SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC
Serving the city of Birmingham, Al through impactful programming and partnership since 1938.
Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little
Little was raised by her family friend because both of her parents were killed when she was three. She graduated from Shortridge High School in 1915 and received a diploma from the Indianapolis Normal School in 1918 when she began teaching. In 1928, Little moved to Los Angeles with her husband and finished her undergraduate training in UCLA. She taught in the Los Angeles school system until her retirement in 1967.
The Mary Lou Allison Loving Cup Award is presented at each Boule to the chapter reporting the most successful program.
Dorothy Hanley Whiteside
Whiteside graduated from Shortridge High School and entered the Indianapolis Normal School in 1922, when in training as a cadet teacher she met the teachers who became her best friends and Founders of the Sorority. She taught school until 1951 when she retired and later helped her husband to develop a business. She also started her own millinery business and worked with her church and various organizations. After the death of her husband, she ran their business from 1955-1957 and returned to teaching in 1959 where she remained until her retirement in 1970.
Bessie Mae Downey Rhodes Martin
Martin was the youngest of six children and attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the Sorority.
Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson
Martin was the youngest of six children and attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the Sorority.
HATTIE MAE ANNETTE DULIN REDFORD
Redford graduated from South Bend Central High School cum laude, from Indiana State Teachers College with a B.S., and studied at Western Reserve in Cleveland and Indiana University extension. She taught one year in Terra Haute, and thirty-seven years in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, Financial Consultant and received various awards and honors for the sorority.
Plaques are awarded in Redford's name at each Boule for exhibits for chapter achievements.
VIVIAN IRENE WHITE MARBURY
Marbury attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School. She received a B.S. from Butler University and a Master's from Columbia University in New York city. Her professional career included teaching at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Director of Practice Training of teachers from Butler University, Indianapolis University and Indianapolis State University. She taught in the Indianapolis school system for nine years.
CUBENA McCLURE
Cubena McClure graduated from Shortridge High School, the Indianapolis City Normal School and attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She won the Gregg Scholarship, which she planned to use to attend Columbia University, but due to illness she could not accept the scholarship.McClure was talented in art and she helped to design the Sorority pin. She died very young on August 24, 1924.