Association History
You have to know where you’ve been to know where you are going. Kappa holds a special place in its heart for Fraternity history, but every association of our organization has unique beginnings of its own. Each plays a part in shaping us today and continuing the Kappa tradition beyond college.
The Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma was originally organized as the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Club of Broward County on November 21, 1945 with 14 members. The original charter was presented by Mrs. Thomas Mayes from the Miami Alumnae Club.
The club grew to 50 members and it was necessary to evolve from a club to an association. It was reorganized as Ft. Lauderdale Kappa Kappa Gamma Association on May 1, 1959. Mrs. Paul Blanchard, National Director of Alumnae, presented the charter.
Some of the early philanthropies included assisting SunDial School, a school for the handicapped, and collecting books for the new Ft. Lauderdale library. We were the first group to adopt the library as our project. In January 1960, 5,000 envelopes were addressed for the Easter Seals Clinic by members of the Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Association.
At every Ft. Lauderdale Kappa meeting, a lighted Kappa Key decoration was placed outside the home. Skits were popular at most Founders Day Luncheons. Some included songs with words changed to fit Kappa’s history. Annual covered dish dinner meetings were planned to welcome new Kappa Alumnae to the area. Potluck dinners are a popular tradition to this day in the Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Association.
In March 1969, the “Kome Kaper with Kappa” annual fundraising event was held at Pompano Harness Track and was sponsored by the Fort Lauderdale and South Palm Beach Alumnae Associations. Monies raised were donated to the sorority’s Centennial (100th) Celebration held in 1970.
Our Heels & Deals Silent Auction was held for 5 years, raising over $10,000 for the KKG Foundation and GIRLS Academy Fund. In 2009, the Ft. Lauderdale Alumnae Association celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. All past Presidents were invited and a group of 80 attended.
Barbara Marko Scholarship Fund
In 1992, the Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Association began a 3-year pledge to raise $1,500 for an endowed scholarship fund named in honor of Barbara Marko, Miami. Barbara Marko served two terms as the Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Association President and was also an integral part of starting the Epsilon Zeta chapter at Florida State University. She also served as President of the Junior League of Fort Lauderdale as well as President of the Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Panhellenic from 1973-1974. She was a true Kappa lady in everyone's heart who died of cancer at an early age. The Barbara Marko Scholarship Fund has grown to over $22,000 and is currently managed by the Community Foundation of Broward. The Community Foundation of Broward was founded in 1984 by Libby Deinhart, Miami University. A $3,000 scholarship is awarded to a deserving Kappa at each Biennial Convention.
Ft. Lauderdale Alumnae Association Convention Awards:
Our association has won a number of awards, which you can read about here.
Adelphi Bronze Society:
As a member of the Adelphi Bronze Society, we have contributed over $25,000 to the KKG Foundation and have been recognized at our Biennial Conventions and the Kappa Leadership Conference for our commitment to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.