Sigma Sigma Sigma exists to provide a lifelong sorority experience for women. In conjunction with the formation of this Mission, we reaffirm our commitment to the Sigma Sigma Sigma Declaration of Principles. These Principles elaborate on three basic tenets, which are the reasons for our existence as a Sisterhood.
To insure a perpetual bond of friendship To develop strong womanly character To promote high standards of conduct
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Our History
Many things now taken for granted were unheard of for women of the 1890's. Higher education for women was still a debatable topic, but the need for qualified teachers was high. In Virginia, the State Female Normal School at Farmville was the state's first institution to open its doors for teacher education. Now known as Longwood University, this is where brave, 15-17 year-old women came to prepare for the teaching profession, rather than accept the social custom of being sheltered and tutored in their own homes. These trend-setting women at Farmville made their school the birthplace of four national sororities; one was Sigma Sigma Sigma.Tri Sigma's eight Founders, Margaret Batten, Louise Davids, Martha Trent Featherston, Isabella Merrick, Sallie Mitchie, Lelia Scott, Elizabeth Watkins, and Lucy Wright, formed a special friendship at the Normal School. Lucy Wright and Lelia Scott led the first meetings of the S.S.S. Club in 1897. They announced the founding of Sigma Sigma Sigma on April 20, 1898.
The early Sigmas saw the need for both legal recognition as a social body and a written record of organization. Thus the early Alphas filed documents with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Sigma Sigma Sigma received its Charter of Incorporation on February 12, 1903.Tri Sigma's first constitution was adopted by the Alpha Chapter in April, 1903.
Giant steps were taken in Sigma's first decade with the establishment of additional collegiate chapters and the meetings of the entire membership at Conventions. The national nature of Tri Sigma was established with the Publication of The Triangle, the standardization of a ceremony for new members and the creation of a program to celebrate Founders Day.
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.
Each initiated member receives the latest edition of Tri Sigma's story, The Years Remembered of Sigma Sigma Sigma; The Path from Farmville, which chronicles the beginning of each collegiate chapter as well as the evolution of our National Organization. Members also receive a lifetime subscription to our national magazine, The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma, which charts Sigma's progress three times a year.