A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
The Diamond Anniversary of the National Silhouettes
Celebrating 75 Years of Service and Support
By Kevin Scott, Grand Historian
W omen have played a pivotal role in the fur- therance of society and the perpetuation of men’s endeavors long before recorded history can recount their efforts. Their contributions were unacknowledged, overlooked, and discounted with a token appreciation for many years. In a male-dominated society, the capacity of women’s assis- tance was minimized and limited to domestic chores, nur- turing of children, and housekeeping tasks. Women began to take a formal role to assist male groups in this country as early as the American Revolution. They maintained a presence in military camps, performing domestic duties, and cared for wounded soldiers, while some served as spies. By the 1790s, the first female benevolent societies began to emerge and proliferate across the country. They enhanced the local government relief efforts to help the less fortunate. Similarly, during WWII, women played a crucial sup- port role within a newly developed Army auxiliary, the Women’s Army Corps. At every turn, men’s success has been accented by the care, concern, and unique touch that only women could provide. The men of Kappa Alpha Psi likewise found that their great organization’s events and programs would be accentuated by the presence, aid, and collaboration of its women we affectionately call our Silhouettes. The Kappa Silhouette’s historic legacy ex- tends 75 years. Their unofficial formation began decades before. Since Kappa’s primary years, it has sought women’s assistance and support. Ms. Mollie Spaulding gave shelter to Founders Armstrong and Blakemore in her rooming house during the 1910-1911 school year. Adult women served as chaperones to our female guests during the first three house parties (1911-1913). Over time, the women who were the Kappa man’s significant other, fiancée or wife came to be casually known as their Kappa Sweet- heart. It was common for these Sweethearts to attend fra- ternity events with the member. Eventually, the member’s Sweethearts began to lend a hand in the arrangement of the fraternity function. As the Sweethearts’ spontaneous group involvement became more routine, they were given a name, “auxiliary.” Several early chapters had Sweet- hearts, who casually worked as an informal auxiliary.
Chicago Alumni Women's Auxiliary April 1925 Journal
Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter’s 4th Polemarch, Carl G. Roberts (1922-1923) composed an article in the October 1926 edition of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal entitled, “Brother Carl G. Roberts, Founder of First Auxiliary, Sets Forth Ideas Regarding Status.” In the article, Roberts lauds the activities of the auxiliary that he established at Chicago (IL) Alumni in 1921. An excerpt of the article states, What is the truth of the origin, development and status of the auxiliary? In 1921 the local Alumni Chapter was in its infancy. It was practically without funds, having assumed an obligation for the purchase of a home. It needed curtains for the windows, coves for the beds, additional furniture and other things which were necessary to the comfort of the young men who resided there. Members of the Alumni Chapter felt a sense of respon- sibility for the welfare and future of the boy in school and the recent graduate. . . Among the many measures suggested and considered was one proposed by the writer as follows: That the wives and sweethearts of the members of the Alumni Chapter be called together and asked if they would voluntarily function as an auxiliary to our Alumni Chapter, to assist us in carrying out certain proposed social functions, to aid in making the curtains and furnishing the house. This auxiliary was in no sense to be considered official or having any recognized official authority as far as our constitution and by-laws were concerned. It was to be
42 | SUMMER 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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