Alpha Sigma Tau

Alpha Sigma Tau
ΑΣΤ
Founded	November 4, 1899 (1899-11-04) Michigan State Normal College, (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Type	Social
Scope	National
Motto	Active, Self-reliant, Trustworthy
Colors	Emerald Green      Gold
Symbol	Anchor
Flower	Yellow Rose
Jewel	Pearl
Publication	THE ANCHOR
Philanthropy	Women's Wellness Initiative
Chapters	Over 90
Headquarters	3334 Founders Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 USA
Homepage	http://www.alphasigmatau.org

Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ) is a social sorority with the mission to "invest in women by instilling the skills necessary to navigate life, and inspire members to enrich their own lives and the lives of others."^[1] and is a Panhellenic sorority founded on November 4, 1899 at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). It is the third-oldest educational sorority, and has more than 90 active chapters and colonies nationwide.

Founding

In 1899, eight women founded Alpha Sigma Tau Alpha Chapter: Helene M. Rice, her sister Adriance Rice, Mayene Tracy, Eva O’Keefe, May Gephart, Mabel Chase, Ruth Dutcher, and Harriet Marx. There were three other sororities on campus at the time: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi (now inactive). The name "Alpha Sigma Tau" was chosen, and emerald green and gold were chosen for the colors.

The sorority's next meeting took the form of a small party at the home of Mrs. Depew on Forest Avenue, where Helene and Adriance Rice, Eva O'Keefe and Harriet Marx roomed. The party was festively decorated with gold and purple for the occasion; even the cake was golden with purple icing. It was decided that the newly created sorority would be revealed to the student body the next day. Accordingly, all members attended chapel together the next morning wearing purple and gold; however, to their surprise and chagrin, the members of the Zeta Phi informed them that these colors were already taken. The group then chose emerald green and gold, which remain their signature colours today.

Mrs. Effie E. Polyhamus Lyman was chosen patroness. During the first year of its existence, the sorority did not display any marked activity. The charter was not received until the second year, when Edith Silk, Myrtle Oram, Zoe Waldron, Grace Townley, Marie Gedding, Louise Agrell and Mable Pitts had joined the organization and, with the organizers, were the charter members. On the suggestion of Mrs. Effie E Polyhamus Lyman, Miss Abigail Pearce and Miss Ada A. Norton were asked to be patronesses.^[2]

Just six years later, in 1905 the Beta Chapter was founded at Central Michigan Normal College, which is now Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. From here over 90 new chapters were created across the country.

National Presidents

The late Lenore Seibel King and Carrie Washburne Staehle have been recognized as Presidents Emerita.

About

Mission

To invest in women by instilling the skills necessary to navigate life, and inspire members to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.

Core Values

Graciousness, Respect, Intellect, Connections, Excellence

Creed

As a member of Alpha Sigma Tau

I believe in the permanence and loveliness of its ideals

I believe in the values of friendship and fidelity to purpose

I believe in the fulfillment of self and will strive to contribute my share to the progress of mankind

I believe in cultivating beauty of spirit and graciousness of living with all my contacts with others

I believe that faithfulness to these ideals will help me to live joyously and valiantly.

Symbols

Anchor

National symbols

• Colors: emerald green and purest gold
• Flower: the yellow rose
• Jewel: the pearl
• Symbol: the anchor

Sorority jewelry

Badge, worn by initiated members:

• Gold sorority letters on black bordered with gold. The badge may be surrounded by pearls.
• Variations for national officers:
  • National staff members may have rubies in the pin points
  • National Council members may have emeralds in the pin points
  • Past and present national presidents have diamonds in the pin points
  • National Panhellenic Delegates may have topazes in the pin points
  • As of 2016 Convention, Chapter Advisory Board members may have amethysts in the pin points

Jewelry that can be attached to badge:

• Charm displaying chapter letters
• Charm symbolizing office held in chapterΑ
• Anchor charm symbolizing alumna status

New Member Pin, worn by new members:

• Gold sorority letters intertwined vertically

Mother's Pin, worn by mothers of initiated members:

• Gold sorority letters touching diagonally

Sorority Crest

The crest of the sorority, which was designed by Ruth Mayers Glosser in 1922 ^[3] is made of symbols important to the organization: an open book, a crown, 6 stars, and an anchor (counterclockwise starting from top right). At the top of the crest there is a candle with glowing rays, and at the bottom there is a banner with Alpha Sigma Tau written in Greek (ΑλΦα ΣΙλμα Ταυ). This crest is to be worn by initiated members only.

Education

Association of Education Sororities

Alpha Sigma Tau was founded as an educational sorority and soon gained membership into the Association of Education Sororities. In 1947, AES merged with the National Panhellenic Conference, and the sorority became a Panhellenic group.^[4]

Order of the Open Book

Established in 1995, the Order of the Open Book is a national honor society recognizing academic excellence among Alpha Sigma Tau sisters. Members may join as undergraduate or graduate students.^[5]

Grade point average

At the 2008 National Convention, the Sorority raised the minimum collegiate GPA from 2.3 to 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (at B-C average). All sisters who have joined after the fall 2008 semester are required to meet this national standard.^[6]

Philanthropy and Service

Alpha Sigma Tau has a long history of philanthropy and community service. The Sorority's official philanthropy is the Women's Wellness Initiative. Additionally, individual collegiate and alumnae chapters coordinate local philanthropic fundraisers and service projects.^[7]

Women's Wellness Initiative

The Initiative seeks to enhance the wellness of Alpha Sigma Tau members and empower them to improve women’s wellness through service activities and projects. The Women’s Wellness Initiative is grounded in the Six Dimensions of Wellness of the National Wellness Institute – a nationally-recognized leader in promoting optimal health and wellness in individuals and communities. These dimensions are the result of decades of research, which shows that individuals who achieve and maintain wellness are considerably more likely to lead successful, fulfilling lives.

Members and chapters work directly with nonprofits in their own backyards – conducting philanthropy, service projects, and other activities that benefit women where our members live, work, and go to school. Additionally, they work with Dress for Success, one of Alpha Sigma Tau's national philanthropic partners.

Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc.

According to the foundation's mission statement, "The Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc. was established to promote the acquisition, development and disbursement of charitable contributions from donors to promote and fulfill the educational and philanthropic programs of the Sorority."^[8]

Philanthropic goals

Incorporated in 1982, the foundation provides a variety of resources, including:

• Over 30 scholarships^[9]
• Opportunity to support a charitable project
• Permanent headquarters for the sorority
• Place for the storage and display of Alpha Sigma Tau's historical records
• Educational programming at the chapter, Regional Leadership Workshop, and National Convention levels

Publications

THE ANCHOR is the sorority's magazine, published twice annually. Its articles pertain to Alpha Sigma Tau, Greek life, and issues affecting women today.^[10]

Alpha Signal is a monthly newsletter distributed to National Staff and to chapters, both collegiate and alumnae. This bulletin relays messages from National Council and Staff and discusses upcoming events and other items of importance to the Sorority.^[10]

Focusing on alumnae news, The Crest is published at least biannually^[11] and is viewable online.^[12]

Additionally, the organization has an electronic newsletter for donors to the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation.

National Headquarters

National Headquarters is the home of the Sorority's archives and publications. Photographs, awards, and other historical documents are on display. Additionally, Headquarters can connect people with collegiate and alumnae chapters, National Council and Staff, and the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc.^[13]

The original location of the National Headquarters was St. Louis, Missouri. This was adopted in 1949 by National President Dorothy Robinson. National Headquarters was relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 1994 for 16 years.^[13] In spring 2010, Alpha Sigma Tau moved its National Headquarters to Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of over 30 other Greek organizations.

Active chapters and colonies

Alumnae

Notable alumnae

• Gwen Frostic (Alpha) - nature artist and environmentalist; Inducted into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame^[14]
• Jessica Furrer (Upsilon) - Miss Arkansas USA 2005; Semi-finalist in Miss USA 2005^[15]
• Terri Utley (Upsilon) - Miss Arkansas USA 1982; Winner of Miss USA 1982^[16]
• Jessica Gendron-Williams - CEO Phired Up! Productions 2013–present

Alumnae associations

Alpha Sigma Taus all over the United States participate in alumnae associations. These associations include alumnae chapters, clubs, social teams, support teams, and hope groups.^[17]

Anchor Chapter

Alumnae sisters who live more than fifty miles from an active alumnae association are invited to join the Anchor Chapter or to form their own association with local alumnae.^[17][18]

Emerald Chapter

In addition to joining a local association or the Anchor Chapter, alumnae may be invited to join the Emerald Chapter.^[19] The requirements for becoming a member of the Emerald Chapter include serving a minimum of four years as National Council or Staff or attending a minimum of three National Conventions.^[20]

See also

• List of social fraternities and sororities

References

External links

• Alpha Sigma Tau official website
• Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc.
• Pine Mountain Settlement School
• Habitat for Humanity