Phi Sigma Sigma

Phi Sigma Sigma continues to be a proud, strong member of the Greek community because our Founders were leaders of their time, who developed a mission to perpetuate the advancement of womanhood. They believed that women of different faiths could come together and work toward common goals. They established the ideals that endure today and are upheld by Phi Sigma Sigma collegians and alumnae bound by the strength of sisterhood. Our Founders charted the course for milestones that have enabled Phi Sigma Sigma to prosper. Membership in Phi Sigma Sigma remains a lifelong, meaningful experience for women with like values.

The early 1900's were turbulent times. Racial vindictiveness emerged as a result of earlier waves of emigration, and divisions developed along religious, ethnic, and economic lines. The city of New York was seen as a cauldron for social change.

In 1913, our Founders — 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 in New York City with a vision. They wanted to start a sorority that would promote open membership to all women of character regardless of background; a sorority committed to sisterhood, excellence in scholarship, and selfless giving.

On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born, unobtrusively, without the thought of expansion. It was the first nonsectarian sorority; the only one that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in scripture. Under the leadership of Fay Chertkoff (our first chapter archon), Alpha Chapter was installed at Hunter College.

The Founders first objective was to establish the twin ideals - “The brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world’s pain.” Each woman extended herself to her greatest capacity to live up to the standards the group chose. They attained high scholastic standing, developed intense bonds, and each served in philanthropic activities, donating to a variety of charities consistent with Phi Sigma Sigma's twin ideals and nonsectarian trait.

Three new members were accepted into Phi Sigma Sigma during the first year: Bert Markowitz Goldstein, Bell Heyman Hoffman, and Leontine Friedman. For five years, Alpha Chapter continued locally. When a friend of Rose Sher who attended Tufts College contacted her with interest in the sorority, expansion became a reality. In 1918, the Founders installed Beta Chapter at Tufts College in Boston, and Gamma Chapter at New York University.

1918 was also the year of our first National Convention held in New York City. Fay Chertkoff was elected Phi Sigma Sigma’s first grand archon. Representatives from Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Chapters met, promulgated the original Phi Sigma Sigma Constitution, and elected the first Supreme Council. This included Fay Chertkoff as grand archon, Ethel Gordon Kraus as grand vice archon, Shirley Cohen Laufer Goldstein as national tribune, and Estelle Melnick Cole as national bursar. This Supreme Council served from 1918-1920.

Today Phi Sigma Sigma maintains 110 healthy, active collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Lillian Gordon Alpern	Claire Wunder McArdle
Ethel Gordon Kraus	Estelle Melnick Cole
Josephine Ellison Breakstone	Rose Sher Seidman
Shirley Cohen Laufer	Jeanette Lipka Furst
Fay Chertkoff	Gwen Zaliels Snyder

Josephine Ellison Breakstone — worked as a schoolteacher and was married. Josephine lived in New York City until her death.

Estelle Melnick Cole — worked as a hospital volunteer in New York while taking courses in languages and the arts. Estelle served as an interpreter for her husband while they traveled extensively around the world. They later moved to Harrison, New York, where she resided until her death.

Fay Chertkoff — worked as a teacher throughout her full and interesting life. She is responsible for writing most of the Fraternity's rituals. Fay served as a national officer for many years.

Gwen Zaliels Snyder — graduated from Hunter College and taught school before marrying. She later had one daughter and became a textile designer, branching into private interior designing.

Ethel Gordon Kraus — married and had two children, one a member of Phi Sigma Sigma. She had five grandchildren and remained a member of the Godmother’s League and the Hattie Bondy Scholarship Fund. Her hobbies included bridge, theater, and gardening. Ethel passed away in 1984 in New York City.

Rose Sher Seidman — married and had two sons and seven grandchildren. Rose taught school from 1915-17 before returning to teach at a private school in 1940, where she stayed for ten years. She sponsored extracurricular activities including social dance and puppetry. Rose originally desired to be a dancer/actress when that profession was not highly regarded. Later in life she studied new modern math and attended a workshop for use of audio-visual materials. She traveled throughout Europe, Iceland, the Caribbean, and the United States. In November 1987 Rose passed away in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Jeanette Lipka Furst — graduated from public high school at age 11 and entered college at age 15 to become the youngest member of Phi Sigma Sigma. She graduated from Hunter College in three years at age 18. Jeanette taught fifth grade and later earned her doctorate in audio-visual education and communications.

Lillian Gordon Alpern — born in New York City, the youngest child in a family of six; she followed in her only sister’s footsteps and attended Hunter College. While a junior, Lillian met Charles Alpern and left school to marry. She was the first Founder to pass away, in 1945.

Shirley Cohen Laufer and Claire Wunder McArdle — unfortunately, we have no information about these founders.

Phi Sigma Sigma was incorporated in 1913 in New York City. The original name of the Fraternity was Phi Sigma Omega, until, when trying to have it incorporated, the Founders learned that the name was already being used by another Greek letter society.

Expansion continued throughout the 1920s with the establishment of Delta and Epsilon Chapters at Buffalo University and Adelphi College respectively.

Phi Sigma Sigma became a true national sorority when Zeta Chapter was installed in 1921 at the University of California at Los Angeles. Phi Sigma Sigma was also UCLA’s first national sorority.

Eta Chapter at the University of Michigan, was established in 1922, and Theta Chapter at the University of Illinois, founded in 1923, introduced our ideals to mid-west campuses.

The Sphinx, our national magazine, made its appearance in 1926, serving to bring Phi Sigma Sigma’s widely dispersed chapters closer together.

Reflecting the expansion of the twenties and the widespread geographical distribution of our chapters, a regional administration system was developed, grouping chapters into geographical divisions managed by Division Presidents who reported to the national Director of Undergraduates.

The first National Song, called “The Hymn,” was written by Pearl S. Lippman (Alpha, ’21) and her husband, Arthur.

In 1930, Phi Sigma Sigma became an international sorority with the founding of Upsilon Chapter at the University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.

Following the election of the first Supreme Council, the national headquarters of Phi Sigma Sigma resided at the home of the national tribune, a member of Supreme Council. The headquarters moved with the placement of each new tribune.

Phi Sigma Sigma’s first double letter guard, signifying the beginning of the Greek alphabet, was granted to Beta Alpha Chapter at the University of Maryland in 1936.

In 1943, the name of the national headquarters was changed to Central Office and the first Executive Secretary was hired. Esther Malter became Phi Sigma Sigma’s first paid staff member.

Expansion in the forties concluded with the installation of three southern chapters in 1947 — Beta Theta at the University of Miami, Beta Iota at Southern Methodist University, and Beta Kappa at Florida Southern University.

At the 25th Convention in June 1950 in Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, a new design for the Phi Sigma Sigma badge was adopted. The badge had remained unchanged since our founding.

In 1951, Phi Sigma Sigma became a member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Clarisse Harrison Markowitz served as the first NPC Delegate.

The Phi Sigma Sigma Cardiology Laboratory was established at Yeshiva University Medical School in New York City in 1957. Phi Sigma Sigma presented a $20,000 grant to establish the laboratory.

Our first traveling secretary (now called a chapter consultant), Meriam Lipkind, began to visit chapters in 1958.

Phi Sigma Sigma celebrated its Golden Anniversary at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City in 1963.

In 1966, Leadership Training School (LTS) was introduced by past Grand Archon Jeanine Jacobs Goldberg (Nu ’60, University of Pennsylvania). LTS is held on a national basis in years when there is not a national convention to meet the training and informational needs of the collegiate chapters, alumnae chapters and national personnel.

With the separation of Hunter College’s two campuses in June 1968, our founding chapter also divided. Alpha Alpha was installed at the new Herbert Lehman College in the Bronx, while Alpha Chapter remained on Hunter College’s Park Avenue campus.

In 1969, in an effort to provide greater focus on the philanthropic activities of Phi Sigma Sigma, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation was created.

At the 1971 convention, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) was adopted as the Fraternity’s official philanthropic cause.

The 1980s were a time of prosperity for Phi Sigma Sigma. In 1981, Phi Sigma Sigma added eight new chapters.

Phi Sigma Sigma assumed a seat on the executive council of the National Panhellenic Conference in 1985, 34 years after becoming a member.

In September 1989, Central Office moved to Boca Raton, Florida.

In 1991 past Grand Archon Louise Kriegsman Kier (Zeta ’72, University of California Los Angeles) accepted the chairmanship of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).

The National Make a Difference Day Award was presented to Phi Sigma Sigma in 1999, in recognition of our commitment to volunteer service and community involvement.

In 2004, Central Office moved to new headquarters in Elkridge, Maryland.