University founded and date: Hunter College on November 26, 1913
Year founded at Sac State: December 7, 1997
Number of chapters: 115 active chapters and two of them are in Canada
Colors: King blue and gold
Flower: American Beauty Rose
Jewel: Sapphire
Symbol: Sphinx
Open Motto: Diokete Hupsala (Aim High)
Maxim: "Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, always a Phi Sigma Sigma."
Mission statement: To inspire the personal development of each sister and perpetuate the advancement of womanhood.
Vision statement: Phi Sigma Sigma is a dynamic sisterhood of powerful women fostering uncompromising principles, igniting positive change and embracing individuality.
National Philanthropy: Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, which raises proceeds go to the National Kidney Foundation. Additionally, it provides grants and scholarships for our women who succeed in academia. Also, money is allocated towards our Twin Ideal Fund, which has donated to the survivors of September 11th, the Red Cross, the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and more recently the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
Local Philanthropy: Shriners Children Hospital, which our sisters help, play, and craft with the patients of the hospital monthly.
The Theta Chi chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma was originally a local sorority that was called Sigma Omega Chi. It existed at CSU Sacramento since 1991. In the spring of 1997, the active sisters of Sigma Omega Chi ultimately decided on Phi Sigma Sigma as the best choice for expansion of the current sisterhood of Sigma Omega Chi. On December 7, 1997 the 42 founding sisters were officially installed as the Theta Chi Chapter. On January 24, 1998 Sigma Omega Chi Alumni were initiated as Phi Sigma Sigma Alumni.
In 1913, when college was primarily for wealthy men, academic women were a new breed and skirt lengths were no higher than six inches above the floor. In this climate, ten Hunter High School lunch mates, committed to strength in friendship and the act of giving, founded Phi Sigma Sigma at Hunter College in New York City.
The Founders of Phi Sigma Sigma came from a variety of religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. They wished to stay together as the group they had become while still in high school, but found that because of their varied backgrounds they all could not join one of the existing sororities on campus. Lillian Gordon, Ethel Gordon, Josephine Ellison, Shirley Cohen, Fay Chertkoff, Claire Wunder, Estelle Melnick, Rose Sher, Jeanette Lipka and Gwen "Rae" Zaliels approached Dean Higgenbottem, the Dean of Women at Hunter College, and inquired about starting their own sorority, one that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background.
Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff, the first Archon of Alpha Chapter, the Founders obtained permission and Phi Sigma Sigma was born on November 26, 1913, quietly, unobtrusively, and without thought of expansion. Phi Sigma Sigma was the first non-sectarian sorority, the only one open to diverse membership from its inception with a ritual not based in scripture. First in the minds of these ten women were the twin ideals which endure today. To the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain, each Founder extended herself to her fullest capacity to live up to the mottoes the group chose.
For five years, Alpha chapter was content to continue locally without thought of expansion. Then a friend of Rose Sher Seidman who attended Tufts College contacted Rose with interest in the sorority. The thought of expansion not only became an idea, but a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed Beta chapter at Tufts College and Gamma chapter at New York University. The year 1918 also saw the first national convention, held in New York City, at which Fay Chertkoff was elected as the first Grand Archon of Phi Sigma Sigma.
This laid the foundation and planted the seeds which enabled Phi Sigma Sigma to grow and blossom into a garden of roses spread across North America and Canada. Clearly, as Phi Sigma Sigma prospers today, the Fraternity is as meaningful and exciting as it was on the day it was founded.
Josephine Ellison Breakstone worked as a schoolteacher and was married. Josephine lived in New York City until her death.
Estelle Melnick Cole worked as a hospital volunteer in New York while taking courses in languages and the arts. Estelle served as an interpreter for her husband while they traveled extensively around the world. They later moved to Harrison, New York, where she resided until her death.
Fay Chertkoff worked as a teacher throughout her full and interesting life. She is responsible for writing most of the Fraternity's rituals. Fay served as a national officer for many years.
Gwen Zaliels Snyder graduated from Hunter College and taught school before marrying. She later had one daughter and became a textile designer, branching into private interior designing.
Ethel Gordon Kraus married and had two children, one a member of Phi Sigma Sigma. She had five grandchildren and remained a member of the Godmother’s League and the Hattie Bondy Scholarship Fund. Her hobbies included bridge, theater, and gardening. Ethel passed away in 1984 in New York City.
Rose Sher Seidman married and had two sons and seven grandchildren. Rose taught school from 1915-17 before returning to teach at a private school in 1940, where she stayed for ten years. She sponsored extracurricular activities including social dance and puppetry. Rose originally desired to be a dancer/actress when that profession was not highly regarded. Later in life she studied new modern math and attended a workshop for use of audio-visual materials. She traveled throughout Europe, Iceland, the Caribbean, and the United States. In November 1987 Rose passed away in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Jeanette Lipka Furst graduated from public high school at age 11 and entered college at age 15 to become the youngest member of Phi Sigma Sigma. She graduated from Hunter College in three years at age 18. Jeanette taught fifth grade and later earned her doctorate in audio-visual education and communications.
Lillian Gordon Alpern born in New York City, the youngest child in a family of six; she followed in her only sister’s footsteps and attended Hunter College. While a junior, Lillian met Charles Alpern and left school to marry. She was the first Founder to pass away, in 1945.
Shirley Cohen Laufer and Claire Wunder McArdle unfortunately, we have very little information about these founders.
