By Tricia
The Truth Reporter
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922 and recently celebrated 100 years of “Greater Service Greater Progress.” The sorority celebrated this milestone in various cities and different time zones.
The celebrations began on November 12, 2022, with members featured on NBC’s Today Show, participating in Harlem’s African American Day Parade, receiving official city-wide recognition, visiting ‘The View’, lighting of Las Vegas welcome sign, organizing the water of Niagara Falls turning Royal Blue, and attending a weekend celebration at Butler University where the sorority was founded by seven educators.
Locally, Iota Theta Sigma Chapter was chartered on December 8, 2001 by nine local members of the sorority. To commemorate 100 years of International service and 21 years of impacting the greater Toledo area, the local chapter organized a paint social event with artist and sorority member Brenda Singletary’s studio located at 425 Jefferson Ave.
Royal Blue and Gold decorations, the sorority’s official colors, decorated the space as members, guests and affiliates enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship, painting and music.
Iota Theta Sigma Chapter under the leadership of current Basileus Lutricia Prater has upheld the vision of the international sisterhood. The chapter supports a Rhoer Club for girls between 12-18, and supports a Philo Affiliate of women who support the sorority’s mission. Additionally, the chapter physically and financially donates to local and national charities including March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House, Sigma Youth Symposium in partnership with Toledo Public Schools and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The chapter recently acknowledged notable honorees: Lynn Gardner, Erika White, Petee Talley and Kimberly Ward.
“We’re excited about this sisterhood, locally, regionally and nationally as we continue to serve and support our community. We’re a sisterhood, first and foremost and look forward to the next 100 years of the sorority’s impact,” shared Basileus Prater.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated was founded on November 12, 1922 at Butler University. The sorority currently has more than 500 chapters in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The sorority’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil and social action. According to an official website, the sorority still upholds the original slogan, ‘Greater Service, Greater Progress,’ while scaling up efforts to address concerns, dreams and values of all women regardless of race, education level or socioeconomic status through a ‘Greater Women, Greater World’ approach.
For additional information about the local chapter, services and upcoming events. Contact iotatsbasileus@gmail.com.
Current chapter members: Basileus, Lutricia Prater; First Anti-Basileus, Monee Carstarphen; Second Anti-Basileus, Risa Watkins; Grammateus, Artisha Lawson; Tamiochus, Kimberly Ward; Anti-Grammateus, Kiara Morgan; Philo/Rhoer Coordinator, Kisha Freeman, Chaplain Deshra Vines-Leak; and members: Danie Thomas, Lavada Griswold-Smith, Tatiana Cash, and Sherry Dunn.
