Founding of Sigma

The founders of Sigma Sigma Sigma embarked on a journey to reach out and become contributors to the new era of a “Women’s Movement” during the 1890’s.  The organization of Tri-Sigma was founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School, now called Longwood College, in Farmville Virginia.  Eight young women, Lelia Agnes Scott, Sallie Jackson Michie, Elizabeth Egerton Watkins, Myrie Louise Davis, Margaret Lee Batten, Martha Trent Featherston, Isabel Noyes Merrick, and Lucy Elizabeth Wright, were joined in their similarities of high standards and ideals of friendship.  They originally formed the S.S.S. Club but on April 20 of 1898, the establishment of their own Greek-letter sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma was announced. This is known as the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Sigma Sigma Sigma is known as a part of the “Farmville Four” which is a quartet of sororities that were formed on campus between the years of 1898 and 1901.  State Normal School of Virginia is the mother of four national sororities. 

Tri-Sigma’s beginning involved meetings in a crowded trunk room in order to be kept secret from other classmates.  The meeting then evolved into organized discussions that led to their unique and original bond of friendship.  The original purposes were not clearly described back then but are believed to be desired for advancement in intellect along with the need for close relationships and friendships.  Along with these purposes they established the use of ∑∑∑, the purple violets from the nearby woods, and white candles as the symbols of the organization. 

All eight founders graduated in 1899, Ten years after their establishment of the prestigious sorority of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

The circle of friendship that began in the 1890s, with eight women sharing common experiences, now encompasses more than 80,000 women representing the diversity found on the college campuses of today. The growth and change that occurred in the many decades to follow always stayed true to the ideals of friendship espoused by the Founders

National Website of Sigma Sigma Sigma

https://www.sigmasigmasigma.org/