First President of the Alpha Chapter
The following is taken from pages 7-8 of the 60th Anniversary Issue of Pan Pipes, published in May 1964 by Sigma Alpha Iota.
An artist-graduate in Piano from the University of Michigan in 1901, Minnie M. Davis immediately became a member of the University Music Faculty, serving in the years 1901-1909. Her graduate study was in Paris under Harold Bauer. Her American teachers were Albert Lockwood, William Sherwood and Frederic Lamond.
During her University tenure, Minnie Davis, a brilliant pianist, gave Piano Lecture-Recitals throughout Michigan. Also a skilled accompanist, she appeared in this capacity for artists on the annual May Festival Concerts and for Faculty Concerts. Among artists she accompanied were de Gogorza, George Hamlin, and Martinelli. She was also accompanist for the Choral Union, a three-hundred-voice Choir under Dr. Albert A. Stanley, Director of the School of Music.
Later, music appearances continued with a great deal of concert work in the East and South.
First President of Alpha Chapter, Minnie Davis served as National President in 1916-1917. She served twice as National Corresponding Secretary, twice as a member of the National Council, and was a Traveling Delegate for one year.
It was Minnie Davis who spoke to Elizabeth Campbell of her desire to unite a group of the most earnest and talented girls graduating from the University in the spring of 1903, some of whom would return in the fall to join the School of Music Faculty. Together the two approached Leila Farlin, the three presenting the idea to Nora Crane Hunt.
In a letter dated June 13, 1936, from Minnie Davis Sherrill, she states: "Mrs. Howland, realizing the need of a high type of musical organization, made the suggestion to us that we would be the very girls to form such a sorority. So - we really owe our existence to Mrs. Howland, who was our first Patroness and our firm friend.... These were busy, happy days. We all felt very close and worked hard to build high standards. Fine character and the highest type of musicianship are really the foundation of Sigma Alpha Iota."
Ann Arbor was Minnie Davis' birthplace. In 1909 Minnie M. Davis married Dr. Edwin S. Sherrill in Detroit, Michigan, where they made their home. Unusually active in her home city, in 1946 she wrote that she was past president of the Tuesday Musicale Society and a member of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Musician's League, Chairman of the Music Division of the Federation of Woman's Clubs of Detroit, and a member of Pro Musica. Always with broad interests, she served as President of Allied Youth, First Vice President of the Young Woman's Club, and a member of the Twentieth Century and the Woman's City Clubs. Minnie Davis Sherrill was made an Honorary Member of the Matinee Musical Club, and Musical Art Society, and was similarly honored by the Society of Engineer's Wives.
In these late years, Minnie Davis Sherrill has continued accompanying and has also done considerable coaching of prominent singers.
In Detroit's Sigma Alpha Iota activities, she was affiliated with both Delta and Sigma Chapters and was honored by the Detroit Alumnae Chapter, by being made their Honorary Member
Minnie Davis Sherrill passed on February 12, 1972, eight years after publication of this article. She and Georgina Potts died within ten days of each other.
