Альфа Сигма Альфа: Американдық студенттік әйелдер қауымдастығы

American collegiate sorority
Alpha Sigma Alpha (ΑΣΑ) is a United States National Panhellenic sorority founded on November 15, 1901, at the Virginia State Female Normal School (later known as Longwood College and now known as Longwood University) in Farmville, Virginia. Once a sorority exclusively for teacher's/educational colleges, Alpha Sigma Alpha became a full member of the National Panhellenic Conference in 1951, and, as a social sorority, now admits members without limits based on major. There are currently over 175 chapters of Alpha Sigma Alpha nationwide with more than 120,000 members. It is currently partnered with philanthropic organizations Special Olympics and Girls on the Run.

Alpha Sigma Alpha has multiple official colors, flowers, jewels, and symbols. The primary colors of Alpha Sigma Alpha are crimson and pearl white, with palm green and gold as the sorority's secondary colors. Its official flowers are both the aster (the fall flower) and the narcissus (the spring flower). For jewels, the fraternity chose the pearl (for members before initiation) and the ruby (for initiated members), which are also linked to the sorority's primary colors. The symbols are the palm tree and the crown, which are linked to the secondary colors of palm green and gold. The sorority mascot is Dot the ladybug. The insignia are the star, crown, palm tree, and phoenix. To the sorority, the star represents how its members should try to live up to the sorority's values, while the crown represents leadership and alumnae recognition. The palm tree represents strong development, and the phoenix, the coat of arms' central and largest symbol, openly represents the sorority's 1914 reorganization (or basically, a rebirth, linking it to the phoenix). In 1903, the membership badge changed to the diamond shape it has today.

In 2016, Alpha Sigma Alpha relaunched its membership education program, where members learn about the sorority's values. The program is broken down into four stages to correspond with four stages of membership, namely new members, initiates, senior members, and alumnae. The new member program includes online and in person components, a handbook, a journal to reflect on the sorority's ritual, and a mentorship via an older collegiate member. Initiates also learn about the sorority's values online, have chapter programs, and may be certified to become a mentor to a new member if they wish. Graduating members have monthly meetings on how to transition from college and have a legacy project. Alumnae receive quarterly newspapers, blogs, and webinars. The sorority currently runs a Sexual Assault Prevention Program, SPEAK UP, where members may watch videos online on topics including "healthy relationships, bystander intervention, self care and consent, and alcohol and risk reduction." Collegiate chapters host one workshop per semester on such topics, facilitated by a trained regional staff member.

Alpha Sigma Alpha has run a Service Immersion Experience for its members since 2013, In 2012, the sorority began a program called D. O. T. Days, or Donating Our Time Days, which take place during the first week of October every year. Sorority members "are encouraged to donate their time to the national philanthropic partners and local community."

Various leadership programming exists for Alpha Sigma Alpha members, advisors, and volunteers. Advisors, volunteers, collegiate members, and alumnae may all attend the sorority's National Convention & Leadership Conference. For its collegiate members, the sorority hosted its first leadership training school in 1966. In 1989, the sorority followed with its Emma Coleman Frost Leadership Development Institute. The sorority has also published two cookbooks sourced from recipes members have submitted.

The sorority's various philanthropic partners include the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation, the S. June Smith Center, the Special Olympics, and Girls on the Run. In 1986, Alpha Sigma Alpha combined the 1947 Endowment fund and the Development Fund established in 1982 into the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation. The foundation also provides funds for chapter programming. Two of the sorority's philanthropies focus on helping people with disabilities. The S. June Smith Center provides services to children with disabilities and their families, including various types of therapy and instruction. The center was named after an Alpha Sigma Alpha member, Dr. S. June Smith. The Special Olympics is an organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year round training and competitions worldwide. The sorority's newest philanthropic partner is Girls on the Run, a non profit which uses exercise to build healthy mental and physical habits in preteen girls.

Collegiate members are recognized with awards for outstanding new members and sisters who exemplify service, academics, or athletics. Chapters also receive various awards. Established in 1985, the Four Star Chapter Award is given annually to collegiate chapters which excel in various areas. The areas covered include membership, academic excellence, finance, chapter education and operations, service and giving, national meetings and bylaws, organization image, policies and procedures, advisory board, and alumnae involvement. The chapter that achieves the highest percentage of requirements toward this award receives the Crown of Excellence Award, the top award that a collegiate chapter can receive. Awards are also given to chapters which excel in single areas. Any collegiate chapter with the highest GPA on its campus for a school term receives the Scholastic Achievement Award. The Rose Marie Fellin Financial Excellence Award was established in 1992 in honor of its namesake's 27 years of service as the headquarters executive. The award is given to a chapter practicing sound financial management through record keeping, accurate financial reports, communication with national headquarters, as well as striving towards overall financial stability. The Recruitment Excellence Award was established in 2010 and is presented to a chapter that has met its recruitment targets for the year. This encompasses reaching campus quota and total, as well as innovation in planning and implementing a quality recruitment plan. Sidney Gremillion Allen Panhellenic Award, named after the sorority's NPC delegate, is given to the chapter that displays outstanding Panhellenic spirit and participation. The Service and Giving Award is given to a chapter that best exhibits generosity.

Alumnae chapters may receive several different awards: Palm, Star, or Crown Chapter; the Crown of Excellence; and Outstanding Membership Growth/Alumnae Panhellenic Engagement/Collegiate Chapter Relations/Programs/Community Involvement, Service and Giving. Individual alumnae may receive their own awards. Alumnae whose professional or community achievements have attracted recognition outside of the sorority receive the Recognition of Eminence Award. First presented in 2012 at the sorority's national convention, the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation Heart of Giving Award is given to an alumna who has made a significant contribution of time or money to a charitable organizations. The Evelyn G. Bell Award, named after a past national president, is given to an alumna member who exhibits exceptional leadership, loyalty and commitment to the sorority by serving as a collegiate officer, alumnae officer, and national volunteer. Other awards presented to members for dedication and service to the sorority are the Helen Corey Award, the Wilma Wilson Sharp Award, the Agape Award, and the Outstanding Advisor Award.