THE COTILLION

MEMBERS OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY AND PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY
CHAMPAIGN - URBANA, ILLINOIS

On Sunday, May 21, 1972, the first Cotillion Ball was held at the Ramada Inn in Champaign, Illinois. It was the culmination of the efforts of the Epsilon Mu Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Illinois.

These young men and women reached out to the Champaign-Urbana community to recruit truly fine examples of Black womanhood to participate in a Cotillion, an event that would capture the interest and support of the communities.

In the beginning, there were six young women candidates who were chosen, based on their community and school involvement. They in turn were generously supported by their devoted sponsors. Those original six ladies and their sponsors were: Roslyn Carol Council sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Griggs; Sharon Creighton, Linda Jackson and Sandra Patterson sponsored by Bradley Park Apartments; Regina Montgomery sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Paul D. Webb; and Deborah Jean Roberts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. J. Daniel Raybon.

As a reward for their efforts, each young woman received a scholarship to attend the college or university of her choice.

                       
                       

Based on the success of the 1972 Cotillion Ball, the committee members decided to sponsor another one in 1973, and proceeded to recruit young women to participate. Meanwhile, community interest had increased to the extent that Mrs. Kathryn Humphrey volunteered to work with the Cotillion Committee as a consultant.

Five more outstanding young woman were selected to participate based on their scholastic record, and their school and community involvement. These young ladies and their sponsors were: Jessica Bennett sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Willie Sumerville; Yolantha Harrison sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Richard Cathey; Flourine Kent sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Griggs; Priscilla Nash sponsored by Dorothy Jordan; Diane Weatherspoon sponsored be The Ambassador's Club. These five young women were also awarded scholarships.

In 1974, a group of interested Champaign-Urbana women offered their assistance to the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and shared the responsibilities for the 1974 Cotillion. By 1975, the women had organized themselves as a unit, and adopted the official title of the Gamma Upsilon Psi Society and remained as such until the 1978 Cotillion Ball. This was so noted in the Annual Cotillion programs.

Beginning with the 1978 Cotillion Ball, the sponsorship became the sole responsibility of the Gamma Upsilon Society and continues to be so as of this date.

The original members of the Gamma Upsilon Society were:

Kathryn Humphrey, President

Henrine Casey

Jean Davis

Maudie Edwards

Elaine Harrison

Willine Howard

Daisy Jackson

Mae Ola Nash

Margaret Smith

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