Sigma Sigma Omicron () was a national collegiate sorority operating under that name in the United States from November 1, 1920 to 1927. It has had several successor names.
History
This sorority existed for approximately 13 years. For more than half that time it was known as Sigma Sigma Omicron, with the name Sigma Phi Beta adopted during its final six years.
The Alpha chapter of Sigma Sigma Omicron was formed on at New York University, eventually chartering five chapters, mainly at teachers colleges. Its primary founder was Vera Bartone Goelier, supported by other students of the junior, sophomore and freshman class.
On the sorority changed its name to Sigma Phi Beta (), in anticipation of a merger six months later with the three chapters of Phi Alpha Chi, which it effected on after "find[ing] their interests and purposes similar...".
Phi Alpha Chi had its origin as The Tanewah Club in 1919 at Berkeley. In 1926, the Tanewah Club adopted Greek letters, reorganizing as the Alpha chapter of Phi Alpha Chi.
Delta Zeta's history (1983) recorded that Sigma Phi Beta absorbed Phi Alpha Chi before combining five years later under the Phi Omega Pi banner in .
According to the edition of The Sorority Handbook there were 10 active chapters of Sigma Phi Beta, with 1,000 members (p. 79). Baird's Archive lists 15.
On Sigma Phi Beta merged into Phi Omega Pi, which itself was later (but only partly) absorbed by Delta Zeta in , with some chapters disbanded or released to other sororities.
Insignia and Traditions
Pledge pin- "Crescented Norman shield divided vertically into two equal sections, one enameled in purple, the other in white, and displaying diagonally a gold sabre" Member pin- "Pearl bordered circular shield of purple enamel, displaying sorority letters in gold, and jewelled additionally with six amethysts set at prescribed points outside a circlet of pearls" -- This description is accurate for both Sigma Sigma Omicron and Sigma Phi Beta. Insignia- Circle, Helmet, Pyramid, Sabre, Sheaf of Wheat Colors- Purple and White Flower- Violets with White Rose Jewels- Amethyst and Pearl Publication- The Talaria (Martin, pp. 79– 80)
Chapters
These are the chapters of Sigma Phi Beta prior to the merger with Phi Omega Pi in 1933. Baird's reports that 15 were installed, with ten surviving to participate in the merger. However, records list eight that definitely merged, with one more possible. Known active chapters at the time of the merger are listed in bold, inactive chapters listed in italics.
Phi Alpha Chi chapters
References
Martin, Ida Shaw (1931) The Sorority Handbook, 11th edition, Published by Ida Shaw Martin, Boston, Mass. Miner, Florence Hood (1983). The History of Delta Zeta, 1902–1982. Indianapolis, Indiana.