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Founders Creed
To you, Founders' of Phi Sigma Sigma, who gave us being and meaning on the twenty-sixth of November, in the year of 1913, we dedicate anew your fraternity in its present extent. To the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain, twin ideals which drew you together, we repledge ourselves with new fervor. Witness to your reverence of the goal you set for us, this day shall see a nationwide votary, when all chapters of Phi Sigma Sigma shall do homage unto you and shall devote themselves in act and in belief to the selfless giving which knows no creed.

H I S T O R Y
In 1913, when college was primarily for wealthy men, academic women were a new breed and skirt lengths were no higher than six inches above the floor. In this climate, ten Hunter High School lunchmates, commited to strength in friendship and the act of giving, founded Phi Sigma Sigma at Hunter College in New York City.
There were several sororities at Hunter College in 1913, including Gamma Tau Kappa, Omega Iota, Phi Sigma Psi, Epsilon Phi, Omega Theta Pi, J.A.P., Pi Sigma, Kappa Delta, Sigma Phi Omega, Phi Delta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Gamma, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Pi Delta Theta, and Zeta Pi. The Hunter College Panhellenic Council was founded in 1912, just one year before Phi Sigma Sigma was founded.
The Founders of Phi Sigma Sigma came from a variety of religious and socio-economic backgrounds. They wished to stay together as the group they had become while still in high school, but found that because of their varied backgrounds they all could not join one of the existing sororities on campus. Lillian Gordon, Ethel Gordon, Josephine Ellison, Shirley Cohen, Fay Chertkoff, Claire Wunder, Estelle Melnick, Rose Sher, Jeanette Lipka and Gwen " Rae" Zaliels approached the dean of women at Hunter College and inquired about starting their own sorority, one that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background.
Upon the leadership of Faye Chertkoff, the first Archon of the Alpha Chapter, the Founders obtained permission and Phi Sigma Sigma was born on November 26, 1913. Quietly, unobtrusively, and without thought of expansion. Phi Sigma Sigma was the FIRST non-sectarian sorority, the only one open to DIVERSE membership from its inception with a ritual not based in scripture. First in the minds of these ten women were the twin ideals which endure today. To the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world's pain, each Founder extended herself to her fullest capacity to live up to the mottoes the group chose.
The Fraternity's symbols were chosen because they were appealing to the Founders. It is said that Shirley Cohen Laufer chose the Sphinx because historically it was a mythological figure of mystery and secrecy for women. The American Beauty Rose was chosen beacuse of its statuesque beauty, and because of the balance of sharp thorns and soft petals. The First ritual was written by Fay Chertkoff, Gwen Zalies Snyder and Estelle Melnick Cole, who literally locked themselves in a room together to write it. Gwen Zalies Snyder designed the familiar sapphire-eyes Sphinxhead pin.
Thus laid the foundation and planted the seeds which enabled Phi Sigma Sigma to grow and blossom into a garden of roses spead across North America and Canada. Clearly, as Phi Sigma Sigma prospers today, the Fraternity is as meaningful and exciting as it was on the day it was founded.
OUR BELOVED FOUNDERS
Josephine Ellison Breakstone
A school teacher, lived in New York City until the time of her death.
Estelle Melnick Cole
Worked as a hospital volunteer in New York while teaking courses in languages and the arts; served as an interpreter for her husband while they traveled extensively around the world; later moved to Harrison, NY where she resided until her death.
Fay Chertkoff
Worked as a school teacher; first Grand Archon of Phi Sigma Sigma
Gwen Zaliels Snyder
Graduated from Hunter and taught school before marrying and having one daughter; became a textile designer and branched into interior designing for private homes.
Ethel Gordon Kraus
Married and had two children, remained a member of the Godmother's league and the Hattie Bondy Scholarship fund; died in NY in 1986.
Rose Sher Siedman
She taught school from 1915-17 before returning to teach at private school in 1940, where she stayed for 10 yrs. Traveled extensively in Europe, Iceland, the Carribean and the US, died November 1987.
Jeanette Lipka Furst
Graduated from public high school at the age of 11 and entered college at 15 to become the youngest member of Phi Sigma Sigma; graduated from Hunter College in three years at the age of 18; taught fifth grade and later earned her doctorate in audio-visual education and communications.
Lilian Gordon Alpern
Younger sister of Ethel Gordon Kraus; in her junior year at Hunter College met Charles Alpern and left the school to marry; was the first founder to pass away in 1945.
Unfortuately, we have no information of Shirley Cohen Laufer and Claire Wunder McArdle.
Copyright 1998-99 Gamma Sigma Chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University
Created by Nepthys

Email: phisigmasigma@hotmail.com