Scope National | Symbol Dove | |
Founded 1998
North Carolina State University, (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA) Type Christian and Scholarship Motto One in Christ through Unity in Sisterhood Colors Forest Green Burgundy | ||
Sigma Alpha Omega (ΣΑΩ) is a nationally incorporated Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University in 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity founded at East Carolina University in 1987. The sorority was formed after a vote of active members at the NCSU chapter in 1998, and focuses on setting good moral examples for their peers and their community.
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History
Sigma Alpha Omega was formed as a sister sorority to Chi Alpha Omega, a Christian Fraternity. Chi Alpha Omega was founded as a Christian fraternity for men in the spring of 1987 at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. The purpose of Chi Alpha Omega was to assemble Christian men in a Christ-centered brotherhood in order to enjoy Christian fellowship, service, accountability, and social activities. Chi Alpha Omega later established a little sister program in order to include their sisters in Christ. Soon after, the fraternity changed fully to co-ed.
In January 1998, the active brothers (both males and females) of the Beta Chapter of Chi Alpha Omega at North Carolina State University voted to form Sigma Alpha Omega in hopes of benefiting both the fraternity and the sorority. Both groups committed to living according to the ideals of Christ and His Word, uplifting each other through fellowship and service, and bringing the love of Christ to North Carolina State University.
Founders
The founding Sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega at North Carolina State University were Michelle Bull, Kathryn Meyer, Kimberly Rogers, and Josie Watson.
National Establishment
As the sorority grew, a need arose to connect chapters through a national organization. Active sisters of the Alpha Chapter at North Carolina State University labored for three years to prepare documents to support a National Board of Trustees. During the spring of 2004, the national board was founded when active and alumni members of the Alpha Chapter met to pray about the future of the sorority.
Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Inc was officially recognized as a national non-profit organization under the laws of North Carolina in June 2004. The first National Board of Trustees consisted of alumni members from the Alpha chapter. They were Kristen Batten, Emily Britt, Emily Greene, Valerie Harris Smith, Beth Helms, Jerusha Monroe, Jody Moss Ransom, Josie Watson Thomas, and Lindsey Viens.
The current Executive Director is Claire McAuliffe.
Philanthropy
On June 2, 2007, at the annual National Convention, the current sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega recognized a need to have a unified philanthropic focus among all chapters in order to have a greater impact. The sisters voted to adopt ovarian cancer awareness as their national philanthropy after learning of the need for awareness about this type of cancer. The individual chapters of Sigma Alpha Omega focus on awareness and education about ovarian cancer through physical and financial support.
In 2013 Sisters by Grace, Sigma Alpha Omega's affiliated non-profit organization, was founded to support sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega by providing funds and opportunities for sister development in academics, leadership, spiritual growth, and mission work. All of these activities aim to build not only sisters' relationship with each other, their families and friends but most importantly, their relationship with Christ.
Bible Verses
Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Luke 1:46-47 "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Chapters
Sigma Alpha Omega has 33 active chapters across 13 states.