Sigma Alpha Omega | |
---|---|
ΣΑΩ | |
![]() | |
Founded | January 5, 1998 North Carolina State University |
Type | Social |
Affiliation | Independent |
Status | Active |
Emphasis | Christian |
Scope | National |
Motto | One in Christ through Unity in Sisterhood |
Colors | Forest Green Burgundy |
Symbol | Dove |
Flower | Lily |
Publication | Dove Love |
Philanthropy | Ovarian Cancer Awareness |
Chapters | 34 |
Headquarters | Germantown, Tennessee United States |
Website | www |
Sigma Alpha Omega (ΣΑΩ) is an American non-denominational Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University on January 5, 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity founded at East Carolina University in 1987.[1] The sorority was formed after a vote of active members at the NCSU chapter in 1998 and focuses on setting good moral examples for their peers and their community.
History
[edit]Sigma Alpha Omega was formed as a sister sorority to Chi Alpha Omega, a Christian Fraternity. Founded in 1987 at East Carolina University, Chi Alpha Omega later established a little sister program to include their sisters in Christ. Soon after, the fraternity changed fully to co-ed.
In January 1998, the active brothers (both males and females) of the Beta chapter of Chi Alpha Omega at North Carolina State University voted to form Sigma Alpha Omega. Both groups are committed to living according to the ideals of Christ, uplifting each other through fellowship and service, and bringing the love of Christ to North Carolina State University.[2] The founding sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega were Michelle Bull, Kathryn Meyer, Kimberly Rogers, and Josie Watson.
As the sorority grew, sisters of the Alpha chapter worked for three years to prepare documents to support a National Board of Trustees. In the spring of 2004, active and alumnae members of the Alpha chapter met and established a national board. The first National Board of Trustees consisted of alumnae members from the Alpha chapter.
Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Inc was officially recognized as a national non-profit organization in North Carolina in June 2004. It was granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in 2014.[3] The sorority's national headquarters is in Germantown, Tennessee.[3] Its current Executive Director is Claire McAuliffe.
Symbols
[edit]Sigma Alpha Omega's colors are burgundy and forest green.[4] The official shield and crest was designed by SAO's Alpha chapter alumna and former Trustee, Natasha Smith. It incorporates the Armor of God, the official colors, motto, founding year, and mascots. Its mascot is the dove and its flower is the lily.[4] The sorority's official namesake Bible verses are:[4]
- "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13
- "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."[5] Luke 1:46-47
Philanthropy
[edit]On June 2, 2007, at the annual National Convention, the current sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega recognized a need to have a unified philanthropic focus among all chapters to have a greater impact. The sisters voted to adopt ovarian cancer awareness as their national philanthropy after learning of the need for awareness about this type of cancer. The individual chapters of Sigma Alpha Omega focus on awareness and education about ovarian cancer through physical and financial support.[6]
In 2013 Sisters by Grace, Sigma Alpha Omega's affiliated non-profit organization was founded to support sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega by providing funds and opportunities for sister development in academics, leadership, spiritual growth, and mission work. All of these activities aim to build not only sisters' relationship with each other, their families, and friends but most importantly, their relationship with Christ.[7]
Chapters
[edit]Sigma Alpha Omega has 34 active chapters across twelve states.[8][9] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in italic.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Previously affiliated with West Chester University.
Alumnae associations
[edit]The sorority has a National Alumnae Association with regional committees. Previously Sigma Alpha Omega had four recognized alumnae groups at various points: the Midwest Alumnae Association, the Southeast Alumnae Association, the North Carolina Alumnae Association, and the Georgia Alumnae Association.[52]
References
[edit]- ^ "Chi Alpha Omega History". www.chialphaomega.net. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc.® | SAO History". Archived from the original on 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
- ^ a b "Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc - GuideStar Profile". www2.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ a b c "About Us". Sigma Alpha Omega Psi Chapter at University of New Mexico. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc.® | Frequently Asked Questions on Starting a Chapter". Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- ^ "Philanthropy". Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "History". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
- ^ "Our Chapters". Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) "Sigma Alpha Omega." Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed January 30, 2023.
- ^ "Alpha Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "About". Sigma Alpha Omega Gamma Chapter. 2012-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Mizzou Sigma Alpha Omega (@saomizzou) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Theta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Iota Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Mu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Nu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Omicron Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Pi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "About Us". Sigma Alpha Omega at Valdosta State University. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Upsilon Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega at University of New Mexico". saoatunm. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega ® Christian Sorority, Inc (Omega Chapter)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Alpha Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Beta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Delta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Epsilon Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Zeta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "History". Sigma Alpha Omega at the University of Virginia. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Lambda Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Xi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Omicron Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Pi at Towson". towsonsao. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Rho Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Sigma Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Omega at Emory". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Chi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Psi Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Alpha Omega Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Alpha Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Beta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Delta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Epsilon Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Zeta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Eta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Theta Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Iota Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Lambda Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Mu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Beta Nu Chapter". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Directory". Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority. Retrieved 2023-01-30.