The Founders
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on Sunday November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana by Mary Lou Allison Little and six school teachers: Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Downey Martin, and Cubena McClure. The charter members are the Founders of Sigma Gamma Rho.
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.

The First Grand Basileus, Mary Lou Little, wrote the sorority pledge. The pin was designed by Cubena McClure. The slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress," was written by Bertha Black Rhoda, a past Grand Basileus. Members of the Delta chapter in Louisville, Kentucky wrote the words of the sorority hymn which has since been set to music by Zenobia Laws Bailey of Chicago. Fannie O'Bannon, the second Grand Basileus, designed the sorority coat of arms.
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, National Urban League, United Negro College Fund, Black Women's Agenda, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, National Mental Health Association, Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, and American Association of University Women.
       Sigma Gamma Rho  Facts

           Headquarters
           1000 Southhill Drive, Suite 200
          Cary, NC 27513
           (919) 678-9720 Phone
      (919) 678-9721 Fax
             1-888-SGR-1922 Toll Free


Over 400 chapters in the United States, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands and Bahamas


          Official Sigma Flower:
The official sorority flower is the yellow tea rose.

         Official Sigma Mascot:
The official sorority mascot is the poodle.

         Official Sigma Colors:
The official sorority colors are royal blue and gold.

         Official Sigma Nickname:
The official sorority nickname is "Sigma"...not "Rho" ("SGRho" is also acceptable)

          Offical Sigma Call:
The official sorority call is "EEE-Yip"

          Official Sigma Affilates:
Philos- Affiliate group of non-alumnae adult women.
Rhoers- Affiliate group of younge teenage women.
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