LIFE, LEARNING, FRIENDSHIP HAVE BEEN INTEGRAL PART OF WOMAN'S LIFE FOR 70 YEARS

Laura Zweifel, right, and LaRena Sorenson, look through a Beta Sigma Phi scrapbook in April. Zweifel and Sorenson are both members of La Grande's Alpha Beta Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Zweifel has been with Beta Sigma Phi for 70 years and Sorenson has been with the organization 61 years. (The Observer/DICK MASON).

Dick Mason

The Observer

Laura Zweifel joined La Grande's first chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in 1936, the year trampolines were introduced in the United States.

Coincidence?

Perhaps not.

Seventy years later Zweifel, 89, still has spring in her step — a step energized by her continuing link to Beta Sigma Phi, an organization known to many as the "world's largest friendship network.'' The non-academic sorority has grown considerably since Zweifel joined as a charter member of La Grande's Gamma chapter. Beta Sigma Phi had 7,000 members in 1936 and now has at least 200,000 in chapters around the world.

"You can travel anywhere and feel like you have friends (Beta Sigma Phi sorority members),'' said Zweifel, who lives in Baker City but still attends chapter meetings in La Grande.

Zweifel has a tongue-in-cheek response when asked if she thought she would still be in Beta Sigma Phi 70 years after joining.

"Why naturally!'' she said with a wink and a smile.

Then she gave a more reflective answer.

"I really truly didn't expect to last this long,'' she said.

Zweifel lived in La Grande for many decades before moving to Baker City about three years ago. In La Grande she helped her late husband, Bob, run Zweifel's Plumbing and Heating.

Beta Sigma Phi has evolved since it was founded in 1931 by Walter W. Ross in Abiline, Kan. Ross founded the sorority because he wanted to help give women a sense of hope amidst the Great Depression. He wanted to do so by promoting friendship and lifelong learning. Zweifel was impressed with Ross' goals.

"I joined because I was interested in his teaching and philosophies,'' Zweifel said.

The non-academic sorority experienced one of its most significant changes following the United States' entry into World War II in December of 1941, Zweifel said. Beta Sigma Phi lost much of its formality at this time.

"There was a friendlier, more relaxed attitude.''

She explained that formality was cut back because of the stresses women faced during World War II.

Zweifel has established many friendships through Beta Sigma Phi.

"They are lasting friendships. Not here today, gone tomorrow,'' Zweifel said.

These friends include LaRena Sorenson of La Grande, the second longest serving Beta Sign Phi member in La Grande with 61 years of service.

Zweifel feels especially close to people like Sorenson and other women in Beta Sigma Phi during its early years.

"We helped each other through the Great Depression,'' Zweifel said.

Today Zweifel's appearance at meetings inspires members, said Beta Sigma Phi member Judy Rygg of La Grande.

"She is so devoted and knows so much about the history of the organization,'' Rygg said.

Rygg said Zweifel is also well liked because of her honesty.

"She is very forthright and firm but in a nice, graceful way,'' Rygg said.

Zweifel is now a member of La Grande's Alpha Beta Master chapter. The chapter is one of three in La Grande. The others are Gamma and Xi Alpha Mu.

The three chapters have a combined total of 50 members.

Beta Sigma Phi's La Grande history is documented in many scrapbooks assembled since chapters were started here. The scrapbooks are filled with newspaper clippings, photographs and letters. They tell of the many fundraisers for community projects and well attended social functions the chapter has conducted.

Some of the clippings have eloquent descriptions of Beta Sigma Phi events Zweifel has been involved with. One article from about 50 years ago in The Observer said this about the chapter's spring dance: "The large ballroom of the Sacajawea Inn was transformed into a spring garden Friday evening.''

La Grande's Sacajawea Inn was torn down more than 30 years ago but its three Beta Sigma Phi chapters and Zweifel are still going strong.

Zweifel will turn 90 in September. She offers two words of advice for those who want to follow her timeless footsteps.

"Enjoy life.''