From collection Member List
An only child, Ernestine Duncan Collins, Mu, University of Washington, found her sisters in Sigma Kappa. Initiated 1936, she became part of “the bridge group,” a collection of members who held bridge games together. After graduation, they continued to meet, almost every month, for over 50 years. That bridge group took trips and vacations together and represented the kind of sisterhood that she found in Sigma Kappa, as well as her devotion to it.
In service of the Sorority, Ernestine held a number of positions, including president of Mu Chapter. After graduation, she served as an active alumna and advisor, province officer, vice president of membership, and ultimately national president, serving from 1952–1954 and again from 1976–1982. She also served as president of the Seattle Alumnae Chapter. It was under Ernestine’s leadership that gerontology became Sigma Kappa’s third philanthropy (1954), and the Order of the Triangle was adopted as part of the ritual (1978).
In 1981, Ernestine was stricken with cancer, which required a debilitating surgery. When the doctors explained to her how restricted her activities would be, she replied, “That’s ridiculous,” and afterwards went on living her life her way, playing golf, traveling, meeting with the bridge group, and attending National Conventions.
She lived another 16 years before she finally succumbed in 1997 at age 77. Her husband later wrote, “It’s difficult to be without someone so vibrant and full of life, so caring of the family and friends as Ernestine was. And what a fighter she was! Right up to the very last she talked of getting out of bed and exercising her legs so she could get to walking again.”
Winona Keyes Valentine, Iota, University of Denver, with whom Ernestine attended 20 National Conventions, wrote in memoriam, “To my dear friend, this we learned from you: give yourself unstintingly to people you love and causes in which you believe.”
The University of Washington Panhellenic Association and Mu Chapter each honor Ernestine Duncan Collins with a scholarship in her name, and Sigma Kappa’s Ernestine Duncan Collins Pearl Court Award is named in her honor and given to recognize alumnae who have loyally and consistently given their time and talents to and for the Sorority.
In service of the Sorority, Ernestine held a number of positions, including president of Mu Chapter. After graduation, she served as an active alumna and advisor, province officer, vice president of membership, and ultimately national president, serving from 1952–1954 and again from 1976–1982. She also served as president of the Seattle Alumnae Chapter. It was under Ernestine’s leadership that gerontology became Sigma Kappa’s third philanthropy (1954), and the Order of the Triangle was adopted as part of the ritual (1978).
In 1981, Ernestine was stricken with cancer, which required a debilitating surgery. When the doctors explained to her how restricted her activities would be, she replied, “That’s ridiculous,” and afterwards went on living her life her way, playing golf, traveling, meeting with the bridge group, and attending National Conventions.
She lived another 16 years before she finally succumbed in 1997 at age 77. Her husband later wrote, “It’s difficult to be without someone so vibrant and full of life, so caring of the family and friends as Ernestine was. And what a fighter she was! Right up to the very last she talked of getting out of bed and exercising her legs so she could get to walking again.”
Winona Keyes Valentine, Iota, University of Denver, with whom Ernestine attended 20 National Conventions, wrote in memoriam, “To my dear friend, this we learned from you: give yourself unstintingly to people you love and causes in which you believe.”
The University of Washington Panhellenic Association and Mu Chapter each honor Ernestine Duncan Collins with a scholarship in her name, and Sigma Kappa’s Ernestine Duncan Collins Pearl Court Award is named in her honor and given to recognize alumnae who have loyally and consistently given their time and talents to and for the Sorority.
Related Items
Sigma Kappa Sorority Centennial Convention Birthday Dinner Program, June 21, 1974
This program, for a dinner in honor of the past national presidents, includes a list and photographs of the past national presidents, the dinner menu and list of speakers.
Sigma Kappa Sorority Certificate, November 9, 1979
This certificate details the early history of Sigma Kappa.
National Historian Annual Report, May 1, 1980
This report discusses the plaque received by Alpha Chapter and poetry.
Dolores Quinn to Alice Wick Letter, April 10, 1978
Dolores Aron Quinn, Sigma, Southern Methodist University, writes to Alice Hersey Wick, Rho, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, to discuss her proposed convention resolution to install markers at the gravesites of the Sigma Kappa Founders.
Ernestine Collins to Lillian Perkins Letter, April 6, 1978
Ernestine Duncan Collins, Mu, University of Washington, writes to Lillian M. Perkins, Omicron, Tufts University, to give her thoughts on a project proposed by Dolores Aron Quinn, Sigma, Southern Methodist University, to install markers a...
Dolores Quinn to Lillian Perkins Letter, c. 1978
Dolores Aron Quinn, Sigma, Southern Methodist University, writes to Lillian M. Perkins, Omicron, Tufts University, with preliminary thoughts on plans for the installation of markers at the gravesite of each Sigma Kappa Founder.
Lillian Perkins to Alice Wick Letter, March 28, 1978
Lillian M. Perkins Omicron, Tufts University, writes to Alice Hersey Wick, Rho,, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, to describe her ongoing health issues and express a reluctance to be involved with Dolores Aron Quinn's project to place mar...
Ernestine Collins Portrait Photograph
National President Ernestine Duncan Collins, Mu, University of Washington.
