Celebrating, Recognizing, and Honoring Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of their 100th Founders Day.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia City Council traditionally recognizes significant contributions to our community, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated is one such contributor and prepares to celebrate its centennial anniversary on November 12, 2022; and

WHEREAS, On November 12, 1922, at the Irvington Campus of Butler University, seven young educators, Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure, came together in the foundation of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; and

WHEREAS,

As the only sorority of the four historically African American National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities established at a predominantly white institution where the Ku Klux Klan were a strong threat to the everyday lives of African Americans,

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded with the vision that all women in the world and their families get to reach their full potential in every aspect of life and are able to create unlimited opportunities for future generations; and

WHEREAS, With more than 500 chapters across the globe and over 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession, the organization has active affiliate groups dedicated to empowering women at every stage of life, such as the Rhoer club affiliate which dedicates service to teenage girls; and

WHEREAS, As an international service organization, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. gives its members the opportunity to develop their unique talents with leadership training and an atmosphere that encourages sisterhood, scholarship, and service where professional contacts can be developed and create bonds lasting lifetimes; and

WHEREAS, Expressed by their slogan “Greater Service, Greater Progress,” Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has a long history of dedication to service and of creating positive change in their communities including national projects such as

Operation Big Book Bag, Project Cradle Care, Swim 1922, Women’s Wellness Initiative, and Youth Symposium

; and

WHEREAS, The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority National Education Fund, Inc. aims to eliminate barriers and help people achieve their dreams by providing scholarships and aid to those from all backgrounds and by conducting educational programs and workshops to enhance quality of life; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize, celebrate, and honor Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of their 100th Founders Day.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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