Seven young women of Indianapolis, Indiana, had a dream of a legacy for greater service and achievement through higher education. These women—Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Bessie Mae Downey Martin, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Cubena McClure, and Vivian White Marbury established Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 12, 1922.
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.
It was at the 14th Boule, which convened in New York City, New York, on December 27-30, 1939, that the Southwestern Region was officially established.
Following the 14th Boule, the Southwestern Region was organized in 1940 in the home of Soror Lucille Hicks Sheppard, in Houston, Texas, under the leadership of Soror Mary Scales Greenwood, who served as Regional Syntaktes from 1940-1948. During her tenure, Soror Greenwood organized the most chapters in this region.
Although the Southwestern Region was founded in 1940, its presence could be felt years before its official founding date when six educators were interested in furthering greater womenhood, scholarship, community service and leadership. As a result of their vision, the Alpha Lambda and Gamma Sigma Chapters were founded in 1928. The first Boule held in the Southwestern Region took place in Houston, Texas, on December 27-29, 1938, and was hosted by the Alpha Lambda and Gamma Sigma Chapters.
With numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters and affiliates, the Region has a proud history of offering service. Through programs such as the Region’s premiere project—Project Reassurance, which was designed to provide health education, support and nurturing for expectant teen mothers and special needs families, this history of service emerges. The Southwestern Region also promotes programs with global impact such as the Mwanamugimu Essay Contest and the Program for Africa. Other programs include Operation BigBookBag and Project Wee Savers.