Historically, a debutante was a young woman, who after reaching an age of maturity, was introduced to other wealthy families of the same status giving that young woman the opportunity to be exposed to society members of history and notoriety. Many women found this as a platform to advance their own civic and educational interests and become productive and respected members of society.

 

In 1950, the Eta Sigma Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. decided to provide the same opportunity to African-American women of fine character and moral upbringing when the chapter's then President Soror Sammye Coan brought and organized the idea of the debutante ball to its members. In 1953 Eta Sigma executed the first Debutante Ball and Scholarship program for African-American females in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area sponsored by a Black Greek Letter organization. For decades, young women from all over Atlanta and surrounding areas have earned thousands of dollars in scholarship funds and many have sponsored their own daughters years later creating generational bonds.