Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated was founded on November 12, 1922 by seven young educators at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. By creating a sorority during a time of racial, social, and economic unrest, these seven women laid the foundation for Sigma upon which they established love, sisterly understanding, and being in service to the community.
Mary Lou Allison Gardener Little
Primary founder, Grand Basileus 1925 - 1926
b. Indianapolis, Indiana
Little was raised by her family friend because both of her parents were killed when she was three. She graduated from Shortridge High School in 1915 and received a diploma from the Indianapolis Normal school in 1918 when she began teaching. In 1928, Little moved to Los Angeles with her husband and finished her undergraduate training in UCLA. She taught in the Los Angeles school system until her retirement in 1967. The Mary Lou Allison Loving Cup Award is presented at each Boule to the chapter reporting the most successful program.
Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson
Founder
b. Indianapolis, Indiana
Johnson was a product of the Indianapolis Public School System and received both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Butler University. In 1923, she received her first teaching assignment and over the years she was promoted to principal of one of the largest elementary schools in Indianapolis. She was also very involved with many clubs and organizations dedicated to community service and retired in 1966.
Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford
Founder
b. Greenville, Kentucky
Redford graduated from South Bend Central High School cum laude, from Indiana State Teachers College with a B.S., and studied at Western Reserve in Cleveland and Indiana University Extension. She taught one year in Terra Haute, and thirty-seven years in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, Financial Consultant and received various awards and honors for the sorority. Plaques are awarded in Redford's name at each Boule for exhibits for chapter achievements.
Bessie M. Downey Rhodes Martin
Founder
b. Indianapolis, Indiana
Martin was the youngest of he six children and attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the Sorority.
Dorothy Hanley Whiteside
Founder
b. Indianapolis, Indiana
Whiteside graduated from Shortridge High School and entered the Indianapolis Normal School. In 1922, when in training as a cadet teacher she met the teachers who became her best friends and Founders of the Sorority. She taught school until 1951 when she retired and later helped her husband to develop a business. She also started her own millinery business and worked with her church and various organizations. After the death of her husband, she ran their business from 1955-1957 and returned to teaching in 1959 where she remained until her retirement in 1970.
Cubena McClure
Founder
McClure graduated from Shortridge High School, the Indianapolis City Normal School and attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She won the Gregg Scholarship which she planned to use to attend Columbia University, but due to illness she could not accept the scholarship. McClure was talented in art and she helped to design the Sorority pin. She died very young on August 24, 1924.
Vivian White Marbury
Founder
b. Oxford, Ohio
Marbury attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School. She received a B.S. from Butler University and a Master's from Columbia University in New York City. Her professional career included teaching at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Director of Practice Training of teachers from Butler University, Indianapolis University and Indianapolis State University. She taught in the Indianapolis school system for nine years. Marbury organized system for nine years. Marbury organized Public School 87 which grew from a 4 room portable school to 18 rooms and 24 teachers, where she was principal for 39 years until her retirement in 1967. She married in 1929 and is the mother of two children.
The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted ALPHA chapter at Butler University. The first three years were devoted to organizing and even after 77 years of existence, more than 400 undergraduate and graduate chapters have been established throughout the country, with over 75,000 members internationally.
Our beloved founders believed that self-respect, knowledge, and discipline gained through study would help individuals to recognize their duty and responsibility for their society. Thus, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the precept of education and continues to promote and encourage high scholastich attainment.
Sigma Gamma Rho'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. As a result, Sigma Gamma Rho, a leading national service organization, has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through Sisterhood, Service, and Scholarship.
In the Spring of 1990, there was a need to finally complete the list of historically black sororities at the University of Central Florida. Therefore, with the help of the Delta Mu Sigma Alumnae Chapter, Lambda Mu's Herstory was created. The void was filled by nine vibrant young women. These women represent four different countries: Antigua, Italy, Phillipines and the United States. Their main focus of studies concentrated in the following disciplines: the study of life, educational development, business and the intricacy of engineering. They are the Sorors of "NINE LIVES":
Soror Jane Green
Soror Matos Dulay
Soror Jolene Palazzo
Soror Patrice Phillip-Powdar
Soror Lisa Wright-Martin
Soror Tricia Phillip
Soror Barbara Rumph
Soror Joslyn Stollard-Vital
Soror Eulonda Black
These NINE proved outstanding for Sigma, and since that time, Lambda Mu has increased its membership with quite a few inspiring young women. As a result, the chapter has become a vehicle for young women to excel in collegiate activities, while helping to promote academic excellence.
