Chapter History

Central Florida Alumnae Chapter has an illustrious history spanning more than 65 years, playing an important role in Tri Sigma’s history and claiming many well-known Sigmas among its members.

 

THE CHARTERING OF THE CHAPTER

 

From The Years Remembered of Sigma Sigma Sigma 1956

 

“Founded on December 31, 1945 with these charter members:

Josephine Ganson Burr, Kappa

Fay Maness Reynolds, Alpha Upsilon

Mabel Lee Walton, Gamma

Mary Beall Walton, Gamma

Ida Belle Appleby Dowdell, Rho

Emily Walton Holloway, Gamma

Mary Hastings Holloway Page, Alpha”

 

The Waltons

You may be surprised to see the three Walton sisters and Emily‘s daughter Mary Hastings Holloway Page as charter members, as we think of them as Virginians whose family has lived in Woodstock for generations.  You may also be surprised to learn that the National Headquarters, or Central Office as it was called at that time, was located in Clermont, in our own Central Florida.  The Years Remembered of Sigma Sigma Sigma, 1956 edition, tells the story:

 

Hastings was born in Snow Hill, Maryland, and as a child lived in Pennsylvania and then St. Louis, where her father, Chester Holloway, was in the bond brokerage business.  While living in St. Louis, Hastings “. . . had rheumatic fever, which left her health somewhat impaired.  The family bought an orange grove near Clermont, Florida, and moved there in the late twenties. . .”

Hastings’ health improved in the Florida sunshine and she finished high school in Woodstock while staying with her Grandfather Walton and Aunts Beall and Mabel Lee.

 

“. . .  Following her [Mabel Lee’s] father’s death in 1935 and her brother’s in 1937, Woodstock held mostly memories, for her mother and another brother had passed away some years earlier.  The family home was too large for Mabel and Beall to keep up alone, and when it was sold in 1937 as a hospital, they went to Florida.  There Emily Walton Holloway was already living with her family, and it was at the Holloways’ Shenandoah Groves that Shen-Va-Lee Cottage was built. . . ” When Mabel Lee moved to Florida, the Central Office was moved with her.

 

 “. . . When not in the field, attending conferences or visiting campuses, Mabel Lee lives quietly, dedicated to her routine of reaching Executive Office in Clermont (eight miles away) before 8:00 a.m., and she is rarely home until late afternoon. . . ”

 

“ . . . A trim white cottage with magnificent purple bougainvillea and the avocado tree nearby became headquarters for Tri Sigma.  The little town of Clermont was properly proud of its ‘national sorority office,’ especially after the volume of incoming and outgoing mail moved its post office up one class.

 

“The office had a fine downtown location across the street from the bank with the post office close by and lovely Lake Minneola at the end of the street.” 

 

Hastings again lived in Clermont during  World War II while her husband, Robertson Page, was in Germany on a special U.N.N.R.A. assignment, and thus it was in Florida that her first child, Robbie Page, was born on May 1, 1946.

 

When Mabel Lee retired from the national presidency in 1947, the national headquarters was transferred to Muskogee, Oklahoma.

 

Charter members Josephine Ganson Burr and Ida Belle Appleby Dowdell were active at Sigma’s National level as well as loyal members of Central Florida Alumnae Chapter.

 

The 1956 edition of The Years Remembered describes Josephine Ganson Burr, Kappa, in this way:   “Since the date of her initiation [December 6, 1913] ‘Jo’ has been an outstanding member.  With her warm, vivid personality and her sincere friendliness she has made valuable contacts for Tri Sigma wherever she has visited in her sorority capacity.  Jo and George have made their home in Florida for the past 30 years and she serves as business manager of the Winter Haven Herald of which she and her husband are co-owners.  Their children Larry and Jody, and two grandsons complete the ‘House of Burr.’ ”

 

Jo held these National Offices:  Alumnae Chairman 1921-1925; Alumnae Representative 1925-1936; Advisory Board 1949-1956; Managing Editor of The Triangle, 1952–1956; Editor 1955-1957; Historian 1959-1961; Chairman NPC Editors 1952 biennium.

 

Ida Belle Appleby Dowdell, who was initiated into Rho Chapter April 17, 1920, began national service almost immediately after graduation and continued until her deteriorating eyesight forced her retirement almost 60 years later.  National Offices held included  National Secretary 1925-1945; Ceremonials Chairman 1945-1948; Convention Director 1950-1968; Treasurer, Walton House Board 1968-1981.  While Ceremonials Chairman she personally sewed the ritual attire used by collegiate chapters.  During her years on the Walton House Board she frequently served as hostess for the guests at Walton House guests and was known for her delicious Southern cooking.  Having been a home economics teacher in Orlando for many years, she was well qualified for her hostess duties.

 

In the 1956 edition of The Years Remembered this was said of Ida Bell:  “ I B’s Years of active service on the National Council and later as a director were marked by her generosity of time, talent and energy.  Her loyalty continues in her abiding interest as a member of Central Florida Alumnae Chapter.”  She was an active member of the alumnae chapter until her death.

 

OTHER NATIONAL OFFICERS THROUGH THE YEARS

 

With these Sigmas as charter members it is not surprising that Central Florida Alumnae Chapter has continued to supply women for National Officer service.

 

Nelda Francis Crawford, Alpha and Omega (initiated April 29, 1924) was not a charter member of the Central Florida Alumnae Chapter but joined in 1946.  The Years Remembered published in 1956 says this about her:  “Nelda, who traveled extensively in the early years of her married life, has the distinction of serving as president and assisting in the organization of four outstanding alumnae chapters.  It follows that this makes her a “natural” for the important office she now holds.  She divides her sorority enthusiasm with that for her son “J. Hyde” a promising young artist in New York City.  This Virginian brought to Florida all the graces of a successful hostess demonstrated so ably in her charming home in Orlando which is filled with priceless Virginia antiques.”

 

Before becoming National President in 1965, Nelda held other National Offices:  Alumnae Secretary 1951-1959; Regional Alumnae Director 1959-1962; Extension Committee 1959-1965; National Memorial Headquarters Committee 1962-1965; National President 1965-1971.

 

Nelda remained an active member of  the chapter until her death at age 92, driving herself to the chapter meeting the month before her death January 15, 1994.

 

Murial Jenkins Minard  was also a Central Florida member from 1951 – 1958 and again from 1984 until ????.  She was initiated  into Alpha Tau Chapter February 14, 1942, and held these National positions:  Magazine Agency 1950-1953; Social Service 1953–1956; Regional Alumnae Director 1958-1960.

 

The 1956 edition of The Years Remembered  said:  “As Alpha Tau Alumna Advisor and as president of the Washington Alumnae Chapter, her understanding of national procedures naturally qualified Muriel for greater responsibility.  Attractive as well as capable, she represents the Sorority creditably on all occasions.”

 

During the years she lived in Orlando, Joan Foss, Beta Upsilon, was an active member of Central Florida and continued to help with the pecan fund raising efforts.  She served as City Panhellenic Chairman 1977-1978; Colony Chairman 1979-1980; National Collegiate Chairman 1980-1981.  Foundation----   (Paid dues

 

Peggy Gamble, Alpha Sigma, served as  National Collegiate Chairman 1983-1986; Walton House Board 1986-1984 and 2004--2010;  National Treasurer 1986-1989; Resolutions Committee Chairman 1995;  Pre-Convention Events Chairman of the Centennial Committee 1995-1998;

Nominating Committee Chairman  1992.  Financial Advisor for Eta Tau chapter 2004-2009.  She joined Central Florida Alumnae Chapter in 1979.

 

Julie Cousins England, Alpha Upsilon, served  Alumnae Advisory Board Chairman for Presbyterian College in SC – whenever the colony started (1990?) to 1992?, National Collegiate Chairman 1992-95,  National Marketing Director 1995-97

 

Michelle Brady Palmer, Alpha Pi,  was appointed Field Representative  1988-1989; Marketing Coordinator 1989-1992; Colony Coordinator 1992-1995; and Awards Committee member  2004-2006.

 

Molly Wahl, Rho, member of the chapter for several years, was  Public Relations Director 2004-2006