The Stockton Area Council of Beta Sigma Phi is having their Beginning Day on Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Northgate Community Church, 650 Northgate Drive.

Social time is at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

There was a need for an organization that could bring women together in 1931 during the Great Depression to expose them to social, cultural, and educational opportunities. That’s when Walter W. Ross became the founder of Beta Sigma Phi, a nonprofit organization for women. During the 1950s Beta Sigma Phi membership doubled. Now it has grown over 165,000 members worldwide.

Each chapter conducts culture events to raise money for the group’s philanthropic endeavors that include Stanford Kidney, Lupus, United Scleroderma, and Cystic Fibrosis. Beta Sigma Phi has been going strong for 80 years.

If you would like to know more about Beta Siga Phi, go to the website  www.betasigmaphi.com. or call Maryann Comaskey at (209) 466-1691.

If you would like to attend the Beginning Day, call Mary Sgheiza at (209) 477-2130.

The board this year is President Patti Burch, Vice President Maryann Comaskey, Recording Secretary Jan Gerst, Corresponding Secretary Julia Fellin, and Treasurer Mary Sgheiza.

Beta Sigma Phi is a life, learning, friendship opportunity.