National History
Phi Mu is a women's organization which provides personal and academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong friendships through a shared tradition. Phi Mu promotes vibrant living encouraging members to achieve their personal best.
Phi Mu was founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia by Mary Ann (Dupont) Lines, Mary Elizabeth (Myrick) Daniel and Martha Bibb (Hardaway) Redding. It began as the Philomathean Society, a literary society, and is the second oldest secret society for women around the nation. The Philomathean Society became Phi Mu Fraternity in 1904.
Over its 170+ year history, Phi Mu has become the first sorority to establish an endowed fund within the newly created National Panhellenic Conference Foundation. Phi Mu was also the first sorority to declare a National Philanthropy Day dedicated to hands-on philanthropic events, taking place on the third Monday in October.
Today, Phi Mu has 136 collegiate chapters and over 187,000 initiated members nationwide.
The Symbols of Phi MU
The Coat of Arms
The Quatrefoil
The Carnation
Phi Mu’s coat of arms was designed in 1904 by Annie Laurie Mallory Parker and Louise Monning Elliott.
The coat of arms consists of a red shield supported by two lions, our mascot. The shield includes the Phi Mu badge and under it is Phi Mu’s open motto, Les Soeurs Fideles, “the Faithful Sisters.” Above the shield is the crest, the lighted lamp of knowledge in gold.
The quatrefoil is Phi Mu's official symbol. The unique shape is made up of 4 hearts, representing the hearts of our 3 founders, and the heart of a current member, thus making up the spirit of Phi Mu.
Phi Mu’s official flower is the rose-colored, enchantress carnation. While the rose-colored carnation in the language of flowers refers to “women’s love and sisterhood,” Lillian Estes Davis, Alpha, Grand Historian in 1907-1908, wrote that “pink carnations are, and always have been, the emblematic flower.”
Our Creed
To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.
To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.
To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.
To be to others what we would they would be to us.
To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just, thus being true to the womanhood of love.
To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.
Being steadfast in every duty, small or large.
Believing that our given word is binding.
Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.
Being honorable, courteous, tender,
thus being true to the womanhood of honor.
To serve in the light of truth, avoiding egotism, narrowness and scorn.
To give freely of our sympathies.
To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.
To minister to the needy and unfortunate.
To practice day by day love, honor, truth.
Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu.