From collection Member List
The oldest of five children, Louise Helen Coburn was born on September 1, 1856 in Skowhegan, Maine. She entered Colby College in the Fall of 1873, becoming the second woman (after fellow Founder Mary Caffey Low) to graduate from Colby. Also like Mary, Louise would be added to the roll of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honors society when it established a chapter at Colby in 1896.
After graduation, Louise attended the Harvard Summer School of Botany in 1880 and 1881, as well as Chicago University in 1893. She also studied abroad in France and Germany! Louise Coburn was honored by Colby College with the honorary degree of Litt. D.
Keenly aware of current affairs, Louise wrote many historical and literary papers. She also published poetry, with many of her poems collected in a volume titled “Kennebec and Other Poems.” Louise would serve as a trustee of all of her alma maters - the Bloomfield Academy in Skowhegan, the Coburn Classical Institute (formerly Waterville Classical Institute), and Colby College, where she broke barriers as the first female trustee. A devoted botanist, her herbarium held over 3,000 plants, an impressive collection that was donated to the University of Maine before her death.
Despite her many activities, Louise Coburn remained active in Sigma Kappa as well. She served as Chairman of the Coat-of-Arms Committee in 1908 and as a member of the Committee for the Revision of the Constitution in 1911. She also attended many conventions.
Louise Helen Coburn died on February 7, 1949 at the age of 93. She is buried in the Coburn lot of the Skowhegan cemetery.
Additional archival information about Louise H. Coburn can be found from the Colby College Special Collections: https://web.colby.edu/csc-home/low-coburn/
Related Items
Louise Coburn Christmas Card, c. 1936
This Christmas card from Founder Louise H. Coburn,Alpha, Colby College, features an image of the Skowhegan History House.
Sigma Kappa is Founded
Sigma Kappa is founded at Colby College by the first 5 women to attend the institution.
Louise Coburn and Grandniece Photograph, August 1938
Founder Louise H. Coburn sits on a porch with her 10-month-old grandniece Fay Coburn Smith Fawcett.
The Maine Seacoast Missionary Society Bulletin, Spring 1939
This bulletin from the Maine Seacoast Missionary Society (now the Maine Sea Coast Mission) includes a brief article about the work of Sigma Kappa in support of the Society.
Elizabeth Hoag to Louise Coburn Letter, December 1874
Elizabeth G. Hoag, Alpha, Colby College, writes to Louise H. Coburn, Alpha, with sketches for possible Sigma Kappa insignia and explains the significance of various elements. She also discusses school work.
Louise Coburn Founders' Day Message to Chapters, October 20, 1938
Founder Louise H. Coburn,Alpha, Colby College, writes about the founding of Sigma Kappa in honor of Founders' Day.
Louise Helen Coburn to Lorah Monroe Letter, June 23, 1942
Louise H. Coburn,Alpha, Colby College, writes to Lorah S. Monroe,Eta, Illinois Wesleyan University, that she will be unable to attend the 1942 national convention, but extends her love and best wishes to all in attendance.
Sorority Celebrates Centennial Newspaper Clipping, June 16, 1974
This article discusses the founding and early years of Sigma Kappa Sorority at Colby College and plans for the upcoming Centennial convention. The article includes a photograph of the five founders of Sigma Kappa.
Louise Coburn to Sisters of Sigma Kappa Letter, June 22, 1933
In her greeting to the 1933 national convention, Founder Louise H. Coburn, Alpha, Colby College, writes about her fellow Founders and the ideals they had in founding Sigma Kappa.
