About Sigma Kappa

Sigma Kappa Facts

• Founded: 1874, at Colby College, Waterville, Maine
• Mu Chapter Founded: 1910 by Jesse Pepper Pedelford
• Open Motto: One Heart, One Way
• Colors: Maroon and Lavender
• Jewel: Pearl
• Symbols: Heart and Dove
• Flower: Violet
• Collegiate Chapters: 105 in 35 states
• Alumnae Chapters: 131 in 40 states
• Members: 141,800 worldwide
• Philanthropies: Gerontology (the study of aging), with a focus on Alzheimer's disease research and programs directed at improving the lives of older citizens; Inherit the Earth; Maine Seacoast Mission.
• Scholarships: The Sigma Kappa Foundation provides scholarships to collegiate and alumnae members each year, including scholarships for leadership, continuing education, and gerontology.

History of Sigma Kappa

Early women students were reluctantly admitted to colleges and were looked down upon by professors and male students alike. During this period of change for women, they were insulted, boycotted, and denied a share of the more prized college rights. They were courageous and determined to make a place for women in the collegiate world. This feeling inspired the formation of sororities on the basis of scholarship, friendship, mutual interests, and ideals.

Colby College in Waterville, Maine, was the first college in New England to admit women on an equal basis with men students. The first woman student was admitted in 1871, and for two years Mary Caffrey Low was the only woman student at Colby College. In 1873, four more young women from Maine, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Fuller, Frances Mann, and Louise Helen Coburn were admitted to Colby and the five young women found themselves frequently together. During the school year of 1873-74, the five young women decided to form a literary and social society. They were told by the college administration that they needed to present a constitution and bylaws with a petition requesting permission to form Sigma Kappa Sorority. They began work during that year with an eager glow of enthusiasm. Their purpose at the outset was that the sorority should become what it is now, a national organization of college women. On November 9, 1874, the five young women received a letter from the faculty approving their petition. Thus, this date has since been considered our Founders' Day.

More information can be found on the official Sigma Kappa Website (www.sigmakappa.org)

Symbols and Insignia

The symbols and insignia of Sigma Kappa are outward signs of the special feeling we have for each other that comes from within ourselves. Members of Sigma Kappa are obligated to uphold her high standards and ideals, remembering that Sigma Kappas all over the country are bound by the same tenets.

Sigma Kappa Jewelry

	Triangle Badge The earliest badge design was what is now used as our new member pin. In 1894, the triangle badge was chosen. Jeweled badges were approved at the 1915 convention when the pearl was adopted as our national jewel. Unjeweled badges have a scroll edge.
	New Member Pin The new member pin is a Greek letter Sigma shaped like a serpent intertwined through a K. In 1920, this design was officially adopted as our new member pin.
	Order of the Triangle Pin The alumna pin was adopted in 1978. It is a small triangle pin of maroon enamel with £ö etched in gold. It is worn as a lapel pin by alumnae who have participated in the Order of the Triangle ceremony.
	Fifty-Year Pin A gold circle pin etched with Sigma Kappa is given to fifty-year members. It is worn encircling the triangle badge.
	Twenty-Five Year Pin The twenty-five year pin is a silver violet surrounded by an open triangle with the numbers 25 in the middle of the violet and the Greek letters Sigma Kappa set to the left side of the triangle.
	Mother's Pin The mother's pin is the Greek letters ΣΚ in a small hollow triangle enclosed in a gold circle, which circle may be either plain or jeweled.

The new member pin and triangle badge are to be worn above all other fraternity jewelry, whether honorary, professional, or social. The new member pin and the triangle badge are to be worn over the heart on the outer most layer of clothing to indicate membership. This policy means that the badges may not be used on bracelets as charms, lapel pins, pendants, rings, etc., until you are an alumna member.

All members' badges are the property of the national organization. The payment made for them by each initiate is considered to be a reasonable sum for the privilege of using the badge during a member's lifetime. Members may use the badge of a relative or a Sigma Kappa alumna.