Founders

Helen M Dodge

Helen Mary Dodge was born in 1850 in Verona, New York. She completed college prep work at both Cazenovia Seminary and Wilbraham Academy before enrolling at Syracuse University. She graduated with a degree in the Classics and read her thesis on Commencement Day, Helen was known as the scholar because of her love for learning. She married J.V. Ferguson and had no children. She enjoyed reading, debating, and music. Throughout her life she traveled to England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Egypt and the Holy Lands. She died from her declining health in 1937. She was the first born founder and the last founder to pass away.

Frances E Haven

Frances Elizbeth Haven (nicknamed Frannie) was born in 1854 in Ann Arbor Michigan. She was a student at Northwestern University and studied music in Brooklyn before starting her studies at Syracuse. She followed her father, who became chancellor, and earned a degree in Fine Arts. Frances was known as the artist because of her creative nature. She worked as a teacher before marrying Charles Moss. They had two sons, Haven and Charles, as well as three daughters, Anita (who died as an infant), Mary, and Alida. Frances embodied the desirable qualities of the other three founders and enjoyed watercolors, her friendships, and her civic duties. She died in 1937 due to heart trouble and complications of pneumonia. Her duaghter, Myra, and two of her granddaughters also became members of Gamma Phi Beta.

E Adeline Curtis

Eunice Adeline Curtis (nicknamed Addie) was born in 1854 in Moravia, New York. She earned a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in music. She often traveled to Boston from Syracuse to take additional vocal and instrumental music lessons. Adeline was known as the "friend" amoung the founders due to her devotion to those close to her. Addie married Frank Curtis and had two sons, Edward and Kenneth (who died as an infant). She was very active in her church and participated in the choir. Ironically, she died in 1923 after falling on the ice while returning from a church service.

Mary A Bingham

Mary Alice Bingham (nicknamed Minnie) was born in 1856 in Watertown, New York. She studied art and also received her degree in Fine Arts, but emphasized in Liberal Arts. Mary was considered the aristocratic founder due to her dress, demeanor and ideals. After graduation she married Edward Willoughby and had two children, Ernestine and Francis. She enjoyed entertaining friends at informal events through singing, piano and dancing. She loved being outdoors and participating in hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, ice skating and sleigh rides with her pony, Cobb. She died in 1916 after a week of struggling with pneumonia.

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