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History

     Founded on January 27, 1870 at Indiana Asbury University, now known as DePauw University, in Greencastle, Indiana, Theta is the first Greek-letter women's fraternity. Theta's four founders, Bettie Locke Hamilton, Alice Allen Brant, Bettie Tipton Lindsey, and Hannah Fitch Shaw, were forward-thinking women who were among the first ever admitted to the college. Common interests in and dedication to excellent scholarship and loyal, supportive friendships united Theta's founders. Bettie Locke Hamilton was the motivating force behind the creation of Kappa Alpha Theta. When Bettie was asked to wear the badge of Phi Gamma Delta, a men's fraternity, as a symbol of friendship, Bettie declined because she was not allowed to participate in or have knowledge of the fraternity's rituals. The exclusion of Bettie from Phi Gamma Delta prompted her to organize her own fraternity. Bettie did however accept the gift of a silver cake basket from the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta engraved with their Greek letters. Bettie Locke Hamilton later used this basket to hold the Founders Day messages received from Thetas all over the country every year, and is now a treasured historic memento.

     The Alpha Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Washington was founded in 1908. Since then, Alpha Lambda has taken on a large leadership role in the University of Washington Greek Community. The women of Alpha Lambda pride themselves on high scholarship and positive involvement in both campus and community activities. They are a family of life-long friends and Thetas for a lifetime.

Bettie Locke Hamilton Alice Allen Brant Bettie Tipton Lindsey Hannah Fitch Shaw