Sigma Gamma Rho
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| Motto | Greater Service, Greater Progress |
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| Colors | Royal Blue and Gold |
| Symbol | Poodle |
| Flower | Yellow Tea Rose |
| Founded | November 12, 1922 at Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Fraternity type | Service |
| Scope | International |
| Headquarters | 1000 Southhill Drive, Suite 200 Cary, North Carolina, USA |
| Chapters | 500+ |
| Nickname | Lady Sigmas, SGRho |
| Homepage | Sigma Gamma Rho Website |
The Sigma Gamma Rho (ΣΓΡ) Sorority, Incorporated was founded on November 12, 1922 by seven educators in Indianapolis, Indiana. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The organization is non-profit whose 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 addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically.
Sigma Gamma Rho has over 90,000 members with more than 500 undergraduate and alumnae chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Africa.
The sorority is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization of nine international Greek letter fraternities and sororities, and the only historically African-American sorority to be founded in the midst of segregation on a predominantly white campus.
[edit] Membership
New members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. are accepted on both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Potential graduate members must hold a degree from a four-year accredited educational institution.
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.
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).
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc does not tolerate hazing of any form.
[edit] The Founders
- Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson
- Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little
- Vivian White Marbury
- Bessie M. Downey Rhoades Martin
- Cubena McClure
- Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford
- Dorothy Hanley Whiteside
[edit] Past Presidents
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[edit] National Programs
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., gives leadership, service, and resources toward removing barriers and inequalities so that all people of America 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 through active participation in the programs of affiliate and other organizations, we are committed to working to improve the quality of our lives and the society we serve.
Sigma Gamma Rho, 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.
[edit] National Education Fund
The mission of the National Education Fund, Inc. 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.
[edit] 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, 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.
[edit] Mwanamugimu Essay Contest
Mwanamugimu (Wah-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 form 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.”
[edit] Project Africare
Working in partnership with Africare, for many years Sigma Gamma Rho has assisted in providing thousands of dollars to purchase grain grinders for African American 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] SPEAR (Sigma Public Education and Research Foundation)
Welcome to the Sigma Public Education and Research (SPEAR) Foundation. This document is intended to provide an introduction and basic orientation to SPEAR. We hope it will answer many questions about what it means to be a project of SPEAR. As a project of SPEAR, your activities become SPEAR’s legal responsibility, and what one project does affect all of SPEAR. In the interest of building a compatible, productive working relationship from the start, we offer the following responses to questions commonly asked by new and prospective projects and project leaders. What is the Sigma Public Education and Research (SPEAR) Foundation? An Affiliate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
[edit] Mission
To promote social, civic, cultural, economic, and educational progress for vulnerable or atrisk families and communities. The mission is fulfilled through community services, public education, advocacy, and social science research.
[edit] History
SPEAR was founded in 1993 as a component of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. 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 .
[edit] Goals
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. Sigma Public Education and Research (SPEAR) Foundation, an affiliate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was established in January 1993, during the administration of Past Grand Basileus Corine J. Green. 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. This manual will serve as a resource guide for 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. We extend full legal, corporate and financial sponsorship to the projects we support.
[edit] 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. Held on the second Saturday of March by each Alumnae Chapter, simultaneous Sigma Youth Symposiums address issues that affect teens today.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Cancer Awareness Program
Cognizant that African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of cancer — the highest mortality rate of any ethnic group — Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is committed to providing education on and active support of early detection as well research for the prevention and cure of breast, prostate, ovarian, colon and other types of cancers.
[edit] National Affiliates
Philo Affiliates Since its inception, Sigma Gamma Rho 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.
If you are interested in finding a Philo Club in your area, complete the membership interest form to receive more information.
Rhoer Affiliates A love for youth and the development of their full potential was the primary motivating factor that inspired Founder Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little to organize Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Young people today face challenges that could never have been imagined years ago, but such challenges provide the sorority with opportunities to carry on the vision of Little.
Rhoers are young girls organized on a local, regional and national level. 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.
[edit] The Aurora
The AURORA is the official organ of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. & is published quarterly. Gertrude Murchison of Gamma Sigma Chapter was the first Editor-in-Chief of The Aurora at the Third Annual Boule, 1927.
The AURORA reflects Sigma's unity of purpose and action, support of programs and projects and full cooperation in human concern and commitment.
[edit] Contact Information:
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated -- International Headquarters
1000 Southhill Drive, Suite 200
Cary, North Carolina 27513
Toll-Free Phone: 1-888-SGR-1922 (1-888-747-1922)
Phone: (919) 678-9720
Fax: (919) 678-9721
[edit] External links
| National Pan-Hellenic Council |
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| Alpha Kappa Alpha • Alpha Phi Alpha • Delta Sigma Theta • Iota Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Psi • Omega Psi Phi • Phi Beta Sigma • Sigma Gamma Rho • Zeta Phi Beta |
