History
The early 1900's were turbulent times. Racial vindictiveness emerged as a result of earlier waves of emigration, and divisions developed along religious, ethnic, and economic lines. The city of New York was seen as a cauldron for social change.
In 1913, our Founders - Lillian Gordon, Ethel Gordon, Josephine Ellison, Shirley Cohen, Fay Chertkoff, Claire Wunder, Estelle Melnick, Rose Sher, Jeanette Lipka, and Gwen "Rae" Zaliels - approached the Dean of Women at Hunter College in New York City with a vision. They wanted to start a sorority that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background; a sorority committed to sisterhood, excellence in scholarship, and selfless giving.
On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born, unobtrusively, without the thought of expansion. It was the first nonsectarian sorority; the only one that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in scripture. Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff (our first chapter archon), the Alpha Chapter was installed at Hunter College.
The Founders first established the twin ideals - “The brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain."ÂThen each woman agreed to do all they could to live up to the standards the sorority had established. They attained high scholastic standing, developed intense bonds, and each served in philanthropic activities, donating to a variety of charities consistent with Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals and nonsectarian trait.
Three new members were accepted into Phi Sigma Sigma during the first year: Bert Markowitz Goldstein, Bell Heyman Hoffman, and Leontine Friedman. For five years, the Alpha Chapter remained the only chapter. However, when a friend of Rose Sher, who attended Tufts College, showed an interest in the sorority, expansion became a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed the Beta Chapter at Tufts College in Boston, and the Gamma Chapter at New York University.
1918 was also the year of our first National Convention which was held in New York City. Fay Chertkoff was elected Phi Sigma Sigma’s first grand archon. Representatives from Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Chapters met, promulgated the original Phi Sigma Sigma Constitution, and elected the first Supreme Council. This included Fay Chertkoff as grand archon, Ethel Gordon Kraus as grand vice archon, Shirley Cohen Laufer Goldstein as national tribune, and Estelle Melnick Cole as national bursar. This Supreme Council served from 1918-1920.
Today Phi Sigma Sigma maintains 110 healthy, active collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
Phi Sigma Sigma Central
"History is a symphony of echoes heard and unheard. It is a poem with events as verses."
- Charles Angoff