Greetings from the Basileus
On behalf of the Exquisite Epsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Incorporated, I would like to welcome you all to our website. Our website is designed to help you learn information about the history of our prestigious organization, our chapter involvement within the Bloomington and Indiana University's community, in addition to information about our current members. While on your exploration, it is our hope that you will find our website enjoyable and a valuable resource of information.
Epsilon Chi's mission is to provide the highest level of service to our community, as we continue to reflect the vision of our illustrious founders to the world around us. Since our chartering in 1971, Epsilon Chi has strived to uplift the Bloomington community through our motto, "Greater Service, Greater Progress", as we participate in a variety of community services and national projects.
Thank you again for visiting our website. We invite you to stay in touch and connected to the Exquisite Epsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.
Sincerely,
Ashley I. Street
President
Epsilon Chi Chapter
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
About Sigma Gamma Rho
Sorority History
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana by Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little and six teachers: Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Downey Martin and Cubena McClure. These founding members are the "Seven Pearls" of Sigma Gamma Rho. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to the Alpha chapter at Butler University.
"Greater Service, Greater Progress" was to become the slogan and call of the organization that made November 12, 1922, a significant date in the history of the Black Greek system, for this date would mark the establishment of the first sorority of Black women on a predominantly white campus, Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Three other sororities of Black women, all founded at Howard University, had already been established in the early 1900s. Because Black students could not join the all-white Greek sororities at Butler, a tough and determined Black female, Mary Lou Allison Little, envisioned the need to pull Black women together into the bonds of sisterhood. Six other Butler students who had chosen teaching as their profession joined Soror Little in laying the foundation for a new sorority and further advancing the Black fraternal movement.
From that cold November day in 1922 when the Alpha Chapter sank its roots into the campus of Butler University, Sigma Gamma Rho has progressively evolved into a thriving sisterhood that comprises more than 85,000 college-trained women across the United States, and in Bermuda, Africa, the Virgin Islands, Germany, Canada, Europe and the Bahamas.
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.
Quick Facts
Established: November 12, 1922 at Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Sorority Flower: The yellow tea rose.
Sorority Mascot: The French Toy Poodle.
Sorority Colors: Royal Blue and Antique Gold
Sorority Publication: The Aurora
Sorority Affiliates:
Philos - friends of Sigma Gamma Rho who function as an auxilary to the alumni chapter
Rhoers - young ladies in high school who are provided with educational, vocational, civic,
social, and cultural experiences by the sorority
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Epsilon Chi History
The EXquisite Epsilon Chi Chapter dates back to May 29, 1971, where eight visionary women felt that the Bloomington campus needed a touch of RHOyalty. These women worked diligently overcoming all obstacles to see this charter come to fruition. Their hard work soon paid off, for five months later, on October 18, 1971, Epsilon Chi was born!
Epsilon Chi at Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana, was organized by Rejesta V. Perry. Charter Members were Irene Brim, Denice Ivory, Theresa Hall, Easter White, Thelma Shead, Gloria Lowe- Basileus, Grace Ann Davis. Sorors Gertude Hackett of Indianapolis, Indiana and Adah Hull of Gary Indiana, Indiana School System did ground work with the students attending Indiana University.
Since this charter, Epsilon Chi has not looked back continuing to foster excellence through sisterhood, scholarship, and service. Epsilon Chi's herstory is full of EXtraordinary women who accepted the challenge of creating not following a path. Through "Greater Service, Greater Progress," the women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will continue to be a beacon of light to all womankind!
Lineage
The Legacy Begins
EX Colony
Barbara Ship
Sadie Martin
Marion Moxley
Marion Brown
Elizabeth
Geraldine
Charter line of EX Chapter-October 18, 1971
-Gloria Lowe
-Grace Ann Davis
*Gertrude Hackett and Adah Hull did ground work for charter.
November 1972
Irene Brim
Denise Ivory
Theresa Hall
Easter White
Thelma Shead
Gloria Eley
November 18, 1977
Gwendolyn Dudley
Cherri Dupree
Mercedes Edwards
Gina Flowers
March 11, 1978
Mary Feliciano
Flora Harrison
Sylvia Lockett
Kathy McDonald
Diane Ione Tate
November 21, 1980
Wanda Kay Tharpe
Donna McGee
March 31, 1985
Donna Hairston
Adalaine Morrison
November 16, 1985
April Warren
Lupe Matamoras
Amy Davis
Robin Moore
December 3, 1988
Christine Cheste
Paula Gill
Sherri Latermore
Dawn Woodburn
Janell Smith
April 14, 1989
Portia Maultsby
December 8, 1989
Inez McCall
April 14, 1990
Yolanda Reeves
December 8, 1990
Monique Johnson
April 19, 1991
DeAnna Carrasco
Lydia Wilcox
November 19, 1991
Jennifer Bragg
Lachelle Stepp
Lekale Campbell
Donna Broadnax
Danielle Reed
Kendra Morgan
Tinnette Church
Shonda Welch
Tracey Mansfield
Tahirih Washington
Juanita Torrez
Briana Jackson
December 6, 1992
Tamrell Smith
Deitra Reeves
Angela Bolton
Ronnell Wyatt
February 12, 1994
Bonnie Woodfork
Timika Scott
Deidra Meadows
Kurtanya Hall
Aprill 22, 1995
Meka Brewer
Sarah Floyd
June 8, 1996
Maya Newbill
Katherine Cain
Clamita Gates
Lisa Johnson
Theresa Alcoser
Tracy Harper
KaVonna Heeter
Temicka Moore
November 15, 1997
Ruguyya Malik
Tameka Taylor
Kelly Jackson
Spring 1998
Nicole Harvey
Liza Rouse
July 31, 1999
Kamieka Ransom
Kieonna Murdock
April 4, 2004
Jennifer O'Neal
Tiana Cody
Kelli Gaston
Lacretia Farmer Githiri
Mercedes Murray
Tiffany Bell
Lanelle Perkins
Lolita Christopher
March 5, 2005
Leila Price
Monique Smith
Cynecqua Goodridge
Pamela Kelly
LaTricia Jones
Dawn Rodney
Hannah T. Jones
March 4, 2006
Kisha Jones
Kelli R. Thompson
Jori Lott
Darlessa Gates
Sarah M. Taylor
Rayshon Hassan
Jennifer Morrison
March 7, 2008
Keisha Nuby
Kimberly Wright
Vickie El
Ashley Street
Sasha Price
Andrea Kimbrew
Chapter Members
Name: Ashley I. Street
Position(s) in Chapter:
Basileus, Parliamentarian, Tamiochus, Epistoleus
Major: Informatics
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Favorite Quote:
"I have existed all my life. Now, I want to live."
Name: Keisha Nuby
Anti-Basileus, Grammateus, Anti-Grammateus
Major:
Journalism and African-American and African
Diaspora Studies
Hometown: Columbus, IN
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." ~KJV Isaiah 54:17
Name: Yolanda M. Mattox
Position(s) in Chapter: Advisor
Degree: Radio/TV/Film and Journalism
Inducted:
Beta Beta Chapter, November 12, 1999 at
Indiana State University
Hometown: Gary, Indiana
Name: Cynecqua Goodridge
Position(s) in Chapter: Co-Advisor
Degree: BS in Applied Health
Epsilon Chi Chapter, Spring 2005 at Indiana University
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
"Greater Service, Greater Progress"
Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress." The sorority has a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist, including OPERATION BigBookBag, a program designed to address the needs, challenges and issues that face school-aged children who are educationally at-risk in local homeless shelters and extended care hospitals. The objective is for chapters to provide their local homeless shelters and children hospitals with educational materials, equipment and supplies. Other national projects include Wee Savers, Project Reassurance and Habitat for Humanity.
Epsilon Chi stays very involved with the community. Some of the chapter's volunteer projects include:
The service of Sigma Gamma Rho from a global perspective includes Project Africa and Project Mwanamugimu. Through active participation in programs and through networking with other organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, Urban League and the NAACP, Sigma's legacy of service to improve the quality of life for all mankind continues.
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
NATIONAL PROJECTS INCLUDE:
*For more information on our programs please visit our national website at www.sgrho1922.org.
Famous Sorors
Comedian
Financial Adivsor and Author
US Representative Florida
Jazz Music Artist
Gospel Music Artist
Comedian (Tom Joyner Show)
Actress, The Young & The Restless
Daytime Talk Show Host
Actress/Producer (sitcom "The Jamie Foxx Show")
Former Columnist of Good Housekeeping Magazine
Director of Operations for Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition
The first African-American actress to be nominated and to win an Academy Award. Awarded for her supporting role in the 1939 movie "Gone With the Wind".
Hip-Hop Recording Artis
Actress (sitcoms "Amen" and "The Wayans Bros")
Foster Care Activist and Actress, The Young and The Restless
First Female US Representative from Louisiana
Editor of Right On! Magazine
Actress
Actress (film "Imitation of Life")
Former Prime Minister of Dominica and first Woman Elected Head of State in the Americas
Grammy-nominated Singer
Events
Fall 2009
September
October
November
December
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
Thank you so much for coming to visit our site. We appreciate all of the love and support that we receive every day. We always enjoy hearing from the community so please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns anytime through the contact form below.
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