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'''1861 University of Washington established in Seattle, Washington'''
'''____ initiates (as of 2011)'''
'''The Early Years (from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870-1976)'''
The wife of the president of the pioneer university of the northwest, the University of Washington, gathered around her a small group of girls from the student body and began to instill in them the ideals of a national fraternity. She was Helen H. Wadsworth Graves, Boston, and, of course, the aims which she was trying to make these girls understand were Kappa aims and ideals.
'''Housing'''
It was in 1912 that the Kappas laid their first plans for a new home. The most conservative of seniors admitted that not another person could be crowded into the swarming hives on the third floor, and the chapter moved to a new but temporary house as soon as rushing was over.
However, when college opened in 1913, the Kappas had moved into their own home. In 1919, they signed the ownership papers for this lovely, white Colonial house. It was paid for by the time it was outgrown.
'''Highlights of the 1970s'''
The 1970s brought increased involvement in politics, community projects and extra-curricular activities. A dozen members participated in STAY/Neighborhood House Tutors, and one girl was in an educational project, the Renton Intern Program. One chapter member was a Republican Convention delegate, and seven studied abroad in university programs.
'''Housing'''
As membership of Beta Pi chapter increased, it was a challenge to find enough space to house the growing numbers of women pledging the chapter. One attempt to solve this issue was allowing the “townies” to sleep a certain number of nights each week in the house and the rest of the week live at home. This allowed membership to stay consistent and allowed the chapter to house more members while still staying within the house capacity as set by the fire code.
'''Highlights of the 1980s'''
Challenges faced by the women of Beta Pi in the early ‘80s were alcohol at fraternity exchanges and women sleeping overnight at fraternities. If a member committed either of these offenses, she was sent to the Standards Committee. In an attempt to change the drinking/party culture at the University and to be an example for the rest of the Greek System, the chapter held the first “dry” exchange in the Greek System to promote socializing without alcohol involvement. These “dry” exchanges have continued and are very popular among the current Greek System chapters.
Significant events going on in Washington and in the country that affected the chapter along with the University and surrounding community were the eruption of Mount St. Helens in May 1980, Ronald Reagan’s presidency and his surviving an assassination attempt in 1981 to name a few. All were important milestones of this decade for the chapter.
'''Highlights of the 1990s'''
The chapter goal in 1990 promoted respect and pride toward Beta Pi through positively supporting one another in the chapter and non-chapter events. This was achieved through increasing the philanthropy hours and focused on areas within the chapter that needed improvement. The chapter goal promoted improving Beta Pi through observance of rules, respect for others, their property, Ritual and ourselves.
'''Housing:'''
During the summer of 1991, actives, alumnae and parents spent two weekends painting the inside of the house. Improvements were also made to the bathrooms, pledge sleeping porch and the living room furniture.
'''Philanthropy:'''
Volunteering to work with children of various ages was another way the chapter enjoyed getting involved in the surrounding community and organizations. The Kappas helped the Ronald McDonald House by taking children who had cancer ice skating. The chapter supported the Wallingford Boys and Girls Club by participating in their “Teen Late Nights.” This meant spending time with teenagers and participating in activities such as basketball, watching movies and playing games.
During this decade the chapter’s first annual Extreme Games was held. This was a week-long competition among fraternity members. The men competed in activities such as ultimate Frisbee and rock climbing. T-shirts and raffle tickets were also sold. Income from these activities was given to Childhaven, the chapter’s main philanthropy.
'''Highlights of the 2000-2010'''
In October, 2005, Beta Pi celebrated its Centennial. More than 300 Kappas attended a special luncheon at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. Several classes held reunions, the annual Doris Bronson Morril, Mary Maxwell Gates and Fleur-de-Lis awards were presented to deserving alumnae and a video celebrating 100 Years of Beta Pi was shown. Fraternity Director of Alumnae Carol George Sanders, Cal State Northridge attended.