Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Founded November 12, 1922
In Indianapolis, Indiana, seven young educators: 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, organized Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.
Originally a teacher's organization dedicated to helping youth gain knowledge and maintain high scholastic achievement, the group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to The Alpha Chapter at Butler University, then known as Butler College.
In the midst of heightened racism and oppression, and with prominent members of the Klu Klux Klan surrounding the area of Butler University, the seven founders pressed on and created a foundation that pushed for excellence in the education of our youth and for the enhancement of our community. The organization has since then grown and thrives through its establishment in both undergraduate and alumnae chapters nationally and internationally.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development, and education of youth are the hallmarks of the organization's programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically.
We visualize a world in which all women and their families reach their full potential in all aspects of life and are able to create unlimited opportunities for future generations.
Established: November 12, 1922, at Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Membership: 85,000+
Division: Five Regions -Central, Northeastern, Southeastern, Southwestern, Western.
Service Channel: Over 500 chapters in the U.S., Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany and Korea.
Sorority Flower: Yellow Tea Rose
Sorority Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Sorority Mascot: French Toy Poodle
Sorority Slogan: "Greater Service, Greater Progress"
National Projects :
*Project Reassurance, Project Africare, Mwananmugimu Essay Contest, Operation Big Book Bag, Youth Symposium, Project Wee Savers, National Marrow Donar Program, Hattie McDaniel Cancer Awareness Program, A3, Ask, Accept, Act. (Act Against Aids),
*H3 Umbrella Campaign: It’s all about me; Healthy Choices, Healthy Living, Healthy Generations*
For more in-depth information on National Programs and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated click visit our national webiste.
Mission Statement
Vision Statement
SGRHO in Connecticut
Nu Mu
The first Sigma Gamma Rho undergraduate chapter in Connecticut was chartered on May 8th, 1993 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, by eight young ladies. The courageous women who decided to embark on the effort of chartering the first chapter were Andrea Barge, Natasha Chambers, Erica Garcia, Maureen Gore, Llonia Jackson, Audrey Medina, Rendesia Mills, and Paula Smith. Together, they strived to display the true mission of the sorority’s slogan, Greater Service Greater Progress.
Theta Alpha Sigma
Once again history for Connecticut was made when five dedicated members established the first graduate chapter in June of 1995. Andrea Barge, Erica Garcia, Tracey Hall, Rhonda Mongroo, and Paula Smith became the first members of the Theta Alpha Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc,. Since its inception, Theta Alpha Sigma has expanded membership to more than fifty young women.
Iota Chi Sigma
It was on May 14, 2005, that the incomparable Iota Chi Sigma was chartered by Andrea Barge, Pertrinea Cash Deedon, Erica Garcia, Chandira Jenkins, Paula Rice, Cynthia Roque, Pamela Washington, and Terri Williams. Iota Chi Sigma was honored with a recognition award at the 2007 William E. Edwards-Academic College Tour (WEE-ACT) reception for its association in the guidance provided to college-bound youth. ICS’s signature fundraising event is the SIGMA SOIREE, which aids in funding the chapter’s youth initiatives including but not limited to Sigma Gamma Rho’s National Projects: Project Reassurance, Operation BigBookBag, A3 for Life, Hattie McDaniel Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Project Cradle Care, and others.
Lambda Zeta Sigma
On June 19, 2010, Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. was blessed once again to expand with the chartering of Lambda Zeta Sigma by April Floyd, Maureen Gore, Tameka Grant, Sharifa King, and Terri Williams. Lambda Zeta Sigma serves Litchfield County.
Expanding to Universities
Connecticut’s Rhoyal oats continued to spread to universities throughout the state. Chapter development continued when three wonderful women founded Northeastern Region at University Massachusetts (UMASS), Amherst on April 8th, 2000. Next came the chartering of Pi Xi on May 29th, 2004. In the Spring of 2003, The North East Region at the University of Bridgeport was established on April 23, 2005, and on January 7, 2006, Rho Alpha was chartered. The spring of 2009 brought the twin charters of the Sigma Beta Charter at Quinnipiac University and the Sigma Gamma chapter at Southern Connecticut State University on April 18.
Continued Efforts of Committed Sisterhood
Hundreds of women have joined our sisterhood through Connecticut’s chapters, and hundreds more will join in the coming years. The efforts to expand the legacy of Sigma Gamma Rho will never end and have always been the highest priority of the women in our sisterhood.