house resolution no.325
Reps. Love, Brenda Carter, Bolden, Anthony, Yancey, Garza, Gay-Dagnogo, Hope, Cynthia Johnson, Koleszar, Kuppa, Pohutsky, Sneller, Sowerby, Wittenberg and Witwer offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922 in the epicenter of the Ku Klux Klan. It’s the first and only historically black sorority formed at a predominately white institution; and
Whereas, The seven educators who founded Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated envisioned an organization for African American women steeped in the bounds of sisterhood dedicated to uplifting the community through community service, education, civil, and social action; and
Whereas, This organization of diverse professional women is dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of high scholastic attainment, community service, and improved quality of life through its chapters, members, and affiliates located through the United States, Korea, Bermuda, Africa, Bahamas, Canada, the Caribbean, Germany, and United Arab Emirates; and
Whereas, Through programing, education, and advocacy, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated has become a leading national service organization working to address socioeconomic issues that impact our communities in the U.S. and globally through programs such as Swim 1922, Project Cradle Care, Wee Savers, Operation Big Bookbag, and our annual Youth Symposium; and
Whereas, The Women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated is celebrating its 97th anniversary during this year; and
Whereas, Michigan hosts over 18 Sigma Gamma Rho chapters which are located on college and university campuses and have active alumnae chapters throughout the state that lend their time and talents to enrich and enhance the fabric of our state.
Whereas, The central region is home to chapters serving Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, in addition to the Canadian divisions of Windsor, Ontario and west to Saskatchewan, Baffin Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Queen Elizabeth Islands and Germany; and
Whereas, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated members have made their mark in every aspect of life. Sone notable members include Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Academy Award, actors Victoria Rowell and Anna Maria Horsford, and rap pioneer MC Lyte. Rep. Leslie Love is the first member of Sigma Gamma Rho to serve in the Michigan House of Representative and the only currently serving in the 100th Legislature; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare November 12, 2020, as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Founders’ Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.