Phi Sigma Sigma - Timeline

Timeline

• On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was founded at Hunter College in New York City.

• In 1918, Phi Sigma Sigma expanded by founding the Beta Chapter at Tufts University in Medford, MA, and the Gamma Chapter at New York University. 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.

• In 1923, the first issue of The Sphinx, the sorority's official magazine, was published.

• In 1930, Phi Sigma Sigma became an international sorority when it founded the Upsilon chapter at The University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada.

• 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 University of Maryland.

• In 1947, Phi Sigma Sigma became an associate member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).

• In 1951, Phi Sigma Sigma became an official member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).

• In 1957, the Phi Sigma Sigma Cardiology Laboratory was established at Yeshiva University College of Medicine in New York City. Phi Sigma Sigma presented a $20,000 grant to establish the laboratory.

• In 1963, Phi Sigma Sigma celebrated its 50th year, the Golden Anniversary, in New York City. A centennial celebration is planned 2013 in New York City, as well.

• 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.

• In 1968, the separation of Hunter College’s two campuses prompted the original Alpha chapter to divide. Alpha Alpha was installed at the new Herbert Lehman College 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 National Kidney Foundation (NKF) as its official philanthropic cause at the National Convention.

• In 1999, the National Make a Difference Day 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.

• In 2012, Phi Sigma Sigma sent a notice to Penny Arcade via legal counsel requesting that a post purporting to reveal the sorority's 'secret' handshake be expunged from the Penny Arcade forum.