Gamma Phi Beta

Websites

UCB Chapter: www.calgammaphi.org

Year Founded

UCB Chapter: 1894

Additional Information

Chapter Summary/Information: Gamma Phi Beta is an International Sorority whose objective is to promote the highest form of womanhood through education, social life, and service to humanity. Everything we do is embodied in our four core values: Love, Labor, Learning, and Loyalty. Love is found within our sisterhood and our lifelong friendships. At Gamma Phi, we enjoy the time we spend together because we can be ourselves. We are a family within the large community at Cal, and we love coming home to a house full of laughter, fun, and support. Labor represents our service and commitment to our academics, our jobs, our sisterhood, and each other. Learning symbolizes the discoveries we make each day about our sisters and ourselves that improves and enriches our lives. Our commitment to education is demonstrated in the diversity of studies within our chapter – majors ranging from Architecture to Sociology. In 2008, we won the Greek Award for Best Sorority Scholarship. Loyalty is the trust we have built between members through shared experiences and interests that bonds us as sisters and true friends as well. At Eta Chapter, we pride ourselves on our active involvement in the Greek and the Berkeley community. Through our sisters, there are many opportunities to get involved with Gamma Phi Beta and other organizations on campus. We are dedicated to not only our philanthropy, but also other philanthropic events in the Greek Community. In 2009, we won both Derby Days and Greek Week, and received $1000 to donate to our philanthropy, Campfire USA. We love participating in Greek events that give us a chance to bond with each other and meet other members of this wonderful community. We welcome you to check out our website and thank you for stopping by!

Message from the President: Dear Friends, Gamma Phi, throughout the years, has become one of the closest things to my heart. After I joined as a freshman, I was immediately inspired by the friendships, sisterhood, and love that I found. We all encourage, challenge, and support each other to obtain our motto, the "highest form of womanhood." Whether it is cheering for each other on our IM sports teams, participating in Greek Community Events, working out at the gym, going out dancing and having fun, or motivating each other to study for midterms and finals, we have always been there for each other. I never expected to find so much in a sorority, but I have found love and much more. I have learned so much from my sisters, and could not imagine my life without them. Thank you for stopping by to check out Gamma Phi at Cal, and GO BEARS! - Adele Zhang, Eta Chapter President

Annual Events: Our annual philanthropy, Crescent Crown, is a talent show including both the Greek Community and UC Berkeley campus organizations. We also hold alumnae brunches, invites and date parties, Big and Little Sister Week, House Retreat (yacht trips, laser-tagging, Sky-High trampolines), Professor Dinners, Senior Week, and an abundance of sisterhood activities like going to the movies, watching Wicked in San Francisco, participating in Relay For Life, or simply going to get ice cream and hanging out.

Chapter Philanthropy: Eta of Gamma Phi Beta’s philanthropy is Campfire USA. We focus specifically on the Oakland location giving us the opportunity to work hands-on with youths. Campfire USA is a non-profit youth organization focused on building self-esteem, character development, leadership skills, and social responsibility.

Chapter History: In 1893, three women of the Berkeley class of 1895 decided to form a women's social organization and apply to become a member of a national women's fraternity. The new group called themselves "Tau Delta" and asked Mr. Leon Richardson, a Latin instructor and member of Psi Upsilon, which national sorority they should petition. Mr. Richardson answered that "Unqualifiedly, Gamma Phi Beta is the best national sorority in existence." The Tau Delta members decided that they would petition Gamma Phi Beta and wrote to be granted a chapter. In 1894, Eta chapter at UC Berkeley would become Gamma Phi Beta’s first chapter west of the Mississippi River. In the 1930s (or in 1930), William Wurster, a prominent Bay Area architect and namesake of the architecture building on campus, built our house on Channing Way. He designed it especially for us in the shape of a Gamma. He included a bay window, the first of its kind in the Bay area, and people from all over came to see it. Our home was the first built on what is now “Frat Row” and we’re ecstatic to be in the heart of such a dynamic atmosphere.

Contact Information: Allison Angel, Chapter President: cal.gammaphi.pres@gmail.com. Ana Lozano, Membership Vice President: cal.gammaphi.mvp@gmail.com

Address: 2732 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

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