Sigma Phi Omega

File:Sigma phi omega crest.jpg

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 brings. Sigma alumni have gone onto successful careers in business, law, medicine, entertainment, and education.

History

Purpose

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

In its early beginnings, 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 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.

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.

Fundamentals

• Colors: Kelly Green, Maize Yellow
• Pillars: Strength and Character
• Flower: Yellow Rose
• Motto: The Reward is in the Doing

Philanthropy

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 Today

Since it was founded, Sigma Phi Omega has established six other chapters located in both California and Texas.

Chapters

• Alpha Chapter: University of Southern California : 1949

• Beta Chapter: California State University, Long Beach : 1970

• 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

• Zeta Chapter : University of California at Berkeley : April 5, 1997

• Eta Chapter : Baylor University : May 1, 1999

Tri-Family Relationship

Sigmas also share a close bond with their brother fraternity in:

• Texas: Omega Phi Gamma
• California: Beta Omega Phi

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

• Official Website
• UT Sigmas

Source

Official Website Retreived May 28, 2006.