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.
Gamma* chapter established at Colby.
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 1896were 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
TheSigma 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.
A second edition of the song book, edited by Sara M. Collins,Delta, was published.
1924
History of Sigma Kappa, 1874-1924, edited by Emma E. Kinne,Epsilon, was published.
National headquarters was first established and located in Reading, Massachusetts.
Hattie May Baker,Delta, was appointed as executive secretary.
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, entitledBrave Maroon, was published.
1937
First traveling secretary (field consultant), Ruth Norton Donnelly,Lambda, was appointed.
1941
October issue of theSigma Kappa Trianglewas 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.
1970
Sigma Kappa Directorywas 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.
Brave Maroon II was published. The second poetry anthology was edited by Lillian Perkins,Omicron.
The dove was accepted as our official symbol.
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 chairwomanwas published.
1988
Booklet of Significant Sigma Kappas was published.
Heart adopted as an official symbol.
1989
The Sigma Kappa Foundation became a separate legal entity with the purpose to support the educational and personal development of Sigma Kappa members and to support Sigma Kappa's philanthropic priorities.
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 Memberswas published.
1998
Sigma Kappa Web site debuted.
1999
Promise for Initiated Memberswas published.
Sigma Kappa celebrated 125th Anniversary.
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.
For Sisters Only section added to the Web site.
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.
National Vice President for Extension added to national council.
2009
Visual identity updated.
2010
The recording secretary and corresponding secretary positions were combined into one position named vice president of communication.
The philanthropy and Sigma Kappa Foundation chairwomen positions were combined into one position named vice president of philanthropic service.
Field consultant program was renamed leadership consultant program.
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.
The SKoopreplacedVirtual VioletandSigma Kappa Savvyas the official newsletter of Sigma Kappa Sorority.
2014
The Promise program for New Members underwent a complete update and transition to a new delivery model, including e-learning.
The programming responsibilities were removed from the executive vice president’s role and a new vice president of programming was created.
The Sigma Kappa Foundation pledged to donate $1 million to the Alzheimer’s Association and become a member of the Zenith society, the Association’s group of most engaged and dedicated donors.
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 ofThe 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.
The Sigma Kappa membership eligibility policy was updated to include anyone whoconsistentlylives and identifies as a woman
2019
Creation of the Ritual Inclusivity task force who was charged with reviewing the Sigma Kappa ritual to identify non-inclusive language and information.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic sends students home from campus and forces virtual learning
Ritual, chapter meetings recruitment and sisterhood building.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access committee created
Legacy policy removed and Legacy Link program sunset
2022
National council transitions to a governance board and new volunteer structure rolls out
An eighth district was created
Ritual Inclusivity changes revealed
Digital museum was launched and made nearly 150 years' worth of physical archives accessible to the membership online
