The first practical idea for establishing a "band sorority" as a national entity to meet the expressed needs of the growing number of women in college
and university bands was presented by band member Wava Banes (Henry), along
with her classmates, Emily Surell and Rosell Williams, to director D.O.
Wiley of the Texas Tech University Band in the closing months of 1937.
This discussion led to a group of bandswomen at Texas Tech University founding
a local organization known as "Tau Beta Sigma," modeled in principle on
the example of Kappa Kappa Psi. Much like the Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma’s
purpose at Tech was to serve as an honorary service and leadership recognition
society, but it was designed especially to provide the important additional
social, educational, and other positive experiences needed by women in
the band.
The steps to finding Tau Beta Sigma
In June of 1943, the Tech women petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa
Kappa Psi to become an integral part of the national Fraternity as an active
chapter. Accepting the group under these circumstances, however, would
have entailed a complete revision of the Kappa Kappa Psi constitution.
Because of the war, doubt was expressed as to just when the next fraternity
convention would be held so that the issue could be brought to debate.
Rather than postponing action on the women’s request indefinitely, a suggestion
was made that Tau Beta Sigma form its own national organization, just as
the National Fraternity had done in 1919. Until a national convention of
Kappa Kappa Psi could be held and the matter clarified, Tau Beta Sigma
could be considered the "sister organization" of the Fraternity. The Grand
Council of Kappa Kappa Psi agreed that Tau Beta Sigma could share in all
fraternal publications.
The difficulties of chartering
While applying for a national charter, the Tech Chapter encountered
difficulties involving certain Texas state corporation laws. In 1945, A.
Frank Martin, National Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi, was invited
to meet with the women and work out a plan that would bring the Sorority
the national status the Tau Beta Sigma women were seeking. Mr. Martin then
suggested that the local band sorority currently in existence at Oklahoma
State University apply for the charter, since fewer difficulties would
be encountered in Oklahoma.
The official beginning of Tau Beta Sigma
So, in January of 1946, the women of the Texas Tech Tau Beta Sigma Band
Sorority, through their director, D.O. Wiley, graciously surrendered their
name, "TAU BETA SIGMA," their constitution, ritual and jewelry designs
to the local band club at Oklahoma State University, in order that the
national organization could be established. By doing so, the Tech women
understood that they were permitting the Oklahoma State group the title
of "Alpha, the Mother Chapter," and accepted the status of "Beta Chapter,"
the second chartered chapter. On March 26, 1946, a charter was granted
by the Department of State for the State of Oklahoma legally establishing
"Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority," later amended to "Tau
Beta Sigma." On May 4 of 1946, the members of the Alpha Chapter traveled
to Lubbock, Texas, to officially install the women of Texas Tech as the
Beta Chapter of the National Sorority.
