About Us

Kappa Alpha Theta was established as the first Greek letter fraternity known among women on January 27, 1870 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Our founder, Bettie Locke Hamilton, was close friends with many of the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta, but knowing that the all-male fraternity would never be able to initiate her as a member, she established Kappa Alpha Theta to provide women with the opportunity to be part of a fraternity. Along with Alice Allen, Bettie Tipton, and Hannah Fitch, Locke founded Kappa Alpha Theta in 1870 to provide women support in what was at the time a very male-dominated university environment.

Our own chapter was established on February 14, 1947 as the Gamma Mu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. We currently reside in the former Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house, making it officially ours in 2003. During our time at the University of Maryland, the women of Kappa Alpha Theta have established themselves as leaders both on-campus and off, with multiple philanthropy events, participation in various student organizations, and a strong presence in the community.