Bertha Deniston Cunningham

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Bertha Deniston Cunningham
Bertha Deniston (Alpha, DePauw University) was born in Peru, Indiana on July 28, 1869. A sickly child, Bertha's school days were limited, although her parents made every effort to cultivate her musical talent. Just a few months after the untimely death of her mother in the summer of 1885, Bertha enrolled in the new School of Music at DePauw University. Despite the recent loss of her mother, Bertha - or "Denny" as she was known - was described as "happy and popular with everyone" and was known for her gentle manner, genial smile and sweet disposition.Denny was perhaps the most excited of the Founders when the prospect of starting their own Fraternity was proposed. She had been particularly envious of the beautiful bows and ribbons worn by the other girls on campus who were members of Kappa Alpha Theta or Kappa Kappa Gamma women's fraternities.Musically, Denny was advanced in piano study when she entered the School of Music. Her remarkable execution and ability to compose were the envy of many other students and she had the reputation of being able to accomplish more work in less time than any other student in the school.Denny was elected Alpha Chi Omega's first recording secretary. It is her hand-written minutes that document the first organizational meeting of the Fraternity on October 15, 1885. She played a historic role in those early years in other ways as well. It was Denny who purchased the first Alpha Chi Omega badge and generously allowed other Founders and members to wear it throughout her college years. It is the only original badge of the Fraternity still in existence. She also served as one of the first delegates of the Fraternity, traveling to Albion, Michigan with Mary L. Jones (Alpha, DePauw University) to establish the Beta chapter at Albion College.Denny left DePauw in her junior year after the death of her father. She moved to Indianapolis to live with her older half-sister and took a position as a saleslady and assistant bookkeeper for the Pearson Piano Company. It was at Pearson that she met Scobey Cunningham, a salesman for the company. They were married and later had two sons. In Indianapolis, Denny served as one of the charter members of the Beta Beta alumnae chapter. Ear trouble that began many years earlier eventually led to deafness in her old age. She learned to read lips and continued to travel, shop and visit with her friends, including her dear friend and fellow Founder Olive Burnett (Alpha, DePauw University). It was not until an accident destroyed the vision in one eye that she began to gradually withdraw and rarely left home. Bertha Deniston Cunningham died on October 2, 1950.
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Bertha Deniston Cunningham Portrait Cabinet Card
Bertha Deniston Cunningham Portrait Cabinet Card
When Bertha Deniston Cunningham's (Alpha, DePauw University) parents decided their musically advanced daughter should continue her studies at DePauw, she had to play for Dean Howe to determine just how advanced she was. She went on to be...
Estelle Leonard and Bertha Cunningham at Convention Photograph, c. June 1937
Estelle Leonard and Bertha Cunningham at Convention Photograph, c. June 1937
Founders Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) and Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University) pose together at the 1937 National Convention in Glacier National Park.
Alpha Chi Omega Golden Jubilee Program, June 26, 1935
Alpha Chi Omega Golden Jubilee Program, June 26, 1935
This program is for Homecoming Day of the 1935 National Convention, which took place at DePauw University where the Fraternity was founded. It includes a poem by Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University), the words to the To...
Ryan, Burnett and Deniston Cabinet Card, April 1886
Ryan, Burnett and Deniston Cabinet Card, April 1886
Anna Ryan (Wells) (Alpha, DePauw University, left) poses with Alpha Chi Omega Founders Olive Burnett (Clark) (Alpha, DePauw University, center) and Bertha Deniston (Cunningham) (Alpha, DePauw University, right).
Bertha Deniston Cunningham to Beta Beta Chapter Letter, September 5, 1946
Bertha Deniston Cunningham to Beta Beta Chapter Letter, September 5, 1946
Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University) sends her thoughts to Beta Beta (Indianapolis, Indiana) chapter and reminisces about old times.
Alpha Chi Omega Founded
Alpha Chi Omega Founded
Seven female students at the DePauw University School of Music meet with Dean James Hamilton Howe at his invitation to begin the process of forming "a society for musical and social improvement."
Alpha Chi Omega Goes Public
Alpha Chi Omega Goes Public
The members of the new women's fraternity, Alpha Chi Omega, announce their presence by parading across campus to attend chapel at Meharry Hall in East College.
Echoes of Tau, Vol. 6, February 27, 1931
Echoes of Tau, Vol. 6, February 27, 1931
This Tau (Brenau University) chapter newsletter provides updates about the chapter, including articles on the new chapter house and the annual alumnae banquet and profiles on some of the collegiate members. Also of interest is an article...
Bertha Deniston Cunningham Badge, 1885
Bertha Deniston Cunningham Badge, 1885
The only original badge known to still be in existence, this badge belonged to Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University) and was created in 1885. The 3/4-inch badge features 28 pearls and seven garnets. Unlike many la...