Sigma Sigma Sigma History
Tri Sigma's eight Founders, Margaret Batten, Louise Davis, Martha Featherston, Isabella Merrick, Sallie Michie, 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, Sigma Sigma Sigma, A Century of Sisterhood, 1898-2001, 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.
National Executive Council:
President: Laura Sweet
Treasurer: Barbara Stone
Alumnae Vice President: Liz Hoffert
Collegiate Vice President: Reatha Cole Cox
Membership Development Vice President: JeanMarie Komyathy
Publications Vice President: Bethany A. Deines
National Panhellenic Delegate: Linda Manley-Kuitu