Sorority History

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, Dubai, Ghana & Korea.

Sorority Flower: The yellow tea rose.

Sorority Mascot: The Poodle.

• Sorority Colors: Royal blue and gold

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil, and social action. Our goal is to achieve greater progress in the areas of education, health awareness, and leadership development. Our members, affiliates, staff, and community partners work to create and support initiatives that align with our vision.

Vision Statement:

 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. 

 Foundation:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven young educators: Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin and Cubena McClure. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University.

Soaring To Greater Heights Of Attainment Around The World, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., as a leading national service organization, has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service.

From seven young educators, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendships and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime.  

 Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Omega Sigma chapter believe in supporting our young scholars by providing them with scholarships that will enable them to pursue higher degrees of education. Zeta Omega Sigma has provided scholarships to youth in grades 7-12th within Baltimore County, MD through our S.E.M Essay contest for over the past 20 years. Our scholarships are awarded between the amounts of $1,000-$1,500 every March. Our goal is to help alleviate the cost of tuition for young scholars. 

Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress." The sorority has a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist. Some of our service programs are Soles for Little Souls, USA Swim, Project Cradle Care, Youth Symposium, Operation Big Book Bag as well as Women's Wellness. We also have partnerships with St. Jude and March of Dimes. Zeta Omega Sigma also participates in chapter service events such as Feed the Homeless and Adopt-A-Road.