Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Group of Sorors, 50th Anniversary Boulé

50th Golden Anniversary Boulé, 1972, Indianapolis, Indiana. Sorors who attended pose on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

In 1922 seven Black women educators met to form the professional organization Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, dedicating themselves to raising the standards of teachers. It was incorporated as a national collegiate sorority in 1929 when a charter was granted to the Alpha Chapter at Butler University. The early members of the Sorority experienced segregated educational opportunities as Black women as well as limited professional opportunities as teachers. For the past 100 years Sigma Gamma Rho has worked to advance both educational and professsional opportunities.

Today Sigma Gamma Rho has more than 500 chapters in the United States and abroad, and more than 100,000 women, both collegiate and professional, have been members. The Sorority is nationally and internationally known as a Black Greek letter organization and a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which is commonly referred to as The Divine Nine. Sigma Gamma Rho is the only Greek organization founded at Butler and the only sorority in The Divine Nine to be founded at a predominantly white institution.

Quick Facts

• Established: November 12, 1922
• Incorporation as a National Collegiate Sorority: December 30, 1929
• Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
• Flower: Yellow Tea Rose
• Mascot: Poodle
• Magazine: The Aurora, Founded 1927, First Issue 1928
• It is the only Greek organization founded at Butler University
• It is the only sorority of The Divine Nine:
  • Founded as a professional sorority
  • Founded at a predominately white institution
  • Not founded at Howard University

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Mosaic Crest

This mosaic plaque of the Sigma Gamma Rho crest can be found on a rock in the Sigma Gamma Rho memorial walk, dedicated during the 75th Diamond Jubilee in 1997 on Butler University’s campus.