Phi Sigma Sigma

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Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ) was the first collegiate nonsectarian sorority, meaning that there was to be no judgment regarding religion or background. Founded on November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma has since become an international, inclusive sorority with over 150 chapters across the United States and Canada.

History

In 1913, Lillian and Ethel Gordon, two Jewish sisters attending Normal College (later renamed Hunter College) in New York, were interested in joining one of the local sororities on their campus. Because of their religion, they were turned away. The sisters decided that this would be the time to make a change. Along with their friend and co-founding member, Fay Chertkoff, they created their own sorority which would be all inclusive and non-sectarian. The inspiration for Phi Sigma Sigma's motto's and insignia came from a variety of sources including Egyptian Lore where women often hold positions of importance, and where change is constantly working to create a better environment. The official publication of Phi Sigma Sigma first appeared in 1922 and is named "The Sphinx". Phi Sigma Sigma's nation song, the Liebestraum was written by Pearl S. Lippman and her husband, Arthur.

The sorority was originally named Phi Sigma Omega, until it was discovered there was another Greek organization carrying the same name. On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born. The founding chapter, Alpha, was born at Hunter's College, New York with the following members:

Lilian Gordon Alpern
Josephine Ellison Breakstone
Fay Chertkoff
Estelle Melnick Cole
Jeanette Lipka Furst
Ethel Gordon Kraus
Shirley Cohen Laufer
Claire Wunder McArdle
Rose Sher Seidman
Gwen Zaliels Snyder

Shortly thereafter, the Beta chapter was founded at Tufts College in Boston, MA, and the Gamma chapter at New York University in 1918. The oldest active chapter is the Theta chapter at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, founded in 1923.

Phi Sigma Sigma also has chapters outside the United States for instance: the Upsilon chapter was established at the University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada in 1930 making it the first international chapter for Phi Sigma Sigma.

Philanthropy

The sorority's official philanthropy is the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation which supports the National Kidney Foundation, as well as provides Educational Grants and programming to members. Phi Sigs have supported the NKF as their primary philanthropic endeavor since 1971 and help to educate their communities about organ and tissue donation. The National Kidney Foundation was selected because, at the time, kidney disease was the leading cause of death for women. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation is also a major sponsor of the National Kidney Foundation's Transplant Games, an Olympics-style event held every other year. The NKF invites recipients of organ donation and their families to compete in the Games in an effort to raise awareness of the need for organ donation.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001 the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation established the Twin Ideals Fund which is dedicated to providing assistance to disaster victims. The Twin Ideals Fund has contributed to aid organizations in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia and Hurricane Katrina.

Chapters also participate in philanthropic events within their communities. Examples of these include local reading programs or fundraising to help underprivileged women attend college.

The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation maintains a blog to keep sisters and guests updated on news, events, and achievements.

Timeline

On November 26, 1913 Phi Sigma Sigma was founded at Hunter College in New York City.

In 1918 Phi Sig expanded with the installation of the Beta Chapter at Tufts University in Boston and the Gamma Chapter at New York University. This prompted the first National Convention in New York City in 1918. Delegates to the Convention adopted the Fraternity's Constitution and elected the first Grand Council. Faye Chertkoff was elected the first Grand Archon.

In 1926 the first issue of the Sphinx, the national magazine of Phi Sig, was published. This year also market the debut of Leibestraum, the National Song.

In 1930 Phi Sig went international with the founding of the Upsilon Chapter at The University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada.

In 1936 Phi Sigma Sigma’s first double letter guard, signifying the beginning of the Greek alphabet, was granted to Beta Alpha Chapter at the University of Maryland.

In 1951 Phi Sigma Sigma became a member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).

In 1957 the Phi Sigma Sigma Cardiology Laboratory was established at Yeshiva University College of Medicine in New York City. Phi Sigma Sigma presented a $20,000 grant to establish the laboratory.

In 1963 Phi Sigma Sigma celebrated its 50th year, the Golden Anniversary, in New York City.

In 1966 Leadership Training School (LTS) was created for the sorority. LTS is held on a national basis in years when there is not a national convention to meet the training and informational needs of the collegiate chapters, alumnae chapters and national personnel.
In 1968 the separation of Hunter College’s two campuses in prompted the original Alpha chapter to divide. Alpha Alpha was installed at the new Herbert Lehman College in the Bronx, while Alpha Chapter remained on Hunter College’s Park Avenue campus.

In 1969 in an effort to provide greater focus on the philanthropic activities of Phi Sigma Sigma, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was created.

In 1971 the Fraternity adopted the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) as its official philanthropic cause at the National Convention.
In 1999 the National Make a Difference Day Award was presented to Phi Sigma Sigma in recognition of their commitment to volunteer service and community involvement.

Chapter Roll

Chapters

External links

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Last updated on Sunday February 10, 2008 at 23:31:48 PST (GMT -0800)
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