Basileus Welcome

CHAPTER BASILEUS - SOROR JESSICA BREWSTER-JOHNSON

Welcome to the cyber home of Eta Iota Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. , where "Excellence Is the Standard." Since November 3, 1990, Eta Iota Sigma has provided greater community service to ensure the greater progress of the communities in Montgomery County, MD.

We are focused on growing the Eta Iota Sigma family in all aspects and showing the world all the great work that Eta Iota Sigma does. If you are interested in learning about our sisterhood, our chapter, our undergraduate chapters, and our affiliates, this website is a great place to start. For further information, please contact us using the link provided.

We hope that you will enjoy our website!

Sincerely,

Jessica Brewster-Johnson
Basileus 2023-2024

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"WHERE EXCELLENCE IS THE STANDARD"

Chapter History

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
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.

Sisterhood

From seven young educators, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendships and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime. Sigma women are dedicated to helping each other and their personal success is recognized in The AURORA and through various awards.

Service

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, Sigma Gamma Rho built seven homes across the United States in Florida, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, California, and Texas.

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.

Sorority History

Leadership

On Saturday, November 3, 1990 the Eta Iota Sigma Chapter was chartered in Chevy Chase, MD. The ceremony and reception was held at the New Embassy Suites Hotel at the Chevy Chase Pavilion. Many dignitaries were among the 125 persons who attended our first major event. The 14th Northeastern Region Syntaktes, Shirley L. Smith, presented the charter members and the Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator, Paulette Davis, presented the charter. This chartering ceremony was unique in that the Eta Iota Sigma Chapter Philo Club was organized at this chartering. The National Philo President, Annette F. Adams, represented the Philos. The Chapter received its charge from the past Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Dr. Lorraine A. Williams. Dr. Williams was the only Sigma to hold the office of Grand Basileus twice and at the time, was the last Grand Basileus from the Northeastern Region.

The First Officers of Eta Iota Sigma Chapter were:

Dr. Mynora Bryant - Charter Basileus
Barbara Johnson-Jones - Anti-Basileus
Diana Dawkins - Anti-Grammateus
Sophia Lawson - Grammateus
Jennifer Rayford-Johnson - Tamiochus
Doris Baker-Ortiz - Parliamentarian
Hervert Days - Chaplain

The Charter Members of Eta Iota Sigma Chapter were:

Dr. Mynora Bryant - Charter Basileus
Doris Baker-Ortiz
Shelita Casey
Diana Dawkins
Hervert Days
Naomi A.Hamilton
Barbara Johnson-Jones
Sophia Lawson
Dr. Valerie Lawson
Vergia Madison
Nadeena Mason
Lynn McClarrin - Volpel
Judith Nester
Mary A. Randle
Jennifer Rayford-Johnson
Deborah I. Walsh
Joyce Wando
Victoria Dorsey - Williams
Brenda Wiggins

Membership

New members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. are accepted on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Potential graduate members must hold a degree from a four-year accredited educational institution.

A woman may be admitted for membership in an undergraduate chapter only while in attendance at a four-year accredited college or university, or in a liberal arts/transfer program of a junior or community college, once they submit proof of intention to enter and obtain a degree from a four-year school.

Candidates may be accepted for undergraduate membership after successfully completing one quarter, semester, or trimester. The cumulative grade point average required for membership is 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

If you are interested in pursuing membership in the sorority, please fill out the contact form below and our membership committee will be sure to get back to you!

Undergrad Chapters

Mu Omega Chapter-Fairfax, VA

Organization recognition was granted Sigma Gamma Rho by the Office of Greek Affairs at George Mason University. With this recognition came permission to proceed with membership in-take process.

Interviews were conducted and nine young women were inducted on April, 12 1992. Upon satisfactory completion of the sorority's educational process, Northeastern Regional Syntaktes Shirley Smith, assisted by Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator Paulette Davis and Eta Iota Sigma, Basilieus, Mynora Bryant, conducted the Pinning and Chartering Ceremony for Mu Omega Chapter. Graduate Advisor Roshanda Clay welcomed into Sigma sisterhood nine charter-line sorors:

Andrea Lucas
Lacette McLaurin
Connie McNeil
Alise Brooks
Safisha Mance
Erica Raynor
Camilla Gilbert
Chatavia Young
Alecia Alston

Nu Pi Chapter-Arlington, VA

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is the only NPHC organization granted permission to form a chapter on the campus of Strayer University! Hence, 5 bold women who possessed the vision and perseverance to carry the Sigma Torch became the charter members of Nu Pi Chapter on November 5, 1993.

These 5 women were:

Tana S. Crumbley –Hassan
Bessie L.Dupree- *Omega Rho*-12-30-2003
Barbara J. Laws
Annie D. McLaurin
Gussie M. Sykes

The chartering ceremony was held in the home of Soror Annie McLaurin in Fairfax, VA. The ceremony was conducted by Northeastern Region Syntaktes, Paulette Davis and she was assisted by Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator, Inez Vanable.

Sorors from Eta Iota Sigma Chapter were in attendance at this wonderful event. Soror Annie McLaurin was the charter Basileus and Deborah Walsh was the first graduate advisor.

Affiliates

In accordance with our national programs, mission and objectives, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has not one but two affiliate groups designed to assist in our efforts to better serve the community.

The Philo Affiliate

The Philo Club was organized as an auxiliary organization to Sigma Gamma Rho, prior to receiving its formal name in 1954. The Philo club consists of women who are dedicated to the efforts of the organization as a whole but are not members of the sorority. These women proudly stand side by side with the Ladies of Sigma as we serve the community. The Eta Iota Sigma Chapter Philo Club was charted the same day as the chapter, November 3, 1990. Since its inception, the Philos of Eta Iota Sigma have been a force to be reckoned with in aiding the chapter become the success that it has. For more information on the Philo Club, please contact etaiotasigmachapter@gmail.com.

The Rhoer Club

The Rhoer Club of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized in 1939 as a means to help the sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho better serve the youth of the community. Outreaching to youth is one of the foundations of the organization as a whole. The Rhoer Club is for young women aged 12-18 to acquire leadership skills, be mentored and excel within all facets of life. The Eta Iota Sigma Rhoer Club is a thriving organization using youth to reach the community through the means of programming socially and academically. For more information on the Rhoer Club, please contact HISRhoerClub@gmail.com or click here to fill out an interest form.

Programming