Our Foundation
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by 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. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University.
Soaring To Greater Heights Of Attainment Around The World, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., as a leading national service organization, has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service.
Our Founders
The Seven Illustrious Founders of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
MARY LOU ALLISON GARDNER LITTLE
Little was raised by her family friend because both of her parents were killed when she was three. She graduated from Shortridge High School in 1915 and received a diploma from the Indianapolis Normal School in 1918 when she began teaching. In 1928, Little moved to Los Angeles with her husband and finished her undergraduate training in UCLA. She taught in the Los Angeles school system until her retirement in 1967.
DOROTHY HANLEY WHITESIDE
Whiteside graduated from Shortridge High School and entered the Indianapolis Normal School in 1922 when in training as a cadet teacher she met the teachers who became her best friends and Founders of the Sorority. She taught school until 1951 when she retired and later helped her husband to develop a business. She also started her own millinery business and worked with her church and various organizations. After the death of her husband, she ran their business from 1955-1957 and returned to teaching in 1959 where she remained until her retirement in 1970.
VIVIAN IRENE WHITE MARBURY
Marbury attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School. She received a B.S. from Butler University and a Master’s from Columbia University in New York City. Her professional career included teaching at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Director of Practice Training of teachers from Butler University, Indianapolis University, and Indianapolis State University. She taught in the Indianapolis school system for nine years.
NANNIE MAE GAHN JOHNSON
Johnson was a product of the Indianapolis Public School System and received both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Butler University. In 1923, she received her first teaching assignment and over the years she was promoted to principal of one of the largest elementary schools in Indianapolis. She was also very involved with many clubs and organizations dedicated to community service and retired in 1966.
HATTIE MAE ANNETTE DULIN REDFORD
Redford graduated from South Bend Central High School cum laude, from Indiana State Teachers College with a B.S., and studied at Western Reserve in Cleveland and Indiana University extension. She taught one year in Terra Haute, and thirty-seven years in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, Financial Consultant and received various awards and honors for the sorority.
BESSIE MAE DOWNEY RHOADES MARTIN
Martin was the youngest of six children and attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual Training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the Sorority.
CUBENA MCCLURE
Cubena McClure graduated from Shortridge High School, the Indianapolis City Normal School and attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She won the Gregg Scholarship, which she planned to use to attend Columbia University, but due to illness she could not accept the scholarship. McClure was talented in art and she helped to design the Sorority pin. She died very young on August 24, 1924.
Vision Statement
We visualize a world in which all women and their families reach their full potential in all aspects of life and are able to create unlimited opportunities for future generations.
Values Statements
These values align with our vision and mission and represent the intent of our Founders. For the women of Sigma Gamma Rho, this means to always:
SISTERHOOD
Value the contributions of all members and affiliates– in unmatched collaboration.
Embrace different perspectives. We do not compete against each other. Instead, we share an approach where all opinions and options are considered, researched, and analyzed carefully before decisions are made.
Support each other to ensure Sorors are able to reach their full potential in any endeavor.
RESPECT
Treat everyone in our diverse community with dignity-including, but not limited to current and potential Sorors, affiliates, staff, and partners.
Adhere to the Sorority’s policies, procedures, training standards and behavior guidelines.
HONESTY
Speak up and tell the truth as we see it with tact, regardless of the popularity of our views. When decisions are made, we support the outcome.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Hold ourselves accountable for our actions. We offer no excuses, we accept responsibility.
INTEGRITY
Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, accountability and personal responsibility. When conducting Sigma business, we put the Sorority’s interest ahead of our own.
EXCELLENCE
Deliver the best outcomes and highest quality community service through the dedicated effort of every member. We deliver greater value than expected.
COMMUNICATION
Advance the free flow of accurate and truthful information through transparent communications.
Foster informed decision-making through open communication.
Protect confidential and private information.
Avoid conflicts of interest.
Work to strengthen the public’s understanding of the mission and vision of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.
Consider our personal image and behavior, because we understand we represent the Sigma sisterhood in all aspects of our daily lives.