Sigma Gamma Rho

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Sigma Gamma Rho
ΣΓΡ
Sigma Gamma Rho Shield.png
FoundedNovember 12, 1922; 98 years ago (1922-11-12)
Butler University
Indianapolis, Indiana
TypeSocial
AffiliationNPHC
EmphasisAfrican American
ScopeInternational: USA, Germany,
Canada, Bermuda, Korea,
Virgin Islands, the Bahamas
SloganGreater Service, Greater Progress
Colors  Royal Blue
  Gold
FlowerYellow Tea Rose
MascotPoodle
PublicationAurora
Chapters500+
NicknamesSGRhos, Lady Sigmas, Sigma Women, Sigmas, Pretty Poodles
Headquarters1000 Southhill Drive, Suite 200
Cary, NC 27513
USA
Websitewww.sgrho1922.org
[1]

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (ΣΓΡ), a historically African American sorority and international collegiate and non-profit community service organization, was founded on November 12, 1922, by seven young educators on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was incorporated within the state of Indiana in December 1922 and became a national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to the Alpha chapter. Founded in the midst of segregation, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is the only sorority of the four historically African American National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sororities established at a predominantly white institution. It is also the only sorority not founded at Howard University, and the only member of the NPHC that started as a professional sorority having been organized by university graduates rather than undergraduates.

Since its inception, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has focused on providing service to mankind. Their commitment is expressed in the sorority's slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress," which they achieve by promoting the intrinsic values of sisterhood, leadership development, educating youth and conducting effective programs and services in the community. From early programs such as Sigma Teen Towns in the 1940s to proven partnerships with the March of Dimes, USA Swimming and many others, Sigma has poised itself as an organization committed to making impactful change in communities both domestically and internationally.

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, Germany, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands and the United Arab Emirates. Women may join through undergraduate chapters at a college or university, or through an alumnae chapter after earning a college degree. The organization also has active affiliate groups devoted to empowering women at different stages in life: Philos Affiliates (friends of the sorority), the Rhoer Club Affiliates (teenage girls) and the Rhosebuds (elementary-age girls).

The Founders[]

Dorothy Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie M. Johnson, Hattie M. Redford and Mary Lou Little

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian Irene White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure.[2]

The sorority has a proud history of providing positive and proactive community outreach nationally and internationally. The programs, partnerships, and sponsorships represent Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to promoting the greater good in education, service, and leadership development.

In 2004, the National Headquarters moved from Chicago, Illinois to its current home in Cary, North Carolina. Sigma women are dedicated to helping each other and their personal success is recognized in through various awards and their magazine publication, The AURORA.

International Grand Basilei[]

Listed below are the International Grand Basilei since the inception of the sorority on the campus of Butler University. *Denotes Deceased (Omega Rho)

  • Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little* (1922-1925; Acting 1925 to 1926 First Elected)
  • Edith Marlone Ward* (1926-1927)
  • Fannie O’Bannon* (1927-1931)
  • Edythe Roache Walker* (1931-1934)
  • Bertha Black Rhoda* (1934-1944)
  • Ethel Ross Smith* (1944-1948)
  • Sallie Edwards Johnson* (1948-1954)
  • Edna Douglas* (1954-1959)
  • Dr. Lorraine A. Williams* (1959-1962)
  • Dr. Cleo Surry Higgins (1962-1963)
  • Annie Lee Whitehead Neville* (1963-1967)
  • Dr. Lorraine A, Williams* (1967-1971)
  • Dr. Annie Lawrence-Brown (1971-1976)
  • Evelyn Hood (1976-1980)
  • Dr. Alice M. Swain* (1980-1984)
  • Rejesta V. Perry* (1984-1988)
  • Dr. Katie K. White (1988-1992)
  • Corine J. Green* (1992-1996)
  • Dr. LaRona J. Morris* (1996-2000)
  • Helen J. Owens (2000-2004)
  • Dr. Mynora J. Bryant (2004-2008)
  • Joann Loveless (2008-2012)
  • Bonita M. Herring (2012-2016)
  • [Catchings-Smith] (2016-2020)
  • Rasheeda S. Liberty (2020–present)

National Headquarters[]

The national headquarters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is located at 1000 Southhill Drive, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27513

CENTRAL REGION

Current Central Region Syntaktes: Loreal N. Marshall

Central Region The Central Region comprises Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Canadian Divisions of Windsor, Ontario, and west to Saskatchewan, the Baffin Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Queen Elizabeth Islands and Germany.

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Current Northeastern Region Syntaktes: Thomasina Gore, Esq.

The Northeastern Region comprises Bermuda, Eastern Canada, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Korea, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

Current Southeastern Region Syntaktes: Dr. Celestine LaVan

The Southeastern Region comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands.

SOUTHWESTERN REGION

Current Southwestern Region Syntaktes: Miranda Moore

The Southwestern Region comprises Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

WESTERN REGION

Current Western Region Syntaktes: Michelle Aldridge

The Western Region comprises Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, United Arab Emirates, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Membership[]

INTAKE

New members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. are accepted on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Local chapters publicize when they will take new members and hold information sessions to meet potential members, discuss the sorority’s values and expectations and explain the membership intake process. Any applicant for membership must receive a majority of the votes of members of the chapter to which she has applied.

COLLEGIATE MEMBERSHIP

The undergraduate campus represents the foundation of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The collegiate experience within Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. compliments the lifelong commitment to growth and development through leadership opportunities, the powerful connection through sisterhood and so much more.

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. Interested women must also be enrolled in the semester for which they are applying.

Candidates may be accepted for undergraduate membership after successfully completing one quarter, semester, or trimester. The cumulative grade point average required for membership is 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Institutions may impose more stringent and additional requirements.

ALUMNAE MEMBERSHIP

SGRho’s lifelong commitment to sisterhood, scholarship, and service is exemplified in new, continued, or rededicated membership on the alumnae (graduate) level. Beyond the collegiate experience, alumnae engagement offers continued opportunities to grow personally, build relationships, and serve the community. The sorority's everlasting bond extends beyond sisterhood to a network of professional women dedicated to supporting one another around the world.

Potential graduate members must hold a degree from a four-year accredited educational institution. There is no GPA requirement for alumnae membership.

Whether collegiate or alumnae, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. does not tolerate hazing of any form. Hazing is wrong, prohibited and unauthorized, and those interested in membership are encouraged to read the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Hazing Policy for more information.

AFFILIATES

Rhoer Affiliates

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

Philo Affiliates

Since its inception, Sigma Gamma Rho has promoted unity among women and has 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 since grown to represent hundreds of women organized on a regional level. The Philos have contributed countless hours of community service and thousands of dollars aiding Sigma Gamma Rho’s aim to enhance the quality of life within every community.

Rhosebuds

The Rhosebud Club is an affiliate group of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. consisting of a diverse group of girls, ages 8 through 11. Delicate like the petals of a rosebud, this affiliate group is handled with special care and attention.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. seeks to play a role in helping to cultivate girls as they grow into young ladies who are well-rounded and will embody the qualities needed to be good students and productive citizens. We feel this can be best achieved through action that will contribute to the overall well-being of the Rhosebud.

SIGMA TRAILBLAZERS

Television, Film and Radio

Music

  • Vanessa Bell Armstrong - Grammy-nominated gospel recording artist
  • Maranda Curtis - Gospel recording artist
  • Eva Jessye - first African-American woman to receive international distinction as a professional choral conductor, conducted choir at March on Washington, 1963
  • Maysa Leak - Grammy-nominated jazz singer
  • MC Lyte (born Lana Michele Moorer) - Hip-Hop recording artist
  • Kelly Price - Grammy-nominated R&B singer
  • Martha Reeves - R&B and Pop singer, former politician, former lead singer of the Motown girl group "Martha and the Vandellas"
  • DJ Spinderella - Hip-hop recording artist (Salt n' Pepa) and deejay

Comedy

Politics and Government

  • Lindy Boggs - 1st female U.S. Representative in Louisiana
  • Corrine Brown - Former U.S. Representative, D - Florida
  • Eugenia Charles - 1st female Prime Minister of Dominica, 1st female elected head of government in the Americas
  • Gwen Cherry - 1st African American female to serve on the State Legislator in Florida, educator, lawyer, author, Florida House Representative
  • Georgia Davis Powers - 1st female and person of color elected to the Kentucky State Senate
  • Robin Kelly - U.S. Representative, D - Illinois
  • Nina Turner - Former Ohio state senator[3]

Service and Activism

  • Hydeia Broadbent - HIV/AIDS activist, motivational speaker

Sports and Athletics

Authors, Journalists and Writers

  • Alice Childress - author of "A Hero Ain't Nothin' But A Sandwich"
  • Alice Allison Dunnigan - journalist, first African-American female correspondent to receive White House credentials
  • Cynthia Horner - editor of , former editor of Right On! magazine
  • Beverly Jenkins - historical romance novelist
  • Joyce Carol Thomas - poet, playwright, author of over 30 children's books

Educators

  • Selena Sloan Butler - founder and first president of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Association (NCCPTA)
  • Julia Davis - educator and librarian in African American contributions to American History, (namesake of the Julia Davis branch of the St. Louis Public Library)

Business and Law

Religion

  • Carolyn Tyler Guidry - second woman elected as a bishop of the AME Church
  • Rev. Willie Barrow - Director of Operations, Operation PUSH/Rainbow Coalition

Other

  • Deshauna Barber - Miss USA 2016
  • Sandra Bland- American woman who died in police custody after a traffic stop.
  • Ocielia Gibson - Miss Black USA 2011

National Programs and Initiatives[]

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is fully committed to assisting those in need as well as the betterment of communities around the globe. The sorority consistently works in partnership with national support organizations including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Urban League, The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and many others.

Sigma Gamma Rho’s programs and initiatives include:

OPERATION BIGBOOKBAG

Operation BigBookBag is a program designed to address the needs, challenges and issues that face school-aged children who are educationally at-risk, in local homeless shelters and extended-care hospitals and facilities. Through this program, chapters and members collect and donate educational materials, equipment and school supplies.

The goals of the program are to:

  • Provide quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help students with educational endeavors.
  • Equip students with the means of completing their homework assignments in effort to keep them current and up to date.
  • Assist shelters, youth centers, schools and hospitals in their efforts to meet some of the educational needs of children and young adults housed at their facilities.

Operation BigBookBag was established in 1996 by the late Dr. LaRona J. Morris, 18th International Grand Basileus. It was established in partnership with the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order, Nobles Mystic Shrine, Inc. (Shriners). The program has expanded in recent years to focus on exposing students to STEM curriculum and careers, and a refocus on tutoring support and mentoring programs. Programs can be held by chapters all year long with the back to school supply give-away held every August and January of the school year.

WOMEN'S WELLNESS INITIATIVE

The Women’s Wellness Initiative is a consolidated effort that allows chapters to focus on health issues that impact women; specifically, women of color. The Women’s Wellness Initiative was developed after the Sorority’s participation in the United Nations/March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness panel in New York. Acceptable educational and programmatic efforts under this Initiative include, but are not limited to Breast Cancer Awareness, Intimate and Domestic Violence, Heart Health, Diabetes Health, Mental Health and other issues that target women. WWI programs can be conducted at any time during the sorority year.

The goals of the program are to:

  • Encourage women to maintain a healthy lifestyle and minimize health risks
  • Empower women to make informed decisions about their physical, mental, and emotional health
  • Ensure there is a representative number of African American women in health studies

SWIM 1922

Swim 1922 was created to address the unfortunate truth that according to the CDC, approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S.A. An even more startling fact is that 70 percent of African American children and 60 percent of Hispanic children in the U.S. do not know how to swim. Additionally, African American children are three times more likely to drown than Caucasian children.

Through the partnership with USA Swimming, Sigma Gamma Rho’s Swim 1922 campaign aims to address this disparity by having. Olympians and members of the sorority teach the community about water safety and how to swim. With USA Swimming, Sigma Gamma Rho has touched close to 20,000 lives, directly, with the projection of changing multiple generations to come. Swim 1922 programs are conducted during May–August of the sorority year.

SGRho’s goal is to strengthen USA Swimming’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by breaking down barriers, created by a lack of access and exposure, and expanding our footprint in the local community to increase swim participation and decrease drowning rates.

PROJECT CRADLE CARE

A collaboration between Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the March of Dimes, Project Cradle Care Prenatal Health Program seeks to improve pregnancy outcomes in high-risk communities by increasing the number of women of childbearing age who receive adequate prenatal education and care. The program also focuses on educating moms about proper infant care and child development.

The goal of the program is to have a positive impact on the quality of life for children who are born prematurely, or as a result of teen pregnancy.

Through Project Cradle Care Prenatal Health Program, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and the March of Dimes join forces with medical professionals and community-based organizations to educate and raise awareness in high-risk communities of prematurity prevention by hosting informational baby showers, health symposiums and health fairs. Participants receive information on prenatal and postnatal care, birth defects, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), newborn care and more. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. hosts the Project Cradle Care Prenatal Health Program annually on the third Saturday in January.

ANNUAL YOUTH SYMPOSIUM

Held simultaneously, on the second Saturday of March by Alumnae Chapters across the nation, SGRho’s Youth Symposium serves as a unifying effort during “Sigma Week.” The Symposium (supported by undergraduate chapters and affiliates) is designed to highlight some of the prevalent concerns that negatively impact youth (drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, human trafficking, etc.).

The late Dr. LaRona J. Morris, Past Grand Basileus, was the originator of this nationwide, one-day symposium. Dr. Morris initiated this program under her administration during the periods of 1996 – 2000. SGRho continues her thrust to empower youth through hands-on, interactive leadership activities centered on a relevant annual theme. The Youth Symposium has a standardized agenda and program package to be used nationwide.

Sigma Gamma Rho's goal is to be relevant in the lives of our youth and transform them by improving educational and behavioral outcomes.

Local Chapter Misconduct[]

The New York Times wrote an article about two serious hazing incidents involving the sorority. In 2008, a pledge at San Jose State University filed a civil suit against the sorority after being severely beaten, harassed, and threatened to keep the abuse a secret. Four sorority members were arrested and served 90 days in county jail. In 2010 at Rutgers University, six Sigma Gamma Rho women were arrested and charged with a felony after striking one pledge over 200 times which forced her to seek medical attention.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ "About". sgrho1922.org.
  2. ^ "About Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc". Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  3. ^ "Local sorority members react to Sandra Bland's death". WOIO. July 22, 2015.
  4. ^ Lewin, Tamar (2010-10-06). "Hazing Accusations Against a Sorority (Published 2010)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-27.

External links[]

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