Alpha Sigma Tau
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ) |
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| Founded | November 4, 1899 Michigan State Normal College, (Ypsilanti, Michigan) |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Active, Self-reliant, Trustworthy |
| Colors | Emerald Green and Gold |
| Symbol | Anchor |
| Flower | Yellow Rose |
| Jewel | Pearl |
| Publication | THE ANCHOR |
| Philanthropy | Pine Mountain Settlement School, Habitat for Humanity |
| Chapters | 80 |
| Headquarters | 1929 Canyon Road Birmingham, Alabama, USA |
| Homepage | http://www.alphasigmatau.org/ |
Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ) is a national collegiate sorority founded on November 4, 1899 at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). The Sorority has 80 chapters and 3 colonies active nationwide. Alpha Sigma Tau is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.
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[edit] Founding
As told by founding member Harriet Marx Pfeiffer, "There were present at this first meeting, Helene Rice, her sister Adriance, Eva O'Keefe, Harriet Marx, May Gephart, Mayene Tracy, Mable Chase and Ruth Dutcher. There were then in existence on campus three other sororities: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi (now inactive). The name Alpha Sigma Tau was chosen and purple and gold were chosen for the colors. Thus it was Alpha Sigma Tau, the third oldest educational sorority, was organized. A dozen or more very enthusiastic girls were present at this meeting.
The next meeting was a little 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 indeed gay and festive with decorations of gold and purple. Even the cake was golden with purple icing. Here it was decided that the next day should witness the introduction of a newly born sorority to the world at large and to the student body in particular. Accordingly the members attended chapel en masse, everyone wearing the chosen colors. Imagine their surprise and chagrin when the members of the Zeta Phi informed them that the Alpha Sigma Tau had appropriated their colors. The group then chose emerald green and gold.
Mrs. E.A. 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. Lyman, Miss Pearce and Miss Norton were asked to be patronesses. The charter members were very, very close friends and have ever remained so ..." [1]
[edit] Founding sisters
- Mable Chase
- Ruth Dutcher
- May Gephart
- Harriet Marx
- Eva O'Keefe
- Adriance Rice
- Helene M. Rice
- Mayene Tracy
[edit] Symbols
The colors of Alpha Sigma Tau are emerald green and gold. The flower is the yellow rose, and the jewel is the pearl. The Sorority's national symbol is the anchor.
Alpha Sigma Tau uniquely encourages each chapter to choose a local mascot.
[edit] Values
[edit] Open motto
The open motto of the Sorority is Active, Self-reliant, Trustworthy.
[edit] Purpose
The Purpose of the Sorority is to promote
the ethical, cultural, and social development
of its members, specifically:
to develop the character of each member through a study
of ethics so that she will show in all her relationships
sincerity, honesty, love and understanding;
to help each member enjoy the cultural advantages
in life so that she will know how to select those
things which are most worthwhile; and
to develop in each member the social graces to the extent
that she will be able to take her place in life with true dignity and poise.
[edit] Creed
Video of sisters reading the 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 in all my contacts with others.
I believe that faithfulness to these ideals will help me to live joyously and valiantly.
[edit] Philanthropy and Service
[edit] Pine Mountain Settlement School
Alpha Sigma Tau adopted Pine Mountain Settlement School as its national philanthropy in 1945.
At its founding, Pine Mountain Settlement School was a leader in rural educational standards, creating a forerunner of what is now famously known as the Head Start curriculum.[1] Today, Pine Mountain Settlement School serves as an environmental education center and provides educational outreach services, such as summer reading camps and after-school tutoring, to the poverty-stricken Appalachian community in located in Harlan County, Kentucky.[2]
On December 4, 1991, Pine Mountain Settlement School became a National Historic Landmark, noted for "[launching] one of the most important efforts to adopt the urban settlement house to a rural community."[3]
[edit] Habitat for Humanity
Alpha Sigma Tau adopted Habitat for Humanity as its national service project in June 2004.
Alpha Sigma Tau members contribute to Habitat for Humanity in various ways, including partnering to build houses with and for families in need, thus expanding upon the Sorority's creed "to contribute to the progress of mankind."[4]
In 2005, all Alpha Sigma Tau chapters participated in Hope Through Change, which raised money for Habitat for Humanity International to help rebuild following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. After Hurricane Katrina, Alpha Sigma Tau chapters rallied to Operation Home Delivery. In April 2007, Alpha Sigma Tau chapters across the nation supported Habitat for Humanity's Act! Speak! Build! Week.
[edit] Local philanthropic efforts
Individual collegiate and alumnae chapters coordinate local philanthropic efforts reflecting the Sorority's values of being active, self-reliant, and trustworthy.[5]
[edit] Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc.
The National Foundation was incorporated in 1982 to ensure the continuation of donation through the Sorority.
Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc. provides:
- 18 scholarships and 1 grant per year
- 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
[edit] Active chapters and colonies
[edit] Sorority jewelry
Badge, worn by initiated members
- Gold sorority letters on black bordered with gold and optional pearls
- Variations for national officers:
Jewelry attached to Badge (optional)
- Charm displaying chapter letters
- Charm symbolizing office held in chapter
- 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
[edit] Notable alumnae
- Gwen Frostic (Alpha) - Nature artist and environmentalist; Inducted into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame[6]
- Jessica Furrer (Upsilon) - Miss Arkansas USA 2005; Semi-finalist in Miss USA 2005[7]
- Terri Utley (Upsilon) - Miss Arkansas USA 1982; Winner of Miss USA 1982[8][dubious ]
[edit] References
- ^ Pine Mtn Settlement School Petition. Kentucky Resources Council (January 28, 2001). Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
- ^ Pine Mountain Settlement School. Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Pine Mountain Settlement School. National Historic Landmarks Program (NHL). Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
- ^ Habitat for Humanity. Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Local Endeavors. Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ James, Sheryl (March 1, 1999). Gwen Frostic: Michigan artist crafts nature into a rich life. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved on 2007-09-17.
- ^ Jessica Furrer. SantaBanta.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Awards and Involvement. Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
[edit] External links
- Alpha Sigma Tau
- Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation
- Pine Mountain Settlement School
- Habitat for Humanity
- National Panhellenic Conference
