Sigma Kappa

History

Colby College in Waterville, Maine was the first college in New England to admit women on an equal basis with men. In 1871, Mary Caffrey Low became the first female student at Colby. For two years, she was the only woman at the school. Two years later, in 1873, four more young women from Maine, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Fuller, Frances Mann and Louise Helen Coburn were admitted to Colby. Being the only women in the college, the five of them found themselves together frequently. In 1873-74, the five young women decided to form a literary and social society. They were instructed by the college administration that they would need to present a constitution and bylaws with a petition requesting permission to form Sigma Kappa Sorority. They began work during that year and on November 9, 1874, the five young women received a letter from the faculty approving their petition. They sought for and received permission to form a sorority with the intent for the organization to become national.

Related Topics:
Colby College - Mary Caffrey Low - Elizabeth Gorham Hoag - Ida Fuller - Frances Mann - Louise Helen Coburn - November 9 - 1874

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The Zeta Chapter of The George Washington University in Washington, DC, remains the oldest existing chapter, founded on November 5, 1905.

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