Chapter History
The Detroit Alumnae Chapter began as the Alumnae Association of SAI on Friday, May 5, 1916. Dues were $1.00 per year as stated in the By-Laws established on October 3, 1916. In 1918 it became the Delta Alumnae Association of SAI, and then it became the Beta Delta Chapter sometime before May, 1930. The chapter voted in March of 1946 to apply for Charter Membership. On October 14, 1946, the Detroit Alumnae Chapter was installed by National President Kathleen Davison at the home of Dorothy Reese. There were three Detroit area chapters by this time: Delta Chapter, Grosse Pointe Alumnae and Detroit Alumnae. Many members of the Delta Chapter went on to later form the Pontchartrain Alumnae Chapter, which continues as another SAI Alumni Chapter in the metro-Detroit area.
History of Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Incorporation papers, under the laws of the State of Michigan, were signed December 1, 1904, and recorded December 15, 1904.
The seven founders were: Mary Storrs Anderson, Elizabeth Campbell, Frances Caspari, Minnie Davis Sherrill, Nora Crane Hunt, Leilla Farlin Laughlin, and Georgina Potts.
SAI is now: 225 Active Collegiate Chapters, 113 Active Alumnae Chapters, 64 Provinces, 8 Regions with a total initiated membership of 122,504.
Please visit the national website for biographies of our founders, information about our Archives, and other historic material.
Charter Members
Hermine Clippert
Dorothy D.W. Coolidge
Marie Davis
Florence L. Gallagher
Alma Glock
Ada L. Gordon
Mary Handley
Hixie A. Hattan
Camilla M. Hubel
Marjorie C. Jewell
Mildred M. Kleinert
Lilliam M. McMaster
Ethelwyn M. Pearson
Vernelle Peppard
Dorothy Reese
Jane V. Robinson
Minnie D. Sherrill
Grace H. Shirtcliffe
Helen K. Snyder
Theodosia E. Tomkinson
Margaret D. Vaughan
Adalyn T. Venman
Betsy Webster
Flora Y. Wolf
Laura O Zuidema
Past Presidents
Gertrude Shimmin ’53-’55
Lillian Clack ’55-’57
Maragret Bryant ’57-’59
Vera Breningstall ’59-’61
Sara Reece ’61-’63
Evelyn Walker ’63-’64
Winnifred Lenz ’64-’66
Lucille Miller ’66-’68
Alice Higgins ’68-’70
Sharon Backstrom ’70-’71
Gertrude Shimmin ’71-’73
Wendy Hohmeyer ’73-’75
Jean Unnewehr ’75-’77
Gwen Krupp ’77-’79
Nancy Cioni ’79-’81
Eleanor Crum ’81-’83
Kathy Isaacson ’83-’85
Sara Frank ’85-’87
Marie Hawkins ’87-’89
Phyllis Relyea ’89-’91
Betsy Rothrock ’91-’94
Margaret VanWeelden ’94-’97
Kathy Isaacson ’97-2000
Shelly Robinet ’00-’02
Donna Seadeek ’02-’06
Dorothy Duensing ’06-’08
Emily Borus ’08-’10
Kristi Shonts ’10-’12
Anne Grant ’12-’14
The Mission of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is to encourage, nurture and support the art of music.
The Vision of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is to be recognized throughout the world as the foremost fraternity that:
- Supports and encourages women musicians of all ages, races, and nationalities
- Supports and promotes successful and innovative educational programs in music for all stages of life
- Cultivates excellence in musical performance
- Promotes programs and activities that stress the love and importance of music in our lives
- Recognizes technological advances in the field of music
- Dedicates financial resources that ensure the continuation of programs necessary to support the objectives of the fraternity in perpetuity
- Has as its members people who exemplify professional and ethical behavior in the spirit of the Sigma Alpha Iota founders