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The origin of Phi Mu can be traced back to Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. It was here at an all female college that three young women established a literary organization known as the Philomathean Society in the year 1852. This society would later evolve to be known as the founding colony of Phi Mu fraternity. Historical research has revealed that Mary Ann DuPont (Lines) originated this literary society in order to foster a bond between friends that would promote sisterhood, learning, and enlightenment. With her two classmates, Mary Elizabeth Myrick (Daniel) and Martha Bibb Hardaway (Redding), Mary Ann Dupont created the Philomathean Society.
On March 4, 1852, the members were ready to announce their new Society to the college and the world. This day has officially become known as Phi Mu Founder's Day. By the turn of the century, almost 50 uninterrupted years at Wesleyan College had given the Philomatheon Society a strong body of alumnae, a history rich in tradition and a confidence to expand into a national organizational. On August 1, 1904, the members of the Philomatheon Society were granted a charter to incorporate as a national organization, use the Greek letters Phi Mu and the right to establish additional chapters on other campuses. The group at Wesleyan College became known as the Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity. Immediately the Beta chapter was established at Hollins College in Hollins, Virginia, launching a period of expansion that resulted in eight chapters by the first National Convention in June of 1907. Essential to future growth, however, was recognition of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), an association of national Greek-letter college fraternities for women formed in 1902. Gaining the coveted membership in NPC meant that Phi Mu must give up her four early chapters established at seminaries. At the 1910 National Convention a member of one of those chapters that had to be sacrificed seconded the motion to take the neccessary steps to gain entrance to NPC. Admittance came in December of 1911. Since then Phi Mu has continuously maintained a leadership position amung the 26 member groups within the National Panhellenic Conference. Today, the Fraternity has grown to encompass a diverse membership of more than 130,000 women nationwide. Phi Mu maintains a presence on 130 college and university campuses in the United States. Its alumnae remain actively involved, many of whom maintain membership in alumnae chapters in cities across the world. What began as a humble women's literary society on the Wesleyan campus 150 years ago has evolved to be known as one of the most reputable and respected organizations for women. We have established a proud past and foresee a promising future.
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