Phoenix (AZ) Alumnae Chapter

Charter Members

The Original Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Bertha H. Autenreith* Zoe Reid Beeaff* Elizabeth E. Bell Marilyn K. Boyd* Joy J. Butler Hilda C. Byer	Kathryn H. Capps Eunice W. Cole* Margaret S. Cook** Frances W. Fletcher Harriett E. Frissell Agnes M. Holst*	Juana G. Jacobsen Elizabeth G. Jerles* Henrietta M. Jones Roberta Smail Lee Mona F. Lofgreen Adalyn H. MacFarlane*	Julia Rogers Lillie King Shaw* Linda W. Sheldon Jan Stewart Evelyn E. Taylor

*Denotes Deceased Member **Denotes Active Member

Chapter History

On April 27, 1959, twenty initiated members of Sigma Alpha Iota gathered together to become installed as the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter, a part of Delta Province, by Sigma Alpha Iota's National President Jeannette Kirk, National Secretary Myrla Smith, and Past National Chaplain Dorothy Hamilton. Through growth in the state and in the region, Arizona later became part of Omicron Province. Today Omicron Province encompasses all of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and the westernmost part of Texas.

In 1965, the Valley Patroness Chapter was organized to better serve SAI members in the West Valley. It has since merged with the main chapter and functions as an integral part of the sisterhood.

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter regularly supports community outreach through its Silver Musicale, which is open to the public, and through various Ways and Means projects. Each year the chapter sends a generous donation to Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc., the national philanthropic arm of the fraternity, for the various programs, scholarships and grants it provides to its members. The chapter has also provided funds to college chapter Delta Eta at Northern Arizona University and in the past has provided scholarship assistance to deserving members of college chapters throughout Omicron Province. This year the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter has donated funds to Arizona State University to provide additional reference materials for their Music Education Library. In addition to monetary resources, our members give a ‘gift of time’ by volunteering at local public broadcasting stations such as KBAQ and KJZZ radio and KAET-TV during their quarterly pledge drives.

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter is a thriving, vital organization which prides itself in an over 50-year association with the national organization. It is our hope that its members will leave a lasting legacy.