Sigma Gamma Rho

Sigma Gamma Rho
ΣΓΡ
Founded	November 12, 1922 (1922-11-12) Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana
Type	Social
Emphasis	Service
Scope	International
Mission statement	Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and education of youth are the hallmark of the organization's programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically.
Motto	Greater Service, Greater Progress
Colors	Royal Blue      Gold
Symbol	Poodle
Flower	Yellow Tea Rose
Mascot	White French Toy Poodle
Publication	Aurora
Chapters	500+
Nickname	Sigma, SGRho, Lady Sigmas homepage = http://www.sgrho1922.org/
Headquarters	Cary, North Carolina, USA

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (ΣΓΡ) was founded on the campus of Butler University on November 12, 1922, by seven school teachers in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was incorporated within the state of Indiana in December 1922 and as a national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, at which time a charter was granted and the Alpha chapter was established.

The sorority is a non-profit whose aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and the education of youth are the hallmark of the organization's programs and activities.

Founded in the midst of segregation, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,Inc. is the only sorority of the four historically African-American sororities which comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), to be established at a predominantly white campus. Sigma Gamma Rho also supports two affiliates: the RHOERS, a group of young women, and PHILOS, women who are friends of the sorority.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,Inc. has over 100,000 members with more than 500 undergraduate and alumnae chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, Africa and Korea.

Membership

New members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. are accepted on both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Alumni/Graduate Membership

Potential graduate members must hold a degree from a four-year accredited educational institution.

Undergraduate Membership

A woman may be admitted for membership in an undergraduate chapter only while in attendance at a four-year accredited college or university, or in a liberal arts/transfer program of a junior or community college, once they submit proof of intention to enter and obtain a degree from a four-year school. A 2.5 on a 4.0 gpa scale is required.

The Founders

• Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little

Raised by a family friend because both of her parents were killed when she was three, Ms. Little graduated from Shortridge High School in 1915 and received a diploma from the Indianapolis Normal School in 1918. She began her teaching career immediately after graduation. In 1928, Little moved to Los Angeles with her husband and finished her undergraduate training at UCLA. She taught in the Los Angeles School System until her retirement in 1967. The Mary Lou Allison Loving Cup Award is presented at each Boule to the chapter reporting the most successful program.

• Dorothy Hanley Whiteside

After graduating from Shortridge High School, Ms. Whiteside entered the Indianapolis City Normal School. In 1922, when in training as a cadet teacher, she met the teachers who became her best friends and founders of Sigma Gamma Rho. Ms. Whiteside taught school until 1951 when she retired and later helped her husband to develop a business. She also started her own millinery business and worked with her church and various other organizations. After the death of her husband, she ran their business from 1955 until 1957 and returned to teaching in 1959, where she remained until her retirement in 1970.

• Vivian Irene White Marbury

Like her friends, Ms. Marbury also attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis City Normal School. She received a B.S. from Butler University and a Master's from Columbia University in New York City. Her professional career included teaching at Morehouse College in Atlanta and serving as Director of Practice Training of teachers from Butler University and Indianapolis State University. She taught in the Indianapolis School System for nine years. Ms. Marbury organized Public School 87, which grew from a 4 room portable school to 18 rooms and 24 teachers, where she was principal for 39 years until her retirement in 1967. She married in 1929 and is the mother of two children.

• Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson

A product of the Indianapolis Public School System, Ms. Johnson received both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Butler University. In 1923, she received her first teaching assignment and over the years, she was promoted to principal of the largest elementary school in Indianapolis. She was also very involved with many clubs and organizations dedicated to community service. Ms. Johnson retired in 1966.

• Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford

A cum laude graduate of South Bend Central High School, Ms. continued her education to receive a B.S from Indiana State Teachers College and a M.S. from Butler University. Ms. Redford also studied at Western Reserve in Cleveland and Indiana University Extension. She taught one year in Terra Haute, and thirty seven years in Indianapolis, IN. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, Financial Consultant and received various awards and honors from Sigma Gamma Rho. Plaques are awarded in Ms. Redford's name at each Boule for exhibits of chapter achievements.

• Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin

The youngest of six children, Ms. Martin attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual Training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Ms. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the sorority.

• Cubena McClure

A graduate of Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis City Normal School, Ms. McClure attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She won the Gregg Scholarship which she planned to use to attend Columbia University, but due to illness, she could not accept the scholarship. McClure was talented in art and she helped to design the sorority pin. Ms. McClure died very young on August 24, 1924.

National Programs

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. gives its leadership, service, and resources toward removing barriers and inequalities so that all Americans may develop their potential and exercise full citizenship.

Through support of human rights legislation, service to and support of grass roots individual and community development activity, and active participation in the programs of affiliate and other organizations, the sisters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. are committed to working to improve the quality of their lives and the society they serve.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in its quest to expand its area of service, actively participates in the sponsoring of national and international programs designed for the improved welfare of all people.

National Education Fund

The mission of the National Education Fund, Inc. ("NEF") is to provide scholarship aid to needy students, both male and female, of all races and to conduct educational programs to enhance the quality of life. The NEF Board of Trustees convenes annually at rotating geographical locations throughout the nation.

Project Reassurance

The care and protection of children is, first and foremost, a family concern. But when teenagers have babies, the consequences are throughout society. Children born to teenage parents are more likely to be of low birth weight and to suffer from inadequate health care, more likely to leave High School without graduating and more likely to be poor, thus perpetuating a cycle of unrealized potential. Originally conducted in partnership with the March of Dimes, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. chapters sponsor workshops and other activities that assist pregnant teens and educate teen mothers about the importance of pre-natal and post-natal care, and to better understand infant care and child development.

Mwanamugimu Essay Contest

Mwanamugimu (Mwah-nah-moo-gee-moo) Essay Contest

The Mwanamugimu Essay contest's primary goal is to provide an opportunity for students to increase their knowledge of the historical and contemporary development of Africa. Its objectives are to provide the target population with opportunities that (1) allow structured ways to learn about Africa; (2) heighten awareness of African cultural heritage; and (3) improve writing and research skills. The project title, Mwanamugimu, is a proverb from the Republic of Uganda that means "from small acorns come mighty oaks." Chapters sponsor local essay contests that usually include awards programs. Regional contests are also held, with winning essays announced at regional conferences.

The theme for this year is, “Africa, the foundation of many nations…from Creation to Infinity.”

Project Africare

Working in partnership with Africare, for many years Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has assisted in providing thousands of dollars to purchase grain grinders for African women to help alleviate their back-breaking work. The project focus has now evolved as have the needs to addressing through finances and education HIV/AIDS awareness, education and treatment.

Project Wee Savers

This project is designed to develop an awareness of various banking facilities and their available services. The goal of Wee Savers is to allow participants to become knowledgeable of the real life skills of saving and buying stocks and bonds, ranging from ages 6 to 18 years. Participants experience the real life skills of basic investing, setting specific goals attainable through monitoring and mentoring of money and activities.

OPERATION BigBookBag

A Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority International Project in Partnership with the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.

Sorority and Shrine members make available, to selected facilities across the nation, bookbags, notebooks, writing and drawing paper, pencils and pens, dictionaries, thesauri, rulers, glue, construction paper, textbooks, encyclopedia, typewriters, computers and many other needed school items. Made available also through the efforts of both memberships is a nation-wide tutoring and mentoring program designed for the benefit of the children housed at said facilities.

The effective and overall implementation of OPERATION BigBookBag serves as an invaluable resource to the children by: (1) Affording children with quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help them in their educational endeavors; (2)Providing the children with the means of completing their homework assignments in order that they may remain current and up -to -date on course projects and requirements and (3) Assisting the shelters, centers, schools and hospitals in their efforts to meet some of the educational needs of the children and young adults housed at the facilities.

SPEAR (Sigma Public Education and Research Foundation)

The Sigma Public Education and Research(SPEAR) Foundation is an Affiliate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. SPEAR was founded in 1993 as a component of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated during the administration of Past Grand Basileus Corine J. Green. In 1995, SPEAR received its 501(c)3 status and became an autonomous body, with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. affiliation, with an office registered in Nevada.

SPEAR's mission is to promote social, civic, cultural, economic, and educational progress for vulnerable or at risk families and communities. The mission is fulfilled through community services, public education, advocacy, and social science research.

SPEAR’s goals emphasize the development of public education and advocacy programs that will reduce poverty, and improve the quality of life for minorities, women, and children. The foundation focuses on social science research and the direct correlation between the escalation of poverty, illiteracy, moral/value and family disintegration. This 501(c)3 organization seeks funding sources, and provides technical assistance on program management and development. SPEAR was created to increase access of resources to local Community Based Organizations (CBO) for programming of community service activities.

SPEAR encourages CBO’s to take advantage of the services SPEAR provides by informing them of the processes involved in acquiring additional funding sources and organizational linkages necessary for the transition of a successful project into an extended program. The information provided encourages CBO’s to expand current projects and facilitate additional programming that increased financial support encourages. SPEAR looks forward to fulfilling its mission to provide civic, economic, and educational progress of vulnerable families, and communities. SPEAR strives to facilitate charitable marketplace access, community innovation and improvement, and nonprofit sector experimentation. SPEAR extends full legal, corporate and financial sponsorship to the projects it supports.

Sigma Youth Symposium

Sponsored in conjunction with and in commemoration of Sigma Week, the Sigma Youth Symposium focuses on some of the prevalent concerns that negatively impact our youth: drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, etc. This annual event is usually held on the second Saturday of March by each Alumnae Chapter.

National Marrow Donor Program

Established in 1992, this initiative was developed to address and reduce the number of African-American deaths due to a lack of sufficient numbers of race appropriate [bone marrow] donors. The program focuses on the education and recruitment of sorority member, affiliate and community donors. Usually booths are set up during regional and regional conferences.

Cancer Awareness Program

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is cognizant that African-Americans make up a large proportion of cancer patients [cancer]. In 2001 it was estimated that 63,500 African American will die from cancer. In addition African-Americans have the highest mortality rate of any ethnic group. As a result, the Sorority is committed to providing education on and active support of early detection as well as research for the prevention and cure of breast, prostate, ovarian, colon and other types of cancers.

Buckle Up America

A safety awareness program which educates citizens about the life saving importance of seatbelt and car seat use.

National Affiliates

Philo Affiliates

Since its inception, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has promoted unity among women and for years many alumnae chapters worked with individuals who were not members of Greek-lettered organizations. These women were organized into auxiliaries that had various names until 1954 when the sorority officially approved the organized affiliate group and accepted the name of "Philo"(meaning Friend) as their official name.

In 1980 the Philos were organized on a national level and have grown to represent hundreds of women organized on a regional level as well. The Philos have contributed countless hours of community service and thousands of dollars to aid Sigma Gamma Rho's aim to enhance the quality of life within every community.

Rhoer Affiliates

Rhoers are young girls in high school organized on a local, regional and national level since 1939. The Rhoer affiliates are working to help other young people while they learn about their heritage and develop leadership skills. Sigma Gamma Rho is dedicated to helping Rhoers to grow to be women of substance dedicated to service.

The Aurora

The AURORA is the official journal of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and is published quarterly. Gertrude Murchison of Gamma Sigma Chapter was the first Editor-in-Chief of The Aurora at the Third Annual Boule, 1927.

Notable members

There are several notable women who are members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

• Vanessa Bell Armstrong - gospel music artist
• Louise Beavers - actress (film Imitation of Life, 1934)
• 'Lindy' Corrine Claiborne Boggs - first female U.S. representative from Louisiana
• Corrine Brown - U.S. Representative Florida
• Eugenia Charles - former Prime Minister of Dominica and first woman elected head of state in the Americas
• Lee Chamberlin - actress
• Alice Childress- author of "A Hero Ain't Nothin' But A Sandwich"
• Ellia English - actress/producer, (sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show')
• Carolyn Tyler Guidry - second elected female bishop of the AME Church
• Anna Maria Horsford - actress, (sitcoms Amen (TV series) and The Wayans Bros.)
• Cynthia Horner - editor of Right On! magazine
• Maysa Leak - jazz music artist
• Mother Love - daytime talk show host
• Marilyn McCoo - singer/actress
• Hattie McDaniel - first African American to be nominated and to win an Academy Award-winning for her supporting role in the 1939 epic movie Gone with the Wind
• MC Lyte (born Lana Michele Moorer) - Hip-Hop recording artist
• Kelly Price - Grammy-nominated singer
• Victoria Rowell - foster care activist and actress The Young & The Restless
• Tonya Lee Williams - actress, The Young & The Restless
• Martha Reeves - R&B and Pop singer and former politician, and was the lead singer of the Motown girl group "Martha and the Vandellas"
• Leighan Lord - comedian
• Ms. Dupree - comedian, Tom Joyner Show
• Dr. Lillian M. Beard - Former Columnist: " Good Housekeeping Magazine"
• Brenda Pressley - actress
• Chizu Shindo Suzuki - Japanese Artist and Writer
• Priscilla Williams White - author of "The Children - What Shall We Tell Them About God?"
• Linda McClure - model, actress
• Shannon Warren- political blogger

External links

• Official Website