International Badge Day: “Wear Your Letters on Your Heart” Monday, March 5th

When is International Badge Day this year?
Monday, March 5, 2012.

When did International Badge Day start?
The celebration to honor sisterhood was started in 1997 by the National Panhellenic Conference. The date is generally recognized during March, which is also National Women’s History Month and set aside for International Women’s Day. The inaugural campaign was titled: “It’s as Simple as Wearing your Pin … With Pride.”

Who started this tradition?
The creation of this event was the idea of a sorority woman. In the spring 1996 issue of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s “The Phoenix,” Nora M. Ten Broeck wrote an article titled: “A Simple Solution — Wear Your Membership Badge Today.” The article described her personal experience of wearing her sorority pin to work one day.

How can I participate?
Whether you’re an alumnae or living on campus, you can join us in the celebration. Organize an event for your colleagues, ask your mayor to issue a proclamation in recognition of International Badge Day, or become a fan on Facebook for upcoming online events. We can celebrate in person, or we can celebrate online in our social media networks. For more resources, visit us on the NPC website, Facebook or Twitter to check for updates on International Badge Day activities.

What if our campus is on spring break on International Badge Day?
You should still celebrate! Just pick a day in March to wear badges that will work for your campus to honor National Women’s History Month and celebrate the history of women’s fraternities.

What have been the themes of past celebrations?
The theme can change and often does, generally with input of our volunteers and members:
2001:“Enduring Values, Eternal Friendships … Honor Your Badge on International Badge Day.”
2002: “A Century of Pride: Live the Greek Tradition”
2003: “Build New Traditions for the Future”
2004: “Promoting Excellence, Partnership and Panhellenic Spirit”
2005: “Remember Your Pledge of Loyalty: Wear Your Badge With Pride”
2006, 2007, 2008: “Wear Your Badge With Pride”
2009, 2010, 2011: “Keep Your Fraternal Experience Close to Your Heart”
2012: “Wear Your Letters on Your Heart”

Does anyone sponsor these events?
In 2004, NPC jeweler Burr, Patterson & Auld Co. Inc. sponsored a poster advertising Pin Day. In 2007, Herff Jones designed, printed and distributed a poster with other materials in the January Alumnae Panhellenics and College Panhellenics mailings. Other resources, including event ideas, are distributed by NPC through its member networks.

Who participates in International Badge Day?
This is the fourth year that we’re celebrating diversity and our common sorority experience. In the spirit of global interfraternal relations, NPC also invited the National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc., the National Multicultural Greek Council, the National Asian Pacific Islander American Panhellenic Association and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations Inc. to participate.