Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.: History, Symbols, and Programs

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc State Incorporation

Founded | November 12, 1922

Founding Location

Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana

Number of Founders

Seven

Profession of Most Founders

Educators

National Incorporation Date charter was granted to the Alpha Chapter at Butler University

December 30, 1929

First Basileus

Vivian White Marbury

Official Colors

Royal Blue and Gold

Official Flower

Yellow Tea Rose

Official Mascot

French Poodle

Sorority Motto

Greater Service, Greater Progress

Meaning of the Crown

Leadership and royalty

Operation BigBookBag

Provides school supplies to students in need

Swim 1922

Promotes water safety and swim education

Project Reassurance

Focuses on health awareness and support

Youth Symposium

Youth mentoring and empowerment program

Council Membership

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

Year Joined NPHC

1937

Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little

Founder of Sigma Gamma Rho wrote the official sorority pledge

Vivian Irene White Marbury

Founder and First Basileus

Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson

Founder of Sigma Gamma Rho

Cubena McClure

Founder of Sigma Gamma Rho designed the sgrho pin

Hattie Mae Dulin Redford

Founder of Sigma Gamma Rho

Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades

Founder of Sigma Gamma Rho

NPHC Affiliation: Sigma Gamma Rho joined the National Pan-Hellenic Council in

1937

Central Region

U.S. States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.

International: Canada (Windsor, Ontario west to Saskatchewan), Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Baffin Island, and the Queen Elizabeth Islands

Northeastern Region (USA)

U.S. States: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.

International: Bermuda, Canada (Toronto, Ontario east to Nova Scotia/Newfoundland), Ghana, Korea, Africa (Canary Islands, Madagascar, Madeira Islands)

Southeastern Region (USA)

U.S. States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee.

International: Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean (Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico), South America, and the Falkland Islands

Southwestern Region (USA)

U.S. States: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas.

International: Belize, Mexico, Central America (including Panama), Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, New Guinea, and Samoa

Western Region (USA)

U.S. States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

International: Canada (Alberta west to British Columbia), Japan, South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates

National Headquarters Location

Cary, North Carolina

The Official Badge (Pin) Components

Design: An open book with a torch as its foundation.

Gemstones: 10 pearls on the edges (representing the 7 founders and 3 virtues: Faith, Hope, Love) and 2 rubies at the base (representing Light and Achievement).

Designer: Founder Cubena McClure.

International Officer Titles (Selected)

Grand Basileus: International President.

First Grand Anti-Basileus: International Vice President.

Grand Grammateus: Financial Secretary.

Grand Tamiochus: Treasurer.

Grand Epistoleus: Historian/Reporter.

Affiliate Groups

Philos: Friends of the sorority who function as an auxiliary to local graduate chapters.

Rhoer Club: Young girls (ages 12-18) organized on local, regional, and national levels for leadership training.

Rhosebuds: For girls ages 8-11.

The Mary Lou Allison Loving Cup Award

The sorority's highest award, presented at each Boule (national convention) to the chapter reporting the most successful program for the year.

"L-I-G-H-T"

The acronym often used to describe the qualities of a Sigma woman: Loyalty, Integrity, Generosity, Helpfulness, and Trustworthiness.

Unique Identity

It is the only sorority in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) founded at a predominantly white institution (PWI) rather than a historically black college or university (HBCU).

Official Publication

Aurora

Historical Context

The founders established the sorority at the height of the Ku Klux Klan's influence in Indiana, a period often referred to as "Klandiana"

The Grand Chapter

The supreme governing body, composed of the Board of Directors, past Grand Basilei, and elected delegates from local chapters.

Boule

The biennial (every two years) national convention where business is conducted and the Grand Chapter meets.

Regional Leadership Titles

Syntaktes: Regional Director.

Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator (UCC): Supervises undergraduate chapters in a region.

Youth Services Coordinator (YSC): Coordinates regional activities for Rhoers and other youth

Service & National Foundations

- National Education Fund (NEF): Established in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) to provide scholarship aid and conduct educational programs.

- SPEAR (Sigma Public Education and Research Foundation): Founded in 1995 to obtain financial support for community projects and research.

- Seven Sigma Foundations: Includes the National Education Fund and the Seven Pearls Foundation.

The Regional Conference

Each of the 5 regions holds a conference annually.