There's no place like home....

There's no place like home. You grew up there. You enjoyed many of your "firsts" there: your first stroll, your first ee-yip, your first successful community service initiative. Your first moments as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho are priceless! And no matter where life takes you, you will always hold your first chapter dear to your heart.

Sorors from Lambda Omega (SUNY Albany) celebrated their 20 year anniversary with a weekend long reunion on March 19-21st. Gathering sorors from near and far, the current and former members of Lambda Omega and the advising chapter Theta Gamma Sigma, enjoyed a full list of Sigma Activities to reignite the memories and experiences at SUNY Albany. I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Lambda Omega, SUNY Albany Alum, Soror Sonia Sears to get her take on the weekend. The results? Your latest addition to the "True Sisterhood Chronicles" on the Sophisticate. Enjoy!

NERS: Who initiated the idea of celebrating the chapter anniversary over an entire weekend?

The idea to do a weekend event was a majority decision amongst sorors who were helping put the event together. It was about 4 sorors outside of the current sorors in the chapter as well as the advising grad chapter Theta Gamma Sigma. The 15yr reunion was a small banquet. This time we wanted to go bigger!

NERS: What activities did the weekend include?

Friday night we had a social that was only open to sorors on campus. Sorors reminisced and told old stories. That night we received our souvenir t-shirts. It was a fun time filled with lots of laughs.

Saturday morning we all had brunch in the private dining area of the cafeteria on one of the freshman quads followed by a tour of the campus. The brunch and tour were full of comments like "The food didn't taste this good while I was here!" and "When did this building pop up?". Several of the photos have landed on Facebook out of sheer disbelief!

Overall, sorors were glad to see that their tuition dollars were put to good use. After the tour, we departed to either go to the mall, get massages, or just hang out and rest until the banquet began. The banquet was Saturday evening and we had the choice of going out dancing or heading to a Soror's home to have some casual fun. Sunday we all went to church followed by Brunch at the diner. That was pretty memorable because we have been going the same diner after induction for several years. Following brunch we all departed for home.

NERS: Any touching moments that you would like to share?

There were plenty of touching moments! Some sorors haven't seen each other in years. Just the opportunity for us to all be under one roof was enough to make most break into tears. I was personally touched to have the majority of our charter line in the same room and not only were we able to celebrate them, they celebrated us for keeping Lambda Omega alive.

NERS: How important is the bond between your home chapter members?

The bond is VERY strong between sorors of my home chapter. We aren't JUST sorors we are truly friends. I truly have sisters not only in prophytes but in the Neos that came after me. We have been actively working on keeping the chapter close. Since our 15th reunion we've grown closer making a conscious effort to bridge the gap and get to know one another. More sorors attended this reunion than the last. You can't imagine how honored I was when one of our charter members Soror Sonia Walker-Hood said "Sonia Sears? Yes I know you. We need to take a photo together!"

NERS: Do you still support the current members?

We support our Neos now more than ever. We have been trying to build up the bond of our chapter. Its important to us that LO brings in quality members that will be just as invested in its longevity as we are.

NERS: Were there any awards given? Speeches?

We paid homage paid to our charter line. The banquet also featured a guest speaker Ekow King, A member of Phi Beta Sigma, a one time Sigma Rhomeo, and most importantly husband to one of our charter members Marcia Hoyte-King. He was dating her before she began her journey to Sigma and he delighted us with a story of city hopping across NYC trying to snap a picture of the charter line after their presentation at Wagner College.

NERS: What did you take away from the experience?

What stood out most, was the impact of Lambda Omega on all of our lives. Not only being a member of Sigma Gamma Rho but coming out of Lambda Omega shaped the lives of so many sorors present at the reunion weekend. The support that was given to one another throughout the years was so evident in the slide show created. 20 years worth of photos that blew you away. The amount of love in the room for LO and our chapter sorors was awe-inspiring. To meet some of the women I may not have met before, but heard so much about, really impacted my own Sigma experience. It was incredible. It made me yearn to continue to be the kind of soror that an interest meets and then returns to them one day to say "It's because of YOU that I am a Sigma Gamma Rho".

NERS: Do you feel a stronger tie to Sigma?

Definitely. The bond with my chapter sorors has grown leaps and bounds. I am SO proud to be a member of an organization where sisterhood isn't something that is just listed on our national website. I realized after being chosen for membership and every day after, how special that sisterhood is to me. From sorors helping me move into my first apartment during grad school, to bringing me soup when I was sick, to reminding me that there is no woman like a Sigma woman.. words cannot express the ties that bind me to my chapter and this organization. I love my SGRho..

And there you have it! Kudos to Lambda Omega and Theta Gamma Sigma for strengthening the bond and being shining examples of 'TRUE SISTERHOOD"

“International Sorority selects Winston-Salem to host 68th Regional Conference”

“International Sorority selects Winston-Salem to host 68^th Regional Conference”

Winston-Salem, NC, On Friday, April 23, 2010 one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American sororities, Sigma Gamma Rho, will convene at the Winston-Salem Marriott Hotel for the 68^th Northeast Regional Conference. The sorority is celebrating over 87 years of existence and the Northeast Region of the sorority celebrates over 70 years of service to the community. Alpha Mu Sigma, Winston-Salem Alumnae Chapter in conjunction with Rho (Winston Salem State University) and Omicron Eta (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) undergraduate chapters will host the conference.

Over 500 members of Sigma Gamma Rho are expected to attend the conference from 17 states and 2 countries (Korea, Haiti). Regional Syntaktes (Director) Deborah I. Walsh, will preside over the 3-day conference. Several of the conference events are open to the general public including the 70^th Anniversary Luncheon at 11am, the Public Meeting held on Friday, April 23^rd at 7pm. At the Public meeting elected officials will announce the philanthropic focus of the sorority year and allow local officials to address the membership. On Saturday, April 24^th at noon, the Annie Neville Talent Luncheon will take place featuring talent acts from undergraduate members of the sorority. Later on that evening (7pm), chapters of the sorority who have excelled in philanthropic programming and demonstrated service will be honored at the Awards and Achievements Banquet, the focal point of the celebratory activities. The conference will conclude with a Prayer Breakfast, Sunday morning at 9:30am. This event is also open to the public.

About Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven educators. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University. Today, as a leading national service organization, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service. With over 500 chapters & 90,000 members in the United States, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Germany, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is committed to improve the quality of life for its members and the society it serves.

The Northeast Region was organized in 1939 at the Boule in New York City.

The Northeast region of Sigma Gamma Rho is most recognized for collaborating with the Grand Basileus (international president) and the World Health Organization to host the first international conference with a focus on HIV/AIDS.

The Northeast Region is currently comprised of the following areas: Bermuda, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Haiti, Korea, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

For more information please contact Shola Akintobi, NER Epistoleus at sakintobi@gmail.com.

This Just In!

We just received confirmation that Sigma Gamma Rho's recorded vignette by our International Grand Basileus is airing! Be sure to listen in to 107.5FM as it will repeat throughout the week.

Sorors you should be very proud. I know I am :-)

Mission Accomplished!

Radio and politics, the new spin for young voters- A soror writes for DC publication

Meredith Chase-Mitchell has worked in the nonprofit sector under the education umbrella for over ten years in the capacity of director of programs, charter school advocate and recruiter. During these years, Ms. Chase-Mitchell has implemented the No Child Left Behind Act via innovative programming in New York City with BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) and TASC (The After School Cooperation) and has written her first children's book "Carlin's Journey" (she is presently searching for a publisher ). Ms. Chase-Mitchell also holds a BA in Political Science and a MA in Urban Policy and is presently earning a MA in Education at The George Washington University. Meredith is also an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Catch her piece on "Radio and Politics" in IMPACT. Click here to read the full article.

Rollins Dresses Jones High Ladies for Prom Night

Rollins Dresses Jones High Ladies for Prom Night

Sigma Beta Chapter hosts lecture with Divine Nine Author Ross

Author Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. spoke to students about the history of the Divine Nine, the nine historically black sororities and fraternities in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) on March 17 in Alumni Hall. The event was sponsored by the Sigma Beta chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Inc.

Read the full article here


Congratulations Sorors on a wonderful program!

Our SoRHOrs making prom dreams come true...

"The prom. For many, it is a high school dream come true, but for those who cannot afford a dress, it could be a nightmare. One local group is playing 'the dress fairy' to teenagers just in time for the big night. Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, Incorporated, hosted the Royal Princesses Formal Dress Drive at Dutch Square Mall Wednesday. The event was held in an effort to get gowns to girls who may not otherwise be able to have one. Janet Timmons of Columbia jumped at the chance to help."

To see video footage click here

Win a Wii at Jacksonville Youth Symposium this Weekend | firstcoastnews.com | Health News

Win a Wii at Jacksonville Youth Symposium this Weekend | firstcoastnews.com | Health News

Legendary member of Sigma Gamma Rho mentioned in Oscar Speech

Tonight, was a spectacular night for the movie "Precious" and all that were involved in bringing it into fruition. At the 82nd annual Oscar ceremony, Monique was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her role as the mother in "Precious". She gracefully made her way to the stage to accept the award and offered a succinct but impactful speech. In that speech she thanked Soror Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American woman to win an Oscar.

"I would like to thank Miss Hattie McDaniel for enduring all that she had to so I would not have to."

In those few words Monique acknowledged the enormous struggle that black actresses and actors were faced with in early Hollywood (and still face today). Soror Hattie McDaniel dealt with a great deal of racism on and off the set. McDaniel had to compete heavily for every role that she landed while only receiving credit for 80 roles out of the 300 she played. She endured a great deal of criticism from the NAACP for playing maids. Soror McDaniel battled (and won) against racist homeowners who wished to keep wealthy African-Americans out of their neighborhood. But, despite all of the adversity, Hattie McDaniel went on to pave the way for Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and now Monique, as she claimed victory at the Oscars in 1940.

70 years later, the members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. sign on with Lionsgate to promote a touching film that would illuminate domestic violence, abuse, illiteracy and other social issues within struggling communities in order to bring about awareness and change. That film would feature Monique, Gabourey Sidibe, and a list of other great talents. Monique would move on to win an Oscar and thank the prominent member of that very same philanthropic organization. This is a true and shining example of the motto we hold dear "Greater Service, Greater Progress"

Undergraduate Soror in South Carolina recognized by the American Advertising Federation

Every year, the American Advertising Federation recognizes top minority students across the nation who demonstrate leadership and show promise in the career field. Congratulations Soror Hankins for being recognized by the AAF!

The Daily Gamecock - Gamecocks of the Week: Tekedra Hankins & Owen Black