Mortar Board began as the first-ever national organization honoring
senior college women. Today, it has grown into a comprehensive
honor society that selects first-rate members who exemplify the
ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. Below are
a few landmark dates in the ever-growing history of Mortar Board.
1915 |
A member of Mortar Board,
a local honor society at The Ohio State University, met
a member of Pi Sigma Chi from Swarthmore College on the
campus of the University of Chicago. Each woman wore
a small pin in the shape of a mortarboard. Through
discussion, they realized each pin represented an honor
society for women with similar values and procedures. |
1918 |
Representatives from Cornell University,
The University of Michigan, The Ohio State University,
Swarthmore College and Syracuse University held the founding
meeting on February 15 on the campus of Syracuse University. Each university
chose to join the national organization but Syracuse. At
this time the pin, motto and Bylaws were adopted. The
organization remained nameless. |
1919 |
Although the organization had informally
been called “Mortar
Board” in numerous pieces of correspondence since the
founding meeting, the name was not made official until the
second national convention, held at The University of Michigan. It
was decided that national officers would come from ranks
of alumni. |
1923 |
Official delegates of each chapter in attendance at the
national convention determined that districts in Mortar Board
should be established to help facilitate the growing size
of the organization, now consisting of 18 chapters. |
1937 |
Mortar Board was invited to become
a member of the Association of College Honor Societies
(ACHS). Mortar Board
was the only organization composed entirely of women to be
recognized by ACHS at this time. |
1955 |
Delegates from Mortar Board’s chapters voted to establish
the Mortar Board Foundation Fund. The purpose was to
create a means by which contributions might be able to advance
the purposes of the organization. |
1970 |
By decision from the delegates at
the national conference, a National Office for Mortar Board
was established. The
National Office was to be located on the campus of The Ohio
State University in Columbus, Ohio. |
1973 |
Mortar Board instituted an award to
honor women who had made outstanding contributions to the
status of women, consistent with the society’s ideals, known as the National Citation. The
first citation was presented to Congresswoman Martha W. Griffiths
of Michigan. |
1975 |
The ramifications of Title IX, an
act which prohibited sex discrimination within organizations
on campuses that were recipients of federal funds, were
taken into consideration and membership was opened to male
students. The purpose
of the organization at this time was amended to include “to
promote and advance the status of women.” |
1976 |
The purpose was revisited, and affirmed
it “to emphasize
the advancement of the status of women” as well as “to
promote equal opportunities among all people.” |
1982 |
As a result of diminishing government support for higher
education, chapter representatives voted to direct six percent
of the national membership dues into the Mortar Board National
Foundation fellowship program. |
1985 |
Mortar Board delegates initiated a national project to
be selected biennially, with the first being organ donor
awareness. |
2002 |
Delegates voted to make a pro-literacy
project, “Reading
is Leading,” the permanent national project for Mortar
Board. |
2005 |
The first male national president of Mortar Board began
his term at the national conference. |
2007 |
The first male executive director of Mortar Board assumed
his position. |
