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{{Short description|American collegiate Asian-interest sorority}}
{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 25em; text-align: left; font-size: 95%;"
{{Infobox Sorority
|+ style="font-size: larger;" | '''Sigma Phi Omerga'''
| name = Sigma Phi Omega
|-
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΣΦΩ}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Image:Sigma_phi_omega_crest.jpg|275px|]]<br>Crest
| crest = SPO Crest.jpg
|-
| image_size = 170px
! Letters:
| founded = {{Start date and age|1949}}
| Letters|ΣΦΩ
| birthplace = [[University of Southern California]]
|-
| affiliation = Independent
! Colors:
| status = Active
| Colors|Kelley [[Green]] and Maize [[Yellow]]
| type = Social-Service
|-
| emphasis = Asian-Interest
! Motto:
| scope = Regional
| Motto|The Reward is in the Doing
| colors = {{color box|#4CBB17}} [[Kelly green|Kelly Green]] and {{Color box|#FBEC5D}} [[Maize (color)|Maize]] [[Yellow]]
|-
| flower = Yellow [[Rose]]
! Flower:
| symbol = White Dove
| Flower|Yellow [[Rose]]
| motto = "The Reward is in the Doing"
|-
| chapters = 9
! Pillar:
| Pillar|Strength and Character
| pillars = Strength and Character
| address =
|-
| city =
! Type:
| state =
| Type|Asian-American interest sorority
| ZIP code =
|-
| country = United States
! Founded:
| homepage = {{url|http://www.sigmaphiomega.com}}
| Founded|[[1949]]
}}
|-
! Birthplace:
| Birthplace|[[University of Southern California]]
|-
! Website:
| Website|[http://www.sigmaphiomega.com http://www.sigmaphiomega.com]
|-
| colspan="2" style="font-size: smaller;" | {{{footnotes|}}}
|}


'''Sigma Phi Omega''' '''(ΣΦΩ)''' is an [[Asian-American]] interest [[sorority]] that has helped young women adjust to college life for over fifty years. [[Sigma Phi Omega]] prides itself for its [[diversity]] in membership as it embraces the unique qualities and gifts each woman brings. Sigma alumni have gone onto successful careers in business, law, medicine, entertainment, and education.
'''Sigma Phi Omega''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΣΦΩ}}'''), also known as '''Sigmas''', is an [[Asian American]] interest [[sorority]] founded at the [[University of Southern California]] in [[Los Angeles, California]]


== History==
== History==
Sigma Phi Omega was founded at the [[University of Southern California]] in 1949, and is the oldest [[Asian American]] [[sorority]] at USC and UT Austin and third oldest Asian sorority in the [[United States]]. It was originally established as a social organization for [[Japanese people|Japanese]] and [[Japanese American]] women at USC and has since then come to consist of a diverse membership of women hailing from numerous racial and cultural backgrounds.<ref name="About Us">According to [http://www.sigmaphiomega.com/aboutus Sigma Phi Gamma's official website, "About Us" page], accessed 5 Aug 2021.</ref>


At its beginning, the [[founding fathers|founding mothers]] of Sigma Phi Omega were invited by [[Chi Alpha Delta]], an Asian-American sorority from [[UCLA]], to become one of their chapters. Chi Alpha Delta had been chartered in 1928 at UCLA, but was rendered inactive between 1942 and 1945 because the majority of its members were unable to attend UCLA due to World War II. After the end of the war, the sorority was reorganized in 1946.
===Purpose===


However, the founding mothers decided to start their own organization. The Greek letters were chosen at random and were not used by any other existing College fraternities or sororities at that time. The Greek letters were, however, being used by a national high school fraternity. Although the Sigmas did not originate as a sorority, one could speculate that the choosing of Greek letters was a public way of voicing an unsatisfactory opinion about the treatment of Asian Americans, specifically Japanese Americans, by the campus and Greek organizations.<ref name="About Us" />
'''Sigma Phi Omega''' was founded at the [[University of Southern California]] in [[1949]], and is the oldest [[Asian-American]] [[sorority]] at USC and third oldest in the [[United States]]. It was originally established as a social organization for [[Japanese]] and Japanese-American women at USC. There was much anti-Asian sentiment left behind by [[World War II]], which had ended in [[1945]]. As one alumni said, "At that time it was understood that Asian women could not become members of a sorority. It has since changed. Thank goodness."


===Early Beginnings===
===Founding mothers===
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*Miki Haga
*Joyce Ishibashi Tawa
*Ida Kado Watanabe
*Kazuko Kay Matsumoto
*Helen Morita Matsunaga
*Cherry Okimoto
*Akiko Sato Miyamoto
*Edna Tanaka Okui
*Helen Taniguchi Wakamatsu
*Miki Tanimoto
*Dottie Uno
*Julia Uriu
*Grace Wada Iino
*Betty Wakamatsu Nishikubo
*Chiyoe Yata Oki
*Mitzi Okamoto
*Thelma Sasada Yamamoto<ref name="About Us" />
}}


== Symbols ==
In its early beginnings, the [[founding fathers|founding mothers]] of Sigma Phi Omega were invited by [[Chi Alpha Delta]], an Asian-American sorority from [[UCLA]], to become one of their chapters. Chi Alpha Delta had been chartered in [[1928]] at UCLA, but was rendered inactive between [[1942]] and 1945 because the majority of its members were unable to attend UCLA due to World War II. After the end of the war, the sorority was reorganized in [[1946]].
The motto of Sigma Phi Omega is <nowiki>''The Reward is in the Doing''. Its pillars are Strength an Character. The sorority'</nowiki>s colors are Kelly green amd maize yellow. Its symbol is the white dove. Its flower is the yellow rose.


== Activities ==
However, the founding mothers decided to start their own organization. The Greek letters were chosen at random and were not used by any other existing fraternities or sororities at that time. Although Sigmas did not originate as a sorority, one could speculate that the choosing of Greek letters was a public way of voicing a dissatisfactory opinion about the treatment of Asian Americans, specifically Japanese Americans, by the campus and Greek organizations.
There are annual conventions held each summer as well as Mid-year Retreat, where sisters from different chapters gather to bring orders of business as well as bond. These conventions and retreats are hosted by the chapters in rotations

Membership was primilary those of Japanese descent in the beginning, although it was open in membership. The [[pledge]] program was implemented in the mid-[[1950's]].


== Philanthropy ==
== Philanthropy ==
Service is one of the main pillars within the sisterhood of Sigma Phi Omega. By it they explain their pride in serving their communities and are inspired to contribute to make a difference in each other's lives and the lives of others.<ref name="Philanthropy">According to [http://www.sigmaphiomega.com/philanthropy Sigma Phi Gamma's official website, "Philanthropy" page], accessed 5 Aug 2021.</ref>


Sigma Phi Omega has chosen [[domestic violence]] as its National [[Philanthropy]]. Throughout the month of [[October]] each year, all chapters of Sigma Phi Omega Sorority, Inc. will be organizing a "SAFE - Stop Abuse in Family Environments - WEEK" filled with seminars and discussions about domestic violence and fundraising events. Sigma Phi Omega's mission is to build and bring awareness to college campuses and surrounding communities about domestic violence through the events hosted by its chapters.
Sigma Phi Omega has chosen [[domestic violence]] awareness and prevention & sexual assault awareness as its national [[philanthropy]]. Each April, the chapters organize a week filled with seminars and fundraising events to bring awareness to their communities. Throughout the month of October, all chaptersorganize a "SAFE (Stop Abuse For Everyone) WEEK" filled with seminars and discussions about domestic violence and fundraising events. Sigma Phi Omega works to educate college campuses and surrounding communities, specifically reaching out to Asian and Asian American women, in an effort to stop domestic violence and to raise awareness of sexual assault on college campuses.


While raising domestic violence awareness is Sigmas' main philanthropy, the chapters also sponsors and participate in [[AIDS Walk|AIDS Walks]], [[Habitat for Humanity]], Canning for Hunger, [[Girls, Inc.|Girls Inc.]], various shelters, clean cities programs, and more. Many members of Sigma Phi Omega are also individually involved within their own community through tutoring and mentoring programs for the disadvantaged and younger students, as well as through various volunteering programs.
== Sigma Phi Omega Today ==


== Chapters ==
Since it was founded, Sigma Phi Omega has established six other chapters located in both [[California]] and [[Texas]].
Sigma Phi Omega has installed nine chapters located in [[California]] and [[Texas]]. Active chapter noted in '''bold''', inactive chapters noted in ''italics''.<ref name="Baird's Manual Online">{{cite web|editor1=William Raimond Baird |editor2=Carroll Lurding |title=Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive) |url=https://uofi.app.box.com/v/womens-pdf-folder/file/459785362568 |website=Student Life and Culture Archives |publisher=University of Illinois Archives |access-date=5 Aug 2021 |location=University of Illinois |language=English}} The main archive URL is [https://www.library.illinois.edu/slc/welcome/fraternity-sorority-almanac/ The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage].</ref><ref name="Chapters">Chapter list from [http://www.sigmaphiomega.com/locations Sigma Phi Gamma's official website, "Chapters" page], accessed 5 Aug 2021.</ref>


{| class="sortable wikitable"
===Chapters===
|-
! Chapter
! Charter date and rannge
! Institution
! Location
! Status
! Reference
|-
|''Alpha''
| {{dts|1949}}
| [[University of Southern California]]
| [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
| Inactive
| <ref>[http://www.uscsigmas.org/ The ''Alpha chapter'' maintains a website, as do most of the other chapters.] Accessed 5 Aug 2021.</ref>
|-
| '''Beta'''
| {{dts|1973}}
| [[California State University, Long Beach]]
| [[Long Beach, California]]
| Active
|
|-
| '''Gamma'''
| {{dts|1991|05|01}}
| [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]]
| [[Austin, Texas]]
| Active
|
|-
| '''Delta'''
| {{dts|1991|12|18}}
| [[San Diego State University]]
| [[San Diego, California]]
| Active
|
|-
| '''Epsilon'''
| {{dts|1995|04|21}}
| [[University of Houston]]
| [[Houston|Houston, Texas]]
| Active
|
|-
| '''Zeta'''
| {{dts|1997|04|05}}
| [[University of California, Berkeley]]
| [[Berkeley, California]]
| Active
|
|-
| ''Eta''
| {{dts|1999|05|01}} – 20xx ?
| [[Baylor University]]
| [[Waco, Texas]]
| Inactive
|
|-
| ''Theta''
| {{dts|2005|05|20}} – 202x ?
| [[Southern Methodist University]]
| [[University Park, Texas]]
| Inactive
|
|-
| '''Iota'''
| {{dts|2009|05|02}}
| [[Texas A&M University]]
| [[College Station, Texas]]
| Active
|
|-
| '''Kappa'''
| {{dts|2013|12|08}}
| [[University of Texas at Dallas]]
| [[Richardson, Texas]]
| Active
|
|}


== See also ==
* [http://www-scf.usc.edu/~sigmas/ Alpha Chapter]: University of Southern California : 1949
* Beta Chapter: [[California State University, Long Beach]] : [[1970]]
* [http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/sigmaphi Gamma Chapter] : [[University of Texas]] : [[May 1]], [[1991]]
* Delta Chapter : [[San Diego State University]] : [[December 18]], [[1991]]
* Epsilon Chapter : [[University of Houston]] : [[April 21]], [[1995]]
* [http://www.berkeleysigmas.com Zeta Chapter] : [[University of California at Berkeley]] : [[April 5]], [[1997]]
* Eta Chapter : [[Baylor University]] : [[May 1]], [[1999]]


* [[List of social sororities and women's fraternities]]
===Tri-Family Relationship===


* [[List of Asian American fraternities and sororities]]
Sigmas also share a close bond with their brother fraternity in:
* [[Cultural interest fraternities and sororities]]


== References ==
* Texas: [http://omegaphigamma.com/ Omega Phi Gamma]
{{reflist}}
* California: [[Beta Omega Phi]]


==External links==
And with their cousin fraternity in Texas:

* [[Delta Epsilon Psi]]

This relationship is unique and unlike any other found in the Greek community. Together, these three organizations form a family and create a "home away from home".

== External Links ==
*[http://www.sigmaphiomega.com Official Website]
*[http://www.sigmaphiomega.com Official Website]
*[http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/sigmaphi UT Sigmas]

== Source ==
[http://www.sigmaphiomega.com Official Website] (URL accessed [[May 28]], [[2006]])


{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}
{{honor-stub}}


[[Category:United States student societies]]
[[Category:Student societies in the United States]]
[[Category:Student societies]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1949 establishments]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1949]]
[[Category:Women's organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States]]
[[Category:Sororities]]
[[Category:Asian-American organizations]]

Latest revision as of 01:38, 17 October 2024

Sigma Phi Omega
ΣΦΩ
Founded1949; 75 years ago (1949)
University of Southern California
TypeSocial-Service
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAsian-Interest
ScopeRegional
Motto"The Reward is in the Doing"
PillarsStrength and Character
Colors  Kelly Green and   Maize Yellow
SymbolWhite Dove
FlowerYellow Rose
Chapters9
Headquarters
United States
Websitewww.sigmaphiomega.com

Sigma Phi Omega (ΣΦΩ), also known as Sigmas, is an Asian American interest sorority founded at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California

History

[edit]

Sigma Phi Omega was founded at the University of Southern California in 1949, and is the oldest Asian American sorority at USC and UT Austin and third oldest Asian sorority in the United States. It was originally established as a social organization for Japanese and Japanese American women at USC and has since then come to consist of a diverse membership of women hailing from numerous racial and cultural backgrounds.[1]

At its beginning, the founding mothers of Sigma Phi Omega were invited by Chi Alpha Delta, an Asian-American sorority from UCLA, to become one of their chapters. Chi Alpha Delta had been chartered in 1928 at UCLA, but was rendered inactive between 1942 and 1945 because the majority of its members were unable to attend UCLA due to World War II. After the end of the war, the sorority was reorganized in 1946.

However, the founding mothers decided to start their own organization. The Greek letters were chosen at random and were not used by any other existing College fraternities or sororities at that time. The Greek letters were, however, being used by a national high school fraternity. Although the Sigmas did not originate as a sorority, one could speculate that the choosing of Greek letters was a public way of voicing an unsatisfactory opinion about the treatment of Asian Americans, specifically Japanese Americans, by the campus and Greek organizations.[1]

Founding mothers

[edit]
  • Miki Haga
  • Joyce Ishibashi Tawa
  • Ida Kado Watanabe
  • Kazuko Kay Matsumoto
  • Helen Morita Matsunaga
  • Cherry Okimoto
  • Akiko Sato Miyamoto
  • Edna Tanaka Okui
  • Helen Taniguchi Wakamatsu
  • Miki Tanimoto
  • Dottie Uno
  • Julia Uriu
  • Grace Wada Iino
  • Betty Wakamatsu Nishikubo
  • Chiyoe Yata Oki
  • Mitzi Okamoto
  • Thelma Sasada Yamamoto[1]

Symbols

[edit]

The motto of Sigma Phi Omega is ''The Reward is in the Doing''. Its pillars are Strength an Character. The sorority's colors are Kelly green amd maize yellow. Its symbol is the white dove. Its flower is the yellow rose.

Activities

[edit]

There are annual conventions held each summer as well as Mid-year Retreat, where sisters from different chapters gather to bring orders of business as well as bond. These conventions and retreats are hosted by the chapters in rotations

Philanthropy

[edit]

Service is one of the main pillars within the sisterhood of Sigma Phi Omega. By it they explain their pride in serving their communities and are inspired to contribute to make a difference in each other's lives and the lives of others.[2]

Sigma Phi Omega has chosen domestic violence awareness and prevention & sexual assault awareness as its national philanthropy. Each April, the chapters organize a week filled with seminars and fundraising events to bring awareness to their communities. Throughout the month of October, all chaptersorganize a "SAFE (Stop Abuse For Everyone) WEEK" filled with seminars and discussions about domestic violence and fundraising events. Sigma Phi Omega works to educate college campuses and surrounding communities, specifically reaching out to Asian and Asian American women, in an effort to stop domestic violence and to raise awareness of sexual assault on college campuses.

While raising domestic violence awareness is Sigmas' main philanthropy, the chapters also sponsors and participate in AIDS Walks, Habitat for Humanity, Canning for Hunger, Girls Inc., various shelters, clean cities programs, and more. Many members of Sigma Phi Omega are also individually involved within their own community through tutoring and mentoring programs for the disadvantaged and younger students, as well as through various volunteering programs.

Chapters

[edit]

Sigma Phi Omega has installed nine chapters located in California and Texas. Active chapter noted in bold, inactive chapters noted in italics.[3][4]

Chapter Charter date and rannge Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha 1949 University of Southern California Los Angeles, California Inactive [5]
Beta 1973 California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, California Active
Gamma May 1, 1991 University of Texas Austin, Texas Active
Delta December 18, 1991 San Diego State University San Diego, California Active
Epsilon April 21, 1995 University of Houston Houston, Texas Active
Zeta April 5, 1997 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California Active
Eta May 1, 1999 – 20xx ? Baylor University Waco, Texas Inactive
Theta May 20, 2005 – 202x ? Southern Methodist University University Park, Texas Inactive
Iota May 2, 2009 Texas A&M University College Station, Texas Active
Kappa December 8, 2013 University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas Active

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c According to Sigma Phi Gamma's official website, "About Us" page, accessed 5 Aug 2021.
  2. ^ According to Sigma Phi Gamma's official website, "Philanthropy" page, accessed 5 Aug 2021.
  3. ^ William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 5 Aug 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  4. ^ Chapter list from Sigma Phi Gamma's official website, "Chapters" page, accessed 5 Aug 2021.
  5. ^ The Alpha chapter maintains a website, as do most of the other chapters. Accessed 5 Aug 2021.
[edit]
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