history: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Welcome to an Extraordinary Legacy
From an acorn dream to the mighty oak tree that dons an extraordinary legacy, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated has trailblazed a path that affords our wonderful sisterhood the joy of many accomplishments. Founded on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 12, 1922, seven young educators collaborated on developing a Sisterhood that promoted Scholarship and delivered Service to all women.
As Founder’Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian Irene White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhodes Martin, and Cubena McClure forged a path for greatness, their vision has served as a lasting mission for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.
The Illustrious Founders sgrho1922.org
HerStory: Sigma gamma Rho Sorority, inc., WPB, FL.
Gamma Gamma Sigma Alumnae Charter, 1955
The Gamma Gamma Sigma Chapter, an alumnae chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., occupies a distinguished place in history. In November 1947, ten members of the Beta Delta Sigma Chapter in Tallahassee were tasked with expanding Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in Florida. Sarah Kibble, a student among the ten, rose to the challenge of introducing Sigma to the Palm Beaches. Under the guidance of Soror Minerva Mathews, Basileus of Beta Delta Sigma, and with assistance from Soror Audrey Hogan of Boynton Beach, Florida, four promising young women were initiated into the Aurora Pledge Club.
Soror Cleo Seary (now Higgins), a teacher at Bethune-Cookman College, collaborated with Kibble to establish a Charter Chapter with forty-five interested individuals from the Daytona Beach area and three from the Palm Beaches. In May 1948, forty-eight women were welcomed into this esteemed sorority, with Soror Alto Bennings, the Regional Syntaktes, overseeing the ceremony. The new Palm Beach members, Neilia Cunningham, Amy Holliday, and Janie Koon, returned to West Palm Beach and committed themselves to fostering our sisterhood. With the addition of two new members, Ruth Edgecombe, and Sarah Rolle, our aspiration to form a chapter came to fruition. In 1955, these five sorors journeyed to Miami to aid Soror Myrtle Russell in fortifying our legacy. Our charter was granted on March 11, 1955, during the Southeastern Regional Conference in Tampa, Florida.
WE PRESENT TO YOU GAMMA GAMMA SIGMA
On Sunday, April 17, 1955, the Gamma Gamma Sigma Chapter's charter reception was celebrated at West Riviera Elementary School during an All-Greek Vesper. The uplifting event featured delegates from the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) who extended their greetings and pledged support for our endeavors. In our search for young women with outstanding academic records, strong moral character, and exceptional leadership qualities, we welcomed our inaugural pledge club members.
On April 17, 1955, after years of patience and persistence, Gamma Gamma Sigma inducted its inaugural membership club. This trailblazing club was comprised of seven extraordinary women:
- Anginora Brown
- Elnora Barber
- Agnes Balfour
- Anne Brooks
- Ineria Hudnell
- Leola Massey
- Elizabeth Smith
These pioneering women were the epitome of high academic achievement, impeccable moral character, and robust leadership standards. Their unwavering dedication laid the foundation for subsequent generations of sorority members. Gamma Gamma Sigma's mission is to fulfill the National mandate of enhancing communities, guided by the motto, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”
Tequesta C. Alston, President (2018-2024)
Gamma Gamma Sigma Chapter