Sigma Phi Omega
Sigma Phi Omega is an Asian-American interest sorority that has helped young women adjust to college life for over fifty years. College is a time for new faces, endeavors, and experiences. Among this whirlwind of unfamiliarity, being in a sorority can help brighten your path and put things into perspective. It provides a base for lasting friendships and special memories. Sigma Phi Omega prides itself for its diversity in membership as we embrace 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, our 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 we 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 American, 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.
Philanthropy
Domestic Violence Awareness
October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month Prevention and Creating Awareness about Domestic Violence Against Women
How many of you know someone who has experienced domestic violence?
Chances are that most of you do. In the wake of the recent tragedy that has shaken our nation, Americans have responded overwhelmingly to the needs of the victims and communities that are suffering as a repercussion of this act of terrorism. However, there is another form of terrorism that is being committed in this country. It is more obscure to the public, yet victimizes one out of three people in this country. Domestic violence is undiscriminating. It is both physical and psychological.
Sigma Phi Omega has chosen this epidemic as our 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. It is our mission to build and bring awareness to college campuses and surrounding communities about domestic violence through the events hosted by our chapters .
"The reward is in the doing."
Sigma Phi Omega Today
Since it was founded, Sigma Phi Omega has established six other chapters located in both California and Texas.
Chapters
- 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
Brother Fraternity
- Texas: Omega Phi Gamma
- California: Beta Omega Phi