Alpha Sigma Tau

Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ) is a national sorority founded on November 4, 1899, at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University).

Alpha Sigma Tau
ΑΣΤ
FoundedNovember 4, 1899 (1899-11-04)
Michigan State Normal College, (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
TypeSocial
ScopeNational
Mission statementInvest in women by instilling the skills necessary to navigate life, and inspire members to enrich their own lives and the lives of others
Vision statementEmpowering Women to Excel in Life
TaglineDefining Excellence
Colors  Emerald Green   Gold
SymbolAnchor
FlowerYellow Rose
JewelPearl
PublicationThe Anchor
PhilanthropyWomen's Wellness Initiative
Chapters83
Headquarters3334 Founders Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
USA
WebsiteAlpha Sigma Tau homepage

With 83 collegiate chapters at a variety of colleges and universities around the U.S., Alpha Sigma Tau provides women with the skills, community, and empowerment needed to excel in life.

History

In 1899,[1] eight women founded Alpha Sigma Tau's first chapter at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). Founders were:

  • Helene M. Rice
  • Adriance Rice
  • Mayene Tracy
  • Eva O’Keefe
  • May Gephart
  • Mabel Chase
  • Ruth Dutcher
  • Harriet Marx.[2]

There were three other sororities on the Eastern Michigan campus at the time: Pi Kappa Sigma (now inactive), 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. Alpha Sigma Tau was initially founded as an educational sorority.

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.[3]

Six years later, the Beta chapter was founded in 1905[4] at Central Michigan Normal College, which is now Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Now at more than one institution, Alpha Sigma Tau leaders desired to grow the sorority and become recognized as a national group. In order to be recognized as a national organization by the Association of Education Sororities (AES), Alpha Sigma Tau had to meet certain requirements:

  1. Hold a National Convention
  2. Have five active chapters
  3. Publish a magazine

Each of these requirements were met in 1925. This year, Alpha Sigma Tau held its first Convention in Detroit, Michigan; the first issue of the Sorority's magazine, The Anchor, was published; and the Sigma chapter at Buffalo State College was installed. Alpha Sigma Tau joined the AES in 1926 and later became a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.

Throughout the 1900s, Alpha Sigma Tau leaders built the organization's infrastructure, established policies, and grew collegiate and alumnae chapters and membership. Despite the global challenges and events such as World War II, the Great Depression, global pandemics, and other impactful events in American history, Alpha Sigma Tau has persevered for the purpose of empowering women.

Values and Traditions

Alpha Sigma Tau's colors are emerald green and gold. Its flower is the yellow rose, its jewel is the pearl, and its symbol is the anchor.[5]

Alpha Sigma Tau Core Values

Alpha Sigma Tau seeks members who embody the following core values:

  • Intellect – The pursuit and cultivation of knowledge, wisdom, and culture.
  • Excellence – Always seek to perform at the highest level; have a disdain for mediocrity; create and take advantage of opportunities to excel.
  • Graciousness – Embody kindness, generosity of spirit, charm, tact, courtesy, and authenticity in all we do.
  • Respect – The highest level of esteem for the worth of ourselves, Sisters, Ritual, and community.
  • Connections – Build and maintain meaningful, sincere, and lasting relationships with our Sisters, our alma mater, and our community.

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.

Sorority badge

The badge is a black, kite-like polygon with a golden ΑΣΤ inscribed on the enamel, bordered by gold, sometimes inlaid with small pearls. Members with different roles may order badges with different jewels on the badge's four points: volunteers have rubies, advisors have rubies or amethysts, yellow topaz identifies NPC delegates, and emerald identifies National Council members and National Officers, while the badge used by all past and current National Presidents has a double border of gold inlaid with diamonds.[5]

Sorority crest

The crest of the Sorority, which was designed by Ruth Mayers Glosser in 1922,[5] is made of symbols important to the organization and members: an open book, a crown, six stars, and an anchor (counterclockwise starting from top right). A candle with glowing rays is above the shield, and a banner with "Alpha Sigma Tau" written in Greek (ΑλΦα ΣΙλμα Ταυ) is below. This crest is to be worn by initiated members only.

Collegiate Membership Experience

Academics

Academic excellence is a key pillar of membership within Alpha Sigma Tau. Invites to new members are extended based partially on academic success. Each potential new member must have a minimum 2.5 GPA before a chapter can consider her for membership. Current members are also expected to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, though AΣT chapters are encouraged to have a higher minimum requirement. The average national GPA is just over 3.0.

Each collegiate chapter has a Director of Academic Success whose primary responsibility is to ensure members are reaching their fullest potential in their coursework. Additionally, members support one another academically. Upperclassmen members offer advice and guidance to freshmen and sophomores, while the built-in social network of sorority life also provides study partners.

Annually, members are eligible to apply for $65,000 in scholarship support. These scholarships are exclusive to members of AΣT and made possible by donors to the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation.

Health & Safety

Alpha Sigma Tau states they are committed to being the safest place, both physically and emotionally, for women on a college campus. Programs and initiatives for members related to health and safety include:

  • Not Anymore: members learn how to recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships, intervene when a peer is in danger, and find support if they or a friend is a survivor of sexual violence.
  • GreekLifeEdu: members are equipped with tools they need to make good decisions related to alcohol, sexual assault, and hazing.
  • Mental Well-Being for Students: members learn how to practice self-care strategies, recognize when they or a friend is in distress, and take action to find additional mental health support
  • Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention: members learn how to make healthy and informed decisions related to prescription medications and how to help if a friend is struggling.
  • Caring Confrontation: members learn how to have difficult conversations that come from a place of care and concern

Personal and Professional Growth

Members are provided opportunities to develop leadership skills that help them both in college and after graduation. Alpha Sigma Tau provides a space where members can learn and practice life skills, such as:

  • Leading others
  • Teamwork
  • Delegation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Problem-solving
  • Listening
  • Critical thinking
  • Communicating effectively

Opportunities to develop skills are provided informally through leadership positions in the chapter and through formal training and education, like conferences and workshops.

Alpha Sigma Tau members are also able to take part in MoneySmarts U, an online financial wellness program.

Lifelong Friendships

Women who join Alpha Sigma Tau find a community where they can belong and have a safe place to learn from mistakes, feel supported, and become the best version of themselves. For many women, Alpha Sigma Tau introduces them to their best friends for life.

Vast Network of Accomplished Women

Nearly 60,000 women comprise the Alpha Sigma Tau network around the world, and members are encouraged and empowered to connect with members in the same location, with similar interests, and in the same career fields.

Giving Back to the Community

Collegiate members host fundraisers and hands-on service events to give back to their local communities. See Women's Wellness Initiative below.

Philanthropy

Women's Wellness Initiative

The sorority's official philanthropy is the Women's Wellness Initiative, which is a model where the national sorority partners with national organizations focused on empowering women and girls. Individual collegiate and alumnae chapters coordinate local philanthropic fundraisers and service projects. As of 2021, Alpha Sigma Tau has two National Service Partners: Dress for Success and Girls Who Code.[6]

Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international nonprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Alpha Sigma Tau members support Dress for Success by hosting clothing drives, fundraising, and building awareness.

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology. Girls Who Code programs inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills they will need to pursue 21st-century opportunities. Alpha Sigma Tau members support Girls Who Code by creating and facilitating Clubs, fundraising, and building awareness.

National Foundation

The Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation was created in 1982 to give members a way to directly support the charitable and educational initiatives of the Sorority. The Foundation is solely funded by donor support and benefits members through grant funding and scholarship support. In February 2021, Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation distributed approximately $65,000 in scholarships to support members' educational pursuits. Additionally, grants from the Foundation to the Sorority support education and initiatives for members[7] on:

  • mental health
  • financial literacy
  • leadership development
  • safe decisions related to alcohol
  • prescription drug abuse prevention
  • sexual assault and relationship violence

Publications

The Anchor is the sorority's magazine, published twice annually. Its articles pertain to Alpha Sigma Tau, fraternity/sorority life, and issues affecting women today.[8] The Anchor was first published in 1925.

Email Publications
  • Alpha Signal is a weekly newsletter informing collegiate chapter officers and advisors of important Sorority news, programs, and updates.[8]
  • The Crest is a monthly e-newsletter featuring Sorority news and events sent to alumnae members.
  • Connections is a monthly e-newsletter featuring Sorority news and events sent to collegiate members.
  • The Foundation Circle is an electronic newsletter delivered monthly to supporters of the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation.

Membership

Women primarily join Alpha Sigma Tau through a collegiate chapter while attending a college or university with an active Alpha Sigma Tau chapter. Members still in college pursuing their undergraduate degree are referred to as collegiate members (or collegians) while members who have graduated or left school are alumnae members (or alumnae). Alpha Sigma Tau membership is lifelong.

Collegiate chapters
Main article: List of Alpha Sigma Tau chapters and colonies

Alumnae Chapters and Associations

Alpha Sigma Tau alumnae members can establish or join alumnae clubs known as alumnae chapters or alumnae associations. As of 2021, Alpha Sigma Tau has 32 established alumnae chapters or associations. The purpose of these groups is to provide women with a network of support. Alumnae chapters and associations host events, foster friendships, and support collegiate members.

Notable Members

National Presidents
Years Name Chapter/School
1925–1928 Grace Erb Ritchie Alpha/Eastern Michigan
1928–1934 Luella Chapman Sigma/Buffalo State
1934–1949 Carrie Washburne Staehle* Alpha/Eastern Michigan
1949–1955 Dorothy Bennett Robinson Pi/Harris-Stowe
1955–1964 Mary Alice Seller Peterson Iota/Emporia State
1964–1972 Elizabeth Wilson Pi/Harris-Stowe
1972–1984 Lenore Seibel King* Psi/James Madison
1984–1986 Gail Shockley Fowler Alpha Lambda/Radford
1986–1992 Patricia L. Nayle Phi/Southeastern Louisiana
1992–1996 Mary Charles Ashby Chi/Shepherd
1996–2002 Martha Drouyor DeCamp Alpha/Eastern Michigan
2002–2008 Patricia Klausing Simmons Delta/IUP
2008–2014 Christina Duggan Covington Alpha Lambda/Radford
2014–2020 Tiffany K. Street, DNP, ACNP-BC Delta Mu/Cumberland
2020-present Jamie Jones Miller Psi/James Madison

*The late Carrie Washburne Staehle and Lenore Seibel King have been recognized as Presidents Emerita.[13]

National Panhellenic Conference Affiliation

In 1926, Alpha Sigma Tau joined the Association of Education Sororities (AES), a national umbrella group for sororities at teachers colleges. In December 1951, AES merged with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). This merger permitted Alpha Sigma Tau to begin establishing chapters at any accredited school and admit members without limits of major.

Cynthia Peckhart McCrory is the only Alpha Sigma Tau member to have served as Chair of the National Panhellenic Conference. McCrory served as NPC Chair from 1983-1985.

National Headquarters

The Headquarters building located in Indianapolis, Indiana, serves as an office for many Alpha Sigma Tau employees (known as Headquarters Staff) and archives for historical publications, photographs, documents, and keepsakes.

The original location of the National Headquarters was St. Louis, Missouri, adopted in 1949 by National President Dorothy Robinson. National Headquarters was relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1994 for 16 years.[14] In 2009, Alpha Sigma Tau[15] moved its National Headquarters to Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of over 30 other fraternal organization headquarters.

See also

References
  1. LaRon Torbenson, Craig; Parks, Gregory, eds. (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1.
  2. "Alpha Sigma Tau Celebrates 100th Anniversary". Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 105th Congress, Second Session. 144 Part 9. United States Government Printing Office. 1998-06-23. pp. 13418–13419. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  3. "Who We Are – History", AlphaSigmaTau.org.
  4. "History". Alpha Sigma Tau. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  5. "Emblems & Symbols". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  6. "Women's Wellness Initiative". Alpha Sigma Tau. 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  7. "Foundation Grants to the Sorority". alphasigmatau.org. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  8. "Publications". Alpha Sigma Tau. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  9. Becque, Fran; Ph.D. (2016-03-14). "#WHM - Mildred Doran, Alpha Sigma Tau Aviator, #notablesororitywomen". Fraternity History & More. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  10. James, Sheryl (March 1, 1999). "Gwen Frostic: Michigan artist crafts nature into a rich life". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 2001-05-06. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  11. "Jessica Furrer". In.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  12. Alpha Sigma Tau (1982). "1982 Fall ANCHOR". Issuu. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  13. "Past National Presidents". Alpha Sigma Tau. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  14. "National Headquarters". Alpha Sigma Tau. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  15. "History". Alpha Sigma Tau. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
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