Betty Lou Treiger papers and oral history interview, 1940s-2002

Scope and Content: Betty Lou describes Sigma Theta Pi, a sorority for Jewish high school girls during 1949-1953, when she belonged. Most members' mothers and aunts belonged to the exclusive sorority in the 1920's. The group's motto was to help people who were less fortunate, but the sorority was mainly a social group. The local chapter had over 20 members, all from Temple de Hirsch families. Betty Lou names several of her sorority sisters. Their advisor was Mary Anne Grinstein. The sorority was part of a national organization, and Betty Lou recalls a conclave that she attended in Minneapolis. The interview provides perspective on social activities available to Jewish youth in the 1940's to early 1950's and the contrast between those living in the Jewish environment of the Central Area and those living elsewhere. Most Theta Sigma Pi members who later attended the U. of Washington joined Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. A second Jewish sorority, Phi Delta, drew its membership largely from students at Garfield and Franklin high schools, the schools attended by most Jewish teenagers in Seattle. Although a few girls held dual membership, there was no contact between the two Jewish sororities. There were numerous non-Jewish high school social groups. Betty Lou was invited into one, the Emeralds, where she was the only Jewish member.