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 PROGRAMS
OPERATION BIG BOOK BAG
Operation Big Book Bag is a program designed to address the needs, challenges and issues that face school-aged children who are educationally at-risk, in local homeless shelters and extended-care hospitals and facilities. Through this program, chapters and members collect and donate educational materials, equipment and school supplies. Our goal is to provide quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help students with educational endeavors; Equip students with the means of completing their homework assignments in effort to keep them current and up to date; as well as Assist shelters, youth centers, schools and hospitals in their efforts to meet some of the educational needs of children and young adults housed at their facilities.
WOMEN'S WELLNESS INITIATIVE
The Women’s Wellness Initiative is a consolidated effort that allows chapters to focus on health issues that impact women; specifically, women of color. The Women’s Wellness Initiative was developed after the Sorority’s participation in the United Nations/March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness panel in New York. Acceptable educational and programmatic efforts under this Initiative include, but are not limited to Breast Cancer Awareness, Intimate and Domestic Violence, Heart Health, Diabetes Health, Mental Health and other issues that target women. WWI programs can be conducted at any time during the sorority year.
ANNUAL YOUTH SYMPOSIUM
Held simultaneously, on the second Saturday of March by Alumnae Chapters across the nation, our Youth Symposium serves as a unifying effort during Sigma Week. The Symposium (supported by undergraduate chapters and affiliates) is designed to highlight some of the prevalent concerns that negatively impact our youth (drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, human trafficking, etc.). Youth are also empowered to strive for future success by gaining information and skills on money management, college preparation, healthy living, decision-making skills, and much, much more.
SWIM 1922 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH USA SWIMMING
Swim 1922 was created to address the unfortunate truth that according to the CDC, approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S.A. An even more startling fact is that 70 percent of African American children and 60 percent of Hispanic children in the U.S. do not know how to swim.
Additionally, African American children are three times more likely to drown than Caucasian children. Through the partnership with USA Swimming, Sigma Gamma Rho's Swim 1922 campaign aims to address this disparity by having Olympians and members of the sorority teach the community about water safety and how to swim. With USA Swimming Sigma Gamma Rho has touched close to 20,000 lives, directly, with the projection of changing multiple generations to come.
Swim 1922 programs are conducted during May-August of the sorority year. Our goal is to strengthen USA Swimming's commitment to diversity and inclusion by breaking down barriers, created by a lack of access and exposure, and expanding our footprint in the local community to increase swim participation and decrease drowning rates.
PROJECT CRADLE CARE
Through Project Cradle Care Prenatal Health Program, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and the March of Dimes join forces with medical professionals and community-based organizations to educate and raise awareness in high-risk communities of prematurity prevention by hosting informational baby showers, health symposiums and health fairs. Participants receive information on prenatal and postnatal care, birth defects, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), newborn care and more. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. hosts the Project Cradle Care Prenatal Health Program annually on the third Saturday in January. Our goal is to have a positive impact on the quality of life for children who are born prematurely, or as a result of teen pregnancy.