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Purpose of Sigma Kappa Membership
The purpose of Sigma Kappa Sorority is to unite its members in a bond
of sincere friendship for the development of character and the promotion
of social, literary, and intellectual culture to support and further the
program and objectives of the colleges where its chapters are functioning;
to strive for high standards of achievement - scholastically, socially,
and spiritually; and to make a constructive contribution to the
communities in which its collegiate and alumnae clubs are located by
encouraging the exercise of the rights and obligations of good citizens
and the support of worthwhile civic, social and philanthropic projects.
Sigma Kappa Sorority Mission Statement
Sigma Kappa Sorority is a social organization of collegiate and alumnae
women committed to promoting the ideals of life-long friendship,
intellectual and spiritual fulfillment and service for the greater good.
Sigma Kappa Sorority Vision Statement
The vision of Sigma
Kappa is to be a premiere Sorority, forever achieving excellence in our
chapters and among our members and
influencing the lives of others.
Sigma Kappa History
In the mid to late 19th
century, early women students were reluctantly admitted to colleges and
were looked down upon by professors and male students alike. During this
period of change for women, they were insulted, boycotted, sneered at, and
denied a share of the more prized college rights. They were courageous and
determined to make a place for women in the collegiate world. This feeling
inspired the formation of sororities on the basis of scholarship,
friendship, mutual interests and ideals.
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 together frequently. 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
Founder's Day.
In our first constitution, chapter membership was limited to 25. The original group was known as Alpha chapter and as our sorority grew, Beta chapter and Gamma chapter were also established at Colby College. Early records indicate that the groups met together; but in 1893, the Sigma Kappa members decided intramural expansion was not desirable. They voted to fill Alpha chapter to the limit of 25 and to initiate no more into Beta and Gamma chapters. Eventually, the second and third chapters would vanish from Colby campus. Finally Sigma Kappas realized if the organization was going to continue to grow, it had to expand beyond the walls of Colby College.
In
1904, Delta chapter was installed at Boston University. Elydia Foss of
Alpha chapter had transferred to Boston and met a group of women who
refused to join any of the other groups on campus. When asked if Sigma
Kappa was a national organization, Elydia replied, "No, but it is
founded on a national basis." Elydia then took the necessary steps to
make Sigma Kappa a national sorority and it was incorporated in the state
of Maine on April 19, 1904. Their new status as a national sorority made
Sigma Kappa eligible to join what was then called the Interfraternity
Conference, now known as the National Panhellenic Conference.
Community Service
Sigma Kappa Sorority provides many opportunities for members to become
involved in community service and philanthropic projects. Chapters across
the country support Sigma Kappa philanthropies, which include:
Gerontology
In 1954 Sigma Kappa became the first national sorority to recognize the
need for continued, comprehensive work on the study of aging and the needs
of elderly populations. Collegiate and alumnae members throughout the
country volunteer their time and talent in support of numerous projects to
assist and benefit the elderly.
Alzheimer's
Disease
In 1984 Sigma Kappa responded to an increasingly critical problem facing
older Americans by adding Alzheimer's Disease research and education to
its philanthropic activities. Research grants are made each year to
universities and other institutions actively engaged in the fight against
Alzheimer's Disease.
Inherit the Earth
This program ties Sigma Kappa's interest in older citizens with its
interest in the environment. Through Inherit the Earth, collegians,
alumnae and older citizens work together to improve local environments.
The Maine Seacoast Missionary
Society
Since 1918 Sigma Kappa has paid homage to its Maine roots by supporting
the activities of the Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society. The Maine Sea Coast Mission
delivers critical services to people in need while striving to redress the
root causes of those needs. With the help of the 75-foot mission vessel,
Sunbeam V, direct programs and services include church and pastoral work,
assistance to those in sickness and poverty, financial aid, food banks,
recycled clothing shops, crisis intervention, youth programs, and
ministries in the field. The Mission serves the islands from mid-coast to
Downeast Maine, as well as mainland Hancock and Washington counties.
Symbols & Insignia
The symbols and insignia of Sigma Kappa are outward signs of the
special feeling we have for each other that comes from within ourselves.
As a member of Sigma Kappa you are obligated to uphold her high standards
and ideals, remembering that Sigma Kappas all over the country are bound
by the same tenets.
Colors
Louise
Helen Coburn's early reminiscences give us her memory of white as the
color favored in the early days of Sigma Kappa. She said
that
lavender and maroon, as our colors, occur in the minutes of June 1891.
They were being used then and apparently had been approved earlier. A
note in the minutes of 1904 speaks of a committee appointed to "write down
the true significance" of our colors which is revealed in the
ceremony of initiation.
Flower
Violets
were loved by all Sigma Kappas from the beginning. The delicate flowers
grew wild along the banks of the Messalonskee River where
the founders sat and dreamed of Sigma Kappa. In June 1892,the violet was
adopted as our national flower. The flower was thought to belong to the days
of promise as is Sigma Kappa.
Official
Jewel
The pearl is the official jewel of Sigma Kappa and was adopted
at the Sigma Kappa Convention in 1915. The pearl is recognized as a symbol
of purity and gracious character.
Symbols
The dove was accepted
as an official symbol of Sigma Kappa at the 1984 convention and the 
heart was adopted at the 1988 convention. Both symbols signify the love
felt by members across the
country.
Other Significant Insignia:
Badge 
The earliest badge design was what is now used as our pledge
pin. On March 7, 1894, the triangle badge was chosen with "unjeweled
maroon enamel, if possible." Jeweled badges were approved at the
1915 convention when the pearl was adopted as our national jewel. Unjeweled
badges have a scroll edge. The badge is worn over the heart
proudly by members of Sigma Kappa to indicate membership.
Pledge Pin
The pledge pin is a gold Greek letter S shaped like a serpent
intertwined through a K. In 1920 this design was officially adopted
as our pledge pin. The pledge pin is also worn over the heart by new
members of Sigma Kappa. Once initiated, the pin is surrendered to
the chapter for their new badge.
Seal
The seal of Sigma Kappa is used on all official papers,
membership certificates and chapter charters.
Coat-of-Arms
The official coat-of-arms was adopted by Sigma Kappa in 1911.
It reflects the familiar symbols of the sorority - the dove, the violet,
the Greek letters and maroon and lavendar.
Sigma
Kappa Member Education - The Promise Program
Membership in Sigma Kappa extends beyond our college campuses. Our
members belong to an organization which spans from coast to coast and is
composed of women, both undergraduate and alumnae, who share the same purposes
and principles. Membership in Sigma Kappa offers friendship, companionship,
scholastic assistance, leadership opportunities, meaning in college
associations, and a firm life foundation. It is Sigma Kappa's goal to help each
member develop to her greatest potential.
Member education in Sigma Kappa is an on-going process which begins with new
member education and continues through college and after as a member of an
alumnae chapter. Sigma Kappa is most interested in our members developing
lifelong job skills, communication skills, personal development, and individual
growth. We are proud of the fact we provide our members with the experiences
that promote the unique individuality of each woman. Since its founding, Sigma
Kappa Sorority has enjoyed mutually satisfying relationships with colleges and
universities at which chapters are established. Sigma Kappa provides assistance
and develops programs to be consistent with the missions of host institutions
and to stimulate:
Commitment to academic
excellence - Personal growth and
development
- Varied social experiences
- Self respect
- Responsible behavior
- Concern for others, and
- Loyalty to alma mater
Sigma Kappa expects its members and collegiate chapters to:
- Strive for academic excellence
- Demonstrate responsibility and
provide leadership in campus and community activities
- Show concern for the needs and
rights of others
- Uphold Sigma Kappa's ideals
and goals in the areas of personal growth and development
Sigma Kappa is committed to the overall development of its
members, and to sharing and preserving a healthy campus atmosphere at host
colleges and universities. To that end, the Sorority:
- Offers a wellness program to
ensure that each member is knowledgeable about social issues, physical well
being, values and ethics, emotional development and academic achievement.
- Provides leadership in the
complete elimination of hazing on campuses which host Sigma Kappa chapters.
- Discourages events which
promote a low image of the Greek community.
A high priority is the desire to maintain and expand efforts to provide a most satisfying educational experience for student members which will lay the foundation for the development of loyal alumnae to both the institution and to Sigma Kappa.