Phi Sigma Sigma

Infobox Fraternity
letters= ΦΣΣ
name= Phi Sigma Sigma
crest=
founded= Birth date and age|1913|11|26
birthplace= Hunter College, (New York, New York)
type= Social
emphasis=
scope= International
mission= To inspire the personal development of each sister and perpetuate the advancement of womanhood.
vision= Phi Sigma Sigma is a dynamic sisterhood of powerful women fostering uncompromising principles, igniting positive change and embracing individuality.
motto= "Diokete Hupsala"
"Aim High"
maxim= "Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, always a Phi Sigma Sigma."
colors= King Blue and Gold
symbol= Sphinx
flower= American Beauty Rose
jewel= Sapphire
publication= The Sphinx
philanthropy= National Kidney Foundation
chapters= 150+ (115 active)
members= 55,000
lifetime=
free_label=
free=
address= 8178 Lark Brown Road, Suite 202
city= Elkridge
state= Maryland
country= USA
homepage= http://www.phisigmasigma.org/

Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ), colloquially known as "Phi Sig," was the first collegiate nonsectarian sorority, welcoming women of all faiths and backgrounds. Founded by 10 women on November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma is now an international sorority with 55,000 initiated members, 115 collegiate chapters and more than 100 alumnae chapters, clubs and associations across the United States and Canada.

Dedicated to the twin ideals of promoting the brotherhood of man and alleviation of the world’s pain, Phi Sigma Sigma strives to instill the values of leadership through service, lifelong learning and social inclusiveness in today’s young women and future leaders.

History

In 1913, Lillian and Ethel Gordon, two Jewish sisters attending the Normal College of the City of New York (later renamed Hunter College), attempted to join one of the local sororities. Because of their religion, however, they were turned away. The sisters struck upon a radical idea and - along with their friend and co-founding member, Fay Chertkoff - created a sorority which would be nonsectarian and all inclusive, welcoming women of all faiths and social backgrounds.

The sorority was originally called Phi Sigma Omega, until the women learned that name was already in use. On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was founded by the following members in its Alpha chapter at Hunter College:

* Lillian 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

In 1918, Phi Sigma Sigma expanded by founding its Beta chapter at Tufts College in Medford, MA, and the Gamma chapter at New York University. The oldest active chapter is the Xi chapter at the Temple University, founded in 1926. While other chapters were founded earlier and are in existence today, Xi is the oldest chapter in continuous existence.

The official publication of Phi Sigma Sigma is "The Sphinx", which first appeared in the early 1920s. The sorority's first song, "The Hymn," was written in 1921 by Pearl Lippman of the Alpha chapter and her husband, Arthur Lippman.

Phi Sigma Sigma has established chapters outside the United States, including Upsilon chapter (1930) at the University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada, and Delta Epsilon chapter (1981) at University of Windsor in Windsor, Canada.

Philanthropy

The sorority's official philanthropy is the [http://www.phisigmasigmafoundation.org/nkf/index.html Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation] , which supports the National Kidney Foundation (NKF); the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation also provides scholarships and educational grants, as well as leadership programming to collegiate and alumnae members. The NKF has been Phi Sigma Sigma's primary philanthropic endeavor since 1971 because kidney disease was a leading health concern for women at that time. Since then, Phi Sigma Sigma has actively helped educate women, men and children about kidney disease, as well as the importance of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Indeed, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation is a major sponsor of the National Kidney Foundation's biennial [http://www.kidney.org/news/transgames.cfm Transplant Games] , a national Olympics-style event where organ-donor recipients compete in various athletic competitions, thereby highlighting the need for, and success of, organ donations and transplantions.

Following September 11, 2001, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation established the Twin Ideals Fund to provide assistance to disaster victims. Named for Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals - to promote the brotherhood of man and alleviate the world's pain - the fund has contributed to aid organizations in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia and Hurricane Katrina.

Each year, thousands of Phi Sigma Sigma sisters participate in a philanthropic fundraising event known as "Rock-a-Thon," where they spend a marathon day gathering donations as they sit in rocking chairs located in highly public places, such as on campus, in malls and at community events. This event raises tens of thousands of dollars annually for the Foundation and NKF.

Collegiate and alumnae chapters also participate in various philanthropic events benefiting their communities. Examples of these include walking for multiple medical causes, gathering food and supplies for U.S. troops, coordinating local reading programs, fundraising so underprivileged women can attend college, providing shoes to needy children, and assisting Habitat for Humanity.

The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation maintains a [http://phisigmasigmafoundation.blogspot.com/ blog] to keep sisters and friends of Phi Sigma Sigma 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 Sigma Sigma expanded by founding the Beta Chapter at Tufts University in Medford, MA, and the Gamma Chapter at New York University. This prompted the first National Convention in New York City that same year. Delegates to the Convention adopted the fraternity's Constitution and elected the first Grand Council. Fay Chertkoff was elected the first Grand Archon.

*In the early 1920s, the first issue of "The Sphinx", the sorority's official magazine, was published.

*In 1930, Phi Sigma Sigma became an international sorority when it founded 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 [http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/ 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. A centennial celebration is planned 2013 in New York City, as well.

*In 1966, the sorority created its national Leadership Training School (LTS), an event scheduled during those years when no convention was planned. LTS has since been replaced with the sorority's ACHIEVE leadership and risk-management program, launched in 2006. ACHIEVE stands for "Achieve, Challenge, Honor, Integrity, Engage, Value and Excellence" - among the top values Phi Sigma Sigma sisters hold dear.
*In 1968, the separation of Hunter College’s two campuses 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. Neither is active at this time.

*In 1969, in an effort to provide greater focus on the philanthropic activities of Phi Sigma Sigma, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was created by Jeanine Jacobs Goldberg, who led the foundation as its first president.

*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 its commitment to volunteer service and community involvement. Phi Sigma Sigma sisters still participate in [http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/ Make a Difference Day] , which is a national event promoted by "USA Weekend" magazine.

Chapters

References

* [http://www.phisigmasigma.org/ Phi Sigma Sigma Website]

External links

* [http://www.phisigmasigma.org/ Phi Sigma Sigma Website]
* [http://www.phisigmasigmafoundation.org/ Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation]
* [http://phisigmasigmafoundation.blogspot.com/ Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation Blog]