COMMUNITY SERVICE

Why is community service so important to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.?

Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in our slogan “Greater
Service Greater Progress”. We have a proud history of offering service wherever
chapters exist.
Our service not only exists locally and nationally, but globally as well. 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.  
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.



What are some of the local community service projects that we work on annually?

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 (ranging from ages 6
to 18 years-old) to become knowledgeable of the real life skills of saving and buying
stocks and bonds. Participants experience the real life skills of basic investing, setting
specific goals attainable through monitoring and mentoring of money and activities.
Local offices of State Farm Insurance and Northwester Mutual Life have partnered with
Gamma Pi Sigma chapter to provide educational tools to local youth.

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, book bags, 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.

Locally, the Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter donates school supplies and assistance at the
annual MLK Back-To-School Event and Milwaukee Fire Department Back-to-School
Event.

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
annually each spring by local Alumnae Chapters, simultaneously, Sigma Youth
Symposiums address issues that affect teens today.

Locally, the 2008 Sigma Youth Symposium featured the following workshops: LAW &
ORDER- presented by the National Black Police Association & Ernette Griggs
(Milwaukee County Probation & Parole); “DRESS” TO IMPRESS: APPROPRIATE
ATTIRE (& ATTITUDE) FOR ALL OCCASIONS – presented by Jerrilynn Freelon
(Northwestern Mutual), Tasha Davis (ADP), and Natasha Smiley (Kohler Corp.); and
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY: MEALTIME ETIQUETTE – presented by Tammy Griffin-Rice
(Milwaukee Public Schools) and Sister Keyana Jefferies (Milwaukee Public Schools).  
Fifty select middle and high school students from throughout the Milwaukee
metropolitan area participated in this event and received certificates of participation
and prized from the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bonecrushers, Milwaukee Wave
and Milwaukee Admirals.

Black History Quiz Bowl
Each year, the Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and its
501(c)3 arm, The Sigma Legacy Fund, provides a unique opportunity for area youth to
gain knowledge of African American history while competing in a structured
environment at their annual Black History Quiz Bowl.     The participants gain a
profound knowledge of African American history, focusing on the significant impacts
that African Americans have made locally, statewide and nationally.  

A few weeks prior to the Quiz Bowl, teams register and receive a study guide that allows
them to get a general idea of the types of questions that may be asked during the
game.  The topics range from "Historically Black Colleges and Universities" to "The
Harlem Renaissance” and many more in between. Winners receive prizes, Certificates
of Recognition, and trophies, while all of the participants come away with a wealth of
knowledge and a sense of accomplishment.

February 2008 marked the 23rd year that Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has
coordinated this truly exciting and educational event.  Seventy-nine students,
representing 22 teams across the Milwaukee-metropolitan area registered for the 2008
event.  


Cancer Awareness & Education
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.

In addition to participating in the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Briggs & Al’s
Run for Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Sankofa Project, the Gamma Pi Sigma
chapter annually participates in the following events:
American Cancer Society: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Walk
The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk has been
the rallying cry to make breast cancer a thing of the past. Pledges are dedicated to life-
saving American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and service efforts to
defeat this disease.
American Cancer Society: Relay For Life
This is an 18- hour continuous relay walk around the Marquette Valley Field. This walk
is for anyone who has been affected by any type of cancer in any way, shape, or form.
Thousands of dollars are raised during this event and are used towards the efforts of
eradicating this disease.


Project Reassurance
The care and protection of children is, first and foremost, a family concern. But when
teenagers have babies, the consequences run 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.
Gamma Pi Sigma chapter works to provide support to local community resource center,
like New Concepts Self-Development Center, that aid in educating teen parents.


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.”

Please contact Gamma Pi Sigma chapter to participate in this year’s Essay Contest.


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 women to help
alleviate their back-breaking work. The project focus has now evolved- as have the
needs to address this issue- to include financial literacy and HIV/AIDS awareness,
education and treatment.

Gamma Pi Sigma provides financial support to further this cause.


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.
On a local level, Gamma Pi Sigma chapter provides educational resources to the
community to encourage more donors.

* * * * * * *

With over 500 chapters & 85,000+ members in the United States , Bermuda, the Virgin
Islands, Bahamas , Germany and Korea, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is committed
to improve 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.)



An Historical Account of Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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 local members to dinner to discuss the possibilities of forming a chapter in
Milwaukee . From there, Soror Estes Vance worked with Soror Reeves to get others to
commit to organizing a chapter.  They continued to meet with numerous members and
after much discussion Soror Reeves gained the cooperation and commitment of five
additional local members.  

After correspondence with the national and regional bodies of the sorority, the
chartering ceremony 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 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 more than 25
years, the Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has hosted a
region-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 within the sorority- 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