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'''3,060 097 initiates (as of 2011June 2012)'''
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'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
Katherine Lucinda Sharp, Charter member of Upsilon, initiated in 1882; as the first charter member of Upsilon to graduate, Kate received a diamond badge from the chapter. This badge would become the official badge of the President after Kate’s death. It was used until 2000 then retired to Fraternity Headquarters. Elected sixth Grand President 1894 – 1896; the force behind the charter granted in 1899 to Beta Lambda, Illinois. Known as a pioneer in library science; Founded and Directed the Library of the University of Illinois
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
Mary Agnes Graham Roberts (Gray) – Convention Chairman 1972 – 1982; Field Secretary 1945-1947 and Loyalty Award recipient 1976
'''Alumnae Achievement Award recipients:'''
Margaret Dickson Falley, American genealogist expert and author of Irish and Scotch-Irish Ancestral Research: A Guide to the Genealogical Records, Methods and Sources in Ireland; Elizabeth Baumann Cook, Expert in building hospital volunteer programs, 1939; Julia “Judy” Ade Levering, First female president of the U.S. Tennis Association; seniors’ tennis championship finalist
'''Additional Outstanding Upsilon Alumnae'''
Betty Robinson Schwartz, Olympic gold & silver medalist; Betty Robinson was the first woman to win a track event in an Olympic Games capturing the 100 meters at the 1928 Olympics; silver medalist as a member of the 4x100m relay in 1928 Olympics; gold medalist on the 4x100m relay at the 1936 Olympics; member of the Track & Field Hall of Fame; the first woman to receive a varsity "N" from Northwestern.
The Barta sisters, Lexi , Romi and Marni all of Upsilon founded their nonprofit organization, Kid Flicks in 2002. The Barta sisters have received numerous awards for their work. In 2011, the sisters received the Harlequin More Than Words Award, honoring ordinary women for their extraordinary commitment to women and the causes dearest to them.
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“In 1882 there was at Northwestern only one women’s fraternity, Alpha Phi. During the winter, several freshmen conceived the idea of starting a chapter of a rival fraternity, and the result was Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.” So wrote an early Upsilon historian. One of those freshmen, Anna Boyle Brown, learned of fraternities through her brother, a Butler graduate, and together they wrote Kappa’s Grand President Tade Hartsuff (Kuhns), M—Butler, a good friend of Clarence Boyle, about forming a chapter at Northwestern.
Minutes from the turn of the century are full of participation in campus activities, selection for academic and social honors, annual dances and parties, and even trips to Urbana, Illinois, for the Northwestern–Illinois football game.
During 1914-1918, World War I had an effect on chapter activities. The minutes record: a “clothing for Belgian children” drive, a “less expensive party so that money could be donated to worthy causes,” … War Bond drives, and a donation to the Prisoners of War Fund … “Nancy Knight (Slight) is head of the Red Cross Chapter of the University. Here many of us spend our leisure hours and find it quite worthwhile.” However, a semi-normal campus life is indicated, with rushing parties, football games and summer house parties. After the Armistice in the fall of 1918, the influenza epidemic ground activities to a standstill. There were severe restrictions on campuses across the country for many weeks.
'''Housing'''
Records of 1921 say that “future generations living in the house will find it hard to realize the thrill we all had when the battle to be allowed to build houses was at last won, and the enthusiasm with which we undertook money-raising activities.” The next years were full of this effort, led by Isabel Drew Fowler, and in September 1927, the present chapter house, 1871 Orrington Avenue, was occupied by 27 girls. Mrs. Fowler, lifetime contributor to Northwestern, to Kappa, and to her community, died in 1973 at the age of 100.
World War II found most girls enrolled in defense courses. Campus events were canceled, nearby military men were entertained, and funds were raised for War Bond purchases. Shortage of materials wiped out floats, decorations and campus theatricals. Nurses’ aid duty was performed at Evanston Hospital, USO volunteer staffs were manned and blood banks were supplied.
After the war, life returned to normal.
The late 1960s and early 1970s were characterized by comparatively abrupt and progressive change. The Greek system at Northwestern was under great pressure, its very existence in question. By 1970, only four sororities, Kappa included, were attaining pledge quota, and four other relinquished their charters. The over two-thirds of undergraduate women who had been sorority members diminished to less than one-third in the early 1970s. Local autonomy, the self-governing of each living unit, became the biggest issue at Northwestern, as the university withdrew all controls in university-owned housing. In addition, the university requested all Greek-letter organizations to become fully self-governing, independent of alumnae and/or national control. Furthermore, each organization was asked to state in writing that no discrimination practices concerning race, color or creed were employed in membership selection. With the aid of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Council, Upsilon Chapter was able to satisfy each university request.
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In February 1970 William Kunstler, defense lawyer for the Chicago Seven on trial for disruption during the 1968 Democratic Convention, was invited to speak on campus by the Northwestern Faculty Action Committee. After the lecture, a crowd went on a rampage in downtown Evanston, smashing windows and causing several thousands of dollars in damage.
Picture scrapbooking became the trend at the Upsilon chapter in 1984-1984. From 1985 through 1995 scrapbooks of both photographs and impressive artwork, writings and newspaper clippings reflected the individuality of the talented women in the chapter.
In 1990-1991, Upsilon chapter dealt with women and alcohol abuse which had become a growing concern on college campuses from coast-to-coast. The chapter actively participated in experiments concerning alcohol by teaming up with the Northwestern University Psych Department.
The United States became involved in Desert Storm on January 16, 1991. The women of the Upsilon chapter began efforts to raise money in support of the Gulf War. Many members however were opposed to the war and this raised concerns over the amount of involvement and participation the chapter should provide. By February 27, President Bush declares suspension of offensive combat and lays out conditions for permanent cease-fire.
In 2000, the Upsilon women hired Empire Photography to photograph their social parties and activities. Fraternal Composite Service was hired to photograph each girl for the house composite.
In academic year 2010-11, Northwestern enrolled 8,397 undergraduate and 7,870 graduate and professional students. Northwestern is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and remains the only private university in the conference. Northwestern's approximately 225,093 alumni include leaders in government, law, science, education, medicine, media and the performing arts. The Northwestern Greek Community was recognized nationally for having a higher All-Greek GPA than the All-Campus GPA.
As of December, 2011, the Barta sisters, Lexi (‘07), Romi (’10) and Marni (’13), all of Upsilon, along with a fourth sister, a student at the University of Pennsylvania donated more than 60,000 movies to more than 600 different hospitals throughout the United States and South Africa through their nonprofit organization, Kid Flicks. Their goal was to provide every children’s hospital in the country with a Kid Flicks movie library.
==Highlights of 2020s==
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'''Note to Chapter Registrar:''' Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of ''The Key'' to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance. Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!