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{{Short description|North American collegiate sorority}}
{{Cleanup|date=May 2008}}
{{Primary sources|date=May 2008}}
{{Infobox Fraternity {{Infobox Fraternity
| name = Phi Sigma Sigma
|letters= ΦΣΣ
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΦΣΣ}}
|name= Phi Sigma Sigma
|crest= ] | crest = Phi_Sigma_Sigma_crest.png
|founded= {{start date and years ago|1913|11|26}} | image_size = 170px
| founded = {{start date and years ago|1913|11|26}}
|birthplace= ], (]) | birthplace = ]
| status = Active
|type= Social
| type = Social
|emphasis=
|scope= International | scope = North America
| affiliation = NPC
|mission= To inspire the personal development of each sister and perpetuate the advancement of womanhood.
| motto = ''Diokete Hupsala''<br>Aim High
|vision= Phi Sigma Sigma is a dynamic sisterhood of powerful women fostering uncompromising principles, igniting positive change and embracing individuality.
| colors = {{color box|#002366}} ] {{color box|gold}} ]
|motto= ''Diokete Hupsala'' <br>''Aim High''
| symbol = ]
|closed motto="Nos ani" <br> "We do anal"
| flower = ]
|maxim= "Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, always a Phi Sigma Sigma."
| jewel = ]
|colors= {{color box|#002366}} ]
| publication = ''The Sphinx''
{{color box|gold}} ]
| philanthropy = Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation
|symbol= ]
| chapters = 150+ (115 active)
|flower= American Beauty ]
| members =
|jewel= ]
| lifetime = 60,000
|publication= ''The Sphinx''
| address = 1213 Liberty Rd, Suite J #335
|philanthropy= Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation
| city = ]
|chapters= 150+ (115 active)
| state = ]
|members= 60,000
| ZIP code = 21784
|lifetime=
| country = United States
|free_label=
| homepage = {{url|http://www.phisigmasigma.org/|phisigmasigma.org}}
|free=
|address= 8178 Lark Brown Road, Suite 202
|city= Elkridge
|state= Maryland
|country= USA
|homepage= http://www.phisigmasigma.org/
}} }}


'''Phi Sigma Sigma''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΦΣΣ}}'''), colloquially known as '''Phi Sig''', was the first collegiate ] ] to allow membership of women of all faiths and backgrounds.<ref name="PSS History" />
'''Phi Sigma Sigma''' ('''ΦΣΣ'''), colloquially known as "Phi Sig," was the first collegiate ] ],<ref>http://www.phisigmasigma.org/PHISIGMASIGMA/AboutUs/Heritage/History/</ref> welcoming women of all faiths and backgrounds. Founded by 10 women on November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma is now an international sorority with 60,000 initiated members, 115 collegiate chapters and more than 100 alumnae chapters, clubs and associations across the ] and ]. The ten young women who founded Phi Sigma Sigma are: Lillian Gordon Alpern, Josephine Ellison Breakstone, Fay Chertkoff, Estelle Melnick Cole, Jeanette Lipka Furst, Ethel Gordon Kraus, Shirley Cohen Laufer, Claire Wunder McArdle, Rose Sher Seidman, and Gwen Zaliels Snyder.<ref>{{cite web|title=History |url=http://www.phisigmasigma.org/PHISIGMASIGMA/PHISIGMASIGMA/About/History/Default.aspx |publisher=Phi Sigma Sigma |accessdate=2010-11-27}}</ref>


The sorority was founded on November 26, 1913, and lists 60,000 initiated members, 115 collegiate chapters, and more than 100 alumnae chapters, clubs, and associations in the ] and ]. Phi Sigma Sigma was founded to establish the twin ideals of promoting the brotherhood of man and alleviation of the world's pain.<ref name="PSS History">{{cite web|title=History |url=https://www.onephisigmasigma.org/we-are-phi-sig |publisher=Phi Sigma Sigma |access-date=2020-11-07}}</ref><ref name="Baird's">{{cite book |title=Baird's Manual of American Fraternities |publisher=Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. |year=1991 |isbn=978-0963715906 |editor1-last=Anson |editor1-first=Jack L. |edition=20th |location=Indianapolis, IN |page=IV-56–58 |editor2-last=Marchenasi |editor2-first=Robert F. |orig-year=1879}}</ref><ref name="Baird's Manual Online">{{cite web|editor1=William Raimond Baird |editor2=Carroll Lurding |title=Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), section listing Phi Sigma Sigma chapters |url=https://uofi.app.box.com/v/womens-pdf-folder/file/459827984021 |website=Student Life and Culture Archives |publisher=University of Illinois Archives |access-date=30 December 2021 |location=University of Illinois |language=English}} The main archive URL is .</ref>
Dedicated to the twin ideals of promoting the brotherhood of man and alleviation of the world’s pain,<ref>{{cite web|title=History |url=http://www.phisigmasigma.org/PHISIGMASIGMA/PHISIGMASIGMA/About/History/Default.aspx |publisher=Phi Sigma Sigma |accessdate=2009-06-29}}</ref> Phi Sigma Sigma strives to instill the values of leadership through service, lifelong learning and social inclusiveness in today’s young women and future leaders.
]]]
In 1918, Phi Sigma Sigma expanded by founding its Beta chapter at ] in Medford, MA, and the Gamma chapter at ], although ironically, both of these chapters are inactive as of today. In November 2009, the Delta chapter, at the University at Buffalo, was reinstalled; making it the oldest active chapter. The second oldest active chapter is the Epsilon chapter at Adelphi University, in Garden City, NY, which was recolonized December 6, 2008. While other chapters were founded earlier and have been recolonized, the Xi Chapter at Temple University is the oldest chapter in continuous existence, having never lost its Charter, founded in 1926.


Since 1951, the sorority has been a member of the ], the overarching organization of the 26 national sororities in the United States and Canada.
The official publication of Phi Sigma Sigma is ''The Sphinx'', which first appeared in 1923. The sorority's first song, "The Hymn," was written in 1921 by Pearl Lippman of the Alpha chapter and her husband, Arthur Lippman.


==History==
Phi Sigma Sigma has also established chapters in ]: Upsilon chapter (1930) at the ] in ], Delta Epsilon chapter (1981) at ] in ], and Zeta Eta chapter (1991) at ] in ].
Phi Sigma Sigma was founded by ten women on November 26, 1913, at ], in ]. The sorority's founders were:
*Lillian Gordon Alpern
*Josephine Ellison Breakstone
*Fay Chertkoff
*Estelle Melnick Cole
*Jeanette Lipka Furst
*Ethel Gordon Kraus
*Shirley Cohen Laufer
*Claire Wunder McArdle
*Rose Sher Seidman
*Gwen Zaliels Snyder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onephisigmasigma.org/symbols-history|title=History and Symbols|work=Phi Sigma Sigma|access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="Baird's Manual Online" />


The original name for the sorority was '''Phi Sigma Omega''', but they later learned this name was already in use by another organization. In 1918, Phi Sigma Sigma expanded by founding its ''Beta chapter'' at ] in Medford, Massachusetts, and the ''Gamma chapter'' at ], although neither of those chapters are currently active. The sorority held its first national convention that year in New York City, where the constitution was adopted, and Fay Chertkoff, one of the founders, was elected Grand Archon.
==Philanthropy==
The sorority's official philanthropy is the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, which supports the ] (NKF). The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation also provides scholarships and educational grants, as well as leadership programming to collegiate and alumnae members. The NKF has been Phi Sigma Sigma's primary philanthropic endeavor since 1971 because kidney disease was a leading health concern for women at that time. Since then, Phi Sigma Sigma has actively helped educate women, men and children about kidney disease, as well as the importance of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. In the recent past, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was a major sponsor of the ], a national Olympics-style event where organ-donor recipients competed in various athletic competitions, thereby highlighting the need for, and success of, organ donations and transplantation.


The sorority first published its official publication, ''The Sphinx'', in 1922.<ref name="Baird's" />
Following September 11, 2001, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation established the Twin Ideals Fund to provide assistance to disaster victims. Named for Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals - to promote the brotherhood of man and alleviate the world's pain - the fund has contributed to aid organizations in the aftermath of the 2004 ] in southeast Asia and ].


Phi Sigma Sigma became an associate member of ] in 1947 and a full member in 1951. In 1968, the separation of Hunter College's two campuses prompted the original ''Alpha chapter'' to divide. ''Alpha Alpha chapter'' was installed at the new ] in the Bronx, while ''Alpha chapter'' remained on Hunter College's Park Avenue campus. Neither is still active.
Each year, thousands of Phi Sigma Sigma sisters participate in a philanthropic fundraising event known as "Rock-a-Thon," where they spend a marathon day gathering donations as they sit in rocking chairs located in highly public places, such as on campus, in malls and at community events. This event raises tens of thousands of dollars annually for the Foundation and NKF.


In November 2009, the ''Delta chapter'', at the ], was reinstalled; making it the oldest active chapter. The second oldest active chapter is the ''Epsilon chapter'' at ], in Garden City, New York, which was recolonized on December 6, 2008. While other chapters were founded earlier and have been recolonized, the ''Xi chapter'' at ] is the oldest chapter in continuous existence, having been founded in 1926. The ''Upsilon chapter'' (1930) at the ] was the first chapter established in ].<ref name="Baird's Manual Online" />
Collegiate and alumnae chapters also participate in various philanthropic events benefiting their communities. Examples of these include walking for multiple medical causes, gathering food and supplies for U.S. troops, coordinating local reading programs, fundraising so underprivileged women can attend college, providing shoes to needy children, and assisting Habitat for Humanity.


==Timeline== ==Symbols==
]
*On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was founded at ] in New York City.
The open motto is ''Diokete Hupsala'' (Aim High). The maxim is ''Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, always a Phi Sigma Sigma.'' The acronym LITP is often stated as well. "LITP" stands for "Love in the Pyramid," and is also used to form the basis of the Phi Sigma Sigma hand sign, where the fingers of two hands form a pyramid with a heart inside.<ref>{{cite web|title=History and Symbols |url=http://www.onephisigmasigma.org/symbols-history |publisher=Phi Sigma Sigma |access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref>


Phi Sigma Sigma's colors are ] and ]. The official symbol is the ], while the official jewel is the ]. The American Beauty ] is the official flower.
*In 1918, Phi Sigma Sigma expanded by founding the Beta Chapter at ] in Medford, MA, and the Gamma Chapter at ]. This prompted the first National Convention in New York City that same year. Delegates to the Convention adopted the fraternity's Constitution and elected the first Grand Council. Fay Chertkoff was elected the first Grand Archon.


The original fraternity badge was a Sphinx head with sapphire eyes on a gold base, bearing the Greek letters '''ΦΣΣ''' in blue enamel. Later, the fraternity developed a jeweled badge in the form of a gold pyramid with three sapphires in each corner, surmounted by the original Sphinxhead in the middle.<ref name="Baird's" /> The pledge pin is a blue pyramid with a border of gold, on which is written Phi Sigma Sigma's motto.<ref name="Baird's" />
*In 1923, the first issue of ''The Sphinx'', the sorority's official magazine, was published.


The coat of arms is a Sphinx head surmounting a ribbon bearing the Greek letters ΦΣΣ, set on a shield of seven bendlets of blue and white, the whole being superimposed on a pyramid with a rose at its apex and twin scrolls bearing the legend ''Diokete Hupsala'' and the year 1913 ''en plaque'' at the base below.<ref name="Baird's" />
*In 1930, Phi Sigma Sigma became an international sorority when it founded the Upsilon chapter at The University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada.


The sorority's first song, ''"The Hymn,"'' was written in 1921 by Pearl Lippman of the ''Alpha chapter'' and her husband, Arthur Lippman. Phi Sigma Sigma's magazine is ''The Sphinx''. It publishes a biannual alumnae newsletter, ''The Rose''.<ref name="Baird's" />
*In 1936, Phi Sigma Sigma’s first double-letter guard, signifying the beginning of the Greek alphabet, was granted to Beta Alpha chapter at the ].


==Philanthropy==
*In 1947, Phi Sigma Sigma became an associate member of the ] (NPC).
To facilitate philanthropic activities, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was created in 1969 by Jeanine Jacobs Goldberg, who was the foundation's first president. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation provides scholarships and educational grants, as well as leadership programming to collegiate and alumnae members. The ] was Phi Sigma Sigma's primary philanthropic endeavor from 1971 until 2013. Since then, Phi Sigma Sigma has worked to educate people about ], as well as organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was a major sponsor of the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games, a national Olympics-style event where organ-donor recipients competed in various athletic competitions.<ref name="Baird's" />


Following the ], the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation established the Twin Ideals Fund to assist disaster victims. Named for Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals to promote the brotherhood of man and alleviate the world's pain, the fund has contributed to aid organizations in the aftermath of the ] and ].<ref name="PSSFoundation" />
*In 1951, Phi Sigma Sigma became an official member of the ] (NPC).


A three-year process began in 2011 to identify a new premier philanthropic partner. The first step was to define the organization's philanthropic focus. Through a member survey and focus groups, the committee settled on school/college readiness as its philanthropic focus. The next step was to create and disseminate an RFP (Request for Proposal) to philanthropic groups. Applications were submitted and the committee interviewed ideal candidates. The result was the adoption of two non-profits, Practice Makes Perfect and Kids in Need Foundation. Both aligned well with the Foundation's mission and the school/college readiness focus. It was decided by Practice Makes Perfect to become a for-profit organization in 2016. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation could no longer support Practice Makes Perfect according to the regulations of a 501(c)3 organization. Phi Sigma Sigma is proud to grow its partnership with KINF and continues to support the efforts of KINF through its many backpack builds and work with local low-income students and schools.<ref name="PSSFoundation">, accessed 28 Aug 2020.</ref>]]]
*In 1957, the Phi Sigma Sigma Cardiology Laboratory was established at ] in New York City. Phi Sigma Sigma presented a $20,000 grant to establish the laboratory.


== Chapters ==
*In 1963, Phi Sigma Sigma celebrated its 50th year, the Golden Anniversary, in ]. A centennial celebration is planned 2013 in New York City, as well.
{{main|List of Phi Sigma Sigma chapters}}


== Notable members ==
*In 1966, the sorority created its national Leadership Training School (LTS), an event scheduled during those years when no convention was planned. LTS has since been replaced with the sorority's ACHIEVE leadership and risk-management program, launched in 2005. ACHIEVE stands for "Achieve, Challenge, Honor, Integrity, Engage, Value and Excellence" - among the top values Phi Sigma Sigma sisters hold dear.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:6%; background:#002366; color:gold;" |Name !! style="width:4%; background:#002366; color:gold;" |Chapter !! style="width:4%; background:#002366; color:gold;" |Sector !! style="width:15%; background:#002366; color:gold;" |Notability !! class="unsortable" style="width:1%; background:#002366; color:gold;" |References
|-
| ]
| ''Iota Theta''
| Entertainment
| Miss Teen USA 2001, Miss USA 2008 (top 15), Miss Earth USA 2009 {{citation needed|date=November 2012}}, Winner of Amazing Race season 23 along with her boyfriend Jason Case.
|
|-
| ]
| ''Beta Theta''
| Literature
| New York Times Bestselling author of ''Beastly''. {{citation needed|date=November 2012}}
|
|-
| ]
| ''Pi''
| Entertainment
| Producer and screenwriter, credited with over 300 television scripts.
| <ref>{{cite web |last1=Becque |first1=Fran |title=Irma Ginsberg Kalish, Phi Sigma Sigma |url=https://www.franbecque.com/irma-ginsberg-kalish-phi-sigma-sigma-notablesororitywomen-whm2023/ |website=Fraternity History & More |date=3 March 2023 |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| ''Nu''
| Entertainment
| Correspondent for ]'s '']'', sideline reporter for '']'', and ]'s first female correspondent
|
|-
| ]
| ''Delta Iota''
| Government
| Michigan State Representative
|
|-
| ]
| ''Theta''
| Sports
| Seventeen-time Paralympic medalist.
|
|-
| ]
| ''Theta''
| Entertainment
| "Mother" of the modern soap opera and creator of '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.
| <ref>{{cite web|date=October 20, 2009 |title=She Did It Her Way |url=http://www.phisigmasigma.org/PHISIGMASIGMA/PHISIGMASIGMA/inAction/AlumnaSpotlight/Profiles/Alumna/IrnaPhillips/Default.aspx |publisher=Phi Sigma Sigma |access-date=2010-02-24}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| ''Gamma Iota''
| Entertainment
| Screenplay writer for '']'', writer for the TV series ''].'' and ''c''o-host of '']''
|
|-
| ]
| ''Iota''
| Entertainment
| Actress and activist.
|
|-
| ]
| ''Delta Kappa''
| Government
| White House Director of Strategic Communications 2017-2019.
|
|}


==See also==
*In 1968, the separation of ]’s two campuses prompted the original Alpha chapter to divide. Alpha Alpha was installed at the new ] in the Bronx, while Alpha chapter remained on Hunter College’s Park Avenue campus. Neither is active at this time.


* ]
*In 1969, in an effort to provide greater focus on the philanthropic activities of Phi Sigma Sigma, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was created by Jeanine Jacobs Goldberg, who led the foundation as its first president.


* ]
*In 1971, the Fraternity adopted the ] (NKF) as its official ] cause at the National Convention.

*In 1999, the National ] Award was presented to Phi Sigma Sigma in recognition of its commitment to volunteer service and community involvement. Phi Sigma Sigma sisters still participate in Make a Difference Day, which is a national event promoted by ''USA Weekend'' magazine.

==Founders==
*Lillian Gordon Alpern
*Josephine Ellison Breakstone
*Fay Chertkoff
*Estelle Melnick Cole
*Jeanette Lipka Furst
*Ethel Gordon Kraus
*Shirley Cohen Laufer
*Claire Wunder McArdle
*Rose Sher Seidman
*Gwen Zaliels Snyder
<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.phisigmasigma.org/PHISIGMASIGMA/PHISIGMASIGMA/About/History/Default.aspx|work=Phi Sigma Sigma|accessdate=8 November 2011}}</ref>

==Chapters==
{{main|List of Phi Sigma Sigma chapters}}

==Notable alumnae==

*] (Theta) - "Mother" of the modern soap opera, creator of '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 20, 2009 |title=She Did It Her Way |url=http://www.phisigmasigma.org/PHISIGMASIGMA/PHISIGMASIGMA/inAction/AlumnaSpotlight/Profiles/Alumna/IrnaPhillips/Default.aspx |publisher=Phi Sigma Sigma |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref>
*] (Gamma Iota)-A screen play writer for ] and a writer for the TV series ]. She also replaced Jimmy Kimmel as co-host of the Comedy Central game show Win Ben Stein's Money, a job she held from 2000 through 2002
*Marian Rosen-The youngest woman lawyer to appear before the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Famous Phi Sigs|url=http://www.csub.edu/phisig/famous.html|accessdate=2010-04-12}}</ref>
*Meghan McCabe (Zeta Eta) – Manager, Communications for the JUNO Awards (Canada's Music Awards)
*] (Iota Theta) - Miss Teen USA 2001, Miss USA 2008 (top 15), Miss Earth USA 2009
*] (Delta Kappa) - Mrs. USA 2011
*] (Iota) - Actress and activist
*] (Theta) - Six-time Paralympic medalist
*] (BetaTheta)- New York Times Bestselling author of Beastly
*] (Delta Gamma) - Singer and actress, daughter of Ray Wise
*] (Zeta Eta) - Miss Teen Vancouver 2007
*] (Gamma Pi)- Miss Maryland 2008


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}
*


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* *
*


{{National Panhellenic Conference}} {{National Panhellenic Conference}}
{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}


]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 23 October 2024

North American collegiate sorority
Phi Sigma Sigma
ΦΣΣ
FoundedNovember 26, 1913; 111 years ago (1913-11-26)
Hunter College
TypeSocial
AffiliationNPC
StatusActive
ScopeNorth America
MottoDiokete Hupsala
Aim High
Colors  King Blue   Gold
SymbolSphinx
FlowerAmerican Beauty Rose
JewelSapphire
PublicationThe Sphinx
PhilanthropyPhi Sigma Sigma Foundation
Chapters150+ (115 active)
Members60,000 lifetime
Headquarters1213 Liberty Rd, Suite J #335
Eldersburg, Maryland 21784
United States
Websitephisigmasigma.org

Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ), colloquially known as Phi Sig, was the first collegiate nonsectarian sorority to allow membership of women of all faiths and backgrounds.

The sorority was founded on November 26, 1913, and lists 60,000 initiated members, 115 collegiate chapters, and more than 100 alumnae chapters, clubs, and associations in the United States and Canada. Phi Sigma Sigma was founded to establish the twin ideals of promoting the brotherhood of man and alleviation of the world's pain.

Since 1951, the sorority has been a member of the National Panhellenic Conference, the overarching organization of the 26 national sororities in the United States and Canada.

History

Phi Sigma Sigma was founded by ten women on November 26, 1913, at Hunter College, in Manhattan. The sorority's founders were:

  • Lillian Gordon Alpern
  • Josephine Ellison Breakstone
  • Fay Chertkoff
  • Estelle Melnick Cole
  • Jeanette Lipka Furst
  • Ethel Gordon Kraus
  • Shirley Cohen Laufer
  • Claire Wunder McArdle
  • Rose Sher Seidman
  • Gwen Zaliels Snyder.

The original name for the sorority was Phi Sigma Omega, but they later learned this name was already in use by another organization. In 1918, Phi Sigma Sigma expanded by founding its Beta chapter at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and the Gamma chapter at New York University, although neither of those chapters are currently active. The sorority held its first national convention that year in New York City, where the constitution was adopted, and Fay Chertkoff, one of the founders, was elected Grand Archon.

The sorority first published its official publication, The Sphinx, in 1922.

Phi Sigma Sigma became an associate member of National Panhellenic Conference in 1947 and a full member in 1951. In 1968, the separation of Hunter College's two campuses prompted the original Alpha chapter to divide. Alpha Alpha chapter was installed at the new Herbert Lehman College in the Bronx, while Alpha chapter remained on Hunter College's Park Avenue campus. Neither is still active.

In November 2009, the Delta chapter, at the State University of New York at Buffalo, was reinstalled; making it the oldest active chapter. The second oldest active chapter is the Epsilon chapter at Adelphi University, in Garden City, New York, which was recolonized on December 6, 2008. While other chapters were founded earlier and have been recolonized, the Xi chapter at Temple University is the oldest chapter in continuous existence, having been founded in 1926. The Upsilon chapter (1930) at the University of Manitoba was the first chapter established in Canada.

Symbols

The ΦΣΣ Badge.

The open motto is Diokete Hupsala (Aim High). The maxim is Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, always a Phi Sigma Sigma. The acronym LITP is often stated as well. "LITP" stands for "Love in the Pyramid," and is also used to form the basis of the Phi Sigma Sigma hand sign, where the fingers of two hands form a pyramid with a heart inside.

Phi Sigma Sigma's colors are king blue and gold. The official symbol is the Sphinx, while the official jewel is the sapphire. The American Beauty Rose is the official flower.

The original fraternity badge was a Sphinx head with sapphire eyes on a gold base, bearing the Greek letters ΦΣΣ in blue enamel. Later, the fraternity developed a jeweled badge in the form of a gold pyramid with three sapphires in each corner, surmounted by the original Sphinxhead in the middle. The pledge pin is a blue pyramid with a border of gold, on which is written Phi Sigma Sigma's motto.

The coat of arms is a Sphinx head surmounting a ribbon bearing the Greek letters ΦΣΣ, set on a shield of seven bendlets of blue and white, the whole being superimposed on a pyramid with a rose at its apex and twin scrolls bearing the legend Diokete Hupsala and the year 1913 en plaque at the base below.

The sorority's first song, "The Hymn," was written in 1921 by Pearl Lippman of the Alpha chapter and her husband, Arthur Lippman. Phi Sigma Sigma's magazine is The Sphinx. It publishes a biannual alumnae newsletter, The Rose.

Philanthropy

To facilitate philanthropic activities, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was created in 1969 by Jeanine Jacobs Goldberg, who was the foundation's first president. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation provides scholarships and educational grants, as well as leadership programming to collegiate and alumnae members. The National Kidney Foundation was Phi Sigma Sigma's primary philanthropic endeavor from 1971 until 2013. Since then, Phi Sigma Sigma has worked to educate people about kidney disease, as well as organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was a major sponsor of the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games, a national Olympics-style event where organ-donor recipients competed in various athletic competitions.

Following the September 11 attacks, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation established the Twin Ideals Fund to assist disaster victims. Named for Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals to promote the brotherhood of man and alleviate the world's pain, the fund has contributed to aid organizations in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

A three-year process began in 2011 to identify a new premier philanthropic partner. The first step was to define the organization's philanthropic focus. Through a member survey and focus groups, the committee settled on school/college readiness as its philanthropic focus. The next step was to create and disseminate an RFP (Request for Proposal) to philanthropic groups. Applications were submitted and the committee interviewed ideal candidates. The result was the adoption of two non-profits, Practice Makes Perfect and Kids in Need Foundation. Both aligned well with the Foundation's mission and the school/college readiness focus. It was decided by Practice Makes Perfect to become a for-profit organization in 2016. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation could no longer support Practice Makes Perfect according to the regulations of a 501(c)3 organization. Phi Sigma Sigma is proud to grow its partnership with KINF and continues to support the efforts of KINF through its many backpack builds and work with local low-income students and schools.

Epsilon Psi chapter house at Western Illinois University

Chapters

Main article: List of Phi Sigma Sigma chapters

Notable members

Name Chapter Sector Notability References
Amy Diaz Iota Theta Entertainment Miss Teen USA 2001, Miss USA 2008 (top 15), Miss Earth USA 2009 , Winner of Amazing Race season 23 along with her boyfriend Jason Case.
Alex Flinn Beta Theta Literature New York Times Bestselling author of Beastly.
Irma Ginsberg Kalish Pi Entertainment Producer and screenwriter, credited with over 300 television scripts.
Andrea Kremer Nu Entertainment Correspondent for HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football, and ESPN's first female correspondent
Andrea LaFontaine Delta Iota Government Michigan State Representative
Tatyana McFadden Theta Sports Seventeen-time Paralympic medalist.
Irna Phillips Theta Entertainment "Mother" of the modern soap opera and creator of Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Days of Our Lives, and Another World.
Nancy Pimental Gamma Iota Entertainment Screenplay writer for The Sweetest Thing, writer for the TV series South Park. and co-host of Win Ben Stein's Money
Zelda Rubinstein Iota Entertainment Actress and activist.
Mercedes Schlapp Delta Kappa Government White House Director of Strategic Communications 2017-2019.

See also

References

  1. ^ "History". Phi Sigma Sigma. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  2. ^ Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) . Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. IV-56–58. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  3. ^ William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), section listing Phi Sigma Sigma chapters". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 30 December 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  4. "History and Symbols". Phi Sigma Sigma. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  5. "History and Symbols". Phi Sigma Sigma. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  6. ^ The Foundation and Phi Sigma Sigma's philanthropic beneficiaries are described on the Fraternity's website, Foundation section, accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  7. Becque, Fran (3 March 2023). "Irma Ginsberg Kalish, Phi Sigma Sigma". Fraternity History & More. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. "She Did It Her Way". Phi Sigma Sigma. October 20, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-24.

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