Chapter History

Charter
Charter Day for the Denver Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota was highlighted by the presence of Gertrude Evans (Mrs. Frank Messersmith), National President. She presented the charter to the new group of thirty affiliates on March 22, 1940. Claire Connell Martin, the new president, received the charter for the Denver Alumnae Chapter. Installation Ceremonies were held at the home of Marjorie Gallaher. Following the ceremony, a tea was held honoring Miss Evans, affiliates, and patronesses.

First Chapter Officers
The first officers for the Denver Alumnae Chapter were:

President:	Claire Connell Martin
Vice President:	Jewel Keating Cowan
Secretary:	Rowena Scott Izett
Treasurer:	Kathryne Accola Pitts
Chaplain:	Louise Holt Beck
Editor:	Elizabeth Pierce Bloye

Province
The Denver Alumnae Chapter was originally assigned to Theta Province, in which it remained until 1947. During that year, the Denver Chapter was changed to Delta Province. In 1953, the Denver Chapter was changed to Delta Province. In 1959, three new provinces were formed, and the Denver Chapter was placed in Xi Province.

Sigma Alpha Iota continued to grow. In 1963, five new provinces were formed, and the Denver Chapter was placed in Omicron Province. In 1984, Denver Chapter, along with Alpha Phi, the college chapter for the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Eta Kappa, the college chapter for Metropolitan State College and the University of Colorado at Denver, were returned to Xi Province. At the 1990 convention, Xi Province was split into Xi A and Xi B Provinces. The Denver Alumnae Chapter and all the college chapters in Colorado were placed in Xi A Province.

At the 2003 Centennial Convention, the Denver and Boulder Alumnae Chapters and the Colorado college chapters were placed in Xi C Province.

50th Anniversary
On March 10, 1990, the chapter held its 50th Anniversary celebration at the home of Ardice Garrels, XI A Province President. Following an SAI sing-a-long, chapter members presented a musicale, closely duplicating one presented on March 17, 1940. Nine past presidents attended the 50th Anniversary celebration.

1997 National Convention
The Denver Alumnae Chapter hosted the 1997 Quadrennial National Convention in Denver at the Marriot Tech Center. Delorus Netzel and Ardice Garrels served as co-chairs of the convention. 640 SAI members attended the convention.

60th Anniversary
On March 21, 2000, the chapter held its 60th Anniversary celebration at the home of Donita Banks. The musicale for the evening was a 315th birthday salute to J.S. Bach. Piano duets, arranged from Bach’s instrumental works, were performed by Beey Fass and Rita Jo Tensly. Donita, as Madame Hartman, introduced the program and read anecdotes about Bach’s life between the selections. Jeannine Shafer provided a large SAI birthday cake, which was decorate with Bach’s face and the SAI crest, “printed” on edible rice paper. A sing-a-long, with a printed booklet, rounded out the musicale. Nine past presidents attended.