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Sorority HERstory
Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on, and continues to be steadfastly committed to the tenets of excellence in, Scholarship, Sisterhood, and Service. Sigma Gamma Rho has a proud legacy of providing positive and proactive community leadership and support when and wherever needed as indicated by the sorority's international slogan:
"Greater Service, Greater Progress."
Mission Statement
It is the mission of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil, and social action. Our goal is to achieve greater progress in the areas of education, health awareness, and leadership development.
Our members, affiliates, staff, and community partners work to create and support initiatives that align with our vision
Foundation
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven young educators:
Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little
Dorothy Hanley Whiteside
Vivian White Marbury
Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson
Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford
Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin
Cubena McClure
The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University.
Soaring to greater heights of attainment around the world, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., as a leading national service organization, has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service.
Sisterhood
From seven young educators, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendships and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime.
Sigma women are dedicated to helping each other and their personal success is recognized in The AURORA and through various awards.
Service
Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress." The sorority has a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist, including OPERATION BigBookBag, 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. The objective is for chapters to provide their local homeless shelters and children hospitals with educational materials, equipment and supplies. Other national projects include Wee Savers, and Project Reassurance. Through Habitat for Humanity, Sigma Gamma Rho built seven homes across the United States in Florida, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, California, and Texas.
The service of Sigma Gamma Rho from a global perspective includes Project Africa and Project Mwanamugimu. Through active participation in programs and through networking with other organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, Urban League and the NAACP, Sigma's legacy of service to improve the quality of life for all mankind continues.
