National HerStory
On November 12, 1922, seven illustrious women came together on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana to found our international sorority - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Despite the fact that education for African-Americans was difficult to obtain, the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.: Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Vivian Irene White Marbury, Dorthy Hanley Whiteside, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure, became educators and leaders in their community. They heard the cry to promote greater service to all people, excellence in education, and fellowship among all women, and they answered the call. They believed that self-respect, knowledge, and discipline gained through study would help individuals to recognize their duty and responsibility for their society.
Today, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is a non-profit collegiate organization dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of high scholastic attainment, community service, and the improvement of the quality of our lives and the society in which we live. Sorority membership is open to quality women of any race who exemplify its principles and meet its requirements. 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. This purpose is expressed daily in the Sorority's national slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress."
Over 400 Undergraduate and Alumni chapters with over 72,000 members have been established through out the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean. Sigma Gamma Rho enthusiastically promotes the principles of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service among its members and the women she empowers in everyday life. As such, Sigma Gamma Rho continues to strive towards the vision of our founders by continuously promoting unity and higher education among women. It is strongly believed that by meeting the struggles of today, we better prepare the community to reach the challenges of tomorrow.
Today, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is a non-profit collegiate organization dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of high scholastic attainment, community service, and the improvement of the quality of our lives and the society in which we live. Sorority membership is open to quality women of any race who exemplify its principles and meet its requirements. 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. This purpose is expressed daily in the Sorority's national slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress."
Over 400 Undergraduate and Alumni chapters with over 72,000 members have been established through out the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean. Sigma Gamma Rho enthusiastically promotes the principles of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service among its members and the women she empowers in everyday life. As such, Sigma Gamma Rho continues to strive towards the vision of our founders by continuously promoting unity and higher education among women. It is strongly believed that by meeting the struggles of today, we better prepare the community to reach the challenges of tomorrow.