After the “Red Summer” and the second historical peak of mob violence against African-Americans, seven distinguished women decided to incorporate education, service, community, and sisterhood into a brilliant organization.

 

Thus; in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Butler University, on November 12th 1922, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority was born!

 

Thank you founders: Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhodes Martin, and Cubena McClure.

 

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.  In a time when education for African Americans was difficult to attain, the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho became educators. They believed that the self-respect, knowledge and discipline gained through study would help individuals to recognize their duty and responsibility for their society. 

 

Now with over 500 chapters and over 90,000 members worldwide, Sigma Gamma Rho  continues to promote and encourage high scholastic attainment. Sigma Gamma Rho is one of four sororities in the NPHC (Divine 9).