Senate Resolution No. 481

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual EmpoWOMENt forum on
March 11, 2023

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Sigma
Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
EmpoWOMENt forum on Saturday, March 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November
12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven young educators, Mary Lou
Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian Irene White
Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford,
Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure; and

WHEREAS, The group became an incorporated national collegiate
sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to the Alpha
chapter at Butler University; since its inception, the dynamic women of
Sigma Gamma Rho have built and sustained a well-known and well-respected
reputation for leading positive change to help uplift the community
through sisterhood, leadership, and service; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate
and professional women from every profession, and has more than 500
chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South
Korea, United States Virgin Islands, and the United Arab Emirates; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its
slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress."; the sorority has a proud
history of providing positive and proactive community outreach
nationally and internationally through various programs, partnerships,
and sponsorships which represent their commitment to promoting the
greater good in education, service, and leadership development; and

WHEREAS, The Women's Wellness Initiative is a consolidated effort
that allows chapters to focus on health issues that impact women,
specifically, women of color; acceptable educational and programmatic
efforts under this Initiative include, but are not limited to, Breast
Cancer Awareness, Intimate and Domestic Violence, Heart Health, Diabetes
Health, and Mental Health; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Sigma Gamma Rho has strived to
encourage women to maintain a healthy lifestyle and minimize health
risks; empower women to make informed decisions about their physical,

mental, and emotional health; and ensure there is a representative
number of African American women in health studies; and

WHEREAS, The success of Sigma Gamma Rho is in direct correlation to
the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
the institution and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its
Annual EmpoWOMENt forum on March 11, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.