Polly pledged Phi Mu at the University of Texas at Austin, Phi Chapter, in 1934, and continued her service to Phi Mu for over 65 years. She served as an officer of Phi Mu’s National Council for 26 years, and as National President from 1950 - 1954. As National President, she presided at the Convention celebrating Phi Mu’s 100th anniversary of its founding and was Phi Mu’s National Panhellenic Conference Delegate for 16 years.

Regarded as an outstanding leader among both men’s and women’s Greek letter organizations, she was the first woman to be elected to serve as president of the Interfraternity Research and Advisory Committee (IRAC). As IRAC president in 1976, she presided at the banquet at the 200th anniversary of the founding of the first American fraternity in Williamsburg, Va.

Polly represented the essence of Phi Mu, and her absence will be felt for years to come.

“Polly was a fun person – very funny,” said Adele Redditt Williamson, Past National President 1962 – 1966. “Years ago, she was stuck on a train during a snow storm, en route to North Dakota for a chapter visit. For 36 hours, the passengers were stranded. Polly took over, like a Major General, and entertained everyone. They sang songs, told stories and passed the time pleasantly because of her!”

“Polly was a classy Phi Mu lady and will be missed. She represented Phi Mu so well at the highest levels of leadership with the Fraternity and NPC.” – Joan Wallem, Foundation President, 1996 - 1998.

“ This is truly the end of an era! What a lovely and gracious lady we have lost.” – Margaret Blackstock, National President, 1978 - 1982

“I loved Polly so much.” – Pam Wadsworth, National President, 1986 - 1990.

“Polly was my Phi Mu mentor and I thought a lot of her. She was the first national officer I met. What a Phi Mu lady, a model for us all!” – Claudia Nemir, Foundation President 1998 - 2004.

“I stayed several times in Polly’s home in Fort Worth. I remember attending services with her in the local Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. I remember how she drove that big Lincoln like a kamikaze pilot. And, most of all, I remember what a lady she was!” – Linda Litter, National President, 1982 - 1986.

“Polly was such a Phi Mu lady and was certainly the lady I always wanted to be when I grew up...if there was ever a person to whom I felt accountable within Phi Mu, it was Polly.” – Lynne Mohrmann King Bernthal, National President 1990 - 1994.

“ What a wonderful inspiration Polly was for every Phi Mu who knew her or knew of her loyalty to Phi Mu.” – Annadell Lamb, National Council Member 1964 - 1974, Foundation President 1986 - 1992

“I heard of Polly when I was very young. During World War II, my father’s Commanding Officer was Landon Freear while both were in the Army Air Corps. My mother attended Phi Mu alumnae meetings at that time in San Antonio with Polly. Polly always claimed that she remembered me as a baby. She was beautiful, gracious, smart and charming.” – Mary Jane Johnson, National President, 1998 - 2002.

Phi Mu Foundation is accepting gifts in memory of Loraine “Polly” Bird Freear Booth Cowherd and her service to Phi Mu. Donations may be made online at www.phimufoundation.org or by contacting Melinda Weaver at mweaver@phimu.org or 770-632-2127.