Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded November 12, 1922 at Butler   University  in  Indianapolis, IN. Our Motto "Greater Service, Greater Progress," is the foundation of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,Incorporated In a time when education for African Americans was difficult to attain, the founders of Sigma 
Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. became educators. They believed that the self- respect, knowledge and discipline gained through study would help individuals and recognize their duty and responsibility for their society. Thus, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the precept of education and continues to promote and encourage high scholastic attainment by seven women, our founders.

In addition to community service, the members of the Sorority were dedicated to high scholastic achievement. The first three years of Sigma's existence was confined to organizing. In  December of 1929, their hard work finally paid of when they received their official national Incorporation.  Before this time, the first call for a national meeting (boule) was held in Indianapolis at which Mary Lou Little became the first grand Basileus. Hence, the birth of a sisterhood, dedicated to its African American brothers and sisters to help provide the 
means so that we may promote cultural awareness, educational and health programs, and recreational activities.

Since that time, the members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. have continued to fulfil the legacy left by our founding mothers. "Greater Service, Greater Progress", our national motto, speaks to the level of commitment each member has to our community. In Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., we let our "Sigma Light" shine through our National Programs, local programs and in the work we do with our Sorority Affiliates, The Rhoers and Philos. Sigma Gamma Rho supports the following :

• Africare Assault on Illiteracy Program (A.O.I.P)
• Americorps, Inc.
• Black Media, Inc.
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference
• National Black Leadership Roundtable
• Habitat for Humanity
• International Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
• NAACP
• National Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History,Inc.
• National Council of Negro Women,Inc.
• March of Dimes-Birth Defects Foundation
• National Mental Health Association
• National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
• National Urban League
• United Negro College Fund
• Vocational Guidance and Workshop Center, New York City;

just to name a few. It also supports Project Africa in conjunction with Africare that provides African women with agricultural assistance; the Vocational Guidance and Workshop Center of New York City which gives GED preparation, career counseling and tutorial service.

Currently, our Sorority has over 400 chapters (undergraduate and graduate). We have over 82,000 members in various parts of the world, including Africa, the Carribean, the U.K., Europe and the United States. Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunites to develop their unique leadership abilities and talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. Sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendship and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime.

As a leading national service organization, Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. has met the challenges of the day and continues to grow through Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service!