Sigma Kappa Sorority

Sigma Kappa Milestones

 

1874 On November 9, 1874, our five founding women received a letter from the college administration approving their petition to form Sigma Kappa Sorority. Thus, this date has since been considered our Founder's Day.
1875 First initiation ceremony. Death of Elizabeth Gorham Hoag.
1890 Because of a membership limitation of 25, Sigma Kappa established Beta* chapter on the Colby campus.
1891 Lavender and maroon were first mentioned as sorority colors.
1892 At the annual reunion meeting, the violet was chosen by unanimous vote as the sorority flower at the earnest request of Nellie Bakeman Donovan, Alpha.
Gamma* chapter established at Colby.
1893 It was decided to fill the ranks of Alpha chapter, to initiate no more into Beta and Gamma chapters, and to extend Sigma Kappa beyond Colby walls.
1894 Triangle pin was adopted- "maroon enamel, unjeweled."
1896 Odes of 1896 were published.
1904 With the installation of Delta chapter, the first beyond the Colby campus, extension grew nationwide. Sigma Kappa was incorporated under the laws of the state of Maine.
1905 Sigma Kappa was admitted to the National Panhellenic Conference.
1907 The Sigma Kappa Triangle, Sigma Kappa's official magazine, was established and has been published regularly since its first issue in January 1907. A new song book, edited by Sara M. Collins, Delta, was published.
1911 Sigma Kappa coat-of-arms adopted.
1915 The pearl was adopted as our official jewel. Our official banner was accepted.
1918 The Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society was adopted as our national philanthropy in honor of our founders, who were all from Maine.
1920 New member pin adopted.
A second edition of the song book, edited by Sara M. Collins, Delta, was published.
1924

History of Sigma Kappa, 1874-1924, edited by Emma E. Kinne, Epsilon, was published.
National headquarters was first established and located in Reading, Massachusetts.
Hattie May Baker, Delta, was appointed as executive secretary.

1926 Death of Mary Low Carver.
1927 The name, Sigma Kappa, was patented.
1930 A new song book was published. Ruth E. Litchen, Xi, was appointed executive secretary, and national headquarters was moved to Lawrence, Kansas.
1933 Death of Ida Fuller Pierce.
1935 Death of Frances Mann Hall.
1936 National headquarters was moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Margaret H. Taggart, Alpha Iota, was appointed as Director of NHQ. In honor of our 60th anniversary, a poetry anthology edited by Lillian M. Perkins, Omicron, entitled Brave Maroon, was published.
1937 First traveling secretary (field consultant), Ruth Norton Donnelly, Lambda, was appointed.
1941 October issue of the Sigma Kappa Triangle was our fourth song book.
1949 Death of Louise Helen Coburn.
1950 History of Sigma Kappa, 1874-1949, written by Lillian M. Perkins, Omicron, was published.
1954 Gerontology was adopted as our third national philanthropy.
1956 With the purchase of a permanent national headquarters at 3433 Washington Blvd., Indianapolis, Indiana, Sigma Kappa became one of the first NPC groups to own its own home.
1959 Sigma Kappa and Pi Kappa Sigma sororities merged.
1962 The Sigma Kappa Foundation was established to award scholarships and grants to students and to handle all of the sorority's philanthropic endeavors.
1970 Sigma Kappa Directory was published.
1974 CENTENNIAL YEAR-History of Sigma Kappa, 1874-1974, was published.
1978 The Order of the Triangle ceremony was accepted as part of our ritual.
1982 Graduate consultants were added to our field personnel.
1984 Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders was adopted as a focus for our gerontology philanthropy.
Brave Maroon II was published. The second poetry anthology was edited by Lillian Perkins, Omicron.
The dove was accepted as our official symbol.
1985 First Sigma Kappa in space, Dr. Rhea Seddon, Lambda. A mission specialist for NASA, she carried Sigma Kappa's badge on the space shuttle.
1987 AWARE-Guidelines for the Social Chairman was published.
1988 Booklet of Significant Sigma Kappas was published.
Heart adopted as an official symbol.
1990 The national headquarters building located at 8733 Founders Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, was purchased by the Sigma Kappa Foundation.
1992 Adoption of Inherit the Earth as an additional focus for the gerontology program.
1993 National Housing Corporation established to assist collegiate chapters with housing and furnishing needs.
1996 Sigma Kappa becomes the first NPC sorority to undertake a consistent graphic identity campaign as a part of a marketing communication plan.
1997 Promise for New Members was published.
1998 Sigma Kappa Web site debuted.
1999 Promise for Initiated Members was published.
Sigma Kappa celebrated 125th Anniversary.
2000 Sigma Kappa became one of the first Greek letter organizations to begin a licensing program for its vendors, Shop Sigma Kappa.
2001 Virtual Violet, an online e-magazine for alumnae, debuted.
2001 For Sisters Only section added to the Web site.
2003 Sigma Kappa's paperless plan was debuted - All printed materials were made available on the private side of the Web site and Monthly officer mail started being sent via e-mail.
2004 The 25-year pin was adopted at the 2004 national convention.
2005 Redesigned Web site debuted.
 
*NOTE: From records of Alpha chapter meetings, the three chapters apparently met together. We note in several instances where "in the absence of Alpha's secretary, voted to have Beta's secretary take notes." And once, "in the absence of Alpha and Beta secretaries, voted to have Gamma secretary take the notes."