It is to our Five Life Founders that we owe our gratitude for the founding of Sigma Phi
Gamma. The first meeting of Alpha Chapter was held on August 29, 1920, in Hartford
City, Indiana, with 18 women present. The purpose of the meeting was to organize a
non-academic sorority which would bring to its members the advantages of friendship
and mutual accomplishments offered by a college sorority, with the further
benefit of unlimited, active participation.

Because of their devotion and loyalty throughout the formative period of Sigma Phi
Gamma and their continued interest, Sigma Phi Gamma bestowed upon the five
Founders the highest honor of the sorority, that of Honorary Life Membership. The
Five Founders are: Edith Bocock, Phyllis Langsta Royce, Ferne Palmer Shick, Violet
Pettit Tindall, and Irene Waters Worley.

We are Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority, founded in love and friendship,
dedicated to serving our communities. We are today…are you part of our tomorrow?

In the beginning the Founders had no idea their friendship sorority would expand
outside their community. However, a former Hartford City woman living in Huntington,
Indiana, contacted Irene with information that a group of women were interested
in joining; thereafter, the second chapter was installed. The first chapter
installed outside the state of Indiana was in Arizona; thus giving Sigma Phi Gamma
national status. Sigma Phi Gamma’s expansion was so great that in 1927 it was
necessary to divide the chapters into provinces. The sorority became international
with the installation of a chapter in Canada.

The high standards set forth by our Founders have insured the growth of Sigma Phi
Gamma through the years. Love and Friendship and our service work that is performed
at Chapter, Province and International levels have inspired an enthusiastic expansion
program which has added new chapters each year. We are now recognized as one of
the strongest non-academic, international sororities in existence, and our International
Conventions are attended annually by as many as 500 members.

We now have more than 3,577 active members in 131 chapters the United States and
Canada. Seven elected International Officers supervise and coordinate the work of
the entire organization for the best interests of its members. Sigma Phi Gamma was
incorporated in 1924 and maintains a business office.