每日大赛 is Proud to Welcome Sigma Gamma Rho
They step, they chant, and they give back–meet the women of Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc., the 每日大赛鈥檚 first African-American sorority. The eight women of the 鈥渢enacious Tau Nu chapter鈥� are excited to celebrate their second anniversary at the 每日大赛.
The sorority is a Divine Nine organization, referring to the nine historically black Greek organizations. Divine Nine fraternity Iota Phi Theta proposed an official charter at the 每日大赛 before a panel of administrators on April 23.
The sorority鈥檚 founding members, senior Keyera Collins and alumna Kyerra Green, were inspired to create the organization following the university鈥檚 re-commitment to diversity in 2014. They were encouraged by their affiliated graduate chapter and the city chapter that included Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have more Divine Nine organizations on campus and create a space for black students to feel comfortable in their blackness,鈥� said Gracyn Brown, the sorority鈥檚 vice president.
The sorority is community service-based, holding many fundraisers and philanthropic events throughout the school year.
鈥淲e really try to live up to our motto, 鈥楪reater service, greater progress.鈥� We know that even the smallest event or slightest interaction can really impact someone鈥檚 life,鈥� Chapter President Tyresha Willis said.
Every semester the Poodles participate in their national organization鈥檚 event, Operation Big Book Bag, a donation drive that fills backpacks with school supplies for children in need. Since their charter in 2017, they have donated over 140 backpacks.
鈥淲e also raise money for March of Dimes, St. Jude鈥檚, March for Babies and Project Cradle Care,鈥� Willis said. 鈥淲e went to a local facility and hosted a workshop to give mothers information on how to care for the safety of their children and ways to care for themselves after childbirth.鈥�
At the event, the Poodles donated car seats, toys, and gift baskets to the mothers.
Of all their yearly events, Willis says their most attended event is their neophyte presentation in which they induct their new members.
鈥淧eople want to know what鈥檚 going on when they hear us yelling, chanting, and stepping,鈥� Willis said.
Neophyte presentations are traditional of all the Divine Nine organizations. Willis says the new member debut is an opportunity to show the campus how proud they are to be a Poodle, a symbol of intelligence and class.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not a huge demographic of African-American students at the university, so we feel it鈥檚 important to have a historically black organization, specifically for females, because it fosters a sense of community and belonging we may not have otherwise had,鈥� Willis said.
The sorority often collaborates with their sister chapter at Cal Poly Pomona, their graduate chapter and are excited a Divine Nine fraternity is in the works.
鈥淚 joined Sigma Gamma Rho because it felt like home. When you鈥檙e searching for a Greek organization you want to be part of it. You need to make sure it’s right for you because once you鈥檙e in it, you鈥檙e in it for life,鈥� Willis said. 聽鈥淚 wanted to be a part of something that鈥檚 bigger than me and that gives back. Yes we have a sisterhood and are social, but we have a bigger purpose.鈥�
Sigma Gamma Rho will be hosting its second annual 鈥淚ssa BBQ鈥� on Friday, May 17 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Vista La Verne Courtyard. Presale tickets are $7. Questions can be directed to Thandiwe Ware at thandiweware@laverne.edu.
Women of all races and ethnicities are welcome to pledge this sorority. For questions, contact Tyresha Willis at tyresha.willis@laverne.edu and follow the sorority on Instagram @sgrhotaunu_ulv.
