Association of education sororities
Encyclopedia
The Association of Education Sororities (AES) was the umbrella organization for teachers' sororities. AES operated in the United States from 1916 to 1947.
In 1916, Sigma Sigma Sigma
and Alpha Sigma Alpha
formed a "panhellenic in education". Invitations were granted to Pi Kappa Sigma
and Delta Sigma Epsilon
in 1917. At the third national convention, the four sororities changed the name from "Association of Panhellenic Sororities" to "Association of Education Sororities". Per the official meeting minutes, the name change was to "establish definitely professional standing in Hellas".
Three other sororities were admitted to AES membership: Theta Sigma Upsilon (1925), Alpha Sigma Tau
(1926), Pi Delta Theta (1931). Pi Delta Theta was eventually absorbed by Delta Sigma Epsilon (p. 476).
Biennial conferences were held regularly from 1917 through 1947.
The AES had local units on campus and in larger cities.
From 1915 through 1926, National Panhellenic Conference
(NPC) and AES sororities operated chapters in the same colleges and universities. In 1926, the NPC and AES made an agreement "defining fields of activities of each panhellenic". There was competition between NPC and AES sororities, and dual memberships were often held.
In November 1947, at a conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado
, the NPC considered and granted associate membership "with reservations" to the six AES sororities. The AES was holding its meeting when it was notified of the NPC decision. "When notification was received concerning the action of N.P.C. [sic], the Association completed the necessary business and took formal action to dissolve the Association of Education Sororities" (p. 478).
Dual memberships in NPC sororities were not allowed, so women who belong to two sororities had to choose between their NPC or former AES sorority. The NPC also required former AES sororities to close chapters at unaccredited colleges.
On June 1, 1948, the six former member organizations of AES were granted NPC associate membership and full membership in 1951.
and sorority behavior.
History
(The following information taken from The Golden Years with Pi Kappa Sigma, 1949.)In 1916, Sigma Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sigma Sigma , also known as Tri Sigma, is a national American women’s sorority with membership of more than 100,000 members. Sigma Sigma Sigma is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference and hosts chapters on more than 110 college campuses and 89 alumnae chapters in communities all...
and Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha is a US national sorority founded on November 15, 1901 at the Virginia State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia...
formed a "panhellenic in education". Invitations were granted to Pi Kappa Sigma
Pi Kappa Sigma
Pi Kappa Sigma was a national collegiate sorority operating in the United States from November 17, 1894 until it was absorbed by Sigma Kappa in 1959. "Pi Kap" was the first pedagogical sorority.- Beginnings :...
and Delta Sigma Epsilon
Delta Sigma Epsilon
Delta Sigma Epsilon was a national collegiate social sorority operating in the United States from 1914 to 1956. It was absorbed by Delta Zeta sorority.-History:...
in 1917. At the third national convention, the four sororities changed the name from "Association of Panhellenic Sororities" to "Association of Education Sororities". Per the official meeting minutes, the name change was to "establish definitely professional standing in Hellas".
Three other sororities were admitted to AES membership: Theta Sigma Upsilon (1925), Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Sigma Tau is a national Panhellenic sorority founded on November 4, 1899, at Michigan State Normal College...
(1926), Pi Delta Theta (1931). Pi Delta Theta was eventually absorbed by Delta Sigma Epsilon (p. 476).
Biennial conferences were held regularly from 1917 through 1947.
The AES had local units on campus and in larger cities.
Joining the National Panhellenic Conference
(Also from The Golden Years with Pi Kappa Sigma, 1949)From 1915 through 1926, National Panhellenic Conference
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
(NPC) and AES sororities operated chapters in the same colleges and universities. In 1926, the NPC and AES made an agreement "defining fields of activities of each panhellenic". There was competition between NPC and AES sororities, and dual memberships were often held.
In November 1947, at a conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, the NPC considered and granted associate membership "with reservations" to the six AES sororities. The AES was holding its meeting when it was notified of the NPC decision. "When notification was received concerning the action of N.P.C. [sic], the Association completed the necessary business and took formal action to dissolve the Association of Education Sororities" (p. 478).
Dual memberships in NPC sororities were not allowed, so women who belong to two sororities had to choose between their NPC or former AES sorority. The NPC also required former AES sororities to close chapters at unaccredited colleges.
On June 1, 1948, the six former member organizations of AES were granted NPC associate membership and full membership in 1951.
Publications
Social Precedents and Sorority Ethics (1935) was a small guide written by three members of AES sororities. Lula McPherson (Pi Delta Theta), Zoe Davis Gose (Sigma Sigma Sigma), and Wilma Wilson Sharp (Alpha Sigma Alpha) guided readers in proper social etiquetteEtiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
and sorority behavior.