History
In 1884, the Commonwealth of Virginia chartered the State Female Normal School in Farmville. Now known as Longwood College, this institution provided educational opportunities for young women in the state. It was here that the sisterhood of Tri Sigma was born.
The Founders of Sigma Sigma Sigma never envisioned that their secret society born on April 20, 1898, would lead to anything beyond the confines of Longwood College. These brave women were Margaret Lee Batten, Louise Marie Davis, Martha Trent Featherston, Isabella Merrick, Sallie Jackson Michie, Lelia Scott, Elizabeth Watkins and Lucy Wright.
In its first decade, Tri Sigma recognized the need for both legal recognition as a social body and a written record of organization. Therefore, they filed documents with the Commonwealth of Virginia and received their Charter of Incorporation on February 12, 1903. Tri Sigma's first constitution was adopted by its first chapter, the Alpha Chapter, in April 1903.
In the first decade after its inception, many steps were taken in laying the groundwork of the sorority's foundation. Additional collegiate chapters were established and all members met at a convention. As the sorority grew, the national nature of Tri Sigma solidified with the standardization of a ceremony for new members and the creation of a program to celebrate the day that Sigma Sigma Sigma was founded.
The circle of friendship that began in the 1890s, with eight women sharing common experiences, now encompasses more than 100,000 women representing the diversity found on the college campuses of today. The growth and change that occurred has always stayed true to the ideals of friendship, character, and conduct established by the founders.