christmas Bag" for collecting the money for Rose McGill Holiday Sharing. Jan Balsiger marries Larry Rollow. (Larry is Meg Henderson's cousin - Meg wouldn't have anyone but a Kappa for Larry!) Dues are still at $30! Liz Morse becomes our newsletter chairman, a post she held for eight years! Great job, Liz, and thanks for 8 wonderful years. Judy Broadwell heads up the Province Steering Committee and becomes it's chairman for February 1999. Fewer general meetings are held beginning this year with more joint meetings with the Night Owls. Zeta Sigma has a 3.2 GPA , #1 on campus!
Meg, that's short for Marguerite, Henderson and Lisa Raskin team up in 1998 - 1999. Kappa gets a new national website! We're getting "techie"! Judy Ducate is now RDA, moving through the ranks. We are 144 members strong and we support the Resolution for Alcohol - Free Housing. We host Province Convention in February of 1999 as Judy Broadwell and her committee takes us through a very successful week-end. Lots of work but very rewarding. Marilyn Whiteside and Nancy Sellers get their 50 year pins!
1999-2000 brings Candy Bixler and Donna Aubrey to office and Kappa has a new coffee table book for sale - History 2000 - Kappa Kappa Gamma Through the Years. Helen Lodwick, Willa Darr, Claire Hine and Sally Cathriner get their 50 year pins and our membership is 144 - holding strong. "Barbeque and Bets" is the social and the Night Owls host another great progressive dinner. They also begin participating in Phase II of Rose McGill, reaching our older Kappas. All of the good programming continues successfully through this year and everyone has a fun time.
2000 - 2001 is the year for Susanne Walsh and Amy Mitchell. We are still winning awards but our biggest news comes with the election of Judy Ducate as our Fraternity Treasurer, which Judy holds for 4 years! She donated countless hours of work and travel to this office and we give her our heartfelt thanks. Judy Broadwell served as her Assistant, and many thanks to you as well Judy B.! We also become PC (Politically Correct!) "Rush" is now "Recruitment", and "Pledges" are "New Members." Another great Kappa is elected PDC, our own Pam Barbera. Though this was lots of work, Pam was the perfect person to interact with actives. She has now served 4 years and will be greatly miss these contacts. The first "Lunch Outs" are held monthly at various restaurants; The Night Owls take a salad dinner to 69 actives at UNT in lieu of Goodie Bags this year. Vicki Abbott represents Kappa as President of the Plano - Richardson Panhellenic, making us proud.
Vicki Abbott and Molly Chandler serve in 2001- 2002. LouBarbeck, Executive Director of the Kappa Foundation and former Fraternity President spoke at the joint Founders Day with Dallas, and at our Founders Day, we view "Museum in a Box" with mementoes of our founding. The Night Owls have their "Trash to Treasures" auction in which each brings an item from home and it is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Janet Stauch is honored as our 50year Kappa. Some of our newsletters are being sent by email, called e-newsletters and the term "snail mail" gets its own meaning. We donated a brick to the garden at the Stewart House. cindy Brinker is an enlightening speaker at a general meeting. Zeta Sigma is 1st in scholarship in the fall of 2001 and the University of Texas Kappas celebrates 100 years of their founding. The "Marilyn Whiteside Dedication to Kappa Award" gets its initiation in honor of one of the MOST dedicated Kappas ever! The award will be given to a deserving member of our association each year in Marilyn's honor and she will be recognized at our spring lunch as well as Founders Day.
2002 - 2003 finds us with a Kappa Patty Sage, who pulled out all the stops in her year as President, only to have to pull then out again, and she did, as she accepted the presidency for a second term (- Patty Sage. And Stacie Cashman - Jones served as Night Owl President. Vicki Abbott is nominated for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Achievement Award; $100 is donated to each of the chapters in our province and our membership is at 149. Zeta Sigma is 1st in scholarship again in the spring 2002; 100 years of Panhellenic Sisterhood is celebrated. Our 65 year kappas are Eloise Hoffman and Blanche Six. 56 cards are sent to Phase II Kappas by the Night Owls. Fifty cell phones were collected for Zeta Sigma as a philanthropy project, and Flower Fair reaches sales of $15,400. "Kappa Kommunications" gets clever with Betty Verhalen as she keeps us connected. We are the leader in magazine sales for Theta Central under Beth Kitt. The winner of the "Marilyn Whiteside Award" goes to a deserving Pam Barbera!
2003 - 2004 He -e -e-r-e-s Patty! Again! And Kelly Tallo is the Night Owl President. We are moving further into the technology field with an electronic galley. Ann Truesdell, Fraternity President, speaks at joint Founders Day. Plans are being laid for a new chapter house for Zeta Sigma and lots of our members are involved with plans and fundraising, and Texas Tech Delta Psi turns 50! A new Panhellenic is formed in McKinney, as well as "Frisco, Allen Texas Area Alumnae Panhellenic" (FATAAP). A cookbook committee is formed with projected completion for the fall of 2003. The awards keep coming in!
This brings ups to 2004 - 2005 with Marcie Bray and Lori Massey to the helm. Kappa Kuisine is a beautiful cookbook under the chairmanship of Jan Rollow and is an effort by the whole membership. 1100 books were published and, after only 7 short months, there are less than 200 remaining. the monies were divided among 2 charities - Children's Oral Health Center of Dallas and Richardson Developmental Center. we adopt RIF, Reading is Fundamental, our new national philanthropy and begin monthly reading to children at Dobie Primary aw well as donating books. Membership grows to 155! The new chapter house at UNT is dedicated and our group donated $500 for the large KKG letters on the front of the house. We no longer have to vote to participate in the McNaboe Award, but we still do all the thins which qualify us for the award. The Night Owls again enjoy their progressive dinner and of course, their annual fundraiser - Wine Tasting! Patty Sage chairs our 40th anniversary celebration with a "High Tea" and 77 attend! You can call it a smashing success!