Established: Butler University
(1922)
St. John’s University-Staten Island
Chapter: Rho Xi chapter (2008)
Service Channel: Over 500
undergraduate and alumnae chapters worldwide
Slogan: "Greater Service, Greater
Program"
Values: Scholarship, Sisterhood and
Service
Sorority Flower: The yellow tea
rose
Sorority Mascot: The Poodle
Sorority Colors: Royal Blue &
Gold
Nicknames: Sigma, S-G-Rho
President: JuDee Bacchus
Chapter Email:ladiesofsgrho@yahoo.com
National Website:http://www.sgrho1922.org
Chatper Website: http://www.wix.com/ladiesofsgrho/rhoxi
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922
in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven young educators: Mary Lou Allison
Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae
Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Downey Martin,
and Cubena McClure. The group became an incorporated national
collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was
granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University.
The Rho Xi Chapter was chartered at the Staten Island Campus of St.
John’s University on October 25, 2008 by Erina Bailey, Sandra
Estimable, Tamika Wildman, Danielle Johnson, and Hannah
Olga-Appiah. The organization was the first International
sorority chartered on the St. John's Staten Island campus and the
fist multicultural-based service sorority. Since then, the
chapter has distinguished itself for providing a multitude of
outstanding on-campus and off-campus programs and community service
projects.
Because Sigma Gamma Rho is organization founder by school teachers,
the Rho Xi chapter established the Dr. Mynora J. Bryant $500 Book
Scholarship, which is awarded each year to a St. John’s student for
academic achievement. The recipient is recognized each year
at the chapter’s annual Salute to Excellence Scholarship &
Service Awards program in March. Rho Xi chapter also annually
recognizes a faculty member for his/her commitment to education and
a student for his/her commitment to service. Scholarship
applications are available in November; please contact the chapter
for more information.
Mission Statement
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority'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.
Purpose
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority provides leadership, services, and
resources towards removing barriers and inequalities, so that all
people, especially of our people of color community, may develop
their potential and exercise full citizenship. With this in
mind, the Sorority and the membership assumes the following
responsibilities:
- To encourage and promote high scholastic attainment
- To develop leadership abilities and individual talents
- To help develop equal opportunity for our minority to channel
the dynamic energy of our young people into creative outlets
- To enhance in all members the sense of personal and moral
responsibility which each should have towards a task and towards
leadership responsibilities
- To provide an atmosphere in which friendship and social
contacts may be developed
- To maintain interests and attitudes in harmony with modern
thoughts and educational outlook
Service
Sigma Gamma Rho’s Legacy of and continued commitment to service is
expressed in its slogan “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”
The sorority has a proud history of positive and proactive service
wherever chapters exist. Through support of human rights
legislation, service to and support of grass roots individual and
community development activity, and through active participation in
the programs of affiliate and other organizations, we are committed
to working to improve the quality of our lives and the society we
serve.
Sigma Gamma Rho, in its quest to expand its area of service,
actively participates in the sponsoring of national and
international programs designed for the improved welfare of all
people. Some of the more prolific programs and initiatives include
(for a full description of each project visit our international website):
- Hattie McDaniel Cancer Awareness and Health Program
- International Youth Symposium
- National Bone Marrow Program
- Operation Big Book Bag
- Project for Africa
- Project Mwanamugimu
- Project Reassurance
- Wee Savers
In addition to support of our national and international
project, the Rho Xi Chapter at St. John’s University participates
in a number of projects throughout the year, which include:
- Art Explorers at PS 20
- Bed Time Stories Reading Program – Port Richmond Public
Library
- Breast Cancer Walk
- March of Dimes: Walk for Babies
- New York Cares Day
- Service Day
- Soup Kitchens
- Winter Wishes
Recent Awards
- The Mary Lou Allison Loving Cup Award: Presented annually to
the chapter with the most outstanding program in the entire
Northeast Region of the sorority
- Golden Rose Award: Went to Erina Bailey is recognizes an
undergraduate in the region for her leadership and commitment to
Sigma and her campus community
- Outstanding Service Award: A grant/award given to a
chapter in the region for outstanding community service
- Dean’s Choice Award for Exemplary Leadership for an
Organization: awarded to an outstanding student organization at the
Legacy of Leaders Annual Awards Ceremony