The Soronian Society, also known as Iota Kappa Omicron (ΙΚΟ), is a local sorority at the University of Olivet in Olivet, Michigan.[1] It began as the first women's literary society in the United States in 1847.
| Soronian Society | |
|---|---|
| ΙΚΟ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 14, 1847 Olivet College |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Scope | Local |
| Motto | Strong in Love, Firm in Right |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Flower | Red Rose |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Headquarters | 123 W. Cottage Street Olivet, Michigan 49076 United States |
| Website | soroniansociety |
History
editThe Young Ladies' Literary Society was started by seven Olivet College students on October 14, 1847, as a literary society.[2][3] It was organized by Mrs. Oramel Hosford who was the wife of an Olivet professor.[4][3] The society held monthly meetings that were open to the public and featured music and the reading of papers written by its members.[3] It was the first women's literary society in the United States.[5]
In its second year, both male and female students participated in the society but it soon separated into two groups.[4][3] The Young Ladies' Literary Society declined and was reorganized as the Erodelphian Society in 1856.[2][3] After a few years, the society became domant.[3]
It was revived on January 26, 1868, under the suggestion of student Henrietta P. Dennis.[3] A committee was established to draft a constitution for the new literary society; the constitution was adopted on May 6, 1865.[3] Dennis served as the society's first president.[3] The organization was renamed the Soronian Society with the Greek letters of Iota Kappa Omicron.[2][4][3]
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Soronian Society became known for its annual public exercises that featured its members performing music, literary presentations, and harmonic gymnastics.[6][7][8][9] The society also held an annual prize declamatory contest in June.[10][11] Other society activities included reunions for its alumnae.[12] In 1897, members of the Soronian Society formed baseball clubs that played during the summer.[13]
The sorority called both Soronian Society and Iota Kappa Omicron today.[2] The fraternity Phi Alpha Pi is its brother society.[6]
Symbols
editProfessor John M. Barrows named the society; soror is Latin for sister.[5][3] Soronian Society's motto is "Strong in Love, Firm in Right".[5][14]
The society's colors are red and white.[5] Its flower is the red rose.[5] The society uses an Old English font "S" as its symbol.[6]
Chapter house
editIn June 1871, the Soronian Society moved into rooms on the fourth floor of Ladies Hall.[4][3] The college trustees gave the society $315 toward furnishing this space.[3] In 1882, Ladies Hall burned, and Soronian Society lost its library, furnishings, and records.[3] The society was rehoused in Shiphard Hall, with a dedication taking place in June 1883.[4][3] Phi Alpha Pi fraternity and the Aldephics donated funds, helping to raise $700 to furnish the society's new quarters.[3]
In June 1901, the college trustees agreed to give the society land to construct a house, provided it could secure $2,500 in pledges toward construction.[3] The new house was designed by Edwyn Bowd and built between 1905 and 1907.[2] Its construction cost around $20,000 ($678,222 in today's money).[15] It was named Sperry Hall for Williard G. Sperry, president of Olivet College (1893–1904) who contributed toward the house's construction.[5][4]
Sperry Hall includes an audience hall, cloakroom, dining room, kitchen, parlor, sleeping rooms, and bathrooms.[16] The exterior of the building has stained wood shingles and broad front porches across both it first and second stories.[16] It has a foundation in Cyclopean masonry constructed from fieldstone.[16] Sperry Hall is located at 123 W. Cottage Street in Olivet.[17] It became a Michigan State Historic Site on May 17, 1978.[5]
Philanthropy
editThe members of Soronian Society raise funds for the University of Olivet Women's Board Scholarship.[5] Other activities include co-hosting a Christmas party for underprivileged children with Phi Alpha Pi.[18]
Controversies
editIn September 1997, a fight involving twelve non-students broke out at a Soronian Society party.[19] Six people were treated at the hospital for injuries, alcohol poisoning, and intoxication; one individual was comatose for two hours.[19] A resident assistant who tried to break up the fight was also injured and treated at the hospital.[19] As a result, Olivet toughened its policies on alcohol on campus.[20][19]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (January 10, 2024) "Olivet College". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "History". Iota Kappa Omicron. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Williams, Wolcott B. (1901). A History of Olivet College: 1844-1900. Olivet College. pp. 105–108 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f "Soronian Society Organized in 1847". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. 1961-01-08. p. 34. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Soronian Society". The University of Olivet. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b c "Soronian Literary Society. A Successful Event at Olivet College Last Evening". Detroit Free Press. 1894-02-09. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olivet College. Annual Public Exhibition of the Soronians". Detroit Free Press. 1896-02-09. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olivet's Soronian Society". Detroit Free Press. 1899-02-02. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olivet". Detroit Free Press. 1901-02-10. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Giddy Whirl at Olivet". Detroit Free Press. 1906-06-10. p. 47. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olivet". Detroit Free Press. 1902-06-01. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "General Reunion. Olivet Students Entertained Their Friends". Detroit Free Press. 1896-06-18. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "These Girls Play Ball". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. 1897-05-25. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A. (1906). Olivet Hand Book 1906-07. Olivet, Michigan: The College Christian Associations. p. 21 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Fraternity Halls at Olivet College". Detroit Free Press. 1913-05-11. p. 69. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "The Literary Societies of Olivet". Olivet College Bulletin. 14 (8): 14. May 1915 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Home". Iota Kappa Omicron. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ "Olivet College Students Share the Season with Donations". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. 2013-01-06. pp. A8. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Wyatt, Liz (1997-10-07). "Olivet Wants to Change Booze Policy". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pena, Xochitl (1998-01-15). "Olivet May Get Tough on Drinkers". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.