Sigma Sigma Sigma
Encyclopedia : S : SI : SIG : Sigma Sigma Sigma
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Sigma Sigma Sigma (ΣΣΣ), also known as Tri Sigma or Sigma, is a national women’s sorority with membership of more than 80,000 members. They are members of the National Panhellenic Conference and host chapters on more than 107 college campuses and 88 alumnae chapters in communities all over the world.
History
In the 1890s, the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia (now known as Longwood University) was the state’s first institution to open its doors to teacher education, at a time when higher education for women was a highly debated topic. Eight students (Margaret Batten, Louise Davis, Martha Trent Featherston, Isabella Merrick, Sallie Michie, Lelia Scott, Elizabeth Watkins, and Lucy Wright) formed a special bond while studying for their future teaching careers. Lelia Scott and Lucy Wright led the first meetings of their secret society, the S.S.S. Club, in 1897. On April 20, 1898, these women officially announced the founding of the Greek letter society known as Sigma Sigma Sigma.At the same time, Lucy Wright’s roommate, Julia Tyler, worked to form Kappa Delta sorority. In the fall of 1898, Zeta Tau Alpha was founded, followed by the founding of Alpha Sigma Alpha in 1901. These four sororities were all founded at the State Female Normal School and were henceforth referred to as the Farmville Four.
In its first decade, Tri Sigma recognized the need for both legal recognition as a social body and a written record of organization. Therefore, they filed documents with the Commonwealth of Virginia and received their Charter of Incorporation on February 12, 1903. Tri Sigma's first constitution was adopted by its first chapter, the Alpha Chapter, in April 1903.
In the first decade since its inception, giant steps were taken in laying the groundwork of the sorority’s foundation. Additional collegiate chapters were established and all members met at a convention. As the sorority grew, the national nature of Tri Sigma solidified with the standardization of a ceremony for new members and the creation of a program to celebrate the day that Sigma Sigma Sigma was founded, Founders Day.
Each initiated member receives the latest edition of Tri Sigma's story, The Years Remembered of Sigma Sigma Sigma, and The Path from Farmville, which chronicles the beginnings of each collegiate chapter as well as the evolution of the national organization. Members also receive a lifetime subscription to the national magazine of Sigma Sigma Sigma, The Triangle, which is published three times a year.
The circle of friendship that began in the 1890s, with eight women sharing common experiences, now encompasses more than 80,000 women representing the diversity found on the college campuses of today. The growth and change that occurred in the many decades to follow always stayed true to the ideals of friendship espoused by the founders.
Mission and values
Sigma Sigma Sigma exists to provide a lifelong sorority experience for women through ensuring a perpetual bond of friendship, developing a strong womanly character, and promoting high standards of conduct.Philanthropy
The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is a non-profit corporation formed in 1984. The Foundation distributes funds for charitable, philanthropic, educational, and other benevolent purposes that focus its programs on the following categories: enhancing the leadership skills of modern-day women, providing grants and scholarships to students, and supporting play therapy programs for children. The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation centers its latter philanthropic efforts around the theme “Sigma Serves Children,” specifically through the Robbie Page Memorial (RPM).On September 15, 1951, Robbie Page, the son of Tri Sigma’s National President, died of bulbar polio. At that time, there was no cure or prevention for polio. This prompted Robbie’s parents, Robert and Mary Hasting Holloway Page, to establish a memorial fund in honor of their son. Tri Sigma adopted the Robbie Page Memorial as its official philanthropy in 1954. In its early years, the RPM supported various polio research projects, including the Salk vaccine trials. The RPM now focuses on supporting play therapy for terminally ill children, and providing support for playrooms, libraries, and programs for children undergoing long-term hospital care. Current national efforts are centered in funding fellowships at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and in funding graduate assistantships at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The National Therapeutic Recreation Society has recognized Sigma Sigma Sigma for their gracious support of Child Life and Play Therapy Programs.
National headquarters
Tri Sigma’s National Memorial Headquarters is located in Woodstock, Virginia at the Mabel Lee Walton House. Named after the sorority’s third National President, the Walton House serves as the main operations center of Tri Sigma, where day-to-day business is conducted. Walton House was acquired in 1963 and was purchased, furnished, and is maintained by the contributions of individual members, and the dues and fees of alumnae and collegiate chapters.National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is an organization which fosters strong interfraternity relationships, assists collegiate chapters, partners with colleges and universities in maintaining high scholastic and social standards, and provides structure for and ensures continuous growth of the Greek system. Comprised of 26 national general sororities or women’s fraternities, all NPC member groups focus on service, education, scholarship programming and social activities. Sigma Sigma Sigma is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference and has held the distinction of chairing the NPC once; Mary K. Barbee, Iota chapter, served as Chairman (the NPC’s highest leadership position) from 1981–1983.National Presidents
- 1903–1908 Rhea Scott, Alpha chapter
- 1908–1913 Bess Brower Willis, Gamma chapter
- 1913–1947 Mabel Lee Walton, Gamma chapter
- 1947–1956 Mary Hastings Holloway Page Lovejoy, Alpha chapter
- 1956–1965 Margaret Freeman Dixon Everett, Sigma chapter
- 1965–1971 Nelda Francis Crawford, Alpha chapter
- 1971–1983 Helen Marie Eggert Snyder, Alpha Xi chapter
- 1983–1989 Mimi Brandt Hiner, Beta Xi chapter
- 1989–1995 Anne Buchler Williams, Gamma Eta chapter
- 1995–2004 Mary K. Barbee, Iota Chapter
- 2004— Laura Sweet, Alpha Sigma chapter
Tri Sigma facts
- Tri Sigma is the only sorority with two chapters in Alaska.
- Tri Sigma is the first sorority to establish an international chapter outside of North America.
- Tri Sigma's national symbol, the sailboat, illustrates the sorority's constant forward motion.
- The badge of Tri Sigma is an indented triangle, bordered with pearls. A gold skull and crossbones lies in the center and a single sigma marks each corner of the black enamel.
- Tri Sigma is the only sorority with a hearing impaired chapter.
- Tri Sigma is the only sorority with their own philanthropy.
Famous alumnae
- Calli Cox - adult film actress and graduate of Eastern Illinois University
- Linda Denham - created the Care Bears. The Harmony Bear, was created especially for Tri-Sigmas. The three hearts in the middle replace the triangle, one of Tri-Sigma's symbols.
- Jennifer Dunn - politician
- Billie Letts - wrote the novel Where the Heart Is.
- Christina Smith, a.k.a. Tia Bella - adult film actress and graduate of Rowan University
- Carrie Underwood - the winner of the fourth season of American Idol; member of the Alpha Iota chapter of Tri Sigma
References
- Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority (2005). [Sigma Sigma Sigma Home]. Retrieved March 4, 2006.
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