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Gamma Gamma

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The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
|Image= [[File:Gamma_Gamma.JPG|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1918|04|29}}
|College= [httphttps://www.whitman.edu/content/ Whitman College]
|Location= Walla Walla, WA
|Homepage= [httphttps://chapterswhitman.kappakappagammakappa.org/gammagamma/ Gamma Gamma Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Gamma Media related to Gamma Gamma Chapter]}}
'''1,798 903 initiates (as of June 20142018)'''
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'''Some of Chapter’s Outstanding AlumnaeCharter members:'''  Jessie Virginia Baltezore, Roberta Bleakney, Amy Madeline Brown, Ethel Cornwell, Edith Helen Day, Hazel Maude Fisher, Naomi Barnes George, Madeline N.C. Gilchrist, Gertrude Goodspeed, Mildred Harriet Kershaw, Phebe Teresa Kimball, Ruth Jane Knott, Lottie Long, Nita J. Mary, Helen Howard Miller, Marie Eggleston Miller, Ruth Frances Osgood, Margaret Reynolds, Frances Paulene Rice, Alma Anna Smith, Mildred Jessie Smith, Miriam Claudia Smith, Sylvia Van Hollebeke, Marjorie Rebecca Wray.   
'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
Lulu Holmes, 1948, U.S. Army adviser on women’s education; dean of women at Columbia and Washington State;
Nita Neta Lohnes Frazier, 1960, Children’s fiction writer; educator; journalist;
Mary Shuham Dore, 2004, Co-founder of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Foundation
==The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)==
The beginnings of Gamma Gamma chapter go back to about 1910 when the groups group was a local sorority known as Beta Sigma. The group was urged by four local Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae to petition that fraternity for membership. At that time, between 1910 and 1918, Whitman was a small college and most of its students came from the inland Northwest, east of the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps Whitman students were considered by some people on the more heavily populated western part of the state as unsophisticated, or perhaps they were thought of as country cousins, totally unsuitable for membership in a national sorority. For whatever reason, the Theta charter was opposed by the nearest chapter on the western side of the state, and the petition for membership in Kappa Alpha Theta was denied. Beta Sigma then decided to petition Kappa Kappa Gamma, and with better results. The charter was granted in the spring of 1918.
Whitman College began as a monument to Marcus Whitman, who had served as a missionary to the Indians of the Columbia Valley for 12 years. In 1847, he was massacred by Cayuse Indians at his mission Waiilatpu, only five miles from Walla Walla. Cushing Eels, one of Whitman’s associates, secured a charter from the Oregon Territory for Whitman Seminary.
The overall nature of the chapter is supportive, loyal, academically driven and diverse.
==Highlights of 2020s:==
==Highlights of 2014== Scholarship: VP Academic Excellence was able to announce Gamma Gamma received the highest all-sorority grade point average for Spring 2014 (3.545) which was slightly higher than the all-sorority GPA (From chapter’s History Report3.4569) Group honors/awards: Whitman College Academic Excellence for a Sorority. Province awards: Philanthropy Signature Event Award: Chapters with Fewer than 130 Members Traditions: ScholarshipWe held our annual philanthropy event, Mr. Whitman, on October 31, 2014 this year. The theme was "Ghostbusters." Founders Day was celebrated on November 8th, 2014 at GAC, Four Kappa Saturdays were held at our local Walla Walla Library where Kappas crafted with local children from the immediate community. Pumpkin carving took place on October 23, group honors2014 and not only served as a sisterhood event but doubled as our annual Big/awardsLittle Reveal. Our annual holiday dinner took place at a senior Kappa's off-campus house where we had one of many candle passes. Every Sunday near the conclusion of chapter we have one to two "senior spotlights" where seniors tell stories about each other as a way for younger members of our chapter to get to know about older members. Every Sunday we also have study hours reserved for Kappas only at Penrose Library from 1-4 p.m. At the end of the semester our VPAE randomly selects two ladies whom frequently visited study hours to receive a gift card. Special Events: Our event chairman held the 2014 spring Sapphire Ball (our Kappa formal event) on April 26th, 2014 and again for the 2014 fall semester on October 18th, 2014. Our annual Senior Soiree was held at Angela's house on May 8th, 2014 as current actives, advisors and our local alumnae transitioned the graduating actives into alumni. Each Kore Family bought the senior(s) in their family gifts, wrote letters and purchased flowers. Philanthropic involvement: On October 3rd, Gamma Gamma joined the Delta Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at the local nursing home, Odd Fellows, to put on a carnival themed day of interaction and friendship. Kappa helped set up and clean up. The 2014 Mr. Whitman brought in $20,000 for the Children Home's Society, traditionsa local organization in Walla Walla. Chapter goals: Encouraging attendance at study hours, special sisterhood events, changes chapter etc.  Challenges: Our chapter experienced troubles relating to our formal fall recruitment shirts which featured dream-catchers. We also had an issue with lack of confidentiality which led to a campus-wide awareness of potential "cultural appropriation" of the design. Right before the pumpkin carving sisterhood event/big and little reveal one of the bigs decided she was inept to handle the responsibilities.  How challenges were overcome: Our Membership Chairs met with CC and our advisors as well as Director of Student Activities on campus or within and the Native American club to work out how to incorporate dream catchers and Washington state history into Kappa's recruitment. Chapter Council brought in the alleged girls who breached confidentiality into Standards. For big/little reveal, a sophomore agreed to take on another little in lieu of the original big. World/local events our chapterparticipated in: Volunteered on early Saturday mornings working booths for Walla Walla Children Home's Society Fun Runs in town. CHS was the Mr. Whitman charity this year. Whitman College has an annual Power and Privilege symposium where a couple Kappas presented in presentations such as: "Greek Power."  Whitman College recently hired a new President for fall 2015. Her name is Dr. Kathleen Murray and she recently served as Provost, Dean of the Faculty, overall nature Music Professor and former acting President of Macalester College. This past fall recruitment period of 2014 saw the highest number of women participating in recruitment (150 compared to 135) and highest percentage of women in a sorority on campus (45%.) Women's lacrosse also became a varsity sport on campus. Our current President George Bridges installed a program named "Think About It" an in-depth awareness look about sexual harassment on college campuses that Gamma Gamma chapterwill soon be participating in.  Gamma Gamma strives to be supportive, caring, involved on campus and in the community, quirky, united, fun, sparkly-sapphires, passionate but most importantly realizing individuals come from diverse backgrounds and using each member's individual strengths to better Kappa Kappa Gamma.  Gamma Gamma holds chapter meetings in our chapter room in Kappa section of Prentiss Hall, a first and second-year all women dormitory on campus. Our facility is rented from Whitman College. Gamma Gamma has been using Prentiss residence hall to house active sophomores. Typically about 25 sisters can live there. The chapter rents from the college. Kappa has been housed there as far back as our archives go.  ==Highlights of 2015==Our chapter goalshopes to place a continual focus on academic excellence. We had two celebrationsof scholarship in 2015, one in the spring and one in the fall. These were opportunities tosupport members who had made academic strides as well as invite professors to understandGamma Gamma’s support of academic pursuits. In 2015 we had two sapphire balls and, ourmost prominent event, challenges Mr. Whitman. Mr. Whitman is Gamma Gamma’s central philanthropicendeavor. Through on campus and community outreach we helped raise money for a localorganization that advocates for higher education. One thing our chapter is working onimproving is policies regarding sexual misconduct. While this issue is a prominent one facingpeople across the nation and world, Gamma Gamma chapter had several chapter-widediscussions on how they were overcomewe, as a chapter, can help prevent and protect people experiencing this sortof trauma. The biggest change on Whitman’s campus this year has been the introduction of our new, andfirst female, president, etcKathy Murray. Her presence is slowly and slightly changing the vibe ofWhitman College since she officially began in the summer of 2015. Looking specifically at ourchapter we continue to strive for academic excellence and community philanthropy. We hope tobe an inclusive and welcoming group that blends women of all ages and backgrounds into apowerful and positive communityChapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated
hours to, in your community?
In 2015 Gamma Gamma chapter worked with several organizations in regard to ourphilanthropy. In February we had our annual Dr. Seuss day. At this event we worked with theWalla Walla Public Library to stage a dramatic reading of a Dr. Seuss book, craft, andparticipate in read alouds. It was a great opportunity for our chapter members to work directlywith people in our community. Additionally, our chapter donated most of our time and moneyto our annual event, Mr. Whitman. In fall 2015, our Mr. Whitman funds were donated to AVID,an organization that hope to close the gap in college readiness. Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support? Our chapter chose to support these organizations because they tie us directly to our greatercommunity. In a place as isolated as Walla Walla, Gamma Gamma chapter hopes to helpsupport the success of community members in their quest for higher education.  ==Highlights 2016==  The year 2016 has been an exciting one for Gamma Gamma. Most of this has been centered around the success of our major philanthropic event, Mr. Whitman. This year, Mr. Whitman broke its fundraising record and raised over $50,000. This money will be used to fund mental health care professionals at a local clinic that serves underprivileged public school children. One aspect of this event this year that was unlike the past was the role of our community outreach. We worked hard to establish a relationship with the school that the clinic serves by doing things such as chaperoning their school dances and helping sponsor their school play. Additionally, the wake of the 2016 presidential election there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the rights of women and the protection of those rights. Gamma Gamma has worked to support these conversations and translate them into action. Further, one challenge that Gamma Gamma faed this semester was regarding our role on campus. There has been ongoing debate regarding the merits of the Greek system and the women of Gamma Gamma have been and are working toward proving the substantial worth of the Panhellenic system.  This most recent semester on campus has seen some abnormalities, rendering the overall campus climate as somewhat melancholy. However, these actions have jump started an activist sentiment that has wormed its way into the hearts of many Whitman College students. Our chapter grew substantially through the recruitment process. The women of Gamma Gamma have demonstrated great success in academics, community-building, employment, and more. Gamma Gamma presents a moving slice of the Whitman College student body, somehow managing to epitomize the values of Kappa Kappa Gamma as well as the character of the greater college.   Chapter Philanthropy:With our event, Mr. Whitman, our chapter has typically changed the receiving organization each year. As previously mentioned, this year Gamma Gamma chose to raise money for a local clinics that provides free health care for underprivileged students. The Health Center at Lincoln High School seeks to change the way we understand and treat behavioral issues in students. The funds from Mr. Whitman specifically went to fund the expansion of the mental health care side of the Health Center’s operations.       Our chapter selected this organization because of its relationship to the community. We wanted to form and improve relations with the community and saw this as an important and powerful first step. By building these relationships, Gamma Gamma is better able to help the community that we are vividly a part of.       Chapter Facility:Our chapter meets in the designated area of the all-female residence hall on campus, Prentiss Hall. Gamma Gamma has a particular section of the building that is for our use and regulated by college policy. All meetings take place here and it is also home to the sophomore pledge class.      Oral HistoryAre there any current members, alumnae or advisers from your chapter that you recommend for the Fraternity’s oral history project? We are looking for Kappas with stories to tell – funny chapter memories, great professional achievement stories, heartwarming stories of how Kappa has helped them, etc. The figure that most comes to mind is our chapter adviser, Jen Mallo. Jen’s stories about her Kappa days provide endless joy at our Chapter Council meetings. With her young family Jen could be a great extension of what life looks like after college while still actively participating in Kappa. ==Highlights of 2017== The largest change on the Whitman campus this year was the changing of our Mascot from the Missionaries to “the Blues”. This represents a shift in the institutions relationship with our history in the Walla Walla valley.  '''Chapter Philanthropy:'''This year in our Mx. Whitman fundraiser, we chose to support the Blue Mountain Action Councils (BMAC) Backpack Program. This program sends food insecure children home with food each weekend so that they know where they are getting their next meal. Through fundraising efforts from July-November Kappa's and contestants raised $48,256.36 for the Blue Mountain Action Council backpack program. In addition to fundraising, Kappa's donated hours to the Backpack Program helping make the food packs that the children receive. Food insecurity is a very large problem in the Walla Walla Valley and is especially detrimental to children. If a child is hungry at school, or undernourished going into the school week, it is proven that their education suffers. The Blue Mountain Action Council works to combat this undernourishment in an attempt to alleviate this weekend food-insecurity and make sure that every child can achieve success in their education.  In addition to this fundraiser, we held our annual Dr. Seuss Day at the Walla Walla public library, which sent every child home with a book. This year we had about 300 kids come to the event. We also held four other “Kappa Saturdays” at the local library where we volunteered with kids and helped clean and organize the library.  '''Chapter Facility:'''HousingWe meet weekly in our chapter room, located in Prentiss Hall on campus. It is the hall where all the greek women live during their sophomore years on-campus.  ==Highlights of 2018sThe largest change on the Whitman campus this year was two new buildings. A new resident hall, Staton Hall, and a new dining hall, Cleveland Commons. This represents a shift in the school's goal to develop a closer community throughout campus. This year in our Mx.Whitman fundraiser, we chose to support ''' The Star Project, a local non-profit organization that helps people with felony convictions reenter society who are living in Walla Walla County. This organization has a housing coordinator, an employment specialist, and a case manager who strive to successfully reintegrate into the community as productive and contributing members. Through fundraising efforts from July-November Kappas and contestants raised $35,000 for The Star Project. We chose this event as Walla Walla County has the Washington State Penitentiary and the Walla Walla County Jail, "The Star Project" has a consistent amount of clients coming in for assistance. As non-profit organization, they are always needing donations and grants, in order to continue paying their employees and supporting their clients. In addition to this fundraiser, we held our annual Dr. Seuss Day at the Walla Walla public library, which sent every child home with a book. This year we had about 300 kids come to the event. We also held four other "Kappa Saturdays" at the local library where we volunteered with kids and helped clean and organize the library.== We meet weekly in our chapter room, located in Prentiss Hall on campus. It is the hall where all Greek women live during their sophomore year on campus.
==Highlights of 2021==
'''Philanthropy:'''We were not really able to do any philanthropy due to covid and the changing of philanthropy chairs in the middle of the semester. We worked with Blue Mountain Action council during recruitment in September and wrote notes to our loved ones, and to put around campus in the spirit of supporting mental health awareness. In October we had a Sisterhood event with the new pledge class in which we decorated cookies and got to bond with new members. Our chapter got very involved with recruitment and we threw fun COB events that a lot of people come to.
Blue Mountain Action Council: It is a local non-profit organization that strives to support lower-class families in the surrounding areas. They provide support to families struggling with groceries, education, older/child care, etc. They are a great representation of Kappa's values and fully demonstrate their commitment to the community.
Our chapter consistently steps up when it comes time to support events revolving around our philanthropy. Our chapter is also very passionate about supporting the Walla Walla community and is excited to work with the Blue Mountain Action Council more in the future.
'''Convention Awards:'''
Our chapter has included DEI work through social media events as well as in person events. Through social media we have shared local and national issues and promoted on campus DEI events. We have also done a lot work on campus working with our administration and panhellenic to make Kappa and Greek life as whole are as diver, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist.
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'''Note This year due to Chapter Registrar:''' Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues the pandemic we held most of The Key to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlightsour events virtually. If your chapter archives are not completeWe did Virtual Initiation, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapterofficer training as well as sisterhood events on zoom. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board membersWe planned a virtual craft night, local Alumnae Association membersvirtual movie nights, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistanceas well as participated in virtual recruitment.
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