The Palmer Society

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The Palmer Society was founded as the first women's society of Whittier College. Originally a literary society, The Palmer Society founding members started meeting as a group in 1921, the year the organization officially recognizes for its founding and celebrates for anniversaries. The group was finally recognized as a student organization by Whittier College in mid-1922. The group reorganized in 1928 and became a social society for women. This organization is named in honor of Alice Freeman Palmer (1855-1902), a prominent role model and a leader in women's education.^[1]

Throughout its history, The Palmer Society has been continually devoted to promoting the ideals of American womanhood as exemplified by Alice Freeman Palmer. The Society achieves this goal not only by striving for excellence in the areas of scholarship and service, but also through the friendship and loyalty shared by its members from generation to generation. The members of this organization are generally involved in many diverse campus activities in addition to their Palmer Society duties. While events and projects are primarily social in nature, there is a concerted effort to contribute to the community through hosted service events and through individual participation; academics are also encouraged. Many of its members recall fond memories of participating in Whittier College's annual Spring Sing event, hosting the annual rush event for recruiting new members, and building the group's float for the now defunct annual homecoming parade. The group's broad values set (service, friendship, loyalty, scholarship, sincerity, and womanhood) provide a solid foundation for the organization to grow and to meet the needs of its members in our ever changing world.

Jessamyn West, a founding member and author of "Friendly Persuasion", and children's book author, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, a three time Newbery Honor Book award recipient, are among the estimated 1,000+ members of this group.