History

Founded in 1889, Willard Sorority is the oldest society of women at Nebraska Wesleyan University. It is named after Frances E. Willard, president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The WCTU worked for abolition, suffrage and temperance. Willard combated prostitution and exposed the need for laws against rape. She was president of Northwestern Ladies College, which later became Northwestern University—that other NWU.

Willard Sorority began as a literary society operating out of Old Main. We established a house in 1917. In 1929, we moved into 5018 Madison Avenue (now Omega Alpha Chi). We moved into our present home at 5110 Madison in 1962.

Willard Sorority is the oldest and largest local sorority in the United States. We celebrate our 120th anniversary this year.

Mission

We, the women of Willard Sorority, seek the crown of perfect womanhood. In this pursuit, we strive to obtain the qualities of love, generosity and integrity, while aiming to achieve intellectual development. Thus, we, the women of Willard, endeavor to nurture unique individuality of each member in order to strengthen the fellowship of our sole chapter.