About
Sigma Phi Omega History
Sigma Phi Omega was founded at the University of Southern California in 1949, and is the oldest Asian-American sorority at USC and third oldest in the United States. It was originally established as a social organization for Asian and Asian-American female membership. Although once thought to be only open to those of Japanese descent, this was not so, although membership ended up being primarily Japanese due to the large percentage of Japanese within the Asian student population at USC post-WWII. There was a lot of anti-Asian sentiment left behind by World War II, which had ended in 1945. In its early beginnings, the founding mothers of Sigma Phi Omega were invited by Chi Alpha Delta, an Asian-American sorority from UCLA, to become one of their chapters. (Chi Alpha Delta had been chartered in 1928 at UCLA, but was rendered inactive between 1942 and 1945 because the majority of its members were unable to attend UCLA due to World War II. After the end of the war, the sorority was reorganized in 1946.) Our sorority has helped young women adjust to college life for over fifty years. College is a time for new faces, endeavors, and experiences. Among this whirlwind of unfamiliarity, being in a sorority can help brighten your path and put things into perspective. It provides a base for lasting friendships and memories, learning about leadership, giving back to the community, and most importantly, enhancing your experience as an Asian-American student and the journey you will take while discovering yourself. Sigma Phi Omega prides itself for its diversity in membership as we embrace the unique qualities and gifts that each person brings to our organization.