Kappa Delta - Florida State University

K appa Deltas have long worn with pride our diamonds, emeralds, and pearls. Kappa Alpha KDs from Florida State University have another jewel in our hearts, our history and our lives: Rubie Plant Butterworth '43. Initiated into the Kappa Alpha Chapter of Kappa Delta in 1943 at what was then Florida State College for Women, Rubie was destined to become a Kappa Delta. Rubie's mother and her four sisters started our Kappa Alpha Chapter. Janet Byrd Plant (Rubie's mother), Clifton Byrd Van Brunt, Elizabeth Byrd Taylor, Kate Byrd MacGowan, and Rubie Byrd Hardwick. But why the Greek letters KA? After a fraternity? Why, yes. In 1904, Florida State College was coeducational when Kappa Alpha fraternity members helped to bring KD to the campus as the first sorority to be established on campus. One of those KA brothers was the Byrd sisters' oldest brother, Willie, so it was natural that these five sisters would all become Kappa Deltas. In 1905, the legislature separated the sexes in higher education and Florida State College became Florida State College for Women. That same year, Clifton Byrd became the first KA initiate after our charter members. The Byrd sisters had five first cousins who also pledged Kappa Delta at Florida State College for Women: the Blackburn sisters, Bessie, Fannie, Emily, and Edith, and Kathryn Byrd. From those nine sisters and cousins, over 30 more daughters, granddaughters, and nieces pledged Kappa Delta in the Kappa Alpha Chapter. The "family tree" was featured in Kappa Delta's national magazine, The Angelos, in the fall of 1978. A college student during the war years, Rubie graduated in the spring of 1946, a member of the last class of Florida State College for Women. The college was renamed Florida State University in the fall of 1946, the year that Rubie's sister, Laurie Plant Rainer, pledged Kappa Delta. Rubie's Bachelors of Arts degree was in foreign language with an emphasis in Spanish and French. She took her first job at 20 in 1946 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, where she is an active member today. She went on to get her master's degree in religious education and became the Dean of Women at Brevard College in North Carolina, where she met Chuck Butterworth. They married in 1960 and soon returned to Tallahassee where they raised son, Jim, and daughter, Beth. Rubie has the distinction of having a connection to or relationship with all three Kappa Alphas who have served Kappa Delta as National President. Elizabeth (Betty) Corbett Gilbert, who served as National President from 1919- 1921, pledged Kappa Alpha in 1909 and was in the Chapter with the Byrd sisters. Betty's daughter, Jenn, pledged KD at Florida State College for Women, was in the Chapter with Clifton Byrd Van Brunt's daughter, Clifton, and married her son, Billy Van Brunt! Clementine Newman Militzer served as National President from 1939-1945 and pledged Kappa Alpha in 1932 from Madison, Florida. Rubie points out that no one from Madison received a KD bid without the recommendation of Florina Davis McClure '23. While Rubie never met Clementine, her's was the name she memorized for her pledge test in 1943! Beth Martin Langford, National President from 2009-2015, pledged in 1977—now taking editorial liberties and speaking in the first person—I have known, loved and respected Rubie Butterworth ever since. She is my sister in spirit and in truth. Rubie has given so much of her time, talent and treasure to the Kappa Alpha Chapter, serving as the House Corporation treasurer for decades. Always active in and supportive of the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter, Rubie continues to attend and host Alumnae meetings. Rubie has been a blessing to so many for so long. Kappa Alphas have a rare opportunity to honor Rubie—our most precious jewel—September 22 in Tallahassee. Please come celebrate our sisterhood. Celebrate our history. Celebrate Rubie. Our Kappa Alpha Jewel, Rubie Plant Butterworth '43 By Beth Martin Langford '78 The five Byrd sisters who began it all – from left, Kate Byrd MacGowan, Elizabeth Byrd Taylor, Janet Byrd Plant, Clifton Byrd Van Brunt, and Rubie Byrd Hardwick. Rubie and her sister, Laurie Plant Rainer, at the 2009 KD Convention. Beth Martin Langford '78 with Rubie, celebrating Beth's installation as National President at the 2009 Convention.

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