Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. National Herstory

On November 12, 1922, the first Sigma Gamma Rho chapter was organized at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our founders, seven distinguished young educators, Mary Lou Allison Little, Vivian White Marbury, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Downey Martin, and Cubena McClure believed that knowledge, discipline, and hard work is gained through education. Since Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is the only African-American sorority founded on a predominately White campus our seven founders struggled to make sure that Sigma Gamma Rho was a unique sorority. Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women of every profession. There are over 100,000 members in over 460 chapters worldwide. The first three years of its existence was devoted to the organization of the sorority. Sigma Gamma Rho became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929.

Responsibility, stability, purpose, and self-respect set the level of scholastic expectancy for the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Collective striving for these qualities of character is necessary for consistently good scholarship. A high standard in scholarship was, and is, directly related to our percepts of quality and character.

Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress." In keeping with the slogan of Sigma Gamma Rho, the sorority has supported the following organizations: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Council of Negro Women, National Pan Hellenic Council, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, National Urban League, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, National Mental Health Association, United Negro College Fund, Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Black Women's Agenda, and American Association for University Women. The sorority also participates in projects such as Operation BigBookBag, Wee Savers, Project Reassurance, Project Africa, Project Mwanamugimu, and Habitat for Humanity.

SIGMA FLOWER
The sorority flower is the yellow tea rose.

SIGMA MASCOT
The sorority mascot is the French poodle.

SORORITY COLORS
The sorority colors are royal blue and gold.

PUBLICATION
The Aurora, the official quarterly publication of Sigma Gamma Rho, was first printed in 1930. Its purpose is to keep chapters informed about Sigma news and accomplishments.

As a leading national service organization, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through sisterhood, scholarship, and service.