By: Christina Nicole

Emmy nominated actress Jennifer Garner has been referred to as one of America’s sweethearts after starring in dozens of box office hits including Pearl Harbor, Juno, Catch Me If You Can, and 13 Going on 30. She’s also married to onetime Hollywood heartthrob and fellow A-list actor, Ben Affleck. What many don’t know is that before she became a well-known A-list actress herself, Garner was an honorary sorority sister of Pi Beta Phi.

Born in Houston, Texas, Garner attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where she pursued a major in chemistry. After realizing her passion for the stage was stronger than her love for science, Garner became a drama major. Upon college graduation, the young actress moved to New York where she pursued a career in film and television and worked as a restaurant hostess in a popular New York eatery. After an opportunity arose for a role on hit television series “Felicity” the star moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams and became the superstar actress she is today.  

Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ)
Pi Beta Phi, international fraternity for women, was founded on April 28, 1867, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. It was the first secret society founded for women based on the Greek letter organizations for men. Today, there are 135 active chapters and over 330 alumnae organizations across the U.S. and Canada.

According to the sorority’s official Web site, "The mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service."

The twelve founders of Pi Beta Phi were Clara Brownlee Hutchinson, Libbie Brook Gaddis, Emma Brownlee Kilgore, Margaret Campbell, Rosa Moore, Ada Bruen Grier, Nancy Black Wallace, Jennie Horne Turnbull, Jennie Nicol, Inez Smith Soule, Fannie Thomson,and Fannie Whitenack Libbey. The original name chosen for the society was I.C. Sorosis. It wasn’t until 1888 that the name was changed to Pi Beta Phi.

*Source: Wikipedia

For more information on this story, contact me at christina@greekflix.com.