About the National Organization
Phi Sigma Sigma is different than many sororities in a number of ways. Our unique sisterhood was founded back in the early 1900s, a time during which women were only allowed to pursue an education in a limited number of fields, and when your ethnic and religious backgrounds were often considered above all else. Most sororities at that time were sectarian, meaning that only people of certain religions were eligible for membership. However, the founders of Phi Sigma Sigma had a different idea...
In 1913, ten bright young women had a new vision of their own, and they approached the Dean of Women at Hunter College in New York City with their idea. They believed it would be beneficial to start a sorority that would extend membership to all women of good character, neverminding their religious or socioeconomic backgrounds. They wanted to form a sorority that was committed to the advancement of women through sisterhood, excellence in scholarship, and philanthropy.
Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff, the first Archon of Alpha Chapter, the Founders obtained permission and Phi Sigma Sigma was quietly born on November 26, 1913, without thought of expansion. Phi Sigma Sigma was the first non-sectarian sorority, the only one open to diverse membership from its inception, and without a ritual based on scripture.
First in the minds of these ten women were the twin ideals which live on today: the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain. Each Founder extended herself to her fullest capacity to live up to the mottoes the group chose, and it is our hope that all sisters will strive for the same.
For the first five years, the Alpha Chapter continued locally, until a friend of one of our founders contacted her with interest in the sorority. It was at this time that expansion became a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed Beta Chapter at Tufts College in Boston, and Gamma Chapter at New York University.
The rest, as they say, is history, and there are now over 100 active chapters throughout the United States and Canada.Click here to see a list of all chapters.
In 1913, ten bright young women had a new vision of their own, and they approached the Dean of Women at Hunter College in New York City with their idea. They believed it would be beneficial to start a sorority that would extend membership to all women of good character, neverminding their religious or socioeconomic backgrounds. They wanted to form a sorority that was committed to the advancement of women through sisterhood, excellence in scholarship, and philanthropy.
Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff, the first Archon of Alpha Chapter, the Founders obtained permission and Phi Sigma Sigma was quietly born on November 26, 1913, without thought of expansion. Phi Sigma Sigma was the first non-sectarian sorority, the only one open to diverse membership from its inception, and without a ritual based on scripture.
First in the minds of these ten women were the twin ideals which live on today: the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain. Each Founder extended herself to her fullest capacity to live up to the mottoes the group chose, and it is our hope that all sisters will strive for the same.
For the first five years, the Alpha Chapter continued locally, until a friend of one of our founders contacted her with interest in the sorority. It was at this time that expansion became a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed Beta Chapter at Tufts College in Boston, and Gamma Chapter at New York University.
The rest, as they say, is history, and there are now over 100 active chapters throughout the United States and Canada.Click here to see a list of all chapters.
About the Theta Chapter
Local History
We were founded at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1923, making us the second oldest active Phi Sigma Sigma Chapter. That means we've got a lot of history under our belt.
Pam Downey, the current Grand Archon of the Phi Sigma Sigma National Organization is one of the proud alumni of the Theta Chapter, and we enjoy working closely with her!
Right Now...
Our chapter currently consists of over 30 intelligent and motivated women who have been working hard to make our chapter grow. We've got majors ranging from English to Industrial Design, and we are all committed to making Phi Sigma Sigma at the U of I all that it can be.
Our sisters have participated in a huge number of social, athletic and service organizations on the U of I campus--everything from Women's Rugby to CampusRec Intramurals to Orange Krush. Some of us even maintain jobs along with our classes and clubs. Even so...all of us still make lots of time for what we love most--Phi Sig!