Gamma Phi Beta - University of Kansas

B etty Hailey Crooker '57 grew up with a strong moral compass, a trait she gained from her family. Little did she know, this compass would lead her to a second family in Gamma Phi Beta. From the kindness shown by her sisters to manners learned from housemother Betty Park, Betty was able to strengthen her skills among a household of strong women. "I moved into the house and had wonderful roommates," Betty said, "It was just a friendly and caring group of girls and we had so much fun. Gamma Phi also strengthened our leadership skills. I've honestly never met anybody that wasn't proud to be a Gamma Phi Beta." Betty has many wonderful memories of living in the house. She recalls all the waiters wore white jackets and maintained proper manners. However, one dinner when the housemother was not there, the waiters came out and danced on top of the tables while Audrey, the cook, played the grand piano. All of the sisters loved it! She also recalled the excitement of Sigma being asked to participate when Gamma Phi started a chapter at Kansas State. Upon graduation from KU School of Nursing, Betty taught nursing at Research Hospital School of Nursing. For the last 22 years, she has supported the community through a church initiative called Front Porch Alliance, which focuses on bettering a neighborhood in her community. In honor of her father, who was a school principal, Betty uses this program to focus on educating the community. "The volunteers would get to know people in that area, and we began tutoring in the public elementary school," Betty said. "We created educational opportunities for everybody in that community, and we've just celebrated our 22nd year. It's better than ever, and it's all about the education of children and their families and enhancing where they live." Betty has served on numerous boards, including KAW Valley Children's Center, the KU School of Nursing Advancement Board, Visiting Nurse Association, United Way, and, of course, on the Sigma Chapter Affiliated House Corporation Board for nearly 40 years. Sigma celebrated several milestone reunions under Betty's leadership, including the chapter's 100th anniversary in 2015, when hundreds of Gamma Phis returned to Lawrence to celebrate. SIGMA NEWS GAMMA PHI BETA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS • FALL 2021 40 Years of Remarkable Service Former HCB President Betty Hailey Crooker '57 Gives Back As president, Betty was first in the line of duty. It was a difficult role at times, but she stepped into it with grace and became a true leader. With the support of other board members and the amazing women of Gamma Phi Beta, being president was made easier. Betty found giving back to Gamma Phi Beta was rewarding, as she always believed in the chapter. As president, Betty led the way for the new addition to the chapter house in 1983 and had a hand in all chapter house renovations and updates over the years. Betty recalls that removing the bookshelves between the living room and the music room, putting in columns, and moving the grand piano to the living room was a bit controversial to some board members. One of Betty's favorite roles was greeting the new members living in the house each August. She would put on her KU nurse's hat and give a sex talk. Betty enjoyed watching the sisters' expressions as she talked about having a strong moral compass and not allowing boys to take advantage of them. For her hard work and dedication, Betty has been honored with several awards over the last four decades: Gamma Phi Beta of Today in 1977, Kansas City Gamma Phi Beta Woman of the Year in 1988, and KU Outstanding Sorority Alumnae Service Award in 1999, among others. In 2004, she won both the Kansas City Panhellenic Woman of the Year award and the Carnation Award at the Gamma Phi Beta Convention in Chicago. As active as Betty is, the true reason behind her kindness and philanthropy is her love for people. She has been involved with groups that have longevity and are known for doing good for humanity because her moral compass helps guide her to the strongest organizations. "I really love people, and I think it's so important that yesterday, as well as today and hopefully tomorrow, we care about one another." Betty said. "It's also important that we listen to one another because we all have different life stories, and we grow from listening to those stories from our friends and sharing our own stories." To this day, Betty can't go anywhere without running into a Gamma Phi who recognizes her and wants to stop and chat about living in the chapter house. She has made such an impression on every sister who lived at 1339 W. Campus Road! "We love that chapter so much no matter what," Betty said. "We are all so proud to be Sigma of Gamma Phi Beta and look forward to the future of our sorority on the KU campus!" You can connect with Betty at bcrooker@ecckc.com. "Betty, you are the perfect example of 'True and Constant.' You are always striving to promote a higher type of womanhood at Sigma Chapter for its individual members, as a chapter, in campus standing at KU, and within the circle of Gamma Phi Beta International. As a non- Sigma, I am proud to call you a dear friend and sister. Congratulations on your quality leadership over many decades; so many have benefited, and all say thank you! –Sue Dorsey Durrett, University of Missouri-Columbia '59

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