Alpha Beta Psi () is a collegiate

sorority Fraternities and sororities are social organizations at colleges and universities in North America. Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student, but continues thereafter for life. Some accept gradua ...

in Virginia, United States. The organization was founded in 1978 at

Richard Bland College Richard Bland College is a public junior college associated with the College of William & Mary and located in Prince George County, Virginia. Richard Bland College was established in 1960 by the Virginia General Assembly as a branch of the College ...

History

Alpha Beta Psi originated from the high school sorority Alpha Beta Sigma. It formed at the Richard Bland College of William & Mary on October 22, 1978. Its founders were Cindy Gittman, Trina Samuel, Christy Wright, and Donna Wright. The sorority's purpose is to bring together women from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to actively lead social service programs within the school and community. Alpha Beta Psi expanded with ''Beta chapter'' at

Longwood University Longwood University is a public university in Farmville, Virginia. Founded in 1839, it is the third-oldest public university in Virginia and one of the hundred oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Previously a college, Lo ...

in 1998. The sorority dissolved temporarily in 2002 due to low numbers. The ''Alpha chapter'' was reestablished on April 13, 2008 under the leadership of Meghan Czaikoski, Lauren Lauderdale, Audrey Tremblay, and Angela Wendland. The Longwood University

Greek system Fraternities and sororities are Club (organization), social organizations at colleges and universities in North America. Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an Undergraduate education, undergraduate student, but conti ...

was initially hesitant to welcome back Alpha Beta Psi. The sorority and organizations like it was required to face prejudicial "...barriers that had 'not been appropriate'" to discourage their affiliation with campus Greek life. ''Beta chapter'' regained its official recognition as an on-campus sorority almost exactly six years later on April 22, 2014. In 2015, it became an associate of the College Panhellenic Council. On July 22, 2021, the chapter received a chapter room on campus in Stubbs Hall.

Symbols

The sorority's colors are baby blue and navy blue. Its mascot is the

Betta fish ''Betta'' is a large genus of small, active, often colorful, freshwater ray-finned fishes, in the gourami family (Osphronemidae). The best known ''Betta'' species is ''B. splendens,'' commonly known as the Siamese fighting fish and often kept ...

. Its flower is the

forget-me-not ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

. Its symbol in the sword in the stone.

Philanthropy

The sorority's

philanthropy Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...

is dedicated to

domestic violence Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. ''Domestic violence'' is often used as a synonym for ''intimate partner ...

awareness, specifically through its partnership with local women's shelter Madeline's House. The sisters contribute their time to FACES, a local emergency food service center and The Woodlands, a nearby rehabilitation center. Alpha Beta Psi also participates in Relay for Life with

The American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. Established in 1913, the society is organized into six geographical regions of both medical and lay volunteers operating in more than ...

Chapters

References

{{Reflist Fraternities and sororities in the United States 1978 establishments in Virginia Student organizations established in 1978 Education in Prince Edward County, Virginia People from Farmville, Virginia 2008 establishments in Virginia 2002 disestablishments in Virginia Student organizations established in 2008