About Our Club

The Richardson-Plano Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi members represent a diverse group of women from over thirty chapters, various professions, and every generation. We focus on socializing, philanthropy, and promoting the values of Pi Beta Phi in all aspects of our lives. We hold true to the ideals of intellect and integrity, leadership, betterment of society, honor and respect, and sincere friendship. We hope that you will consider joining us!

We host monthly programs from September through May along with various other activities and groups to capture the different interests and availability of our members. Some of these groups include Daytime and Evening Book Club, Bridge, Champions Are Readers ® (CAR), the Plano-Richardson Alumnae Panhellenic (PRAP), Pi Phi Pop Up! and Angel Engagement.

Richardson-Plano Alumnae Club Pi Beta Phi Fun Fact:

While our Club is chartered as Richardson-Plano Alumnae Club, our members hail from all over Greater Dallas, plus out of State too. All these Texas towns or cities are represented!

Addison
Frisco
Lucas
Allen
Garland
McKinney
Celina
Grand Prairie
Mesquite

Carrollton
Heath
Murphy
Dallas
Lake Highlands
Prosper
Fairview
Lewisville
Wylie
Flower Mound

We welcome all Pi Phis in the area and hope you'll join us at our next event. Follow us on social media for more information.

Please feel free to complete our 2023-2024 Membership Form here for the upcoming year and indicate your areas of interest. Ring Ching!

A 50 Year History

THE HISTORY OF THE RICHARDSON-PLANO, TEXAS, ALUMNAE CLUB

Back in 1962, a group of Pi Phis who lived in Richardson found each other. Loydell Seward, Judy Allen, Tat Osterhout and Mary Tatum began to carpool together to the then-active Junior Suburban group of the Dallas Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club. As they grew closer, they found they all shared feelings of the true values of Pi Phi and began to talk of forming a Richardson Alumnae club. Richardson was growing; new Pi Phis were moving to town and a local club would give them a chance to help with the rush of Richardson women.

At about this same time, an article appeared in the Richardson Daily News announcing the forming of a Panhellenic group and inviting all Greeks in the area to attend. Tat Osterhout and Nancy Moorhouse each decided to go and renewed a friendship that started when they were sisters at Iowa Gamma. They immediately began to discuss the possibility of forming a Richardson Pi Phi group.

Texas was then in Nu Province and the Alumnae Province President, Elinor Evans, was making a tour to meet with the clubs. The Dallas Club had a luncheon board meeting at Love Field with Mrs. Evans, and invited Tat to attend. At this meeting, Tat inquired as to the advisability of forming a club in Richardson. Mrs. Evans and the Dallas board members enthusiastically supported her. Mrs. Evans submitted the short application along with the requirements for chartering a new club.

In the spring of 1964, 21 Richardson Pi Phis met at Virginia Tomlinson’s home and signed a petition to charter a club. Tat Osterhout, who had put a lot of effort into getting the club formed, was selected to serve as the first president. Serving with her were Peggy Neary, Martha Knoll, Loydell Seward, Suzanne Estle and Lucy Kindred. Tat now lives in Sherman and Lucy lives in Dallas, but the rest of this first cabinet still lives in Richardson. Melinda Olson was chosen as Panhellenic Representative, an appropriate job for her since her mother was then serving as Pi Phi’s National Panhellenic Delegate.

Mary Tatum, Sharlene Gaither and Judy Allen set out to plan a year of programs to interest Pi Phi alums. The “Pi Phi Tie” was initiated, a short statement each month of some of the “secret” meanings of Pi Phi that would be both enjoyable to learn about and valuable in supporting the club's purpose as a true fraternal organization.
The members felt that a special honor should be given to Tat because of the dedication she had shown in getting the club started. They decided that an I.C. pin should be given to the club in Tat’s name. This pin is now worn by each of the presidents during her year, and has engraved on the back of it: K. Osterhout (Tat’s name is really Katherine) – 1964 (for the year the club was chartered).

The club has another special item in its possession. Mary Blair, the second president, was installed with a gavel given by Marilyn Cazort. This gavel had previously been presented to Marilyn by the Texas Alpha Chapter after she had served as their chapter president for two years.

PHILANTHROPIC SERVICE
In recent years, the club has conducted Fraternity Day of Service events supporting Read > Lead > Achieve®, including book drives, book giveaways and hosting a Fraternity Day of Service Signature Event in 2017.

The club has also given an outstanding sophomore award for over 40 years! The award is for a sophomore member of a Pi Beta Phi chapter in Texas who exhibits qualities of scholarship, fraternity service, campus and community activities, leadership and character. This award is named in honor of the club’s own former Grand Council member and Richardson, Texas, resident Carolyn Pavletich Lesh, Texas Delta. It is presented each April during the club’s Founders' Day celebration. The recipient receives an engraved silver traveling tray for her chapter to display and an engraved mint julep cup for her to keep in remembrance of this award.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

International - Club of Excellence (2018, 2017, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006)
International - Excellence in Communication (2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001, 1996)
International - Pi Level Achievement (2020, 2019)
International - Top 10 Alumnae Club (2003, 2002, 2001, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1990)
Excellence in Literacy Initiatives Award - Region 4 (2017-2018)

Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award

Kim Gatlin Thomas, Texas Delta (2021 Club Nominee)

Evelyn Peters Kyle Award

Kathy Dorian, Indiana Delta (2021 Club Nominee)
Nell Etheredge Frame, Pennsylvania Gamma (2020 Club Nominee)
Kim Gatlin Thomas, Texas Delta (2018)
Nancy Adams Griffith, Illinois Eta (2009)
Sharon Jones Walker, Indiana Zeta (2007)
Shirley Hamlett Cary, Texas Gamma (2005)
Kelly Swan Bahlburg, Oregon Beta (2004)
Laura Jamieson Williamson, Texas Beta (2003)
Trudy Blinn Stewart, Oklahoma Alpha (2001)
Susan Martin Perry, Texas Delta (1999)
Sarah Dunn Fisher, West Virginia Alpha (1997)
Nina Guerrero Rupp, Iowa Gamma (1996)
Sharlene Smith Gaither, Texas Gamma (1991)
Cindie Anderson Burkel, South Dakota Alpha (1989)
Dee Dee Williams Brown, Texas Gamma (1987)

Emma Harper Turner Leadership Award

Laura Curran, Texas Eta (2021 Club Nominee)
Kim Gatlin Thomas, Texas Delta (2020 Club Nominee)
Sharon Jett, Texas Delta (2019 Club Nominee)
Cindy Kralis Georgas, Indiana Delta (2017)
Johnnie Hughes Hatfield, Texas Zeta (1998)
Peggy Wright Laidlaw, California Gamma (1997)
Sharlene Smith Gaither, Texas Gamma (1994)

Mary Blair Award

Laura Carrell Curran, Texas Eta (2021)
Cindy Kralis Georgas, Indiana Delta (2020)
Liz Grabka Vigrass, South Carolina Beta (2019)
Susan Martin Perry, Texas Delta (2014)
Chris Race Weinlein, Washington Gamma (2011)
Sally Smith Williams, Ohio Alpha (2004)
Peggy Wright Laidlaw, California Gamma (1999)
Sarah Dunn Fisher, West Virginia Alpha (1996)
Barbara Mitchel Welch, Virginia Gamma (1995)
Sharlene Smith Gaither, Texas Gamma (1993)
Cindie Anderson Burkel, South Dakota Alpha (1989)
Dee Dee Williams Brown, Texas Alpha (1984)
Janie Purlee Shirley, Oklahoma Beta (1982)
Carolyn Pavletich Lesh, Texas Delta (1978)
Loydell Nash Seward, Oklahoma Beta (1974)
Mary Loy Tatum, Oklahoma Beta (1971)
Mary Loving Blair, Texas Beta (1969)

Service in Sisterhood Award (SIS)

Mary Loy Tatum, Oklahoma Beta (2016)

Young Alumna Achievement Award

Nell Etheredge Frame, Pennsylvania Gamma (2021)

Fraternity Education Award

Jessie Moeur French (2001)

NOTABLE ALUMNAE

Mary Loy Tatum, Oklahoma Beta, past Grand President
Emily Russell Tarr, Texas Beta, past Grand President
Carolyn Pavletich Lesh, Texas Delta, past Grand Council Member

Pins & Badges

Have you ever wondered what to do with your pin or badge? Upon the death of its owner, a badge or pin may be buried with its owner, bequeathed to a member of the Fraternity, collegiate chapter or alumnae club to be used as an honor badge or sent to Headquarters for such disposition as directed by Grand Council.

The Fraternity felt the need to better regulate the sale of badges and in 1914, Grand Council created the office of custodian of the pin. Her job was to issue all orders for badges brought by any except initiated members, take charge of all unclaimed badges and badges of deceased members, and receive from chapter presidents reports of all badges purchased by initiated members.

Replicas of other designs are used as honor badges. A large gold-winged arrow is used for a director's badge, a large white winged arrow is used to note service on Grand Council. The distinguishing badge for a member of the Silver Arrow Society, which recognizes 25-year membership in Pi Beta Phi, is a silver-tone and diamond shaped pin with a center, bevel-cut arrow. In 1952, a carnation pin to be worn by Golden Arrows made its debut. At the 1987 New Orleans Convention, legislation made way for a new Golden Arrow pin. It is a gold circle crossed by an arrow. The new design allowed for a larger pin back and ease of pinning.

During the Pi Beta Phi Convention of 1946, the Order of the Golden Arrow was established to honor those Pi Phis who have been members in good standing for 50 years. All through the years from their first wearing of the wine and blue to this day, they have remained true to Pi Beta Phi. It is this loyalty ~ this common bond ~ this fulfillment of the dreams of our founders - that has kept Pi Beta Phi growing and strong.

In 2000, the Order of the Diamond Arrow was established for those Pi Phis celebrating 75 years of membership.

Recognition of this Order includes a letter of congratulations and a framed certificate, signed by the Grand President.