Sigma Theta Tau was founded in 1922 by six nursing students at Indiana University. Mary Tolle, Edith Moore, Marie Hippensteel, Dorothy Garrigus, Elizabeth Russell and Elizabeth McWilliams wanted to advance the status of nursing as a profession and recognized the value of scholarship and the importance of excellence in practice.
In 1936, Sigma Theta Tau was the first organization in the U.S. to fund nursing research. In 1978 the Founders Awards were initiated with an award named after each of the founding members. The society became incorporated in 1985 as Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc., to support and connect the global community of nursing scholars who enhance healthcare worldwide.
The society is a not-for-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status. With 120,000 active members, it is the second largest nursing organization in the world. Members are active in more than 90 countries and territories, and the 406 chapters are located on 503 colleges and university campuses in the US and countries including Canada, Hong Kong, Pakistan, South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan.
In the fall of 1972 a group of students, alumni and faculty at SDSU identified the need to develop a communication link between all these groups as well as a way of promoting professional nursing in the San Diego area. Student Mary Meiners and faculty Anne Verderber, Myrna Ford, and Dianne Koporwitz contacted Sigma Theta Tau for information on chapter development. Organizational meetings were held in 1972 and 1973 Gamma Gamma chapter was initially started as the Collegiate Nurses Honor Society of San Diego State University in the fall of 1973 with 15 members and held its first induction of new members in the spring of 1974. This organization qualified for recognition as a Sigma Theta Tau chapter and was chartered as Gamma Gamma Chapter at the biennial convention in November 1975. Sister Rosemary Donley represented the national organization at the chartering ceremony on April 30,1976. There were 76 charter members.
Gamma Gamma chapter organized a consortium of local nursing organizations and the League of Women Voters to sponsor Meet the Candidate (later named Health Issues Forum) events with candidates for local elective office every other year from 1982-1994. Chapter activities since 1996 have included selection of an annual community service project for financial or other support. This has included support of women's shelters, women's HIV programs, women inmates counseling programs, and rape counseling and treatment programs. Educational programs are offered to both members and nurses in the San Diego Community at least twice annually.
To view current STTI bylaws.
Learn about Gamma Gamma chapter's involvement in International Activities.
To view Past and Current Gamma Gamma Presidents and Gamma Ray Editors.
To view Archives.
Copyright © 2002 Gamma Gamma chapter, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc.