PRYTANEAN WOMEN’S HONOR SOCIETY was founded in 1901 on the UC Berkeley campus. THE UC Davis chapter WAS later established in 1952. The Davis initiation class was made up of sixteen members, several of whom live in Davis today and support the active chapter.
Prytanean was founded at a time when the disparities that existed between men and women at the university level were very pronounced. It was formed with the intention of giving women a voice in the University, connecting them to resources to further their success, and helping them find support in one another.
Today, Prytanean continues as a campus organization whose members seek to promote the high ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service within the university and the community, while upholding values of friendship, support, and respect among diverse women. Its purpose has been to secure due recognition for women of achievement.
During the academic year, active membership numbers 40-75 students of diverse ethnic backgrounds and majors from all three colleges. The alumnae membership now numbers over 3,000 women, including physicians, journalists, professors, lawyers, judges, artists, and other outstanding women dedicated to community service. The Davis chapter remains a nexus for active women working toward common goals, both academic and service, within a supportive framework of active members and alumnae.