One of the world’s largest organizations for women’s service and development will celebrate 100 years of
sisterhood, scholarship, and service on July 12-17, 2022 in Indianapolis, IN.
On July 12, 2022, the trailblazing women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will celebrate 100 Years of greater excellence exemplifying their success in service and leadership across the globe. The celebration begins January 1, 2022 in New York City as they kick off their centennial with a royal affair culminating the final year in their journey to 100. The festivities will happen throughout the year across the U.S. in cities Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New Orleans with the biggest event happening in Indianapolis, IN July 12th- July 17th. The women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. welcomes their members, trailblazing women, world leaders, National Pan-Hellenic Council members, and national and global media to celebrate the largest Black cultural legacy moment of 2022. Learn more at https://www.sgrho1922.org/.
Founded on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana on the campus of Butler University by seven young educators and has since welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has served as a home for thousands of collegiate and professional women looking for a place to share inspiring life experiences, learn new things, conquer life challenges, thrive in society, and uplift the community through sisterhood, scholarship, and service. The dynamic women of Sigma Gamma Rho have built and sustained a well-known and highly respected reputation for leading positive change. Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to service is expressed in its mission, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.” “Serving from the heart has been the cornerstone of Sigma Gamma Rho’s efforts for almost 100 years. The work is not hard when it’s heart-centered”, said Liberty.
The organization is currently led by Grand Basileus, Rasheeda S. Liberty. The 26 year member of the renowned sorority provides leadership to over 100,000 sorority members and serves as chairman of the board of directors, composed of 38 national and regional officers who manage the sorority’s 500 chapters in the United States and in several countries. Mrs. Liberty has brought over a half million in committed funds towards programming efforts for the sorority. To date, she has introduced new partners to the organization, such as Google, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Army and the OWN Network. She has propelled their social action efforts forward with critical partners, including When We All Vote, OWN Your Vote, and The Collective. Mrs. Liberty also launched a professional development arm for the sorority, named the Sigma Flame Institute, and hosted the first “Day on the Hill” event with members of congress for focused attention on the safety and security of women and youth.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc is known for more than being a service sorority but more so a destination organization for women’s development. Boasting partnerships with many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Google, and Goldman Sachs to continue their agenda developing women around the world. The organization also has active affiliate groups devoted to empowering women at different stages in life. The Rhoer Club Affiliates (teenage girls) and Philos Affiliates (friends of the sorority) also assist alumnae chapters with various service efforts and programs.The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Arab Emirates.
Sigma Gamma Rho boasts a robust legacy in education which is ingrained in the founding of the organization, as it was founded by seven young educators. Today, this legacy lives on in the organization’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for women and their families through education and community outreach. The organization boasts a roster of programs ranging from women’s safety and wellness, to youth preparedness but its flagship program is Swim1922. The organization has touched 20,000 lives through its Swim 1922 program which teaches swimming and water safety to children and adults. The organization has a proud history of providing positive and proactive community outreach nationally and internationally, founding six (6) schools in the last 20 years in Haiti and Ghana. Sigma Gamma Rho is pushing their social action agenda in education, voter registration, sex trafficking and safety for all women, and health forward for another 100 years to come.
Their members are dedicated to changing the world and their organization’s steadfast legacy is illuminated in reaching 100 years of women’s empowerment. Nationwide events leading up to the centennial celebration will kick off with the July 2022 Boule and end in a multi-day centennial celebration in November 2022 in Indianapolis, IN. A full listing of celebratory events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Notable Members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
ABOUT SIGMA GAMMA RHO:
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven young educators: Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian Irene White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to the Alpha chapter at Butler University. Sigma Gamma Rho has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession. The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Arab Emirates. Additional information on this sorority can be found at https://www.sgrho1922.org/sgr.
ABOUT GRAND BASILEUS RASHEEDA S. LIBERTY:
Rasheeda S. Liberty was elected the 25th International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., during the 58th Biennial Boule on July 31, 2020. In her new role, Mrs. Liberty, a 26- year member of the renowned sorority, will lead the organization as it celebrates its 100th year in 2022. Mrs. Liberty will provide leadership to over 100,000 sorority members and serve as chairman of the board of directors, composed of 38 national and regional officers who manage the sorority’s 500 chapters in the United States and in several countries.
Mrs. Liberty joined the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in 1994 at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A proven and dedicated mentor, she has spearheaded the growth of Sigma Gamma Rho in the Southeastern Region since 2016, serving in several leadership roles, including international first vice-president, Southeastern Region director and as international editor-in-chief. Mrs. Liberty is lauded by her sorority for her stewardship of the organization’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally.
Mrs. Liberty is also celebrated for her negotiation strength and prowess, which has brought over a half million in committed funds towards programming efforts for the sorority. To date, she has introduced new partners to the organization, such as Google, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Army and the OWN Network. She has also propelled their social action efforts forward with critical partners, including When We All Vote, OWN Your Vote, and The Collective. Mrs. Liberty has also launched a professional development arm for the sorority, named the Sigma Flame Institute, and has also hosted the first “Day of the Hill” event with members of congress for focused attention on the safety and security of women and youth.
Mrs. Liberty’s accomplishments have earned her esteemed distinctions and honors, including being deemed as a “Hometown Hero” by Cricket Wireless. Mrs. Liberty also serves as a regional finance director for Amazon. She is a recognized corporate leader with over 28 years of experience in delivering results for Fortune 100 companies. She is a member of numerous organizations including Top Ladies of Distinction, NAACP, Finance Executive Networking Group (FENG), and Jack & Jill of America. She has been deemed a “Hometown Hero” by Cricket Wireless and has been featured on EmPOWERED Black Women & Well-Being Roundtable of the American Heart Association, ESSENCE Live, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Sybil Wilkes Show and the Black News Channel.
Mrs. Liberty is married to Gregory Liberty, and they have two children, Nailah and Malik
