On November 15, 1901, at the Virginia State Female Normal School, 5 women had become very great friends. They were all women who were attractive, vivacious, and intelligent. Instead of accepting an invitation to one of the other 3 sororities located on campus, they decided to form their own. Alpha Sigma Alpha was thus created. As stated in the charter, "The purpose of the association shall be to cultivate friendship among its members, and in every way to create pure and elevating sentiments, to perform such deeds and to mold such opinions as will tend to elevate and ennoble womanhood in the world."