At the conclusion of the Diamond Circle ritual, Coghlan was awarded a commemorative certificate, pin and long-stem yellow rose, the sorority’s official flower. Refreshments followed the brief ceremony.

Founded in 1931, in Abilene, Kansas, by Walter W. Ross, BSP’s purpose was “to provide a cultural, educational, and social sorority for young business and professional women.” Of the three objectives, most members say the greatest benefit is friendship. Coghlan confirmed this has been true for her saying, “What a great sisterhood to belong to.”

A Webster City native, Coghlan was employed by both Webster City Federal and Farmer’s National Bank. She married Marlin Coghlan in 1978. They enjoyed traveling, ultimately visiting 43 U.S. states and parts of Canada.

She recalled an especially memorable visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, site of the pivotal Civil War battle. It was summer, the busiest time of the year in Gettysburg, and they had no hotel reservation. As a last resort, they were referred to a woman who rented rooms in her home.

She turned them away until she happened to notice their car’s license plates. “If you folks are from Iowa, I can trust you,” she said, and let them spend the night.

Beta Sigma Phi was established in Webster City on June 21, 1949, as Iowa Delta Psi Chapter. Five chapters from Fort Dodge and a field representative from the international office in Kansas City came to Webster City to launch the new chapter. Sixteen new initiates, and four transfer members were inducted at a ceremony held at the Willson Hotel.

By 1966, BSP could boast of 185,000 members in 15 countries, most of whom reside in the United States, Canada and Australia.

BSP has remained strong in smaller cities and towns, where their support of civically-minded projects has tangible, visible local benefits.

In recent years, Webster City’s BSP chapters have donated to Webster City Middle and High Schools, LIFT WC, and the annual Angel Tree Christmas gift project.

Each year, BSP identifies a statewide service project. For 2025, it was to support local food pantries. Webster City’s chapters were among the 157 statewide that answered this appeal.