In 1913, when college was primarily for wealthy men, academic women were a new breed and skirt lengths were no higher than six inches above the floor, ten Hunter High School lunchmates, committed to strength in friendship and the act of giving, founded Phi Sigma Sigma at Hunter College in New York City.

The Founders came from a variety of religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. They wished to stay together as the group they had become, while still in high school but found that because of their varied backgrounds they all could not join one of the sororities already established on campus. They approached the Dean of Women at Hunter, Dean Higgenbottem, and inquired about starting their own sorority, one that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background.

Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff, the first Archon of Alpha Chapter, the Founders obtained permission and Phi Sigma Sigma was born on November 26, 1913, quietly, unobtrusively and without thought of expansion. First in the minds of these ten women were the twin ideals which endure today. To the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain, each Founder extended herself to their fullest capacity to live up to the mottos the group chose.

The Founders attained high scholastic standing in an effort to stress the importance of scholarship and the advancement of womanhood and each served in philanthropic activities such as filling stockings and baskets for the needy, assisting in nurseries in hospitals and volunteering in homes for the aged. They affiliated with and raised money for the Godmother's League and Foster Mothers of America. They donated to a variety of charities consistent with their character as a nonsectarian sorority, the only one to open to diverse membership from its inception and the only one with a ritual not based in scripture.

Phi Sigma Sigma is an organization open to diverse membership, one with ritual not based in scripture. The fraternity symbols were chosen with great care by the founders. The Sphinx is the mythical figure of mystery and secrecy for women. The American Beauty Rose was chosen for its statuesque beauty, and for the balance of sharp thorns and soft petals. Our colors are King Blue and Gold and our stone is the sapphire. Our open motto, Aim High, is translated from the greek Diokete Hupsala and appears on the crest of the fraternity.

© 1999 Beth Greenberg, Phi Sigma Sigma