Eurodelphian Literary Society records

The Eurodelphian Literary Society was started at Purdue in 1917 as a local women’s society dedicated to literary discussion and debate.  Shortly after, the members of the society learned of a second Eurodelphian Society at Kansas State University and contacted them about the prospect of creating a national version of the group.  The two local chapters were successful in doing so and became the first national literary society to be established for women in 1919.  The Purdue chapter of the national society was named the Beta chapter.  The Beta chapter constitution found in this collection indicates that there were at least six chapters of the national society.  The club maintained strict academic requirements for admission, including an “A” average in all English classes, and a “B” average for all other classes.  The Eurodelphians found strong support from Dean Carolyn Shoemaker, who instituted the annual award of the Eurodelphian medal to a senior member of outstanding achievement.  Shoemaker also helped inspire the merger between the Eurodelphians and the Philaletheans to form a more unified and stronger society in the face of declining memberships.  The new society retained the name of the Philaletheans and lasted until 1936, when it appears that honoraries took the place of literary societies due to decreased interest and membership (likely due to the expanded availability of women’s activities at Purdue).