History of Phi Sigma Chapter

The Grand Syntaktes, Ruby Peake, chartered Phi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on August 14, 1938 at the home of the late Soror Edna Forrest Browne, the Charter Basileus.  The other charter members were:

Ida Alphin
Ethel L. Bianchi
Beatrice Bianchi Williams
Marian Bianchi DeBerry
Marie Clarke Taylor
Alma Cooper Hawkins
Edna Miles Holland
Louise Pinket Hall
Hermione Porter Ackiss
Florence Brown LaFoon
Dorothy Wright Atkinson

For more than 60 years, the Sorority’s motto, “Greater Service, Greater Progress,” has been a guiding light for the members of Phi Sigma Chapter. As leaders in the city of the District of Columbia, Sorors have been elected to numerous civic, social and religions offices. Two such notable Phi Sigma members are Ruth Nesbitt and Dr. Lorraine Williams. In 1975, Soror Nesbitt was sworn in as Commissioner of the Public Service Commission for the District of Columbia. Dr. Lorraine Williams was the first Soror to hold the position of International Grand Basileus for two consecutive terms. She also has served as the first female Vice President of Academic Affairs at Howard University, as well as the Chairman of the Department of History.  On April 23, 2006, Dr. Lorraine Anderson Williams was posthumously inducted into the Washington D.C. Hall of Fame Society.

Throughout its existence, Phi Sigma has supported many National Programs such as Project Africare, Assault on Illiteracy Program (AOIP), NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, March of Dimes, National Pan-Hellenic Council, United Negro College Fund and Habitat for Humanity. Generous donations of time and financial contributions have been given in support of the Kennedy Center, Foster Home Recruitment, the National Urban League, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and many other beneficial projects. In addition, the Chapter has sponsored its undergraduate chapters, Philo Affiliates and Rhoer Clubs, whose members have made outstanding contributions by providing community service.

Phi Sigma Chapter has hosted several Regional and National meetings. Boules hosted by the Chapter include the 24th Boule held in 1956 and the 39th Boule, which was the Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary) for the Sorority, held in 1982.  Meetings held within the region include the 41st Northeast Regional Conference held in 1984; the 54th Northeast Regional Conference in 1997, Area I Meeting in 1999, and the Northeast Region's Mid-Winter Meeting in 2000.

Over the years, Phi Sigma has received numerous awards and honors including, but not limited to:

  • Certificates from Citizens Corporation of D.C. for special contributions;
  • A certificate from the Mississippi Project of Howard University;
  • Certificates and prizes for the Annual Soirées held by the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA;
  • A citation and a plaque from the Capital Press Club for outstanding services rendered to the community;
  • Special thanks from then Mayor-Commissioner Walter E. Washington for the many community service activities performed throughout the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area;
  • A Proclamation from the office of Mayor Anthony Williams declaring March 4, 2000 as Youth Symposium Day in the Washington, D.C. area.

Phi Sigma Chapter presented its first Debutante Scholarship Cotillion on May 14, 1960 at the Presidential Arms in Washington, D.C. With the exception of 1981 and 1988, the Chapter has sponsored a Scholarship Cotillion each year from 1960 to 2000. Scholarships have been awarded to many young women in the Washington, D.C. area to assist them in paying for their college education. The Debutante Scholarship Cotillion is now held every two years. The 40th Annual Ball will be held this year.

Service in the D.C. Community

While keeping the focus of the National Programs, Phi Sigma Chapter is active in the Washington DC area through feeding the homeless, clothing collections, wrapping gifts for needy children, voter registration, school supplies collections, and monetary support.  These efforts have been made by chapter members and jointly with the following:

  • Washington DC Chapter, NPHC

  • Phyllis Wheatley Y.W.C.A., Inc.

  • National Council of Negro Women

  • Dress For Success

  • Washington Literacy Council

  • My Sister's Place

  • March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon

  • AIDSWalk

  • Walk for the Homeless

  • St. Elizabeth's Hospital

  • National Organization of Concerned Black Men

  • Xavier University's Project Katrina

 

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