History of Sigma Kappa
Colors
Louise Helen Coburn's early reminiscences give us her memory of white as the color favored in the early days of Sigma Kappa. She said that lavender and maroon, as our colors, occur in the minutes of June 1891. They were being used then and apparently had been approved earlier. A note in the minutes of 1904 speaks of a committee appointed to "write down the true significance" of our colors which is revealed in the ceremony of initiation.
Flower
The delicate violet grew wild along the banks of the Messalonskee River where the founders sat and dreamed of Sigma Kappa. In June 1892, the violet was adopted as our official flower. The flower was thought to belong to the days of promise as is Sigma Kappa.
Symbols
The dove was established as an official symbol of Sigma Kappa at the 1984 convention and the heart was adopted at the 1988 convention. Both symbols signify the love felt by members across the country.
Coat of Arms
The Sigma Kappa coat-of-arms reflects the familiar symbols of the sorority - the dove, the violet, the Greek letters, and maroon and lavender. Adopted in 1911, the coat-of-arms consists of a maroon shield with a diagonal bar of gold, bearing five lavender stars; the lower portion a coiled serpent. Above is a wreath of alternate maroon and gold, surmounted by a dove in silver, with outspread wings, all beneath an arch of gold rays. Below is a scroll of silver, bearing in black the open motto.
Founders
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.
Fact Sheet
Founded: 1874, at Colby College, Waterville, MaineOpen 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
Gamma Omega
Gamma Omega was founded at Wittenberg University in 1961. This unique and fun loving sorority created a home away from home for each Sigma Kappa sister over the years. We are located at 840 N. Fountain Ave in our gorgeous historic house.
Gamma Omega is also now an award winning One Star Chapter. The collegiate representatives recieved this award at the 2006 National Sigma Kappa Convention in Washington D.C.
Trinity Rufus, Jess Shaffer(ABC) and Michelle Binkowski(CPO)