Sigma Alpha Omega () is an American non-denominational Christian sorority for women, founded at

North Carolina State University North Carolina State University (NC State, North Carolina State, NC State University, or NCSU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1887 and p ...

on January 5, 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity founded at

East Carolina University East Carolina University (ECU) is a public university in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. It is the List of universities in North Carolina by enrollment, fourth largest university in North Carolina and the only one in the state with s ...

in 1987. The sorority was formed after a vote of active members at the NCSU chapter in 1998 and focuses on setting good moral examples for their peers and their community.

History

Sigma Alpha Omega was formed as a sister sorority to Chi Alpha Omega, a Christian fraternity. Founded in 1987 at

, Chi Alpha Omega later established a little sister program to include their sisters in Christ. Soon after, the fraternity changed fully to co-ed. In January 1998, the active brothers (both males and females) of the ''Beta chapter'' of Chi Alpha Omega at

voted to form Sigma Alpha Omega. Both groups are committed to living according to the ideals of Christ, uplifting each other through fellowship and service, and bringing the love of Christ to North Carolina State University. The founding sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega were Michelle Bull, Kathryn Meyer, Kimberly Rogers, and Josie Watson. As the sorority grew, sisters of the ''Alpha chapter'' worked for three years to prepare documents to support a National Board of Trustees. In the spring of 2004, active and alumnae members of the Alpha chapter met and established a national board. The first National Board of Trustees consisted of alumnae members from the ''Alpha chapter''. Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Inc was officially recognized as a national non-profit organization in North Carolina in June 2004. It was granted tax-exempt status by the

IRS The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service for the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government, which is responsible for collecting Taxation in the United States, U.S. federal taxes and administerin ...

in 2014. The sorority's national headquarters is in

Germantown, Tennessee Germantown is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 41,333 at the 2020 census. It was given a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Performance Excellence in 2019. Germantown is a suburb of Memphis, border ...

. Its current Executive Director is Claire McAuliffe.

Symbols

Sigma Alpha Omega's colors are burgundy and forest green. The official shield and crest was designed by SAO's ''Alpha chapter'' alumna and former Trustee, Natasha Smith. It incorporates the Armor of God, the official colors, motto, founding year, and mascots. Its mascot is the dove and its flower is the lily. The sorority's official namesake Bible verses are: * "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13 * "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47

Philanthropy

On June 2, 2007, at the annual National Convention, the current sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega recognized a need to have a unified philanthropic focus among all chapters to have a greater impact. The sisters voted to adopt ovarian cancer awareness as their national philanthropy after learning of the need for awareness about this type of cancer. The individual chapters of Sigma Alpha Omega focus on awareness and education about ovarian cancer through physical and financial support. In 2013 Sisters by Grace, Sigma Alpha Omega's affiliated non-profit organization was founded to support sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega by providing funds and opportunities for sister development in academics, leadership, spiritual growth, and mission work. All of these activities aim to build not only sisters' relationship with each other, their families, and friends but most importantly, their relationship with Christ.

Chapters

Sigma Alpha Omega has 34 active chapters across twelve states. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in ''italic''.

Alumnae associations

The sorority has a National Alumnae Association with regional committees. Previously Sigma Alpha Omega had four recognized alumnae groups at various points: the Midwest Alumnae Association, the Southeast Alumnae Association, the North Carolina Alumnae Association, and the Georgia Alumnae Association.

References