A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE the zeta theta chapter of sigma gamma rho sorority, inc. UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS fiftieth ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND the zeta theta chapter FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE university of south carolina COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize the Zeta Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at the University of South Carolina as it celebrates this important milestone on February 24, 2024; and

Whereas, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is a historically African American sorority, international collegiate, and non-profit community service organization. The sorority was founded on November 12, 1922, and has welcomed more than one hundred thousand collegiate and professional women from every profession. The sorority has more than five hundred chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, the 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 locally, nationally, and internationally; and

Whereas, the Zeta Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho was chartered on February 24, 1974 on the campus of the University of South Carolina by seventeen young, budding, professional ladies seeking an organization that exemplified finer womanhood. Those young ladies, "Togetherness Personified," were Sammyette Wilson Jones, Carol Ann Workman Chun, Harriett McCombs, Bobbie Jean Anderson, Sara Rebecca (Becky) Dewitt, Jamella Davis Williams, Johnnie Deas, Barbara Eikner Thompson, Doris Johnson Brown, Jackie Knight Love, Brenda Pressley Purviance, Marilyn Banner-Alston, Stuwaskee Broadnax Hankinson, Gail McMorris Graham, JoAnn Dozier Edmonds, Sandra Fowler, and Lenore Counts. They were assisted by Yolanda "Yogi" Baxter and by members of the Beta Epsilon Sigma Graduate Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. of Columbia; and

Whereas, some notable alumni members of the Zeta Theta Chapter include Past International Grand Basileus Joann Gary Loveless, renowned actress Brenda Pressley Purviance, City of Aiken councilwoman and USC's second African American homecoming queen Gale Bush Diggs; and

Whereas, the Zeta Theta Chapter is involved in several outreach efforts in the local community, including the sorority's Project CRADLE care initiative, hosting a community baby shower to distribute necessary items to new or expecting mothers, fundraising for the St. Jude Children's Hospital, hosting a Pantry Goods Drive, and many other community projects; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment of the Zeta Theta Chapter to serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the Zeta Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. upon the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary and commend the Zeta Theta Chapter for its many years of dedicated service to the University of South Carolina community and the people and the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the members of the Zeta Theta Chapter.

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