The First Members of Tau Beta Sigma from Texas Tech University
The idea of creating a band sorority all began with Wava Banes Turner Henry and a group of bandswomen at the Texas Technological College (later renamed Texas Tech University) in the spring of 1939. With assistance from band director D.O. Wiley, the group of women created the campus organization, Tau Beta Sigma (TBS), then after petitioning to Dean of Women Mary Doak for recognition, TBS became an official campus organization in 1940. Much like Kappa Kappa Psi (KKY), TBS served at Texas Tech as an honorary service and leadership recognition society, while also be dedicated to provide social and educational experiences for women. Finally recognized as an official Texas Tech campus organization, the group of bandswomen began working on electing officers, sorority crests and jewelry. The first officers of the organization were: President, Wava Banes; Vice-President, Emily SoRelle; Secretary, Lillian Horner; Treasurer, Nita Furr; Reporter, Barbara Griggs; and Faculty Sponsor, Mrs. D.O. Wiley. As band enrollment on campus began to drastically change due to participation in World War II, the bandswomen of TBS continued to grow as a fledgling organization. By October 1941, the bandswomen began communicating with the National Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi for assistance in becoming a national organization. In June of 1943, the Tech women petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become an active chapter of the Fraternity, but being accepted into the group under this situation would have called for a complete revision of the Fraternity's constitution.
The Charter Members of the Alpha Chapter from Oklahoma State University
Because WWII was still in progress, it was unsure as to when the next National Convention would be held to bring the issue up for debate. Instead of waiting on action, the Tech women approached Andrew Frank Martin, Grand Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi, in January 1946 to assist them in creating their own national organization. Through all discussions held, it was known that TBS would be considered the "sister organization" of the Fraternity and share all fraternal publications. A. Frank Martin continued to help the Tech women with ritual business and completing a National Constitution. When applying for a national charter, D.O. Wiley and the ladies at Texas Tech again turned to A. Frank Martin and offered to turn over their work and the name "Tau Beta Sigma" to the women’s band sorority at Oklahoma A&M (now known as Oklahoma State University), known as Kappa Psi, to submit the articles of incorporation in Oklahoma. Through this act, the chapter at Oklahoma A&M would become the Alpha Chapter. As part of this agreement, the chapter at Texas Tech, which would be named the Beta chapter, would be known as the founding location of the Sorority and the members stipulated that Wava Banes would be known as the Founder: the agreement also specified that the 1st National President would be from the Beta Chapter. On March 26, 1946, a charter was granted by the Department of State for the State of Oklahoma legally establishing "Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority," later amended to "Tau Beta Sigma." On May 4, 1946, the members of the Alpha Chapter traveled to Lubbock, Texas, to officially install the women of Texas Tech as the Beta Chapter of the National Sorority. Since that time, Tau Beta Sigma has expanded to over 230 campuses across the Unites States.