SPECIAL HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project and Veterans Voices

In 1946, Elizabeth Fontaine, a member of the North Shore Chicago Chapter of Theta Sigma Phi, founded the Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project to encourage veterans to write about their war experiences. They competed for prizes such as pens, pencils and other writing supplies, magazine subscriptions and even an occasional typewriter.

HVWP was adopted as a national project by Theta Sigma Phi (TSP) at the 1951 national convention in Kansas City. Interest among the veterans began to lag, and it soon became evident that more of an incentive was needed to encourage them to write.

A publication so veterans could see their work in print was suggested by the Greater Kansas City Chapter members, and Veterans' Voices was born. The Greater Kansas City Chapter began the publication in 1952 as a mimeographed, hand-stapled and hand-addressed edition. It consisted of 18 pages --12 prose and six poetry.

Original staff members were Margaret Sally Keach, Gladys Helzberg, Charlotte McKenzie, Doris Quinn, Mary Jane Pierronet, Josephine May, Helen Huyck, Betty Butler, Kay Dyer, Dorothy Martin, Lucille Doores and Mary Marcene Tomson.

Originally the manuscripts were sent to the North Shore Chapter for judging and awarding of prizes. Then the winning manuscripts were sent to Kansas City for publication. A veteran who used a pencil in his mouth to type his stories suggested that the Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals have their own contests and winning entries be sent directly to Kansas City. This plan was approved by the VA and TSP.

In 1972, it was decided to move HVWP headquarters to Kansas City with Sally Keach as chairman. In 1974, Margaret Clark was named editor and has served in that capacity ever since.

Today Veterans' Voices is a 64-page magazine that is professionally published three times each year. The entire staff is composed of volunteers, many of them members or past members of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications.

The chapter also supports HVWP in other ways. A board member coordinates publicity and the chapter makes and annual financial contribution.

Gladys Feld Helzberg Scholarship

The Gladys Feld Helzberg Scholarship was established December 3, 1960, by Gladys Feld Helzberg, wife of Barnett Helzberg, the founder of Helzberg Jewelry Stores. Gladys was a very active member of the Greater Kansas City Chapter and one of the founders of Veterans' Voices. Gladys asked friends attending her birthday party that year to donate to a scholarship fund instead of buying a gift. The scholarship fund is administered by the University of Kansas Endowment Fund, and a scholarship is awarded to a talented journalism student at the beginning of each fall semester. It is renewable for the second semester if the student remains in good standing. The first recipient of the scholarship was Priscilla Burton Owings-Chansky.

Nell Snead Advancement Fund

The Nell Snead Advancement fund was established by a donation from Nell Snead, a long-time women's section editor for The Kansas City Star and a member of the Greater Kansas City Chapter. The fund is an ongoing source of monies to be used as seed money for projects approved by the board of directors. It is maintained by proceeds from the Greater Kansas City Chapter's public events traditionally held each April to celebrate the founding of Theta Sigma Phi in 1909.

The seed money is to be returned to the fund, and 50 percent of the remaining proceeds of the project are to be added to the fund. The rest goes to the chapter treasury. The fund is administered by a fund chairperson and the chapter's treasurer.

B.A.T.S. (Born Again Theta Sigs)

the name Theta Sigma Phi dimmed after the organization became the more professionally named Women in Communications, Inc., but memories and friendships are forever.

B.A.T.S. was originated by several members of the St. Louis Chapter in the 1960s. They invited women who were initiated into the organization as Theta Sigs to come to St. Louis, be guests in their homes and attend a weekend of social activities. It was an immediate success, and B.A.T.S. now meet for a session at national conventions.

B.A.T.S. have no slogan, no constitution, no officers, no agenda, no dues. Anyone who was initiated into Theta Sigma Phi is eligible for membership. The only other qualifications are to be able to laugh and to love one another.