Sigma Kappa
Encyclopedia : S : SI : SIG : Sigma Kappa
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Sigma Kappa (ΣΚ) is a sorority founded in 1874 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, founded by five women: Mary Caffrey Low Carver, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, Frances Elliott Mann Hall and Louise Helen Coburn. Currently, the sorority has over 141,800 members worldwide and has 105 active college chapters.
The sorority's colors are lavender and maroon. The official flower is the violet, the jewel, pearl. The sorority's symbols are the dove and the heart.
The sorority's official philanthropies are Alzheimer's resarch, gerentology, Inherit the Earth, and, in honor of its roots in Maine, the Maine Seacoast Mission.
History
Colby College in Waterville, Maine was the first college in New England to admit women on an equal basis with men. In 1871, Mary Caffrey Low Carver became the first female student at Colby. For two years, she was the only woman at the school. Two years later, in 1873, four more young women from Maine, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, Frances Elliott Mann Hall and Louise Helen Coburn were admitted to Colby. Being the only women in the college, the five of them found themselves together frequently. In 1873-74, the five young women decided to form a literary and social society. They were instructed by the college administration that they would need to present a constitution and bylaws with a petition requesting permission to form Sigma Kappa Sorority. They began work during that year and on November 9, 1874, the five young women received a letter from the faculty approving their petition. They sought for and received permission to form a sorority with the intent for the organization to become national.
The Delta Chapter of Boston University, Boston MA remains the oldest existing chapter.
Mission statement
Sigma Kappa Sorority is a social organization of collegiate and alumnae women committed to promoting the ideals of life-long friendship, intellectual and spiritual fulfillment and service for the greater good.Notable alumnae
For a full list of notable Sigma Kappa alumnae please visit here. [link]
- M. Rhea Seddon (Lambda) - A mission specialist for NASA. Took her badge into space.
- Margaret Chase Smith (Alpha) - first woman U.S. Senator.
- Judith Guest la Vercombe (Alpha Mu) - Author, Ordinary People.
- Maitland Ward (Gamma Theta) - [actress]
- Sarah Weddington (Zeta Nu) - First woman elected from Austin to the Texas House of Representatives.
See also
- Sigma Delta, former chapter at Dartmouth College.
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