The History of Gamma Sigma Sigma

Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority was founded by six organizations:  Alpha Gamma Chi, Booster Squad of Brooklyn College, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Omega Service Sorority, Phi Gamma and the Women’s Service Organization. 

In October 1952, representatives met for the Constitutional Convention at Beekman Towers in New York City. During the weekend, the group decided on a name, colors, and the first charters were given to the schools in attendance. October 12, 1952 is recognized as the national founder’s day of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority.  

While many sororities and fraternities attribute their founding notable individuals, Gamma Sigma Sigma recognizes its founding schools. Margaret Zimmerman, second National President said, “We recognized that it took many people....” All those in attendance on the final day of the Constitutional Convention are recognized as the founding schools. 

The following colleges and universities are designated as the founding schools of Gamma Sigma Sigma: University of Houston (Alpha Chapter), Brooklyn College (Beta Chapter), Los Angeles City College (Gamma Chapter), New York University (Delta), Boston University (Epsilon Chapter), Drexel Institute of Technology (Zeta Chapter), and Queens College (Theta Chapter). Eta Chapter was reserved for the group at the University of Miami who did not attend the last day of convention, and later joined as Upsilon Chapter in 1958. 

“… social sororities still were limiting membership in their groups by race, religion, personality, etc. We were interested in starting a sorority, which would be open to all women without prejudice of any sort. Service was to be the worthwhile endeavor that would be the rock upon which friendship and equality was built,” Barbara Van Scriver Ferraro, First National President, said.  

More than fifty-five years later, the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, continues to make an enormous impact on campuses and communities nationwide, carrying on a tradition of Unity in Service while celebrating its golden milestone. Each year, sorority members contribute thousands of hours to unlimited projects across the country, reporting millions of hours throughout its history. 

Today, we’re several thousand members strong with active collegiate and alumni chapters, colonies and interest groups in eight United States districts -- and growing. New pledge classes are held each semester on campuses everywhere, and new colonies and chapters appear annually.

After graduation, alumni members continue to serve on their own in their communities or in alumni chapters. Many alumni continue to serve the national organization as well, in roles on the National Board of Directors, National Staff, and as advisors to collegiate and colony members.

Gamma Sigma Sigma National Sorority is incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the state laws of Pennsylvania.  Since Gamma Sigma Sigma is incorporated, chapters/colonies are required to conform to the National Bylaws and policies of the sorority listed in The Staff. The primary decision-making and policy-setting body for the sorority is the National Convention.  The National Convention meets biennially, in odd-numbered years, and includes representatives from collegiate and alumni chapters and colonies as well as alumni-at-large that choose to attend.

PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS OF GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA 
Click on the name links to find out more about these members.

1952‑55   Mrs. Barbara Ferraro                     1981‑85   Mrs. Maryjane Cass Burdge

1955‑57   Mrs. Margaret Zimmerman*            1985‑87   Mrs. Sue Majeski        

1957‑59   Mrs. Norma Jean McKenty*            1987‑89   Mrs. Mary Ann Carr      

1959‑61   Mrs. Annell Hargraves                    1989‑91   Mrs. Patricia Saul     

1961‑63   Mrs. Denise Fecketter                    1991-93   Ms. Sharon Tompkins

1963‑65   Mrs. Barbara Stabler                      1993-95   Ms. A. Michele Slay

1965‑67   Mrs. Mary Lou Bartley*                   1995-97   Ms. Kathyjo Kuenzle

1967‑69   Ms. Charlotte Mendoza                   1997-98   Mrs. Nancy Crane

1969‑71   Mrs. Barbara Macarillo                    1998-2001   Ms. Diane Janvier

1971‑75   Mrs. Mary Scout                             2001-05   Mrs. Lynne Mowers

1975‑77   Ms. Rosalie Powell*                        2005-07   Mrs. D’Ann Brosnahan

1977‑81   Ms. Christina Tomczak            

*Deceased members 

Members may download a more extensive history of Gamma Sigma Sigma from the publications page in the Members Only section of this site. If unable to download, contact the administrative assistant at aa@gammasigmasigma.org.

References:

Letter from Margaret L. Delano, Field Counseling Service, Girl Scouts of the United States of America
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 1952 Yearbook
Drexel Institute of Technology, 1951 Yearbook
Handwritten notes from: Beekman Tower, October 10-12, 1952
New York Constitutional Convention
Condensed Info of GSS History & Going Nat’l Summary … up to 1952
The Staff, History Section, 8^th National Executive Committee
Perspectives, Fall 2002 edition

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