Marking 50 years of Founders Days

At the recent Founders Day Program for Beta Sigma Phi held at Cox Corner in Dexter, local members observed the 81st anniversary of the women's organization, which was founded in 1931. The purpose of the organization was to bring women together to expose them to a social, cultural and educational climate that was not available in the days following the Great Depression.

Membership doubled during the 1950s, and the once very formal gatherings became somewhat more relaxed and informal.

It was 1962 when the first of what now are four Beta Sigma Phi sororities in Dexter was organized. Among the faces welcomed into that initial group of women was Polly Sheets of Dexter.

Sheets joined the first established Beta Sigma Chapter that year, and has been an active member ever since. She was honored at the recent Founders Day for having served her chapter, now called Missouri Gamma Delta, for the past 50 years.

"On May 1st of that year," Sheets recalled as she addressed the entire group of Beta Sigma Phi, "we held our installation of officers. Since there were only five of us, we each had a choice of office!"

Installing Sheets 50 years ago was Doris Jean Arnold, who joined the recent celebration as a special guest.

Sheets was asked to share her earliest memories of the women's organization that now boasts around 80 members locally.

"We met back then in the homes of members, much as you do today," Sheets said. "We held rummage sales to raise money and then sold things like greeting cards."

The group also sponsored two fashion shows each year, and the Valentine's Day Dance, an event that faded out over the years.

"What I remember most though about those early years," Sheets said, "was fashion. We always dressed up in our heels and dresses for Sorority meetings."

Sheets drew an uproarious response from the crowd of women when she recalled, "I remember when the first pantsuit came into fashion and one of the women had the audacity to wear one to a meeting!"

"Eventually," she added, "we were all in pantsuits, and I think we've all been in pants ever since!"

April's Beta Sigma Phi Founders Day marked the 50th time Polly Sheets attended a Founder's Day observance. Sheets was also well known in the Dexter area as the owner and operator of Polly's Drive-In, a popular food spot that was located on Walnut Street for many years.

Women who comprise the local four chapters of Beta Sigma Phi which include Missouri Gamma Delta, Xi Lambda Eta, Beta Sigma, and Xi Lambda Psi, work on special projects to annually contribute to such causes as Relay for Life, 18 Fore Life, Stoddard County ARC, the Stoddard County Gospel Mission, and MS. Each chapter also contributes to a college scholarship presented annually.

The recent Founders Day was held in memory of the late Karen Pippins, whose life was lost to cancer last year. She was a devoted member of Xi Lamda Psi.