1949: The Sigma Comrades of Gamma Sigma Chapter, Houston, were organized on June 10, under the leadership of several officers in the chapter. Over 100 letters to some special women in the Houston area were mailed inviting them to take part in a meeting. The purpose was to organize an auxiliary to work with the chapter in promoting the objectives and principles of Gamma Sigma Chapter.

1951: Under the auspices of Soror Maudest Steward, Basileus of Gamma Sigma Chapter, the name of the affiliate group was changed to Sigma Philos, creating Galveston’s Alpha Theta Sigma Philos and Houston’s Gamma Sigma Philos. The activities of the Philo Affiliates are usually centered on the Sorority’s service projects. The Philos also contribute significantly to scholarship funds locally, regionally and nationally. In addition, Philos usually are involved with the NAACP, March of Dimes and community service projects. Most Philos develop their own projects locally.

The colors of this affiliate organization are gold and white. Philos wear all white for induction and usually wear white and gold for business sessions at conferences and special programs, sometimes yellow is acceptable in lieu of gold. The flower of the Philo Affiliate is a white carnation with a gold ribbon. Flowers are usually worn by members during special programs; in addition, whenever an event calls for the use of flowers, the white carnation with the gold ribbon is utilized.

The official jewelry of the Philo Affiliate is the Philo Pin. The pin is a gold shield with the letter P inscribed thereon. The wearing of Philo Jewelry is restricted to Philo membership.

Each Philo Affiliate is sponsored by the local Alumnae Chapter of the Sorority. The sponsoring chapter appoints an Advisor; Coordinators are also appointed regionally and nationally to serve a similar purpose on the respective levels. Advisors/Coordinators also serve as the principal link between the Philo Affiliate and the sponsoring body (chapter, regional or national) relaying necessary information for successful operations and/or joint activities.

Click on the links below, to download the latest version of the documents.

National Philo Remittance Form (2024-2025)  
Establishment Form for New Affiliates    

Find out more about Sigma Gamma Rho National Education Fund (NEF) Scholarships.

Sigma Gamma Rho Scholarships

Click below to access the online magazines.

January 2022 Inaugural Edition
August 2022 Second Edition
September 2023 Third Edition
June 2025 Fourth Edition

• Central Region Membership Interest Form.
• Northeastern Region Membership Interest Form.
• Southeastern Membership Interest.
• Southwestern Membership Interest Form.
• Western Region Membership Interest Form.

• 1943: The Galveston-Houston area Philos began as the Galveston Comrades. The group was organized under the leadership of Mary Scales Greenwood, Syntaktes of the Southwestern Region and Basileus Minerva Jones.
• 1949: Sigma Comrades of Gamma Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX, was organized June 10, under the leadership of several officers in the chapter: Lorene Lancelin, Syntaktes; Merle K. Davis, Basileus; Maudest Stewart, Parliamentarian and Ernestine P. Smith. Over 100 letters to some special women in the Houston area were mailed inviting them to take part in a meeting. The purpose was to organize an auxiliary to work with the chapters in promoting the objectives and principles of Gamma Sigma Chapter.
• 1951: Under the auspices of Soror Maudest Steward, Basileus of Gamma Sigma Chapter, the name of the affiliate group was changed to Sigma Philos, creating Galveston’s Alpha Theta Sigma Philos and Houston’s Gamma Sigma Philos.
• 1961-1971: Several Philo Chapters were formed.
• 1976: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. grand body approved the creation and naming of Philos as National Philo Affiliates on June 9, in Galveston, Texas under the leadership of Soror Virgie Reynolds, Southwestern Regional Syntaktes, Soror Vida Taylor, Regional Advisor. Six Philo Affiliates were united regionally.
• 1978: The Philo handbook was adopted at the 37th Boule in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• 1980: The Philos were in attendance at the 38th Boule in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Philo Geneva Young, Southwestern Regional President, submitted the idea to Grand Basileus Evelyn H. Hood that the First Lady Philo Pageant be nationalized. The idea was accepted, and the pageant was held during the Boule in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Philos were organized nationally with the consent of Grand Basileus Evelyn H. Hood. Philo Sallie R. Williams, Houston, Texas, became the first National Philo President.

Currently Philo Affiliates are found in each of the 5 regions, they are Central Northeastern, Southeastern, and Western Regions.

• Philo have held town hall meetings/listening sessions within each of the five regions.
• This is US photographs were collected from Philo in all regions and was used elevate our Philo on Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Facebook and Instagram pages.
• In October, Philos Affiliates were celebrated the entire month.  This was used to market and brand the Philos by publicly sharing and recognizing our friends, our affiliates and their service to the community. The event ended with a Zoom Party for all affiliates, advisors, and family members.
• We are in the process of creating a Philo directory, Philos have templates created for greetings on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Philo anniversaries, birthdays, induction, and charter anniversaries.
• January 23, 2021 from 11:00 a.m-6:00 p.m. Philos were offered their first Strategy Saturday a day of workshops, there were over 300 Philos who participated.  They were offered empowerment session, recruitment, officer’s role training, financial officer’s training, elevator speech by Toastmasters International. On February 27 another Strategy Session was offered and the focus was on Philo sisters “Living their best life” while taking care of themselves.  We had medical expert who gave workshops in the area of medical/physical health, mental health, nutrition, and much more.  A heart healthy meal with the assistance of a master chef was prepared for lunch.

First Chartered Affiliate: In 1964, Alpha Upsilon Sigma (East St. Louis, Illinois) became the first chartered affiliate in the Central region. Central Region currently has 175 members with 21 Philo Affiliates in 7 States:

• Indiana – Alpha Sigma
• Illinois – Alpha Upsilon Sigma(1964), Delta Sigma, Epsilon Nu Sigma, Eta Xi Sigma(1999), Lambda Chi Sigma(2019), Mu Zeta Sigma(2021), Theta Chi Sigma
• Kansas – Gamma Chi Sigma
• Michigan – Lambda Lambda Sigma(2019), Rho Sigma
• Missouri – Eta Mu Sigma(2008), Zeta Sigma(1971)
• Ohio – Alpha Lambda Sigma(1998), Delta Omicron, Epsilon Lambda Sigma, Eta Delta Sigma(2011), Iota Nu Sigma, Iota Theta Sigma
• Wisconsin – Gamma Pi Sigma(2006), Iota Psi Sigma(2021)

Past Central Region Presidents:

• 1976-1979: Adelaide Calhoun, Alpha Upsilon Sigma Philo
• 1979-1982: Kaye Jackson, Delta Sigma Philo
• 1982-1986: Mayola Franklin, Gamma Chi Sigma Philo
• 1986-1989: Ruby Coopwood, Alpha Upsilon Sigma Philo
• 1989-1990: Ruth Tucker, Alpha Sigma Philo
• 1990-1994: Julia Ghee, Zeta Sigma Philo
• 1994-1996: Doris Archie, Alpha Sigma Philo
• 1996-2000: Annie French, Zeta Sigma Philo
• 2000-2004: Gloria Witherspoon, Alpha Upsilon Sigma Philo
• 2004-2006: Jacqueline Johnson, Alpha Upsilon Sigma Philo
• 2006-2010: Annie French, Zeta Sigma Philo
• 2010-2014: Helen Crockett, Alpha Upsilon Sigma Philo
• 2014-2020: Arlecia Stamps, Zeta Sigma Philo
• 2020-2024: Renita Eslick, Alpha Lambda Sigma Philo
• 2024-Present: Erika Jones, Epsilon Nu Sigma Philo

Central Region Philo Coordinators:

• 1964: Sigma Catherine Stewart
• 1998-2000: Sigma Sandra Rule
• 2000-2004: Sigma Deborah Barker Dukes
• 2004-2014: Sigma Karen Bluitt Evans
• 2014-2024: Sigma Linda Brown
• 2024-Present: Sigma Jacki Stennis Moore

Central Region Syntaktes:

• 1974-1978: Sigma Carrie Davis
• 1978-1982: Sigma Aduh Hull
• 1982-1986: Sigma Theonis Guyton
• 1986-1990: Dr. Patricia Daniels
• 1990-1994: Dr. Frances Jackson
• 1994-1998: Sigma Michelle B. Neal
• 1998-2002: Sigma Wanda A. Anthony
• 2004-2005: Sigma TiJauna Ingram
• 2005-2010: Sigma Deborah Catchings Smith
• 2010-2014: Sigma Pamela Kadirifu
• 2014-2016: Sigma Tiffany D. Hightower
• 2016-2020: Sigma Delia A. Harris
• 2020-2024: Sigma Loreal N. Marshall
• 2024-Present: Sigma Nai V. Colton

The Northeastern Region Philos were organized in 1986 under the leadership of Dr. Mynora. J. Bryant, Regional Syntaktes.

• First NER Conference: April 1986, held in Baltimore, MD.
• First Regional President: Philo Shirley W. Brooks of Gamma Omega Sigma Philos (Suffolk, VA) was the first elected regional president. Fun fact: she was instrumental in leading the campaign to drop the word Club out of the Philo name. New chapters of Iota Sigma and Kappa Sigma were formed.
• First Regional Philo Coordinator: Mrs. Mamie Haywood of Beta Lambda Sigma.
• First NER First Lady pageant: 1989, held in Richmond, VA. Philo Yvonne Dixon (Kappa Sigma Philos) was crowned the Lady Philo Queen. She went on to become the first runners up in the National Lady Philo Pageant  held during Boule 1990 in Chicago, IL.
• First Ten Affiliates: At the time of establishment, there were ten active affiliates: Alpha Beta Sigma, Beta Lambda Sigma, Beta Omicron Sigma, Beta Xi Sigma, Delta Beta Sigma, Delta Phi Sigma, Gamma Omega Sigma, Omega Sigma, Phi Sigma, and Zeta Tau Sigma.

Click here to download a comprehensive history of the NorthEastern Region Philo Affiliates.

The Southeast Region Philos were organized March 29, 1975, in Chattanooga, Tennessee under leadership of Mrs. Vernika Silva (Miami, FL), Regional Syntaktes, and Mrs. Vera Mills.

• First Regional President: Dorothy Figierado (Tampa, FL) was the first elected regional president.
• First Regional Philo Coordinator: Mrs. Vera Mills (Tallahassee, FL).
• Philo Deborah Toombs: The current Southeastern Regional President also servers as the National Philo Treasurer.
• 25th Year Celebrations: During the 2000 Southeast Regional Conference, the Philos celebrated their 25th year as affiliates of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Certificates were presented to the active charter members.
• The Southeast Region Philo Affiliates continue to enthusiastically support Sigma Philo goals and programs, as they continue to make a difference by rendering service to this great organization both locally and internationally.

Click here to download a comprehensive history of the Southeastern Region Philo Affiliates.

The Philo Affiliates, friends of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, have a long and illustrious history. In 1943, the Galveston-Houston area of Philos began as the Galveston Comrades. The group was organized under the leadership of Mary Scales-Greenwood, Southwestern Regional Syntaktes, and Basileus Minerva Jones.

• The Sigma Comrades of Gamma Sigma Chapter, Houston: Organized June 10, 1949, under the leadership of several officers in the chapter: Lorene Lancelin, Southwestern Regional Syntaktes, Merle K. Davis, Basileus, Maudest Steward, Parliamentarian, and Ernestine P. Smith.
• Sigma Philos: In 1951, under the auspices of Maudest Steward, Basileus of Gamma Sigma Chapter, the name of the affiliate group was changed, creating Galveston's Alpha Theta Sigma Philos and Houston's Gamma Sigma Philos.
• Philo Pledge: Written by the members of Gamma Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Houston, TX.
• Philo Song: Written by Philo Otis Evelyn Madison, Gamma Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX.
• Induction Ceremony: Written by Ms. Lorene Lancelin, Gamma Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX.
• Philo Prayer: Written by Philo Juanita Delk, Zeta Sigma Philo, St. Louis, MO (Revised, August 1990).
• Southwestern Regional Philo Handbook: Compiled by Mrs. Ida S. Gardner, Philo Coordinator and was adopted by the Philos in Baton Rouge, LA.

Click here to download a comprehensive history of the Southwestern Region Philo Affiliates.

The Western Region Philo Affiliate was established in December, 1952, at the 22nd Boule held in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to this, it was part of the Southwestern Region.

• Far West Region: From 1952-1961, it was called the Far West Region. It wasn’t until the 27th Boule in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that the name was changed to what it is today.
• First Regional Philo Affiliate: The Sigma Sigma Philos were initiated with the Western Region Philos in Los Angeles, CA.
• First Regional Philo Logo: The Western Region was the first region to approve an official Regional Philo Logo.
• First Virtual Regional Conference: During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Western Region became the first region to host a virtual regional conference in May 2020.

Click here to download a comprehensive history of the Western Region Philo Affiliates.