RECOGNIZING APRIL 17, 2025, AS “SIGMA GAMMA RHO DAY AT THE CAPITOL” IN DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Lockman & Rep. Ortega

Sens. Buckson, Sokola, Townsend, Wilson; Reps. K. Johnson, Ross Levin, Kamela Smith

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 56

RECOGNIZING APRIL 17, 2025, AS “SIGMA GAMMA RHO DAY AT THE CAPITOL” IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is 103 years old and was founded on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, and has been in continuous existence since November 12, 1922; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Allison Gardener Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian Irene White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure organized Sigma Gamma Rho with high Christian ideals and the purpose of scholarship, sisterhood, and service; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is the only Greek-letter organization founded by university graduates rather than undergraduates and is a non-profit organization focused on empowering women through sisterhood, service, and scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., consisting of over 100,000 members worldwide, has built and sustained a well-known and well-respected reputation for leading positive change to help uplift the community through sisterhood, leadership, and service; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has also organized active affiliate groups devoted to empowering women at different stages in life. The Rhosebud Club Affiliate (girls ages 8-11), Rhoer Club Affiliate (girls ages 12-18), and Philos Affiliate (friends of the sorority) also assist alumnae chapters with various service efforts and programs; and

WHEREAS, on January 10, 1976, the Delta Tau Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was chartered in Dover, DE; and

WHEREAS, On December 11, 1943, the Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was

chartered in Wilmington, DE; and

WHEREAS, on November 22, 2019, the Mu Psi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was

chartered in Middletown, DE; and

WHEREAS, Delta Tau Sigma, Alpha Nu Sigma, and Mu Psi Sigma chapters provide positive and proactive community outreach locally, in accordance with Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to community service and social advocacy as expressed in its slogan “Greater Service, Greater Progress” and as shown in their service to the Sussex, Kent, and New Castle County communities; and

WHEREAS, Delta Tau Sigma, Alpha Nu Sigma, and Mu Psi Sigma chapters, and their members have been actively involved in their local communities by spearheading national sorority programs such as Operation Big Book Bag, the Annual Youth Symposium, the Women’s Wellness Initiative, and Project Cradle Care; and

WHEREAS, Delta Tau Sigma, Alpha Nu Sigma, and Mu Psi Sigma chapters, and their members have been actively involved in their local communities by spearheading local programs and initiatives such as the MLK Day of Service, the Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc. Wish List, Fruits & Vegetables Drive, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Holiday Supply Drive, Faces of Hope – Cancer Awareness Program, Our Daily Bread Middletown - Annual Toiletries and Snack Care Packages Donation, Holiday Adopt-A-Family (Appoquinimink School District), Hope Center Back to School Drive, United Way Coats/Toy Drive, Ronald McDonald House, and Annual Community Wellness Fair; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. also has two undergraduate chapters located in Delaware. The Zeta Delta Chapter was chartered on March 30, 1974, on the campus of Delaware State College. The Theta Omicron Chapter was chartered on November 14, 1981, on the campus of the University of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, today, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s thoughts and interests are important to help improve, strengthen, and ensure that responsible legislation and public policy are enacted to govern the great State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, from 7 young educators, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendships and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, it is the mission of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil, and social action. Their goal is to achieve greater progress in the areas of education, health awareness, and leadership development. Their members, affiliates, staff, and community partners work to create and support initiatives that align with their vision; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. visualizes a world in which all women and their families reach their full potential in all aspects of life and can create unlimited opportunities for future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Delta Tau Sigma, Alpha Nu Sigma, and Mu Psi Sigma chapters hold true to the Mission and Vision of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in thought, effort, and deed through their continued commitment to the service of their communities, women, children, and their families.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that April 17, 2025, shall be “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 17, 2025, as “Sigma Gamma Rho Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.

Author: Senator Lockman