Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded on October 13, 1870, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Six young women were indeed pioneers when they dared to march into the most public part of the campus, its chapel, wearing golden keys in their hair. The College Courier reported on the event, saying that the six were "on a voyage of discovery." This historic event is remembered every year on Founder's Day, October 13, a day on which the Founders are honored. Founders Day is also a time for Kappa members of all generations to come together in sisterhood and friendship. The Key The badge worn by the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma is the Golden Key. It is one inch in length with the letters KKG on the stem and Alpha Omega Omicron on the ward. The badge may be either plain gold or jeweled. The Badge is to be worn strictly as an emblem of membership and only by initiated members. The Fleur-De-Lis The fleur-de-lis was chosen as the Fraternity flower in 1890 becasue its general dignity, stateliness and grace, and because it combines the two blues of the Fraternity in one flower. The Sapphire The sapphire is recognized as a symbol of truth, sincerity and constancy. It is also the gem of autumn, the time of the birth of Kappa Kappa Gamma. In the lore of precious stones, the sapphire's blue hue is believed to embody the heavenly spirits of light and wisdom. Blue and Blue The colors of the Fraternity are light blue and dark blue, adopted by the Alpha chapter two year after founding.These colors are sometimes described as "blue of sky and sea" in many Kappa songs. The Owl The owl is the bird of wisdom as well as the bird of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom. The owl was first used as a Kappa symbol in 1881. Candace Bergen - actress, "Murphy Brown" Jennie Ann Lindstrom - actress, daughter of Ingrid Bergman Lou Henry Hoover - wife of President Hoover Emma Fall Schofield - 1st woman judge in New England Lucy Webb Hayes - wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes Frances Sutton Schmit - 1st woman architect registered in her state Barbara T. Eisenhower - wife of ambassador John Eisenhower. Daughter-in-law of Pres. Eisenhower Phyllis McGinley - part recipient of Pulitzer Prize Kate Shelly - heroine- saved many lives after a deadly train accident in 1981 Carey Boone Nelson - created sculpture of Gen. LaFayette for US Bicentennial Celebration Mareta West - 1st woman astrogeologist, made map for lunar landing Ruth Pollac - 1st woman VP of IBM Rosemary Henderson - leading lady of 1956 Ice Capades Edith Clark - 1st woman to receive EE degree from MIT Bonnie Bartlett - actress, "St. Elsewhere" Joann Pflug - actress, "M.A.S.H." Kate Jackson - actress, "Scarecrow & Mrs. King", "Charlie's Angels" Susan Harrell Black - Florida's 1st woman federal judge Anne Elder - appeared on "Laugh-In" & won 2 Emmy awards for script writing Mrs. Campbell - of Campbell's Soup Madelyn Davis - writer for "I Love Lucy" & "The Mother-in-Laws" Doris Hart - won every major tennis tournament in the World Julia Ward Howe - author of Battle Hymn of Republic Donna Devarona - swimmer, 2 Olympics gold medals in 1964 Barbara Feldon - actress, "Get Smart" Patty Berg - golfer, won US Open 1946 Nancy Olson - actress, Disney's "Pollyanna" Leslie Bush - Olympic gold medalist in diving 1964 Jann Carl - anchor of Entertainment Tonight Jean Bartel - former Miss America 1943 Helen Wagner Willey - actress, "As the World Turns" Nancy Ritter - actress, wife of actor John Ritter Molly Stanton - actress, "Passions" Jo Ann Woorley - actress, "Laugh-In" Sonja Christopher - Survivor Kelly Goldsmith - Survivor-Africa Kate Spade - designer Nancy O'Dell - anchor of Access Hollywood Jane Pauley - host of Today Show Ashley Judd - actress, "Kiss the Girls", "Where the Heart Is"