"The Mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich the lives of members and their communities."

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was founded as I. C. Sororis at Monmouth College in Monmouth Illinois on April 28, 1867. Formed in the model of the Greek-letter fraternities of men, Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret college society of women. From its earliest years, Pi Beta Phi gave pioneering women a network to support each other, when few women were admitted to colleges and universities. Pi Phi is also a founding member of the National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPC).

Pi Phi "firsts" includes first to have a national philanthropy, first to have an alumnae department, and first to form Alumnae Advisory Committees.
Pi Beta Phi's governing body is the Grand Council, composed of seven members who serve to "manage, supervise and develop" the Fraternity by upholding the values of Pi Beta Phi. The Fraternity's current Grand President is Emily Russell Tarr.

Founders:

Jennie Nicol, M.D., Libbie Brook Gaddis, Clara Brownlee Hutchinson, Ada Bruen Grier, Emma Brownlee Kilgore, Fannie Thomson, Margaret Campbell, Jennie Horne Turnbull, Rosa Moore, Nancy Black Wallace, Inez Smith Soule, Fannie Whitenack Libbey

Official Colors: Wine and Silver Blue

Crest:

Member Badge:

Upon initiation, a member is given a gold-filled arrow badge with twelve links in the chain of the badge, one for each Founder.

Official Flower: Wine carnation

As said at the 1890 Convention "…the rich, wine color which makes the flower attractive, is the warm fervent loyalty of its members which makes Pi Beta Phi beautiful in the eyes of everyone..."

Official Symbol: Arrow

Unofficial Symbol: Angel

The Founders did not choose an angel as the fraternity symbol; however, it is a common symbol of Pi Beta Phi.