Vera G. Hearns Smith Memorial Scholarship
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. is honored that Soror Vera Hearns Smith chose our illustrious sorority by joining the sorority on the Alpha Zeta Sigma chapter, of Bessemer, Alabama on February 14, 1954. She went on to obtain the honor of being Life Member #175 and the distinct recognition of being named a Cultured Pearl during the inaugural cycle of 2006, during the 51st Biennial Boule in Dallas, Texas, for being a member of Sigma Gamma Rho for 50+ years. Soror Smith strived to carry out the mission of Greater Service, Greater Progress by serving Alpha Zeta Sigma as their chapter Grammateus (financial officer) during the 1956-1957 sorority year. She later transferred to the Beta Mu Sigma chapter of Phoenix, Arizona where she lead the chapter as Basileus (President) and devoted her time to reactivating Beta Pi Chapter (Arizona State University) and contributed to chartering Nu Upsilon Chapter (University of Arizona).
Soror Vera Hearns Smith provided faithful service to her sorority and community for more than 64 years, within and around Sigma Gamma Rho by serving in leadership and advising roles: the chairwoman of the Mwanimugimu Essay Contest and Project Wee Savers. She was the proud wife of Bro. Louis Smith, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
Be It Resolved that the members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. shall forever keep in loving memory Soror Vera Hearns Smith for her legacy, dedication, and many contributions to this sorority and her community.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
Beta Mu Sigma Alumnae Chapter
PHOENIX, AZ
GREATER SERVICE, GREATER PROGRESS
NATIONAL HISTORY
SISTERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, SERVICE
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated is the first sorority organized on a predominately white college campus by and for African American women who were educators. Over its 93 years, the sorority has expanded to become an organization of diverse ethnicities, career fields and backgrounds.
Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on November 12, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven young and driven educators: Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Martin and Cubena McClure. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University.
Sigma Gamma Rho is a non-profit sorority whose aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and the education of youth are the hallmarks of the organization's programs and activities.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has over 90,000 members with more than 500 undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Africa, Germany and Korea
LOCAL HISTORY
BETA MU SIGMA, was organized in the
Phoenix metropolitan area on May 20, 1952 by:
*Soror Crossland
*Soror Madeline Da ne
*Soror Priscilla Ramos
BETA MU SIGMA was chartered by:
*Soror Myrtle Neal
*Soror Mary Barnett
*Soror Glady Owens
*Soror Ora Lee Meadows
*Soror Margaret Clack
*Soror Ionia Dixon