Texas Spirits
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Texas Spirits is a social, spirit, and service campus organization for women and non-binary individuals at the University of Texas at Austin. The purpose of Texas Spirits is to promote spirit and serve the community in the best way possible. Founded in 1941, Spirits have four pillars: Love, Friendship, Service, and Spirit.[1]
Founding[edit]
Texas Spirits was founded by Grace Doss and Wanda Lee Turner as a school pride and spirit organization for the university community.[2] They were originally called the "Texas Spooks" in reference to their secrecy and ghostly garb they wore. Early Spirits were known to write on the windows of local buildings on the Drag, writing messages to other spirit organizations and members on campus. A huge part of the early Spirits was their attempts to ward off bad luck at sport games with rituals involving candles and secret traditions.
The first Ghost Council, the leadership board, included Margrette Zuleika Grubbs (Head Haunt), Hazel Marie Coghill (Vice Haunt), Marijane Nancy Davis (Banker Haunt), and Virginia Ruth Corbin (Journalistic Haunt). There were 21 original members. The entry requirements were originally to have "interest and participation in campus activities, and a sense of humor" and in 1993 Texas Spirits moved from a nomination process to an application process.
Renaming[edit]
Texas Spooks was renamed Texas Spirits in 1996 after many students found the name offensive. [3] They called their incoming members "Spooklets," which was changed to "Weenies" and is still in use today.
Uniform[edit]
Originally outfitted in black dresses with skull and cross bones arm bands, in 1979, Spirits introduced a maroon scarf, and then Spirits adopted the burnt orange scarf still used today in 1987. Their colors are maroon, white, black, and of course, burnt orange. They have a formal uniform of white and black and a casual uniform of white and blue.
Philanthropy[edit]
The Saint Louise House is the main philanthropy of the Texas Spirits, which provides housing and resources for women and children experiencing homelessness. They aim to help families develop long-term stability. Spirits host an annual Halloween festival and other events to raise funds for them.
The largest annual event is Band Jam, a charity concert benefiting the Saint Louise House. Band Jam started in 1995 and has grown in size and in the amount raised every year.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Texas Spirits". Texas Spirits. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "Texas Archival Resources Online". txarchives.org. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ Gandara, Ricardo. "University club has so much spirit it's spooky". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
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