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Flora Ellen Richardson Colman was the founder of the Sorosis Club at KU (later to become Pi Beta Phi sorority). The Sorosis Club, the first national professional women’s association, was founded to promote the educational and social activities of women by bringing representative women of accomplishment in arts, literature, science, and kindred pursuits. 

 

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In 1873, Flora was the first woman to graduate from the University of Kansas. Graduating with her Bachelors of Arts degree, she was awarded class valedictorian. In 1875, she would continue her education going on to achieve her Masters of Arts in 1875. 

 

There has been no movement for the benefit of her community or for women and children that did not receive her ardent support. Women’s suffrage, the women’s rest room, the various plans to provide high school privileges for rural pupils and the farm bureau for rural women, each in their turn were things she was untiring in her efforts to secure.  

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Nellie Colman Bigsby

[Flora's Daughter]

Wakarusa River Heritage  Area Museum

Flora Richardson Colman was awarded the University of Kansas Pioneer Woman award in 2003 for her historic contributions of local or statewide significance. Her history and achievements are included in the collections of the KU History Archives, Kansas State Historical Society, and Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum. 

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