Alpha Chapter
Butler University
The HERstory of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
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Mission Statement

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 hallmark of the organization's programs and activities. Sigma
Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally,
civically, and economically.









Foundation

"Greater Service, Greater Progress" was to become the slogan and call of
the organization that made November 12, 1922, a significant date in the
history of the Black Greek system, for on this date would mark the
establishment of the first sorority of Black women on a predominantly white
campus, Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Three other sororities of
Black women, all founded at Howard University, had already been
established in the early 1900s. Because Black students could not join the
all-white Greek sororities at Butler, a tough and determined Black female,
Mary Lou Allison Little, envisioned the need to pull Black women together
into the bonds of sisterhood. Six other Butler students who had chosen
teaching as their profession joined Soror Little in laying the foundation for a
new sorority and further advancing the Black fraternal movement.

Originally, the new sorority was to be composed of teachers and it was to
provide support and opportunities for networking to young people with a
focus on professional development. Soon, however, the members
recognized that teaching went far beyond the walls of the classroom and that
community service and interaction were needed in order to educate the
whole child. Education was to be the mainstay of the sorority, but the
organization also wanted to develop broad horizons with diverse dimensions
in order to reach into communities and serve all people. Thus, Sigma
Gamma Rho's membership had to be expanded; it could not be restricted to
teachers.

The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on
December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler
University.  The first three years were devoted to organizing. The first call for
a National Boule’ (convention) was held in Indianapolis, December 27-29,
1925. The second was held in Louisville, Kentucky at which time Fannie
O'Bannon became the Grand Basileus.

In keeping with the ideals 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
of University Women.

With over 500 chapters & 85,000 members in the United States, Bermuda,
the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Germany, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Inc. is committed to improving the quality of life for its members and the
society it serves.
(A portion of this Review was submitted by Soror Dr. Katie Kinnard White to
Carlson Publishing, Inc. for the 1993 edition of "Black Women in America-
An Historical Encyclopedia". It is a non-tradition historical account of Sigma
Gamma Rho Sorority-a focus on Issues, Involvement, Philosophy and
response to problems in the society rather than a history drawn around
dates, names and places. There was a limitation on the number of words-a
difficult task to portray 70 years of continuous community service. It has
been edited and updated for clarity.)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter HERstory

Soror Dorothy Elizabeth Harper Reeves was a Sigma seed planted in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1959. She moved from New York City, Kappa
Sigma Chapter, and previously from Alpha Gamma Chapter where she
pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at Lane College in Jackson,
Tennessee.

Soror Reeves wanted Sigma to flourish in the City of Milwaukee; she wanted
to form a chapter. She gleamed like a beacon light until Soror Charlotte
Jones was motivated to invite Sorors to dinner to discuss the possibilities of
forming a chapter in Milwaukee. From there, Soror Estes Vance worked with
Soror Reeves to get other Sorors to commit to organizing a chapter.  They
continued to meet with numerous Sorors and after much discussion Soror
Reeves gained the cooperation and commitment of five additional Sorors.
Out of this meeting, Soror Reeves was chosen as the chair of the group. As
the chair, she wrote to Soror Cleo Higgans, the Grand Basileus at that time,
to request a chapter charter. Soror Higgans sent Soror Reeves the name of
the Central Region Syntaktes, Soror Gloria Richardson and from the reply
of the correspondence sent to Soror Richardson, the illustrious Gamma Pi
Sigma Chapter was organized. This organization occurred at the home of
Soror Reeves in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 15, 1963. The charter
members were Sorors Dorothy Reeves, Mildred Vance, Ruby Lever,
E'Allyne Perkins, Jonnie Harris, June Glover, and Dorothy Lee.

The first group of chosen Auroras was invited to, and did, join the Sorors at a
later time. The first Auroras were Hazel Crayton, Annie P. King, Estella
Wilson, Eleanor Wilson, Verlean Ruffin, Shirley Fairley, Geraldine
Hamilton, and Fannie Mae Malone. Four Sigma Women were made,
leaving Geraldine Hamilton, Shirley Fairley, and Fannie Malone in the
Aurora Club.

Initiations were set up in the month of May and pictures along with an article
about Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter were
published in the local papers.  The first public affair for Gamma Pi Sigma
was a Debutante Cotillion, the first in the history of the City of Milwaukee for
African American girls.  In addition, for the past 20 years, the Gamma Pi
Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has hosted a city-wide
Black History Quiz Bowl for high school and middle school students.

It is clear that since 1963, Gamma Pi Sigma has diligently worked towards
serving the greater Milwaukee community and Wisconsin as a whole. Its
members have gone on to take key leadership roles throughout the region
and the nation- serving on regional committees, regional boards, and even
the highly acclaimed international board.  Further, it is no wonder that since
1963 Gamma Pi Sigma has assisted in the chartering of four undergraduate
chapters throughout the state and served as the spark for two additional
graduate chapters throughout the state – all of whom are dedicated to a
higher level of sisterhood, scholarship, and service.

Gamma Pi Sigma, a Sigma Legacy;
Gamma Pi Sigma, a Milwaukee Legacy