Sigma Alpha Sorority

Overview

Sigma Alpha Sorority is a professional agricultural sorority in the United States. It was established in 1978 at Ohio State University by five women seeking an alternative to traditional social Greek sororities. The sorority focuses on promoting scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship among its members, all within the context of agriculture.

History

Sigma Alpha was founded on January 26, 1978, by Marilyn Burns, Cindie Davis, Amy Mathews, Ann Huling, and Jennifer McMillan. The founders' vision was to create an organization that would support women pursuing careers in agriculture. In the early years, the sorority expanded rapidly, establishing its first national board in 1980 and chartering the Beta chapter at Purdue University in 1984.

Structure and Pillars

Sigma Alpha operates as a national organization with over 80 active chapters across the United States. The sorority's pillars are scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. These principles guide the activities and goals of its members, who strive for excellence in their academic and professional pursuits.

Philanthropy

The sorority's national philanthropy is Agriculture in the Community, which aims to educate and raise awareness about agriculture among various audiences, including schools, community groups, and professional organizations. This initiative fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the agricultural industry.

Symbols

The sorority's colors are emerald and maize, its flower is the yellow chrysanthemum, and its jewel is the emerald. The mascot of Sigma Alpha is a baby bull known as Perry.

Affiliations

Sigma Alpha is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) and the Consortium of Collegiate Agricultural Organizations. These affiliations reflect its commitment to professional development and networking within the agricultural sector.

Membership and Growth

As of the latest updates, Sigma Alpha has initiated more than 19,000 members into its organization. The sorority continues to expand, with both collegiate and alumnae chapters contributing to its growth.

Vision and Mission

The mission of Sigma Alpha is to cultivate professional women in agriculture by promoting achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service. The sorority strives to be the foremost organization fostering academic excellence and professional development while encouraging lifelong bonds among its members.

[1] https://sigmaalpha.org [2] https://sigmaalpha.org/foundation-about/about-the-foundation/at-a-glance/ [3] https://www.sigmaalphasorority.org [4] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311211597 [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Alpha