National and Chapter History
National History
The motto "Greater Service, Greater Progress," is the foundation of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Our Founders Mary
Lou Allison Little, Vivian White Marbury, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Dawney Martin, and Cubena McClure believed that knowledge, discipline and hard work is gained through education.
Founded on November 12, 1922, on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis Indiana, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is the only African-American Sorority founded on a predominantly white college campus. Our seven founders strived to ensure that SIGMA was a unique Sorority based on true principles of sisterhood. All around the world you will find SIGMA Sorors to be supportive of each other, goal-oriented, conscientious, and kind.
In a time when it was difficult for African American to obtain an education, the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., themselves became educators. They believed that the self-respect, knowledge, and discipline gained through education would help individuals recognize their duty and responsibility to society. Thus, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the precept of education and continues to promote and encourage high scholastic achievement.
From these seven young teachers, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. The divine unity of sisterhood is a legacy that bonds over 85, 000 members found in over 460 Chapters in the Unites States, Africa, and the Caribbean. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique leadership abilities and talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendship and professional contacts are developed leading to bonds that last a lifetime.
For more information about the sorority visit the national website at www.sgrho1922.org.
Theta Lambda Sigma Alumni Chapter History 
The Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter received its charter at St. Augustine's College, Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 26, 1997. The charter members were a diverse group of upwardly mobile Sigma women who graduated from several area universities. With the vision of increasing the Sorority's presence and impact in southern and western Wake County, the Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter continued to thrive by inducting new members and expanding our level of service. As advisers for NC State University Chapter, the Theta Lambda Sigma chapter successfully reactivated the Kappa Omega undergraduate chapter.
The Theta Lambda Sigma chapter has proudly supported the sorority's National programs as well as implemented several projects unique to The Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter. These include an annual Kwanzaa celebration, the Adopt-A-Highway campaign, supporting the annual Thad & Alice Eure Walk for Hope, a sisterhood soiree, Caring Day, and many more.
True to the strong educational focus of our founders, numerous chapter members have gone on to obtain graduate and doctoral degrees while simultaneously managing family, sorority, and other responsibilities. Today our chapter members cover a broad range of professions including health care, business and finance, human services, and more. We continue to extol the three virtues of the sorority, faith, hope, and love, and provide exemplary service to Wake County.
Theta Lambda Sigma Charter Members:
Soror Tonya Blackshear Soror Monica Davenport Soror Jonise Jones
Soror Denise Kingdom Soror Crystal Leake Soror Michele London
Soror Shenita Mangum Soror Felicia Morant Soror Timmie Mitchell
Soror Sonya Ruffin Soror Tameika Stringfield Soror Rebecca White
Soror Hazel Williams
Kappa Omega Undergraduate Chapter History
The KQ chapter was formed at North Carolina State University on November 13, 1987. The KQ chapter has always been known as a distinguished group of close knit sorors who repRHOsent Sigma proudly and in excellence. For more information about the KQ chapter or membership, contact ncsuadvisor@carysgrho.org or you may use the contact form on this website. Ladies attending Meredith College who are interested in more information about Sigma Gamma Rho are invited to submit your questions as well.
Philos
Since its inception, Sigma Gamma Rho has promoted unity among women and for years many alumnae chapters worked closely with other women who were not members of Greek-lettered organizations. These women were organized into auxiliaries that had various names until 1954 when the sorority officially approved the organized affiliate group and accepted the name of "Philo" (meaning "Friend) as their official name. In 1980 the Philos were organized on a national level and have grown to represent hundreds of women organized on a regional level as well. The Philos have contributed countless hours of community service and thousands of dollars to aid Sigma Gamma Rho's aim to enhance the quality of life within every community.
Rhoer Club
A love for youth and the development of their full potential was the primary motivating factor that inspired Founder Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little to organize Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Young people today face challenges that could never have been imagined years ago, but such challenges provide the sorority with opportunities to carry on the vision of Little. Rhoers are young girls organized on a local, regional and national level. The Rhoer affiliates are working to help other young people while they learn about their heritage and develop leadership skills. Sigma Gamma Rho is dedicated to helping Rhoers grow to become women of substance dedicated to service.
If you or a young woman you know are interested in joining our Philo or Rhoer Club complete the contact form on the Contact Us page. Please be sure to specify which club you are interested in.