How Deep Are Your Phi Mu Roots
Like a towering oak with roots that run deep and wide, Phi Mu’s history is full of members with extensive roots in our sisterhood, some that even go back to our earliest days.
Elizabeth Leiland Woodward, ΑΝ, was initiated in the spring of 2001. Her legacy dates back to Mary Ann DuPont Lines, Α, one of the founders of our Fraternity. Elizabeth grew up listening to her grandmother, Sarah Lines Munroe, ΑΕ, tell stories about her own Phi Mu experiences. Elizabeth also heard stories about her great, great grandmother, Mary Ann
DuPont Lines, who helped establish Our sisterhood back in 1852. It wasn’t until much later that Elizabeth finally realized the magnitude of her family history. When the day finally arrived
that Elizabeth joined the Alpha Nu Chapter at the University of Florida, the women were exuberant. Their excitement over Elizabeth’s lineage is what finally drew her in. “I felt like
I was where I belonged and really clicked with Phi Mu. I knew I was where I was meant to be.”
Elizabeth’s grandmother, Sarah, was even able to come to her initiation. “It was so amazing having her there. And everybody loved her. Having that bond with someone like her was very important.”
Other Phi Mu family members include Mary Ann DuPont Lines’ sister, Ermine DuPont Malone, Elizabeth’s great, great aunt who was also a Philomathean; and her daughter,
Ermine Malone Brabham, Elizabeth’s cousin.
Jacqui Randolph Patten, ΑΔ, had no idea she would be starting a family tradition when she pledged Phi Mu at Ole Miss in 1971. A few years later, her sister Mitzi Randolph Breland,
ΑΔ, followed in her footsteps by also pledging Phi Mu. The next member of their family to join the Alpha Delta Chapter was Beckyanne Still Mallette, Jacqui and Mitzi’s niece.
Beckyanne describes her decision, “Like my aunts before me, my heart belonged to Phi Mu. I cannot express the pride I have for our family legacy.” Then, in 1993, Jacqui’s daughter,
Erin Patten Lane, ΑΔ, carried on her mother’s legacy. Many other cousins and nieces followed the Alpha Delta tradition including: Lisa Wilemon Biglane, Heather Still Crain, Leslie Still, and Claudia Still. Most recently, Kelsey Still and Marianna Breland pledged Phi Mu in the fall of 2009. At present, there are 10 members of this family who have all pledged Phi Mu at Ole Miss. Claudia said the connection has made them all “not just relatives, but sisters.”
Heather Crain described it by saying, “As each member of my family has attended the university and pledged Phi Mu, the sense of tradition and sisterhood has grown stronger and
stronger. It is a very special feeling to be a part of something that has bonded so many women in my family.”
We want to hear from you!
How deep are your Phi Mu roots? Those roots may be through family members or close friendships you’ve developed through the years. What keeps you involved and deepening your commitment to Phi Mu?
Please take a moment
to share your story with us.
E-mail foundation@phimu.org
or write to Phi Mu Foundation;
400 Westpark Drive; Peachtree
City, Georgia; 30269.
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