Milestones
Sigma Kappa Sorority was founded in 1874 and has achieved a number of goals and set many benchmarks since then. Below is a listing of the greatest milestones and achievements of Sigma Kappa Sorority from its founding until today.
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 Founders' 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. |
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 Seacoast Missionary Society was adopted as our national philanthropy in honor of our founders, who were all from Maine. |
1920 |
New member pin adopted. |
1924 |
History of Sigma Kappa, 1874-1924, edited by Emma E. Kinne, Epsilon, was published. |
1926 |
Death of Mary Low Carver. |
1927 |
The name, Sigma Kappa, was trademarked and copyrighted. |
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. |
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 chairwoman was published. |
1988 |
Booklet of Significant Sigma Kappas was published. |
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. |
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. |
2003 |
Sigma Kappa's paperless plan was debuted - All printed materials were made available on the private side of the website and monthly officer mail started being sent via email. |
2004 |
The 25-year pin was adopted at the 2004 national convention. |
2005 |
Redesigned Web site debuted. |
2008 |
Sigma Kappa Foundation’s Ultra Violet Campaign debuts. |
2009 |
Visual identity updated. |
2010 |
The recording secretary and corresponding secretary positions were combined into one position named vice president of communication. |
2012 |
College Officer Training School (COTS) was renamed regional leadership conference (RLC), formatted to bring programming closer to our members and allowing more members to participate. |
2014 |
The Promise program for New Members underwent a complete update and transition to a new delivery model, including e-learning. National headquarters relocates to 695 Pro-Med Lane, Carmel, IN 46032-5323. |
2015 |
Donna Crain King, Epsilon Rho, installed as chairwoman of the National Panhellenic Conference. Online education launched in SKILLab: Sigma Kappa’s Interactive Learning Lab. This online platform includes education and training courses for new members, collegiate and alumnae chapter officers and national volunteers. Hosted the inaugural National Volunteer Development Weekend to provide training for all national officers. |
2016 |
Visual identity updated and a collaborative website with all three entities was created. Launched Sigma Kappa Foundation’s first ever campaign; Shared Hearts. New Heights. A Campaign for Sigma Kappa. |
2017 |
The Sorority Strategic Plan 2017-2020 was created to focus on making Sigma Kappa a leader among sororities, empowering our collegiate members and chapter, and providing alumnae with opportunities for continual growth. The RESPΣΚT movement was upgraded with the goal of educating, energizing, and empowering our members. RESPΣΚT allows members of Sigma Kappa to engage in topics that interest them, while giving them the tools to lead and advocate for important issues in their chapters, on their campuses, and in their communities. Day of Service was established as a way for our members to continue to find ways to positively impact our communities. |
2018 |
The virtual Sigma Kappa Book Club was launched as a space for members to share their love of reading. The debut of The LowDown, a quarterly e-newsletter for all members, shares information about the national organization, higher education and fraternity/sorority life issues. Legacy Link, a way to connect legacies with Sigma Kappa from an early age, was introduced. Launched a partnership with Talkspace, the global leader in online counseling. This put Sigma Kappa at the forefront of improving the mental health of its members by providing direct access to valuable mental health resources. |
*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."