Women in Fraternities
In 1972, Patricia “Barney” Geller became the first woman in the United States to be elected president of a fraternity (Psi Upsilon). It is likely that the national chapter of Psi Upsilon did not know she was a woman due to her nickname, Barney. Affectionately known as “Mama Psi U” by the fraternity members, Geller strived to make fraternities more inclusive to women. She was a founder of the Bowdoin Women’s Association and a pioneer of women’s membership in fraternities at Bowdoin. Most fraternities adapted their membership qualifications to accept women within the first few years of coeducation. In 1983, Alpha Beta Phi became the first and only all-women fraternity in Bowdoin’s history. Geller is pictured here standing outside of Psi Upsilon (now Quinby) House.
Patricia “Barney” Geller in front of Psi Upsilon House, photograph, 1972