Alpha Sigma Tau (known as or Alpha Tau) is a national
sorority
In North America, fraternities and sororities ( and ) are social clubs at colleges and universities. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Greek life or Greek-letter organizations, as well as collegiate fraternities or collegiate sorori ...
founded November 4, 1899, at
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University (EMU, EMich, Eastern Michigan or simply Eastern) is a public university, public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, it was the fourth normal ...
(formerly Michigan State Normal College). A member of the
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is an umbrella or trade association for 26 national and international women's sororities throughout the United States and Canada. '' Panhellenic'' () refers to the group's members being autonomous social ...
, the sorority has 78 active collegiate chapters at colleges and universities around the U.S. and over 65,000+ lifetime members.
History
On November 4, 1899, eight women founded Alpha Sigma Tau's first chapter at Michigan State Normal College (now
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University (EMU, EMich, Eastern Michigan or simply Eastern) is a public university, public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, it was the fourth normal ...
).
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The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage
The founders were Mabel Chase, Ruth Dutcher, May Gephart, Harriet Marx, Eva O’Keefe, Adriance Rice, Helene M. Rice, and Mayene Tracy.
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. There were three other sororities at Michigan State Normal College at the time:
Pi Kappa Sigma (merged into
Sigma Kappa), Sigma Nu Phi (local), and Zeta Phi (local, inactive).
Effie E. Polyhamus Lyman was selected as patroness. During the first year of its existence, the sorority did not display marked activity. The charter was received the following year, as Edith Silk, Myrtle Oram, Zoe Waldron, Grace Townley, Marie Gedding, Louise Agrell, and Mable Pitts had joined the organization and were the charter members. By suggestion of Mrs. Effie E. Polyhamus Lyman, Ms. Abigail Pearce, and Ms. Ada A. Norton were asked to be patronesses.
The ''Beta chapter'' was founded in 1905
at
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University (CMU) is a Public university, public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1892 as a private normal school and became a state institution in 1895. CMU is one of the eigh ...
(formerly Central Michigan Normal College) in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Its fifth chapter, Sigma, was chartered at
Buffalo State College
The State University of New York Buffalo State University (colloquially referred to as Buffalo State University, SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo State, or simply Buff State) is a public college, public university in Buffalo, New York. It is part of ...
in 1925. That same year. Alpha Sigma Tau held its first convention in
Detroit
Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
, Michigan; and published the first issue of the ''The Anchor'' magazine.
In 1926, Alpha Sigma Tau became an initiated member of the
Association of Education Sororities (AES). In order to be recognized, the sorority needed to hold a national convention, have five active chapters, and publish a magazine
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...
was chosen to be the location of the first national headquarters, in 1949 by then national president Dorothy Robinson.
In December 1951, AES merged with the
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is an umbrella or trade association for 26 national and international women's sororities throughout the United States and Canada. '' Panhellenic'' () refers to the group's members being autonomous social ...
(NPC). This merger permitted Alpha Sigma Tau to begin establishing chapters at any accredited school and admit members regardless of major.
The sorority's national philanthropy is the Women's Wellness Initiative.
National headquarters was relocated to
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham ( ) is a city in the north central region of Alabama, United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, Jefferson County. The population was 200,733 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List ...
, in 1994.
Symbols
Alpha Sigma Tau's motto is "Defining Excellence".
Its core value or pillars are Intellect, Excellence, Graciousness, Respect, and Connections.
Its colors are emerald green and gold.
Its flower is the yellow rose.
Its jewel is the pearl.
Its symbol is the anchor which symbolizes hope and strength.
Its publication is ''The Anchor''.
The sorority's badge is a six-pointed shield with a black enamel center that features the Greek letters and a gold border set in pearls.
Its new member pin is a gold monogram of the Greek letters .
Chapters
In 2025, Alpha Sigma Tau has 73 collegiate chapters and 37 alumni groups in North America.
Notable members
The sorority has initiated more than 72,000 members.
*
Mildred Doran (Alpha) – aviator
*
Gwen Frostic (Alpha) – nature artist and environmentalist; inducted into
Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
The Michigan Women's Hall of Fame (MWHOF) honors distinguished women, both historical and contemporary, who have been associated with the U.S. state of Michigan. The hall of fame was founded in 1983 by Gladys Beckwith and is sponsored by the Michi ...
*
Terri Utley (Upsilon) –
Miss Arkansas USA 1982; winner of
Miss USA 1982
See also
*
List of social sororities and women's fraternities
References
{{Fraternities and Sororities , collapsed
1899 establishments in Michigan
Fraternities and sororities in the United States
National Panhellenic Conference
Student organizations established in 1899
Sororities
Women's organizations based in the United States
Association of Education Sororities