Sigma Gamma Rho - The Founders

The Founders

• Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little

Raised by a family friend because both of her parents were killed when she was three, Ms. Little graduated from Shortridge High School in 1915 and received a diploma from the Indianapolis Normal School in 1918. She began her teaching career immediately after graduation. In 1928, Little moved to Los Angeles with her husband and finished her undergraduate training at UCLA. She taught in the Los Angeles School System until her retirement in 1967. The Mary Lou Allison Loving Cup Award is presented at each National Convention (called a Boule) to the chapter reporting the most successful program.

• Dorothy Hanley Whiteside

After graduating from Shortridge High School, Ms. Whiteside entered the Indianapolis City Normal School. In 1922, when in training as a cadet teacher, she met the teachers who became her best friends and founders of Sigma Gamma Rho. Ms. Whiteside taught school until 1951 when she retired and later helped her husband to develop a business. She also started her own millinery business and worked with her church and various other organizations. After the death of her husband, she ran their business from 1955 until 1957 and returned to teaching in 1959, where she remained until her retirement in 1970.

• Vivian Irene White Marbury

Like her friends, Ms. Marbury also attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis City Normal School. She received a B.S. from Butler University and a Master's from Columbia University in New York City. Her professional career included teaching at Morehouse College in Atlanta and serving as Director of Practice Training of teachers from Butler University and Indianapolis State University. She taught in the Indianapolis School System for nine years. Ms. Marbury organized Public School 87, which grew from a 4 room portable school to 18 rooms and 24 teachers, where she was principal for 39 years until her retirement in 1967. She married in 1929 and is the mother of two children.

• Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson

A product of the Indianapolis Public School System, Ms. Johnson received both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Butler University. In 1923, she received her first teaching assignment and over the years, she was promoted to principal of the largest elementary school in Indianapolis. She was also very involved with many clubs and organizations dedicated to community service. Ms. Johnson retired in 1966.

• Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford

A cum laude graduate of South Bend Central High School, Ms. continued her education to receive a B.S from Indiana State Teachers College and a M.S. from Butler University. Ms. Redford also studied at Western Reserve in Cleveland and Indiana University Extension. She taught one year in Terre Haute, and thirty seven years in Indianapolis, IN. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, Financial Consultant and received various awards and honors from Sigma Gamma Rho. Plaques are awarded in Ms. Redford's name at each Boule for exhibits of chapter achievements.

• Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin

The youngest of six children, Ms. Martin attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual Training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Ms. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the sorority.

• Cubena McClure

A graduate of Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis City Normal School, Ms. McClure attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She won the Gregg Scholarship which she planned to use to attend Columbia University, but due to illness, she could not accept the scholarship. McClure was talented in art and she helped to design the sorority pin. Ms. McClure died very young on August 24, 1924.