History of Kappa Epsilon
In the early 1900's, few women entered pharmacy school and few where practicing pharmacy. In 1912, the Women's Section of the American Pharmaceutical Association was formed. The group fulfilled the opportunity for women pharmacists to meet together.
In 1917, this group received a message from women pharmacy students at Purdue University, expressing their interest in an organization to unite all women pharmacy students in the United States. The section responded, appointing Zada M. Cooper, a University of Iowa faculty member, chairman of a special committee to investigate the suggestion. The committee determined that a professional sorority was needed, rather than a separate professional pharmaceutical association. The American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties (now the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) also during its 1917 annual meeting created a committee on activities of students and alumni, with Dr. Rufus A. Lyman, chairman. His committee mad a survey of pharmacy schools and found several existing local clubs for women which had proved to be of value, both professionally and socially.
Creating an organization for students was delayed by World War I and by the severe influenza epidemic. In 1920, Zada M. Cooper was then chairman of the Committee on Activities of Students and Alumni. She attempted to bring all existing clubs together to form a national sorority, but this task was too difficult. However, agreement in purpose was found between the clubs from the University of Iowa, University of Nebraska, and University of Minnesota. The three clubs chose representatives to attend the May 1921 Conference in Iowa City.
On Friday, May 13, 1921, the representatives gathered in the Hall of Pharmacy and Chemistry at the University of Iowa. Zada M. Cooper served as temporary chairman. A preliminary draft of a constitution and bylaws had been prepared by Miss Cooper. In true parliamentary fashion, the entire document was adopted, along with a model set of constitution and bylaws for a local chapter.
The assembled group selected the name Kappa Epsilon, the name being used by the Minnesota club which was the oldest of the three. The honor of being Alpha Chapter was given to the Minnesota group which had originated as the Spatula Club, and in 1919 became Kappa Epsilon. The University of Nebraska club became Beta Chapter and Iowa's Crucible Club became Gamma Chapter. The group agreed that national officers should be alumnae members. In the early years, THE BOND served as communication between hospital pharmacists. Members gave eachother support, encouraged graduate education, and established the Nellie Wakeman Fellowship for graduate study. During the World War II era, more women entered pharmacy, and recruitment became a major project for Kappa Epsilon during the 1940's and 50's. The booklet "She Is a Pharmacist" was utilized by colleges of pharmacy and others for recruitment purposes. In 1971, a pamphlet, "Pharmacy -- Career for the Modern Girl" was also well received by the deans of pharmacy.
During the 1970's, there was a question raised as to the impact of women as pharmacists, due in part to rapidly increasing numbers. Kappa Epsilon supported the initial research in this area including surveys of practicing women pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy faculty members. Testimony was also presented to the APhA Task Force on Women In Pharmacy.
Today, more than 15,000 women have been initiated into Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Since 1921, Kappa Epsilon has contributed not only to personal development but to achievements on campuses and in the profession of pharmacy.
Special Kappa Epsilon events have been scheduled at each APhA Annual Meeting to allow alumnae and student members to meet and get to know each other. Today, Kappa Epsilon sponsors a booth and reception at both the APhA Annual Meeting and ASHP Midyear Meeting. These are just a few activities which have taken place in the life of Kappa Epsilon. Over the years, members have contributed professionally, philanthropically, and have provided that "special bond" between women pharmacists. Other organizations are important in the professional world, but they cannot provide that special emphasis relating to women in pharmacy like Kappa Epsilon.
In 1917, this group received a message from women pharmacy students at Purdue University, expressing their interest in an organization to unite all women pharmacy students in the United States. The section responded, appointing Zada M. Cooper, a University of Iowa faculty member, chairman of a special committee to investigate the suggestion. The committee determined that a professional sorority was needed, rather than a separate professional pharmaceutical association. The American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties (now the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) also during its 1917 annual meeting created a committee on activities of students and alumni, with Dr. Rufus A. Lyman, chairman. His committee mad a survey of pharmacy schools and found several existing local clubs for women which had proved to be of value, both professionally and socially.
Creating an organization for students was delayed by World War I and by the severe influenza epidemic. In 1920, Zada M. Cooper was then chairman of the Committee on Activities of Students and Alumni. She attempted to bring all existing clubs together to form a national sorority, but this task was too difficult. However, agreement in purpose was found between the clubs from the University of Iowa, University of Nebraska, and University of Minnesota. The three clubs chose representatives to attend the May 1921 Conference in Iowa City.
On Friday, May 13, 1921, the representatives gathered in the Hall of Pharmacy and Chemistry at the University of Iowa. Zada M. Cooper served as temporary chairman. A preliminary draft of a constitution and bylaws had been prepared by Miss Cooper. In true parliamentary fashion, the entire document was adopted, along with a model set of constitution and bylaws for a local chapter.
The assembled group selected the name Kappa Epsilon, the name being used by the Minnesota club which was the oldest of the three. The honor of being Alpha Chapter was given to the Minnesota group which had originated as the Spatula Club, and in 1919 became Kappa Epsilon. The University of Nebraska club became Beta Chapter and Iowa's Crucible Club became Gamma Chapter. The group agreed that national officers should be alumnae members. In the early years, THE BOND served as communication between hospital pharmacists. Members gave eachother support, encouraged graduate education, and established the Nellie Wakeman Fellowship for graduate study. During the World War II era, more women entered pharmacy, and recruitment became a major project for Kappa Epsilon during the 1940's and 50's. The booklet "She Is a Pharmacist" was utilized by colleges of pharmacy and others for recruitment purposes. In 1971, a pamphlet, "Pharmacy -- Career for the Modern Girl" was also well received by the deans of pharmacy.
During the 1970's, there was a question raised as to the impact of women as pharmacists, due in part to rapidly increasing numbers. Kappa Epsilon supported the initial research in this area including surveys of practicing women pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy faculty members. Testimony was also presented to the APhA Task Force on Women In Pharmacy.
Today, more than 15,000 women have been initiated into Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Since 1921, Kappa Epsilon has contributed not only to personal development but to achievements on campuses and in the profession of pharmacy.
Special Kappa Epsilon events have been scheduled at each APhA Annual Meeting to allow alumnae and student members to meet and get to know each other. Today, Kappa Epsilon sponsors a booth and reception at both the APhA Annual Meeting and ASHP Midyear Meeting. These are just a few activities which have taken place in the life of Kappa Epsilon. Over the years, members have contributed professionally, philanthropically, and have provided that "special bond" between women pharmacists. Other organizations are important in the professional world, but they cannot provide that special emphasis relating to women in pharmacy like Kappa Epsilon.