Who We Are...
We're All About Learning
The women of Phi Sigma Sigma share a commitment to lifelong learning. We teach each other and learn from each other. We make academic achievement a priority, fostering an environment that encourages our membership to reach their highest potential.We're All About Serving
Phi Sigma Sigma's value is making a difference in the lives of others. Hence, we become leaders in our communities, our professions, and our sisterhood. Leadership through service comes naturally to our women as we cultivate personal growth by seeking opportunities to serve.We're All About Sisterhood
Phi Sigma Sigma is a dynamic sisterhood of women with different backgrounds but similar values. Our commitment to inclusiveness binds us and results in stronger women who embrace individuality and share their philosophy with the world.Symbols that Make Phi Sigma Sigma Unique
Flower: the American Beauty RoseStone: Sapphire
Symbols: Pyramid and Sphinx
Colors: King Blue and Gold
Open Motto: Diokete Hupsula ("Aim High" in Greek)
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Our Core Values...
Our core values distinguish Phi Sigma Sigma, unites us in our endeavors, and become ingrained in our character. We live our core values when we recruit new members, as we chart the course of our college experience, and as we make decisions about career, family, and community involvement. Phi Sigma Sigma's core values are the basis for both our membership recruitment (Vision) and membership development (Reflections) programs.
Lifelong Learning
As new members, as collegiate members, and as alumnae, learning is a priority and we encourage our sisters to make the most of educational opportunities at our colleges and in our communities. Through education and challenging ourselves to reach new goals, we become women of influence and substence.Inclusiveness
An inclusive sisterhood prepares its members for a world filled with diversity. By embracing our differences, we become a stronger organization that benefits not only our members, but those around us. We seek out and include women of various races, cultures, levels of ability, socioeconomic origin, backgrounds, and perspectives.Leadership Through Service
Phi Sigma Sigma believes that a woman who serves is also a woman who leads. By serving others, our members become more valuable citizens, parents, workers, and community leaders.[ Back to Top ]
Our History...
The early 1900's were turbulent times. Racial vindictiveness emerged as a result of earlier waves of emigration, and divisions developed along religious, ethnic, and economic lines. The city of New York was seen as a cauldron for social change.
In 1913, our founders - Lillian Gordon, Ethel Gordon, Josephine Ellison, Shirley Cohen, Fay Chertkoff, Claire Wunder, Estelle Melnick, Rose Sher, Jeanette Lipka, and Gwen "Rae" Zaliels - approached the Dean of Women at Hunter College in New York with a vision. They wanted to start a sorority that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background; a sorority committed to sisterhood, excellence in scholarship, and selfless giving.
On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born, unobtrusively, without the thought of expansion. It was the first nonsectarian sorority; the only one that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in scripture. Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff (our first chapter archon), Alpha Chapter was installed at Hunter College.
The founders' first objective was to establish the twin ideals - "the brotherhood of man" and "the alleviation of the world's pain." Each woman extended herself to her greatest capacity to live up to the standards the group chose. They attained high scholastic standing, developed intense bonds, and each served in philanthropic activities, donating to a variety of charities consistent with Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals and nonsectarian trail.
Three new members were accepted into Phi Sigma Sigma during the first year; Bert Markowitz Goldstein, Bell Heyman Hoffman, and Leontine Friedman. For five years, Alpha Chapter continued locally. When a friend of Rose Sher who attended Tufts College contacted her with interest in the sorority, expansion became a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed Beta Chapter at Tufts College in Boston and Gamma Chapter at New York University.
1918 was also the year of our first National Convention, which was held in New York City. Fay Chertkoff was elected Phi Sigma Sigma's first grand archon. Representatives from Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Chapters met, promulgated the original Phi Sigma Sigma Constitution, and elected the first Supreme Council. This included Fay Chertkoff as Grand Archon, Ethel Gordon Kraus as Grand Vice Archon, Shirley Cohen Laufer Goldstein as National Tribune, and Estelle Melnick Cole as National Bursar. This Supreme Council served from 1918-1920.
Today, Phi Sigma Sigma maintains over 150 healthy, active collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada. [ Back to Top ]
Our Founders...
- Rose Sher Seidman
- Josephine Ellison Breakstone
- Estelle Melnick Cole
- Fay Chertkoff
- Gwen Zaliels Snyder
- Ethel Gordon Kraus
- Jeanette Lipka Furst
- Lillian Gordon Alpern
- Claire Wunder McArdle
- Shirley Cohen Laufer
“ To you, Founders of Phi Sigma Sigma, who gave us being and meaning on the twenty-sixth of November, in the year 1913, we dedicate anew your fraternity in its present extent. To the brotherhood of man and to the alleviation of the world's pain, twin ideals which drew you together, we repledge ourselves with new fervor. Witness to your reverence of the goal you set for us, this day shall see a nationwide votary, when all chapters of Phi Sigma Sigma shall do homage unto you and shall devote themselves in act and in belief to the selfless giving which knows no creed.”
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Chapter Directory...
California
Delta Gamma Chapter, San Francisco State University
Epsilon Delta Chapter, Chapman University
Epsilon Epsilon Chapter, California State University-Bakersfield
Zeta Alpha Chapter, Woodbury University
Theta Mu Chapter, California State University-Stanislaus
Theta Upsilon Chapter, University Of La Verne
Theta Chi Chapter, California State University-Sacramento
Iota Gamma Chapter, California State University - Dominguez Hills
CA - Central Valley Alumnae Chapter
CA - Kern County Alumnae Chapter
CA - Northern LA Alumnae Chapter
CA - Orange County Alumnae Chapter
CA - Sacramento (Capital City) Alumnae Chapter
CA - San Bernardino Alumnae Chapter
CA - San Francisco Bay Area Alumnae Interest Group
CA - Southern LA Alumnae Chapter
Colorado
Iota Kappa Chapter, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Iota Lambda Chapter, Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Connecticut
Zeta Zeta Chapter, Quinnipiac University
Iota Delta Chapter, Central Connecticut State University
Iota Mu Chapter, University Of New Haven
Iota Nu Chapter, Sacred Heart University
CT - Central CT Alumnae Chapter
District of Columbia
Kappa Chapter, George Washington University
Beta Upsilon Chapter, American University
Florida
Delta Kappa Chapter, Florida International University
Delta Psi Chapter, University Of West Florida
Theta Xi Chapter, Nova Southeastern University
Iota Eta Chapter, Florida Institute Of Technology
Iota Theta Chapter, Barry University
FL - Greater Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter
FL - Miami Alumnae Chapter
FL - Northwest Florida Alumnae Chapter
FL - South Florida Alumnae Chapter
Georgia
GA - Atlanta Alumnae Interest Group
Hawaii
HI - Oahu Alumnae Club
Illinois
Theta Chapter, University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Epsilon Alpha Chapter, Illinois State University
Epsilon Psi Chapter, Western Illinois University
Zeta Tau Chapter, Loyola University Chicago
Theta Delta Chapter, University Of Illinois At Chicago
Iota Beta Chapter, Quincy University
IL - Central Illinois Alumnae Club
IL - Chicago Alumnae Chapter
Indiana
Epsilon Chi Chapter, Indiana University Southeast
Iota Epsilon Chapter, Indiana University - Kokomo
IN - Central Indiana Alumnae Club
Kentucky
KY - Queen City Alumnae Club
Gamma Tau Chapter, Northern Kentucky University
KY - Kentuckiana Alumnae Club
Maryland
Beta Alpha Chapter, University Of Maryland - College Park
Gamma Kappa Chapter, Towson University
Gamma Pi Chapter, University Of Maryland - Baltimore County
Gamma Psi Chapter, McDaniel College
Zeta Chi Chapter, Stevenson University
MD - Baltimore Alumnae Chapter
Massachusetts
Gamma Iota Chapter, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Epsilon Iota Chapter, Bridgewater State College
Zeta Delta Chapter, Bentley Universith
Zeta Rho Chapter, Fitchburg State College
Theta Sigma Chapter, University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
MA - Massachusetts Alumnae Interest Group
Michigan
Delta Alpha Chapter, Eastern Michigan University
Delta Theta Chapter, Oakland University
Delta Iota Chapter, Central Michigan University
Delta Upsilon Chapter, Siena Heights University
Epsilon Beta Chapter, Ferris State University
Zeta Omega Chapter, University Of Michigan At Dearborn
Theta Alpha Chapter, Northern Michigan University
Theta Iota Chapter, University Of Michigan At Flint
Theta Psi Chapter, Alma College
Iota Alpha Chapter, Saginaw Valley State University
Iota Iota Chapter, Grand Valley State University
MI - Epsilon Beta Alumnae Club
MI - Metro Detroit Alumnae Club
Minnesota
Iota Zeta Chapter, University Of Minnesota - Duluth
MN - Twin Cities Alumnae Club
Nevada
NV - Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter
New Hampshire
Theta Zeta Chapter, Keene State College
New Jersey
Delta Zeta Chapter, Stevens Institute Of Technology
Delta Mu Chapter, William Paterson University
Delta Phi Chapter, Monmouth University
Epsilon Theta Chapter, Montclair State University
Zeta Theta Chapter, Fairleigh Dickinson University At Madison
Zeta Pi Chapter, The College Of New Jersey
Theta Eta Chapter, Rider University
NJ - Central New Jersey Alumnae Chapter
NJ - North Jersey Alumnae Club
NJ - South Jersey Alumnae Chapter
New York
Epsilon Chapter, Adelphi University
Pi Chapter, Syracuse University
Beta Pi Chapter, Queens College
Gamma Mu Chapter, Clarkson University
Delta Beta Chapter, University Of Rochester
Delta Nu Chapter, Iona College
Delta Xi Chapter, Binghamton University Of SUNY
Delta Sigma Chapter, State University Of New York - Brockport
Delta Omega Chapter, Pace University
Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Hofstra University
Epsilon Nu Chapter, State University Of New York College At Oswego
Epsilon Xi Chapter, State University Of New York College At Oneonta
Epsilon Omicron Chapter, St. John's University
Epsilon Upsilon Chapter, State University Of New York - College At Buffalo
Epsilon Omega Chapter, Utica College
Zeta Xi Chapter, Canisius College
Theta Lambda Chapter, Long Island University-CW Post
Theta Omega Chapter, Niagara University
NY - Manhattan Alumnae Club
NY - Rochester Alumnae Interest Group
Ohio
OH - Queen City Alumnae Club
Theta Nu Chapter, University Of Findlay
OH - Northwest Ohio Area Alumnae Club
Ontario
Delta Epsilon Chapter, University Of Windsor
Zeta Eta Chapter, Carleton University
Oregon
Beta Omega Chapter, Portland State University
Delta Delta Chapter, Linfield College
OR - Portland Alumnae Chapter
Pennsylvania
Nu Chapter, University Of Pennsylvania
Xi Chapter, Temple University
Beta Rho Chapter, Drexel University
Gamma Gamma Chapter, Clarion University
Gamma Xi Chapter, Widener University
Delta Lambda Chapter, Muhlenberg College
Delta Chi Chapter, Shippensburg University
Epsilon Zeta Chapter, Bloomsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Epsilon Rho Chapter, York College Of Pennsylvania
Epsilon Tau Chapter, California University Of Pennsylvania
Zeta Gamma Chapter, West Chester University
Zeta Kappa Chapter, University Of Pittsburgh At Johnstown
Zeta Nu Chapter, Slippery Rock University
Zeta Omicron Chapter, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Theta Gamma Chapter, Gannon University
Theta Tau Chapter, Lebanon Valley College
PA - Central Pennsylvania Alumnae Chapter
PA - Lake Erie Alumnae Club
PA - Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter
PA - Pittsburgh Area Alumnae Chapter
Rhode Island
Gamma Zeta Chapter, University Of Rhode Island
Zeta Lambda Chapter, Johnson And Wales University
South Carolina
Theta Beta Chapter, Coastal Carolina University
SC - South Carolina Alumnae Interest Group
Texas
TX - Dallas/Ft.Worth TX Alumnae Club
TX - Houston Alumnae Club
Virginia
Gamma Sigma Chapter, Virginia Commonwealth University
Epsilon Sigma Chapter, Virginia Wesleyan College
Epsilon Phi Chapter, Radford University
Zeta Sigma Chapter, Averett University
Theta Rho Chapter, University Of Virginia's College At Wise
VA - Central Virginia Alumnae Chapter
VA - Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter
VA - Wise County Alumnae Interest Group
Wisconsin
Gamma Lambda Chapter, University Of Wisconsin-Superior
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