About Us : Chapter History

In the Fall of 1996, nine young women from Cal, unable to find what they were looking for in the existing organizations on campus, took it upon themselves to establish one of their own. They sought an organization of diversity, leadership, and lasting friendships. Eventually these nine young women became the Charter Class of Sigma Phi Omega at UC Berkeley

They traveled up and down the California coast that Fall, learning the traditions of the sorority from Sigma Phi Omega's chapters at USC and San Diego State. At the same time, they began meeting and introducing themselves to the other Greek organizations both on and off of the Cal campus, gaining respect for their growing sisterhood and garnering support for themselves.

After successfully completing their new member period the following semester, these nine young women chartered the Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega at UC Berkeley on April 5, 1997. In the years that followed, the women of Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, Kappa and Lambda class were also crossed into the sisterhood, working to keep Sigma traditions alive while proving their love and commitment to the organization.

Sigma Phi Omega actively seeks motivated, goal-oriented, good-hearted young women to take part in our traditions. We encourage those interested in pursuing our sisterhood to come to our annual Rush during the first few weeks of every Fall semester.