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| The HERstory of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 dimension 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, 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.) ~~~~~~~~~~ |
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| 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. Reeves gained 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 |