Sigma Alpha Iota

Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota began over one hundred years ago when ten Northwestern music students and student teachers organized a local musical sorority and named it Emanon. During the year of 1904 the membership grew rapidly and many activities were originated and developed. Among these activities was a glee club, organized and directed by a member of Emanon. This group was the first of its kind at Northwestern, and out of it evolved the idea for the a cappella choir which was the first in this country and is still in existence today.
About one year after the organization of Emanon, representatives from The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor came to Northwestern to discuss possibilities of initiating Emanon into Sigma Alpha Iota. In December of 1904, final action was taken and Emanon became Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Beta chapter became official on December 3 of that year.

Among the outstanding activities of Beta chapter was the origination of the Ring of Excellence, presented to the senior with the highest grade average for four years of college work. This remained exclusively a project of Beta until several years later when Hazel Richey became National President. From this time on it was a national honor and was presented to the girl who rendered the greatest service to Sigma Alpha Iota in four years of membership.

After two years of faithful service to Sigma Alpha Iota the originators of Beta Chapter became inactive and later formed the alumnae chapter, Alpha Beta. In 1945 Alpha Beta's name was changed to the Evanston-North Shore Alumnae Group, and this group was installed by Mrs. Kathleen Davison, National President (November 1, 1948). This became the Evanston Alumnae Chapter.