Founders
of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Soror Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little was born and reared in Indianapolis, Indiana, by a dear friend of the family, Mrs. Katie Johnson. Both of her parents died when she was three years old. She graduated from Clemmon Vonnegut School No. 9 in June 1911, after which she entered high school and at the same time attended John Herron Art Institute on a scholarship; graduated form Shortridge High School in June, 1915; attended the Indianapolis Normal School, receiving her diploma in June, 1918. From then until 1925, she taught in Indianapolis.

In 1922 a group of her best friends gathered at her home and discussed formation of the sorority, to encourage teachers to go beyond their normal school training and get degrees in order to do a better job with the boys and girls whom they taught. Their dream became reality on November 13, 1922. At Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's first Boule in 1925, Soror Little was elected the first Balileus; she was acting Basileus until then.

Soror Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson was born and reared in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a product of the Indianapolis public schools, holding diplomas form Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School. She received both BS and MS degrees form Butler University in Indianapolis.

In September 1923, she received her first teaching assignment in a third grade, and it was soon proved that her choice of a profession had indeed been a wise one. As the years passed, her success grew. She was chosen to be a critic teacher. Her next promotion was to an assistant principalship, and after a few years she was appointed principal of one of the largest elementary schools in Indianapolis at that time.

Soror Vivian White MarburyBorn in Oxford, Ohio, attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School. She received a BS from Butler University and a Master's from Columbia University in New York City. Her professional career included teaching at Moorehouse 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. Marbury organized Public School 87 which grew from a 4 room portable school to 18 rooms and 24 teachers, where she was principal for 39 years until her retirement in 1967. She married in 1929 and was the mother of two children.

Soror Bessie Downey Rhoades Martin was the youngest of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. George Downey on July 12, 1900, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She attended grade school in Indianapolis and graduated from Manual Training High School and City Teachers Normal. At an early age she joined the First Baptist Church.

In her early teaching days, she stayed at home and took care of her mother who had worked very hard in order to give Bessie an education. Soon after Bessie got her first position, her mother died.

Bessie taught school for about 25 years at School No. 4. Married twice, she was a devoted wife and a conscientious worker in school and the Sorority until she joined Omega Rho.

Soror Cubena McClure graduated form Shortridge High School in Indianapolis and Indianapolis City Normal School; attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, for two summers, won the Gregg Scholarship which was given by the Board of School Commissioners to the teacher who was very efficient and showed evidence of becoming a better teacher with additional training. Her plan was to attend Columbia University, but she became ill and could not accept the scholarship.

Cubena taught school for three years at Schools Nos. 26 and 24. She was a brilliant student and teacher; she was talented in art, and in 1924 was selected as one of the five teachers to teach at School No. 24 in a special supervisory project.

Soror McClure helped to design our Sorority's pin, Death came to her on August 24, 1924.

Soror Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redfordgraduated from South Bend Central High School cum laude, from Indiana State Teachers College with a BS and Butler University with a Masters.

She also studied at Western Reserve in Cleveland and Indiana University Extension. She taught on year in Terra Haute, and 37 years in Indianapolis, IN. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, and Financial Consultant and received various awards from the Sorority. Plaques are awarded in Redford’s name at each Boule for the best exhibits for chapter achievements.

Soror Dorothy Hanley Whitesidegraduated 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 1955-57 and returned to teaching in 1959 where she remained until her retirement in 1970.


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