Sigma Sigma Sigma

North American collegiate sorority

Sigma Sigma Sigma

ΣΣΣ
Founded| April 20, 1898; 127 years ago (1898-04-20)
Longwood University
Type| Social
Affiliation| NPC
Former affiliation|

* PPA
* AES

Status| Active
Scope| National (US)
Motto| "Faithful Unto Death"
Member badge|
Colors|   Royal purple and   white
Symbol| Sailboat
Flower| Purple violet
Jewel| Pearl
Publication| The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma
Philanthropy| The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation and March of Dimes
Chapters| 103 collegiate
82 alumnae
Members| 140,000+ lifetime
Nickname| Tri Sigma, Sigma
Headquarters| 1506 E. Franklin Street, Suite 300
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
United States
Website| www.trisigma.org

Sigma Sigma Sigma (ΣΣΣ), also known as Tri Sigma, is a national American women's sorority. It was established in 1898 at what is now Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.The sorority's membership includes more than 140,000 women, hosts chapters on more than 100 college campuses, and maintains over 90 alumnae chapters. Sigma Sigma Sigma is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.

## History

[edit]

The State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia (now known as Longwood University) was the state's first institution to open its doors to teacher education. Eight students, Margaret Batten, Louise Davis, Martha Trent Featherston, Isabella Merrick, Sallie Michie, Lelia Scott, Elizabeth Watkins, and Lucy Wright founded the sorority in 1898.[1] Scott and Wright led the first meetings of their secret society, the S.S.S. Club, in 1897. On April 20, 1898, these women officially announced the founding of the Greek letter society known as Sigma Sigma Sigma.[2][3]

At the same time, Wright's roommate, Julia Tyler, was working to found Kappa Delta sorority. In the fall of 1898, Zeta Tau Alpha was founded, followed by the founding of Alpha Sigma Alpha in 1901. These four sororities were all founded at the State Female Normal School and were henceforth referred to as the "Farmville Four".

Tri Sigma was chartered with the Commonwealth of Virginia on February 12, 1903. Tri Sigma's first constitution was adopted the Alpha chapter, in April 1903. A second chapter, Beta, was established at the Lewisburg Female Institute in 1903.[3] In 1907, the sorority decided to limit its chapters to colleges and closed Beta, along with Eta and Theta.[3]

In 1911, it decided to became a professional sorority and limited it chapters to normal schools.[3] Chapters that did not fit were absorbed by Delta Delta Delta.[3] Tri Sigma joined the Association of Education Sororities.[1] In 1915, Tri Sigma absorbed the two remaining chapters of Sigma Delta Chi sorority. As the sorority grew, the national nature of Tri Sigma solidified with the standardization of a ceremony for new members and the establishment of a Founder's Day to celebrate the founding of Sigma Sigma Sigma.[2] By 1930, it had chartered 32 chapters and had initiated 4,043 members.[3]

Once a sorority exclusively for teacher's and educational colleges, Tri Sigma became a social sorority.[3] In 1951, Sigma Sigma Sigma became a full member of the National Panhellenic Conference.[4][5] Sigma Sigma Sigma was the first NPC sorority to adopt a position statement for gender inclusivity.[2] It now counts more than 140,000 women as members.

## Symbols

[edit]

The Sigma Sigma Sigma motto is "Faithful Unto Death". Its colors are royal purple and pure white.[6] The pearl was designated as the official jewel in 1909. The official flower is the purple violet.[6] The sailboat is the official symbol. Its publication is The Triangle of ΣΣΣ.[6]

The coat-of-arms came into use in 1902, designed by Harriet Henkins of the sorority's Alpha chapter. All the symbols on the shield may be used for jewelry, recognition pins, stationery, and formal clothing. From the upper left to lower right is the "bar" or "band" displaying three Greek sigmas (ΣΣΣ). Above the band in the right third are spreading wings joined by a centered circle, and above these is an equilateral triangle on which is engraved a single Sigma. Below the wings are clasped hands and in the lower left third is a flaming urn. On the banner below the shield are the words in Greek of the sorority's open motto, "Faithful Unto Death".

Adopted in 1903, the badge of the sorority is an equilateral gold triangle bordered with pearls, with a small semi circular indentation on each side. On the triangle is a raised black enamel triangle bearing the Greek letter Σ in gold on each corner. In the center of the badge is a skull and crossbones.[7][6]

The new member pin is a silver triangle, with a Σ in each corner, on three arches or a circle.[6]

## Philanthropy

[edit]

The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is a non-profit corporation formed in 1992.[8] It distributes funds for charitable, educational, and miscellaneous purposes, including programs that support women's leadership, student grants and scholarships, and play therapy programs for hospitalized children. The organization centers its latter philanthropic efforts around the theme "Sigma Serves Children", specifically through the Robbie Page Memorial (RPM).

On September 15, 1951, Robbie Page, the son of Tri Sigma's National President, died of bulbar polio, a disease which at that time had no cure or vaccine; this death prompted his parents to establish a memorial fund in his honor.[9] The sorority adopted this fund as its official philanthropy in 1954.[8] In its early years, the RPM supported various polio research projects, including the Salk vaccine trials. It now focuses on supporting play therapy for hospitalized children and providing support for playrooms, libraries, and programs for children undergoing long-term hospital care.[9][10][11]

Current national efforts are centered in funding fellowships at the Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and in funding graduate assistantships at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. At UNC, the sorority also funds the Robbie Page Play Atrium.[11] The National Therapeutic Recreation Society has recognized Sigma Sigma Sigma for their support of Child Life and Play Therapy Programs. In 2016, Sigma Sigma Sigma added the March of Dimes as a national philanthropic partner.[8]

## Governance

[edit]

The sorority's headquarters is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.[2] The sorority currently holds conventions every three years at various locations.[12]

## Chapters

[edit]

Main article: List of Sigma Sigma Sigma chapters

Sigma Sigma Sigma has chapters on more than 100 college campuses, and maintains over 90 alumnae chapters.

## Notable members

[edit]

| Name  | Original chapter  | Notability  | References

|
|
|

Kristin Corrado | Epsilon Eta | New Jersey state senator  |
Calli Cox | Alpha Psi | Former pornographic actress | [13]
Linda Denham | Kappa | Creator of Care Bears  |
Gabbie Hanna | Beta Theta | YouTuber, Viner, singer and comedian  | [14]
Lauren Holt | Epsilon Nu | Actress, comedian, singer and cast member on Saturday Night Live |
Billie Letts | Beta Xi | Author of Where the Heart Is |
Mary Rhodes Russell | Mu | Supreme Court of Missouri judge  |
Carrie Underwood | Alpha Iota | Singer-songwriter, Grammy Award winner, winner of American Idol season four  | [15]

## See also

[edit]

* List of social sororities and women's fraternities

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Tri Sigma". 2012-06-18. Archived from the original on 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
2. ^ a b c d William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), section listing Sigma Sigma Sigma chapters". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 30 December 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
3. ^ a b c d e f g Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1930. pp. 569-570. via Hathi Trust.
4. ^ "Tri Sigma". Sigmasigmasigma.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2012-09-13.
5. ^ "National Panhellenic Conference". 2009-09-05. Archived from the original on 2009-09-05. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
6. ^ a b c d e "Manual of Information" (PDF). National Panhellenic Conference (23rd ed.). January 2018. p. 27\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
7. ^ McGraw, Marylin (2011). Sigma Sigma Sigma, Over a Century of Sisterhood. Maury Boyd and Associates. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
8. ^ a b c "Timeline of Foundation History | Tri Sigma". Tri Sigma. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
9. ^ a b "Happy Founders' Day Tri Sigma – Its Robbie Page Memorial Fund Honors a National President's Son – Fraternity History & More". Fraternity History & More. 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
10. ^ "Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation and Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter Provide Pediatric Patient Education Support to NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
11. ^ a b "The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation's Robbie Page Play Atrium | UNC Medical Center, Hospitals – Chapel Hill, NC". www.uncchildrens.org. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
12. ^ "Sigma Sigma Sigma Chapters & Conventions – Google My Maps". Google My Maps. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
13. ^ Erwin, Ben (17 April 2003). "From Panther to pornstar to public relations". The Daily Eastern News. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
14. ^ Hanna, Gabrielle. "Gabrielle Hanna LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
15. ^ "Carrie Underwood has her town talking". Today.com. May 9, 2005. Retrieved 2007-10-12.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Schuch, Kate Kaczmarek (1990). The Path From Farmville: Years Remembered 1898–1989. Sigma Sigma Sigma, Inc.
* Executive Council of Sigma Sigma Sigma, Inc. (1993). Forever Sigma. Sigma Sigma Sigma, Inc.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Longwood University

Campus|

* Bolding Stadium
* Joan Perry Brock Center
* Longwood House
* The Rotunda
* Willett Hall

Organizations|

* Mother of Sororities
* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Kappa Delta
* Sigma Sigma Sigma
* Zeta Tau Alpha
* WMLU

Athletics|

* Baseball
* Basketball
* Men
* Women
* Soccer
* Men
* Softball

Related|

* List of presidents of Longwood University
* List of Alpha Sigma Alpha chapters
* List of Kappa Delta chapters
* List of Sigma Sigma Sigma chapters
* List of Zeta Tau Alpha chapters

* v
* t
* e

National Panhellenic Conference

Current members|

* Alpha Chi Omega
* Alpha Delta Pi
* Alpha Gamma Delta
* Alpha Epsilon Phi
* Alpha Omicron Pi
* Alpha Phi
* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Alpha Sigma Tau
* Alpha Xi Delta
* Chi Omega
* Delta Delta Delta
* Delta Gamma
* Delta Zeta
* Delta Phi Epsilon
* Gamma Phi Beta
* Kappa Alpha Theta
* Kappa Delta
* Kappa Kappa Gamma
* Phi Mu
* Phi Sigma Sigma
* Pi Beta Phi
* Sigma Delta Tau
* Sigma Kappa
* Sigma Sigma Sigma
* Theta Phi Alpha
* Zeta Tau Alpha

Former members|

* Alpha Delta Theta
* Beta Phi Alpha
* Beta Sigma Omicron
* Delta Sigma Epsilon
* Iota Alpha Pi
* Lambda Omega
* Pi Kappa Sigma
* Pi Sigma Gamma
* Phi Omega Pi
* Sigma Phi Beta
* Theta Sigma Upsilon
* Theta Upsilon

* v
* t
* e

Association of Education Sororities

* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Alpha Sigma Tau
* Delta Sigma Epsilon
* Theta Sigma Upsilon
* Pi Delta Theta
* Pi Kappa Sigma
* Sigma Sigma Sigma

* v
* t
* e

Professional fraternities and sororities organizations and members

Currently active members of the
Professional Fraternity Association|

* Alpha Zeta
* Alpha Kappa Psi
* Alpha Rho Chi
* Alpha Phi Omega
* Alpha Chi Sigma
* Alpha Omega Epsilon
* Delta Chi Xi
* Delta Epsilon Mu
* Delta Theta Phi
* Delta Kappa Alpha
* Delta Omicron
* Delta Sigma Pi
* Delta Sigma Chi
* Epsilon Nu Tau
* Theta Tau
* Kappa Epsilon
* Kappa Epsilon Psi
* Kappa Eta Kappa
* Kappa Kappa Psi
* Kappa Lambda Chi
* Kappa Psi
* Lambda Kappa Sigma
* Mu Beta Phi
* Mu Phi Epsilon
* Pi Sigma Epsilon
* Rho Pi Phi
* Sigma Alpha
* Sigma Alpha Iota
* Tau Beta Sigma
* Phi Alpha Delta
* Phi Beta
* Phi Gamma Nu
* Phi Delta Epsilon
* Phi Delta Chi
* Phi Sigma Pi
* Phi Chi Theta

Former and formerly active members of
the Professional Fraternity Association
or its predecessors:
Professional Panhellenic Association
or Professional Interfraternity Conference|

* Alpha Delta Theta
* Alpha Delta Sigma
* Alpha Kappa Kappa
* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Alpha Tau Delta
* Alpha Omega
* Beta Alpha Psi
* Gamma Eta Gamma
* Gamma Iota Sigma
* Delta Epsilon Iota
* Delta Sigma Delta
* Delta Psi Kappa
* Epsilon Eta Phi
* Zeta Phi Eta
* Theta Kappa Psi
* Theta Sigma Upsilon
* Theta Sigma Phi
* Iota Sigma Pi
* Kappa Alpha Pi
* Kappa Beta Pi
* Kappa Delta Epsilon
* Kappa Phi Kappa
* Nu Sigma Nu
* Xi Psi Phi
* Omicron Delta Kappa
* Omicron Nu
* Pi Lambda Theta
* Sigma Delta Chi
* Sigma Nu Phi
* Sigma Sigma Sigma
* Sigma Phi Delta (now social)
* Phi Beta Gamma
* Phi Beta Pi
* Phi Delta Delta
* Phi Delta Gamma
* Phi Delta Kappa
* Phi Delta Pi
* Phi Delta Phi (now honor society)
* Phi Epsilon Kappa
* Phi Lambda Kappa
* Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (now social)
* Phi Rho Sigma
* Phi Upsilon Omicron
* Phi Chi
* Chi Beta Phi
* Psi Omega
* Omega Tau Sigma
* Omega Upsilon Phi
* Pershing Rifles
* Scabbard and Blade
* Scarab

North American Interfraternity Conference|

* Alpha Gamma Rho
* Alpha Gamma Sigma

Active independent professional fraternities|

* Alpha Gamma Kappa
* Alpha Zeta Omega
* Alpha Eta Rho
* Alpha Iota
* Alpha Psi
* Gamma Epsilon Tau
* Delta Theta Sigma
* Delta Kappa Gamma
* Delta Kappa Phi
* Delta Phi Epsilon
* Kappa Gamma Psi
* Kappa Pi
* Nu Beta Epsilon
* Phi Delta Kappa (sorority)
* Phi Sigma Gamma
* Phi Psi
* Chi Delta Mu
* Chi Eta Phi
* Block and Bridle
* Queens' Guard

Inactive independent professional fraternities|

* Aleph Yodh He
* Alpha Epsilon Iota
* Alpha Tau Sigma
* Chi Zeta Chi
* Delta Omicron Alpha
* Delta Sigma Theta
* Pi Delta Nu

* v
* t
* e

Fraternities and sororities

Active academic fraternities originating from North America

General|

* Colony
* North American fraternity and sorority housing
* Stepping
* U.S. racism
* Hazing in Greek letter organizations
* U.S. deaths
* Philippines deaths
* Mother of Fraternities

History|

* Fraternities and sororities
* North America
* High school
* Professional
* Service
* Canada
* Lists by country/territory
* France
* Philippines
* Puerto Rico

Historically
African-American|

* ΑΚΑ
* ΑΦΑ
* ΔΣΘ
* ΖΦΒ
* ΗΦΒ
* ΙΦΘ
* ΚΑΨ
* ΣΓΡ
* ΦΒΣ
* ΦΡΗ
* ΩΨΦ
* WΨΦ

Historically
Asian/Pacific Islander-American|

* ΑΙΟ
* αΚΔΦ
* ΑΦΓ
* ΒΧΘ
* ΧΔΘ
* ΔΕΨ
* ΔΚΔ
* ΔΣΙ
* ΔΦΩ
* ΙΝΔ
* ΚΦΓ
* ΚΦΛ
* ΛΦΕ
* ΠΑΦ
* ΠΔΨ
* ΣΒΡ
* ΣΟΠ
* ΣΨΖ
* ΣΦΩ
* ΧΡΟ

Christian
fraternities and sororities|

* ΑΔΓ
* ΑΔΧ
* ΑΓΩ
* ΑΛΩ
* ΒΕΓΓΑΡΣ
* ΒΣΨ
* ΒΥΧ
* ΣΑΩ
* ΣΘΕ
* ΣΦΛ
* ΦΒΧ
* ΧΑΩ

Historically Jewish|

* ΑΕΠ
* ΑΕΦ
* ΖΒΤ
* ΣΑΕΠ
* ΣΑΜ
* ΣΔΤ
* ΤΔΦ
* ΤΕΦ

Multicultural|

* ΔΞΝ
* ΔΞΦ
* ΓΗ
* ΖΣΧ
* ΖΦΡ
* ΖΧΦ
* ΘΔΣ
* ΘΝΞ
* ΛΤΩ
* ΛΨΔ
* ΜΣΥ
* ΣΛΒ
* ΣΛΓ
* ΣΘΨ
* ΤΦΣ
* ΨΣΦ
* ΩΔΦ
* ΩΦΧ
* Delphic

Historically Scout-affiliated|

* ΑΦΩ
* ΕΤΠ
* ΓΣΣ
* ΩΦΑ

LGBTQ|

* ΑΛΖ
* ΔΛΦ
* ΓΡΛ
* ΘΠΣ
* ΚΘΕ
* ΟΕΠ
* ΣΦΒ

Native American|

* ΑΠΩ
* ΦΣΝ
* ΣΟΕ

Latino and Puerto Rican|

* ΑΒΧ
* ΑΖ
* ΑΨΛ
* ΑΟΣ
* ΔΤΛ
* ΓΑΩ
* ΓΖΑ
* ΗΓΔ
* ΚΔΧ
* ΛΑΥ
* ΛΠΥ
* ΛΠΧ
* ΛΣΥ
* ΛΘΑ
* ΛΘΝ
* ΛΘΦ
* ΛΥΛ
* ΜΑΦ
* ΝΑΚ
* ΝΣΒ
* ΣΔΑ
* ΣΙ
* ΣΙΑ
* ΣΛΑ
* ΣΛΥ
* ΣΠΑ
* ΦΔΓ
* ΦΗΜ
* ΦΙΑ
* ΦΛΑ
* ΦΣΑ
* ΧΥΣ
* ΨΑΚ
* ΩΦΒ

Major specific|

* ΑΓΡ
* ΑΓΣ
* ΑΚΨ
* ΑΣΚ
* ΑΩΕ
* ΔΣΠ
* ΚΚΨ
* ΣΑΙ
* ΤΒΣ
* ΦΣΓ
* ΦΣΡ
* Ceres
* FarmHouse
* Triangle

Social sororities|

* ΑΓΔ
* ΑΔΠ
* ΑΕΦ
* ΑΞΔ
* ΑΟΠ
* ΑΣΑ
* ΑΣΤ
* ΑΦ
* ΑΧΩ
* ΓΦΒ
* ΔΔΔ
* ΔΓ
* ΔΖ
* ΔΦΕ
* ΖΤΑ
* ΘΦΑ
* ΚΑΘ
* ΚΒΓ
* ΚΔ
* ΚΚΓ
* ΠΒΦ
* ΣΔΤ
* ΣΚ
* ΣΣΣ
* ΣΨ
* ΦΜ
* ΦΣΣ
* ΧΩ
* Clovia

Social fraternities|

* ΑΔΦ (Fraternity/Society)
* ΑΚΛ
* ΑΣΦ
* ΑΤΩ
* ΑΦΔ
* ΑΧΑ
* ΑΧΡ
* ΒΘΠ
* ΔΚΕ
* ΔΣΦ
* ΔΤΔ
* ΔΥ
* ΔΦ
* ΔΧ
* ΔΨ
* ΖΨ
* ΘΔΧ
* ΘΞ
* ΘΧ
* ΚΑ Order
* ΚΑ Society
* ΚΔΡ
* ΚΔΦ
* ΚΛΨ
* ΚΣ
* ΛΧΑ
* ΟΚΕ
* ΠΚΑ
* ΠΚΦ
* ΠΛΦ
* ΣΑΕ
* ΣΔΑ
* ΣΘΠ
* ΣΝ
* ΣΠ
* ΣΤΓ
* ΣΦ
* ΣΦΔ
* ΣΦΕ
* ΣΧ
* ΤΚΕ
* ΦΓΔ
* ΦΔΘ
* ΦΔΨ
* ΦΚΘ
* ΦΚΣ
* ΦΚΤ
* ΦΚΨ
* ΦΛΧ
* ΦΜΑ Sinfonia
* ΦΜΔ
* ΦΣΚ
* ΦΣΦ
* ΧΓΕ
* ΧΦ
* ΧΨ
* ΨΥ
* Acacia

See also|

* Freemasonry
* Odd Fellows
* Gentlemen's club
* Secret society

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