 The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter was established and chartered in 1948. We invite all Sigma Kappa alumnae to come and celebrate our common background, similar ideals, and interests as we have been doing for more than half a century.
Our members live in the Phoenix area with some coming from Tucson. Members consist of sisters of all ages from all over the United States. We try to plan activities of interest to those of all ages.
Our sister collegiate chapter is Zeta Omicron on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson. Helping our collegiate sisters to carry on our Sigma Kappa traditions in an ever-changing world is truly an opportunity to "bring sisterhood to life."
Advantages to membership in the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter:
- Share memories of collegiate days with other Sigma Kappa sisters
- Support the collegiate chapter by serving on advisory and corporation boards
- Recommend women for membership
- Expand circles of friendship
- Participate in interesting programs
- Develop new skills in interpersonal relationships
- Plan and participate in philanthropic activities
- Develop business and social contacts
- Use your planning skills to plan meetings and events
If you are new to the "valley," have recently graduated, or are ready to once again become more active in the sorority, please contact us.
Sigma Kappa Sorority is a social organization of collegiate and alumnae women committed to promoting the ideals of life-long friendship, intellectual and spiritual fulfillment and service for the greater good.
Colby College in Waterville, Maine was the first college in New England to admit women on an equal basis with men students. The first woman student was admitted in 1871, and for two years Mary Caffrey Low was the only woman student at Colby College. In 1873, four more young women from Maine, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Fuller, Frances Mann and Louise Helen Coburn were admitted to Colby and the five young women found themselves together frequently. During the school year of 1873-74, the five young women decided to form a literary and social society. They were told by the college administration that they needed to present a constitution and bylaws with a petition requesting permission to form Sigma Kappa Sorority. They began work during that year with an eager glow of enthusiasm. Their purpose at the outset was that the sorority should become what it is now, a national organization of college women. On November 9, 1874, the five young women received a letter from the faculty approving their petition. Thus, this
date has since been considered our Founder's Day.
The symbols and insignia of Sigma Kappa are outward signs of the special member of Sigma Kappa you are obligated to uphold her high standards and ideals, remembering that Sigma Kappas all over the country are bound by the same tenets.
- Colors:
Louise Helen Coburn's early reminiscences give us her memory of white as the color favored in the early days of Sigma Kappa. She said that lavender and maroon, as our colors, occur in the minutes of June 1891. They were being used then and apparently had been approved earlier.
- Flower:
Violets were loved by all Sigma Kappas from the beginning. The delicate flowers grew wild along the banks of the Messalonskee River where the founders sat and dreamed of Sigma Kappa. In June 1892, the violet was adopted as our national flower. The flower was thought to belong to the days of promise as is Sigma Kappa.
- Symbols:
The dove was accepted as an official symbol of Sigma Kappa at the 1984 convention and the heart was adopted at the 1988 convention. Both symbols signify the love felt by members across the country.T.
- Jewel:
The pearl is the official jewel of Sigma Kappa. It is recognized as a symbol of purity and gracious character. The pearl has been the sorority jewel since 1920.
- Triangle Badge:
On March 7, 1894, the triangle badge was chosen with "unjeweled maroon enamel, if possible." Jeweled badges were approved at the 1915 convention when the pearl was adopted as our national jewel. Unjeweled badges have a scroll edge.
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