4,264
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Phi
,→The Life of Phi Chapter
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==The Life of Phi ChapterEarly Years==
Lucia Peabody was Phi’s first President and Jessica Mitchell the last. Jessica wrote in the fall 1971 issue of The Key, “The decision to surrender the charter … serves to dramatize the problems many chapters all over the country are facing … the number of those going through rush declined at a steady rate while hostility toward the Greek system increased … the decision whether or not to continue had to be made … we had a responsibility to our heritage … and so we made the only decision we thought we could.” A 50-year member said, “When I got the announcement saying Phi had died, I felt as if I had lost my oldest friend.”
By 1967, the house was feeling the effects of student unrest. In the fall of 1970, the university’s Panhellenic was in chaos, and in 1972 the house was sold by the university.
The pamphlet, ''The House Across the Street'', which tells the touching, impressive success and failure story of 131 Commonwealth Avenue, ends, “Sororities had served the university well … and had helped generations of girls to become leaders and scholars … . Today the sorority women of Boston University are probably its most loyal alumnae … . Although it is doubtful that the values of sorority life will ever again be realized at this great, crowded, liberal university, the 131 Corporation cannot quite believe that there is not a possibility of revival, so it is leaving a door ajar … any time within the next 20 years … the house across the street was the scene of a noble experiment in Panhellenic endeavor … .” This was written by Anne H. Rich, Sigma Kappa Fraternity, Boston University.
Early Phi members held responsible Kappa positions. Those elected Grand President were Charlotte Barrell (Ware), 1884–1888; Emily Bright (Burnham), 1892–1894; Bertha Richmond (Chevalier), 1896–1898. Other noted members of Phi were the chapter’s 11th member, Anna Christy Fall, the first woman to plead a case before a Massachusetts jury and the first to argue a cause before the Massachusetts Supreme Court; her daughter, Emma Fall Schofield, one of the first two female judges appointed by the governor of Massachusetts; Priscilla Fairfield Bok, an astronomer; and Mary Warren Ayars, the daughter of William Fairfield Warren, the first president of Boston University. Mrs. Ayars has been recognized by Kappa for her ritual contributions and her idea of the mother-daughter (big and little sister) relationship.
Although there have been notable Phi members of the past and present, the lives of two members especially reflect some of the history and glory of this closed chapter.
==Charlotte Barrell Ware==
