History

  • Our Founding
     

    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 frequently together. 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 Founders' Day.
     
    Sigma Kappa Seal
     

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    Sigma Kappa Facts

    Founded: 1874, at Colby College in Waterville, Maine

    Open Motto: One Heart, One Way

    Colors: Maroon and Lavender

    Jewel: Pearl

    Symbols: Heart and Dove

    Flower: Violet

    Collegiate Chapters: 108 in 35 states

    Alumnae Chapters: 126 in 40 states

    Members: 145,265 worldwide

    Philanthropies: Gerontology (emphasis on Alzheimer's disease research), Inherit the Earth,  Maine Seacoast Mission.

    Scholarships: The Sigma Kappa Foundation provides scholarships to collegiate and alumnae members each year, including scholarships for leadership, continuing education, and gerontology.
     
    Margaret Chase Smith, Alpha, was the first U.S. woman senator, first woman to sit in both houses of Congress, recipient of the U.S. Air Force's most prestigious award, the American Spirit Award, in recognition of her contributions as "a great American patriot." She was also presented with a Doctor of Laws honorary degree from Rutgers University in addition to her other 95 honorary degrees. She was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award presented by President George Bush in July 1989.
     
    Fay Burnett, Sigma, was the first nutritionist for Weight Watchers International. She wrote their first maintenance plan. Thousands used it as a guide to maintain their normal weight after their proper weight loss.
     
    Anna Harper, Lambda, was inducted into the California Women Athletes Hall of Fame. She was a Wimbledon tennis champion in 1931 and has won other numerous state and national tennis championships. Anna served as national president of Sigma Kappa from 1939-1942.
     
    Sarah Weddington, Zeta Nu, is an attorney and spokesperson on public issues and leadership. In 1972 she became the first woman elected from Austin to be a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Sarah served three terms as a representative before becoming assistant to President Jimmy Carter. Sarah is well-known for her work on issues affecting women in her role as an attorney, as a legislator, as a professor and as an expert called upon by the national media. Her first book, A Question of Choice, detailed the Roe v. Wade case which she argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and won in 1973.