Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) known informally as the Divine Nine, has unveiled a historic pledge to raise $2 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® by 2028. This new commitment comes just a year after Sigma Gamma Rho became the first NPHC sorority to pledge and successfully donate $1 million to advance work by St. Jude to raise survival rates for children with diseases such as cancer and sickle cell disease.
This announcement follows the sorority’s 60th International Biennial Boule in Houston, TX where Sigma Gamma Rho elected its new International President, Marica T. Harris. With over 25 years of experience across women's empowerment, youth development, political advocacy, and leadership development, Harris will lead the organization and its fundraising efforts for St. Jude.
“Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is proud to further support the incredible work of St. Jude. It is with immense pride in service to this cause that we make this commitment to help advance global survival rates for children everywhere with catastrophic diseases,” said Harris. “The progress St. Jude has made for sickle cell patients is inspiring and we look forward to helping continue those advances. We recognize and support how St. Jude embodies our motto, “Greater Service, Greater Progress,” for children everywhere. Its internationally impactful work is deeply meaningful to us and our sorors, who aim to help women and their families reach their full potential.”
“I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering dedication of our partner, Sigma Gamma Rho, which made history last year as the first sorority in the National Pan-Hellenic Council to raise $1 million for the kids of St. Jude and has now committed to doubling that impact in the years ahead,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The outstanding leaders and members of Sigma Gamma Rho are helping save the lives of children across the globe. I look forward to all we can achieve together as we strive toward a world in which no child dies in the dawn of life.”
For more than 60 years, St. Jude has been researching, understanding and improving standards of care for people with cancer, sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases. Support from organizations like Sigma Gamma Rho helps ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live.
About Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis by seven African-American women educators. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession. The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Ghana, Germany, Japan, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Arab Emirates. The organization also has active affiliate groups devoted to empowering women at different stages in life. The Rhosebud Club (pre-teen girls), Rhoer Club (teenage girls) and Philo Club Affiliates (friends of the sorority) also assist chapters with various service efforts and programs.
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. The programs, partnerships, and sponsorships represent Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to promoting the greater good in education, service, and leadership development.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered largely incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.