Historical Timeline
"Where the women go, the culture goes." Phylicia Rashad, (1948-) actress, singer, and stage director
Tri Kappa was formed by several ladies attending the Girls’ Classical School founded by May Wright Sewall in Indianapolis. This secondary school included the first two years of college level education. The young ladies decided it might be fun to form a “secret” organization, to have a few social times together, officers, dues, a password, and a few rules.
Of the original eight members, only Beryl Showers of Bloomington returned to school the following fall. Beryl decided to revive the organization and selected her best friend, Erma Ribeyre; her roommate, Mary Sanders; and four other friends, Bertha Matthews, Gertrude Zumpe, Lulu Baer, and Frances Roberts. These seven young ladies are considered the founders of Tri Kappa. They met in Beryl's room on February 22, 1901, and formally organized. Officers were elected and they wrote a constitution avowing their purpose to be charity and kindness. The original pin later became the Council pin. To ensure Tri Kappa would continue beyond their school days, each member was to start a chapter in her hometown.
NOTE: There has always been some discussion concerning the relationship between our organization and another well-known organization that has the same initials. Our Council would like to assure the public that we are in no way associated with any other group that coincidentally happens to share our initials. Our purpose has been and remains charity and kindness.
1901 Tri Kappa formally organized at the Girls Classical School in Indianapolis on February 22, 1901. Founders were Beryl Showers, Erma Ribeyre, Mary Sanders, Bertha Matthews,…
1901 As the original founders planned, Beryl Showers and Bertha Matthews started the first chapter, Alpha in Bloomington, when they returned home from Girls Classical School….
1901 The second Tri Kappa chapter was founded quickly after the first chapter. Erma Ribeyre and six others organized the Beta Chapter in New Harmony. It…
1913 Cora Fancher of Orleans received the first Tri Kappa scholarship for one summer term at Indiana State Normal (called Indiana State University today). The authorization…
1914 The scholarship assessment was raised to $10 and Charlotte Briggs from Columbia City received the second scholarship for a full year at Indiana University. Thus,…
1922 Tri Kappa becomes one of the first organizations to contribute to James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children (Riley Hospital at IU Health). Image shows James…
1926 The Hoosier Art Salon was founded and Tri Kappa presented a prize at the first meeting in Chicago. Picture shown is the Third Annual Tri Kappa…
1927 Tri Kappa’s first endorsement of a Mental Health program. “A ‘Log Cabin Home Demonstration’ facility which served as a Community Settlement house served women…
1931 Beryl Showers Holland Fellowship is named in honor of our founder, Beryl Showers Holland, who lived in Bloomington. The Fellowship was established in 1931 and…
1932 Tri Kappa started the purchase prize system for the Hoosier Salon. The first piece purchased was Edward K. William’s canvas “The Hoosier Cabin.” Thus, the…
1946 The Fine Arts Scholarships were established to recognize students in music and art. (Pictured is Grace Bauson, Fine Arts Scholarship recipient. Her major was Music Performance,…
1953 The Christmas gift program for state mental hospitals was begun. Excerpt taken from the Tri Kappa’s Leading Ladies 1901-2013 book discussing our 23rd Council President,…
1955 The Tri Kappa Art Collection was a traveling exhibit from 1932 to 1955, but because of the wear and tear on the canvases, Tri Kappa…
1961 The Tri Kappa Memorial Fund was started to grant money to colleges and universities in Indiana to establish emergency funds for students. In 2017-2019 funds…
1965 The Philanthropy Fund was established in 1965 and the Philanthropy Committee now oversees all Tri Kappa Riley Hospital projects. Shown: Pop Tab project for Ronald…
1973 The Wilson Award is established to recognize the Academic Scholarship recipient who maintains the highest scholastic record during the year that the scholarship award is…
1973 Due to the wear and tear on the art collection from moving around the state, the paintings were moved to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for…
1987 The scholarship endowment fund was established as a way for loyal Tri Kappas to give gifts and special funds to the organization. Our 46th Council…
2000 The Key Scholarship was established for the non-traditional student. The focus of this scholarship was the student working on his or her first undergraduate degree…
2008 The Tri Kappa Philanthropy Endowment Fund and Tri Kappa Fine Arts Endowment Fund were established to obtain additional funds for the State Philanthropy and Fine…
Formal Organization
Alpha chapter started
Beta Chapter Organized
First Statewide Scholarship
Second Statewide Scholarship Given
Riley Hospital Contribution
Hoosier Art Salon Founded
Mental Health Program
Beryl Showers Holland Fellowship
Hoosier Salon Prize System
Fine Arts Scholarships Established
Christmas gift program
Tri Kappa Art Collection
Tri Kappa Memorial Fund
Philanthropy Fund established
Wilson Award is established
Tri Kappa paintings moved
Scholarship Endowment Fund established
Key Scholarship established
Endowment Funds established
