History

National Service Sorority is attributed to the women of Drexel Institute
of Technology, a local service sorority known as Gamma Sigma Sigma.
After searching for other groups having similar ideals and purposes,
the Drexel group discovered the Omega Service Sorority at Boston
University and Women's Service Organization at New York University.
After periodic informal contacts and information exchanges about their
local organizations, the three groups determined they had nearly identical
ideas, service programs and ideals. A Constructional Convention was
scheduled to establish formal ties and form a National Service Sorority.

The Constitutional Convention was held at Beekman Towers in New
York City, October 10-12 1952. Representatives attended the meeting
from Boston University, Brooklyn College, Drexel Institute of Technology,
Los Angeles City College, New York University, Queens College, University
of Houston and Miami University of Florida. During these three days,
a national constitution was drafted and adopted, officers were elected
(Barbara Van Sciver Ferraro from Drexel was the first National President)
and a name was selected for the new National Service Sorority. The date
commemorating the Constitutional convention. October 12, is designated

The organization of groups which formed Gamma Sigma Sigma as a

Founder's Day for our sorority.

Selection of a name proved difficult for the organizations attending the
Constitutional Convention and the results proved to be a model of
diplomacy. Consideration was given to two names: Gamma Sigma Sigma,
the name of the Drexel group, and Alpha Gamma Chi, the name used by
Los Angeles City College and the University of Houston for their two
chapter "national" organization. The name Gamma Sigma Sigma was
adopted and the official pin and other symbols used by Alpha Gamma
Chi were adopted as the official insignia of the sorority, with some small
alterations for the new name.

Members of Brooklyn College requested that maroon and white be
established as the colors of Gamma Sigma Sigma. These colors
identified their organization on campus and maroon and white were
accepted as the official sorority colors. Lastly, each group expressed
a preference for a chapter designation. each chapter was named with
a letter from the first eight letters of the Greek Alphabet. Consequently,
as each new chapter is chartered, it is awarded a Greek letter
designation in Greek alphabetical order.

Since the founding chapters did not have sufficient time during the
first Constitutional Convention to adopt ceremonies, the assignment
was given to the members of the Drexel group (Zeta chapter). Pledge,
Initiation and Officer Installation ceremonies were to be written which
reflected a combination of the ceremonies used by all the founding
chapters. The National Constitution went into effect on January 1, 1953.

Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, continues to make an

enormous impact on campuses and communities nationwide, carrying

on a tradition of Unity in Service. Each year, sorority members contribute

thousands of hours to unlimited projects across the country, reporting

millions of hours throughout its history. 

The Alpha Iota chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma was established in 1964

and is the University of Minnesota Duluth's only National Service Sorority. 

It is also UMD's oldest Sorority on Campus.