DENVER, CO — More than two years after Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters first took their fight to the Tenth Circuit with Independent Women’s Law Center, they are headed back to federal court—and the stakes extend far beyond one sorority.
Can a women’s organization still have the right to be for women?
On Monday, September 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver, CO will hear oral arguments in Holtmeier et al. v. Kappa Kappa Gamma, a case brought by women challenging Kappa’s leadership’s decision to admit a male student who identifies as a woman into the University of Wyoming chapter.
Following oral arguments, Independent Women will host a “Save Sisterhood” demonstration and press conference outside the Byron White U.S. Courthouse with plaintiffs, their attorney, Kappa members and alumnae, women’s advocates, and supporters from across the country.
The young women at the center of the case joined Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Wyoming expecting the same promise the sorority made to generations before them: a lifelong sisterhood of women. When their chapter admitted a male student who identifies as a woman, several members challenged the decision, arguing that national leadership violated the sorority’s own governing documents, which state that “a new member shall be a woman.”
What began inside one chapter house has become a defining battle over the future of women’s organizations nationwide.
The plaintiffs know what a woman is. They know what sisterhood means. And they are not giving either up without a fight.
Following oral arguments, Independent Women ambassador Allie Coghan will be joined by fellow plaintiffs, attorneys, Kappa alumnae, mothers, and women’s advocacy leaders—including Riley Gaines—on the courthouse steps to make their message clear: women should not have to surrender their privacy, safety, or sisterhood to make room for men.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Riley Gaines — Fox News Contributor, Host of The Riley Gaines Show
Allie Coghan — Plaintiff, Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma; Independent Women Ambassador
Hannah Holtmeier — Plaintiff, Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma
Sharon Rutsch — Mother of Haley Rutsch, Plaintiff, Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma
Beth Parlato — Attorney, Independent Women’s Law Center
Angela Lavin — Lead Attorney, Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma
Ellie Renkert — University of Wyoming Kappa alumna and witness in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma
Jaylyn Westenbroek — University of Wyoming Kappa alumna and plaintiff in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma
Patsy Levang — Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna
Cheryl Tuck-Smith — Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna
Kim Jones — Co-Founder, ICONS; Stanford Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna
Laura McDonald — Daughters Advocating for Restoration
Elspeth Cypher — Board President, Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF)
Megan Burke — Co-Founder, Athletes for Action
Annie & Amy Smith — Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnas, singers/songwriters
FOR MEDIA ACCESS
CONTACT: [email protected]
EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Save Sisterhood Demonstration & Press Conference surrounding Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma oral arguments
WHEN: Monday, September 14, 2026
10:30 a.m. MT — Oral Arguments Begin
11:30 a.m. MT — Press Conference Begins Outside Courthouse
1:30 p.m. MT — Demonstration Concludes
WHERE: United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Byron White U.S. Courthouse
1823 Stout Street
Denver, CO 80257
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Plaintiffs, attorneys, and participating advocates will be available for interviews following oral arguments. Mult box will be available onsite.
ABOUT SAVE OUR SISTERHOOD:
Independent Women has supported Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters and alumnae challenging policies that erase the female boundaries of their sorority and has worked nationally to protect women’s single-sex spaces.
Through its Stand With Women model legislation defining “woman,” now law in 18 states, and its campaign efforts to preserve women-only sports, prisons, and sororities, and other intimate spaces, Independent Women has advanced a basic principle: where sex matters, women have the right to boundaries.
The Kappa sisters have galvanized a broader movement of sorority women from across more than 20 sororities who are calling on the National Panhellenic Conference and the leadership of all sororities to defend the institution of sisterhood, their bylaws, and what a woman is.
Afterall, a sorority has one defining requirement: sisters.
May Mailman, director of Independent Women’s Law Center, in May 2024 speaking outside the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
In 2024, women packed the Tenth Circuit and rallied on these same courthouse steps alongside Independent Women during an earlier round of oral arguments in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma. Supporters included Kappa members and alumnae, women from numerous other National Panhellenic Conference sororities, and women’s organizations spanning the political spectrum.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND.
To pre-register, email [email protected].
LEARN MORE: https://saveoursisterhood.com/
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