Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
It’s June, which means we are less than a month away from our 55th National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Omni William Penn Hotel. This will mark the seventh time Theta Phi Alpha has gathered for Convention in Pittsburgh, an incredible connection to a city that reflects strength, resilience, and tradition.
I always enjoy diving into our history, so I asked our National Historian, Karen Rubican (Alpha Sigma), to share insights and photos from each of our Conventions held in the Steel City – thank you, Karen!
Interestingly, this will be the third time Convention is hosted at the iconic Omni William Penn Hotel. Opened in 1916, the hotel has long been a centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s social and cultural life, hosting generations of gatherings and celebrations.
Karen shared information about the hotel’s rich history, which you can read here:
Hotel History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Omni William Penn | Historic Hotels of America
Let’s take a look back at the Theta Phi Alpha National Conventions held in Pittsburgh.
1935 Convention at the William Penn Hotel (Now the Omni William Penn Hotel)
This is a picture of the Convention attendees. Most notable are the Founders, who are in the picture – Helen Ryan Quinlan (Alpha, front row, third from left) and Mildred Connely (Alpha, front row, fifth from left).
1948 Convention at Hotel Schenley (now the William Pitt Student Union)
Karen Rubican (Alpha Sigma) provided information about the land and location of the Hotel Schenley and the William Pitt Student Union that you can read here:
William Pitt Union – Wikipedia
This picture from Convention is in the 1948 Compass, Fall edition. Mildred Connely (Alpha), Founder and our 2nd National President, is in the picture, as well as Lois Barry Lynch (Kappa). Lois was elected National Treasurer in 1948 and then served as the first president of the Founders’ Foundation (now the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation) when it was established in 1958.
In 1948, Theta Phi Alpha’s membership consisted of only Catholic women. The Fraternity invited bishops, priests, and nuns to attend Convention events, as you will see in this picture.
1960 Convention at Webster Hall Hotel (now Webster Hall Apartments)
Karen Rubican (Alpha Sigma) provided an article about Wester Hall Hotel, the importance of the hotel in American social history, and the evolution to the current Wester Hall Apartments that you can read here:
Webster Hall Celebrates 100 Years in the Heart of Pittsburgh’s Oakland
This picture from the 1960 Convention features National Officers in attendance and was printed in the 1960 Autumn edition of The Compass.
1978 Convention at Airport Holiday Inn (located near the old Pittsburgh International Airport)
The group picture of the 1978 Convention attendees was featured on the front of the 1978 Autumn edition of The Compass.
2004 Convention at the Omni William Penn Hotel
Here is a picture of the Convention Attendees. This was the first Convention that I attended in Pittsburgh. You can find me in the middle of the first seated row in the light blue dress.
2018 Convention at the Greentree Doubletree Hotel
The 2018 Convention theme, Bridge to Success, was inspired by Pittsburgh’s 446 bridges and its identity as the “City of Bridges.” During that time, Theta Phi Alpha was building its own bridges – connecting members more deeply to one another, expanding opportunities for engagement, and creating strong pathways for future growth. Just as bridges connect people and places, this period in our history was about linking our traditions to new opportunities and ensuring every member had a path to succeed.
Below is a picture of the 2018 Convention attendees. You can find me in the first row, 4th from the left, in a dark blue dress.
2026 Omni William Penn Hotel
Now it is time for our 55th National Convention, our seventh in Pittsburgh and third at the Omni William Penn Hotel, where we gather under the theme A Future Forged in Steel.
This theme reflects both the legacy of Pittsburgh, built on the strength of the steel industry and honored today through the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the enduring foundation of Theta Phi Alpha. We are forged by Justice, Friendship, and Truth, timeless values that ground us, strengthen our bonds, and inspire the future we are building together.
Like steel, Theta Phi Alpha is strong, resilient, and built to last. Our commitment is to remain a relevant, sustainable organization that provides a place of belonging for all our members, today and for generations to come.
If you are attending Convention, I can’t wait to see you in Pittsburgh! If you’re unable to join us in person, there are still many ways to be part of the Convention experience.
Visit the 2026 National Convention page on our website, where you’ll find opportunities to support the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation through the T-shirt raffle, Penguin Parade of Prizes, and Mystery Gift Card Boxes. You can also contribute to our Convention philanthropy, the Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Shelter.
No matter where you are, you can still be part of the impact and celebration.
Yours In the Bonds of Sisterhood,
Kristin Henkenius
National President