Our Illustrious Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Founders

Alpha Chapter photograph which includes the Founders

Soror Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson. Johnson was a product of the Indianapolis Public School System and received both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Butler University. In 1923, she received her first teaching assignment and over the years she was promoted to principal of one of teh largest elementary schools in Indianapolis. She was also very involved with many clubs and organizations dedicated to community service and retired in 1966.

Soror Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little. Little was raised by a family friend because both of her parents were killed when she was three. She graduated from Shortridge High School in 1915 and received a diploma from the Indianapolis Normal School in 1918 when she began teaching. In 1928, Little moved to Los Angeles with her husband and finished her undergraduate training at UCLA. She taught in the Los Angeles school system until her retirement in 1967. Soror Allison is the primary Founder and first Grand Basileus!1925-1926).

Soror Vivian White Marbury. Marbury attended Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School. She received a B.S. from Butler University and a Master's from Columbia University in New York City. Her professional career included teaching at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Director of Practice Traning of teachers from Butler University, Indianapolis University and Indianapolis State University. She taught in the Indianapolis school system for nine years. Marbury organized Public School 87 which grew from a 4 room portable school to 18 rooms and 24 teachers, where she was principal for 39 years until her retirement in 1967. She married in 1929 and is the mother of two children. Soror Marbur is the last living Founder and is still active in the Sorority (SEE PIC BELOW).

Soror Bessie M. Downey Rhoades Martin. Martin was the youngest of six children and attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual Training High School and City Teachers Normal. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the Sorority.

Soror Cubena McClure. McClure graduated from Shortridge High School, the Indianapolis City Normal School and attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland,Ohio. She won the Gregg Scholarship which she planned to use to attend Columbia University, but due to illness she could not accept the scholarship. McClure was talented in art and helped to design the Sorority pin. She died very young on August 24,1924.

Soror Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford. Redford graduated from South Bend Central High School cum laude, from Indiana State Teachers College with a B.S., and Butler University with an M.S. She also studied at Western Reserve inCleveland and Indiana University Extension. She taught one year in Terra Haute, and thirty-seven years in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was Grand Epistoleus, Grand Tamiochus, Financial Consultant and received various awards and honors from the Sorority. Plaques are awared in Redford's name at each Boule for exhibits for chapter achievements.

Soror Dorothy Hanley Whiteside. Whiteside graduated from Shortridge High School and entered the Indianapolis Normal School. In 1922, when in training as a cadet teacher, she met the teachers who became her best friends and Founders of the Sorority. She taught school until 1951 when she retired and later helped her husband to develop a business. She also started her won millinery business and worked with her church and various organizations. After the death of her husband, she ran their business from 1955-1957 and returned to teaching in 1959 where she remained until her retirement in 1970.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR LAST LIVING FOUNDER

SOROR VIVIAN WHITE MARBURY

Picture was taken at our 75th Boule in 1996