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Gamma Gamma Chi

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Gamma Gamma Chi
ΓΓΧ
FoundedApril 3, 2005; 20 years ago (April 3, 2005)
Greensboro, North Carolina
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisCultural interest - Islam
ScopeNational
Motto"Striving for the Pleasure of Allah through Sisterhood, Scholarship, Leadership, and Community Service"
Colors  Lavender and   Emerald Green
FlowerWater lily
JewelAmethyst
MascotBee
Chapters1 active, 7 chartered
Members61+ lifetime
HeadquartersGreensboro, North Carolina
United States

Gamma Gamma Chi (ΓΓΧ) is an American community-based service sorority that is Islamic based. It was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2005. It was the first Islamic sorority to be established in the United States.

History

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Gamma Gamma Chi was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina, on April 3, 2005, by Guilford College student Imani Canty and her mother Althia Ali, former president of Bennett College.[1][2][3][4] The sorority's purpose is to promote a positive image of Muslim women and Islam in general.[4] It was the first Islamic sorority to be established in the United States.[3][5][6]

The sorority's National Grand chapter was established on November 13, 2005, in Alexandria, Virginia.[4][3][6] Gamma Gamma Chi was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on July 21, 2005.[7] Initially, the sorority investigated forming chapters at universities.[8][5][2][9] However, it instead formed community-based chapters that invited prospective members from multiple universities and the broader community.[6] By 2010, Gamma Gamma Chi had chartered five chapters.[6]

In July 2012, Gamma Gamma Chi had chartered six chapters and inducted 61 members.[7] The sorority held its first national gathering, GammaFest, in Ellicott City, Maryland, from April 6 to 8, 2007.[10] However, the sorority's membership declined, and Gamma Gamma Chi became defunct in 2015.[7]

A group of members started meeting in November 2023 to reform the sorority.[7] Gamma Gamma Chi was reincorporated in the State of North Carolina in 2025.[7] On February 2, 2025, Chi chapter was established as a national and governing chapter of Gamma Gamma Chi.[7] In April 2025, members met in Charlotte, North Carolina, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the sorority.[7]

Symbols

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The Greek letters Gamma Gamma Chi were selected to represent the Greek words gynaikes (woman), ge (death), and chronon (years or time), from the phrase "Women on earth for a period of time”, which fits with Islamic teachings.[5][11] Gamma Gamma Chi's motto is "Striving for the Pleasure of Allah through Sisterhood, Scholarship, Leadership, and Community Service".[4][7] Based on Islam's Five Pillars, the sorority's six gold pillars are Islamic awareness and involvement, educational development, economic development and indigent support, environmental awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and social awareness and involvement.[2][12]

The sorority's colors are lavender and emerald green.[6][7] These were chosen because Lavender symbolizes peace and green was Muhammad's favorite color.[6][13] Its flower is the water lily, selected because it flourishes in difficult, uninhabitable surroundings.[1][6] Its jewel is the amethyst.[7][14] Its mascot is the bee.[7][14]

The sorority has a special handshake.[3]

Activities

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Chapters volunteer and help with fundraising activities for charitable organizations.[6] Members also come together to observe holy days.[6] Because of its members' commitment to Islam, sorority events do not include alcohol or casual socializing with men.[1][6]

Membership

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Membership in Gamma Gamma Chi is open to Muslim women and non-Muslim women who support the sorority's purpose.[1][2][5]

Chapters

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Following are the chapters of Gamma Gamma Chi, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.[7][15][16][17]

Chapter Charter date and range Area served Location Status References
Alpha April 23, 2006 – c. 2015 Metro Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia Inactive [4][18][a]
Beta July 22, 2006 – c. 2015 Washington metropolitan area Silver Spring, Maryland Inactive [6][19][20][21]
Gamma April 8, 2007 – c. 2010 Piedmont Triad Greensboro, North Carolina Inactive [22][23]
Delta May 26, 2007 – c. 2010 Chicago metropolitan area Chicago, Illinois Inactive [6][18][24]
Epsilon June 17, 2007 – c. 2015 Philadelphia metro area Elkins Park, Pennsylvania Inactive [6][18][25][26]
Zeta July 1, 2012 – c. 2015 Newark metropolitan area Newark, New Jersey Inactive [27][17][b]
Chi February 2, 2025 United States Virtual Active
  1. ^ This chapter included American Intercontinental University, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Perimeter College, Spelman College, and Troy State University.
  2. ^ Chapter served Northern New Jersey and the five Boroughs of New York City.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kinzie, Susan (May 20, 2006). "Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority Welcomes Young Women With Islamic Beliefs". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  2. ^ a b c d "Greek Life and the Muslim Girl". www.beliefnet.com. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  3. ^ a b c d Anna, Cara (November 26, 2005). "First Muslim Sorority Founded". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e "About Us". Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  5. ^ a b c d "Women start 1st Islamic sorority". The Washington Times. January 4, 2006. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Diamond, Laura (January 11, 2010). "Muslim women embrace sorority". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. pp. D1, D7. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "20th Anniversary Commemorative Book Volume 1: Returning to the Hive". Flipbook.net. Charlotte, North Carolina: Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. April 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Kinzie, Susan (May 20, 2006). "Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority Welcomes Young Women With Islamic Beliefs". The Ledger. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  9. ^ Adams, Kathleen (December 14, 2005). "Drive for an Islamic Sorority at U. of Kentucky". NPR. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "First GammaFest held April 6–8 in Maryland". Gamma News. Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority Inc. May 2007. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008.
  11. ^ "The Meaning of Our Letters, Gamma Gamma Chi". Gamma News. Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. October 2007. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008.
  12. ^ "Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority (2006)". Pluralism Project Archive. Harvard University. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  13. ^ Jarvie, Jarvie (2005-12-18). "Muslim Ideal Are Cornerstone for New Sorority". Sunday News. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. p. 80. Retrieved 2024-10-16 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "About Gamma Gamma Chi". Alpha Chapter of Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  15. ^ "Chapters". Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  16. ^ "Chapters". Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on 2014-01-13. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  17. ^ a b "Contact Us". Epsilon Chapter of Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  18. ^ a b c Neroulias, Nicole (2010-03-21). "Muslim, Jewish Students Explore Greek Life". The Sunday Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. 66. Retrieved 2024-10-16 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "History". Beta Chapter Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  20. ^ "Contact Us". Beta Chapter Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  21. ^ "Beta Chapter celebrates second anniversary with fundraiser". Gamma New. Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. August 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008.
  22. ^ "Special Interest". News and Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. August 2, 2009. p. 79. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Six new members inducted". Gamma News. Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. May 2007. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008.
  24. ^ "Delta Chapter established in Chicago". Gamma News. Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. June 2007. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008.
  25. ^ "About Us". Epsilon Chapter of Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  26. ^ "Sixth Chapter Established". Gamma News. Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. July 2007. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008.
  27. ^ "Home". Zeta Chapter of Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
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