Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin was born in 1900 and died sometime in 1946. She was from Indianapolis, Indiana. She was one of the seven founding members of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority established at Butler University. Martin was the youngest of six children and attended grade school in Indianapolis. She graduated from the Manual Training High School and the City Teachers Normal. Martin taught school for over 25 years. She married twice and was a devoted wife and hard worker in school and the Sorority. Like many women, educator and Sigma Gamma Rho founder Bessie Rhoades Martin spent numerous years caring for others, particularly her family. She exhibited a keen intellect at an early age, and her parents were especially astounded by their daughter’s leadership skills. Young Downey joined the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis and became an active member. Her parents worked hard to nurture her natural gifts. After completing grade school in Indianapolis, the teen entered Emmerich Manual Training High School. Like many of her peers in Sigma Gamma Rho, she went on to the Indianapolis Normal School, graduating sometime in the 1920’s. She later entered Butler University and eventually received a Bachelor’s degree in education in 1943. Downey faced a number of formidable trials as she worked to complete her college education. As she approached graduation, Downey’s mother took ill. Torn between her love of learning and her dear mother, who had worked a number of jobs to pay for her daughter’s schooling, Bessie made a difficult choice and cared for her ailing parent. She did however, graduate from the teacher’s college. Regrettably, her mother died right after a jubilant Bessie secured her first teaching job at Indianapolis school No. 4, a position she kept for twenty-five years. The aspiring young woman eventually married twice but never had children. Nevertheless, she remained a fervent supporter of the family unit, as well as a devoted educator, wife, daughter, and community builder; she always put others first. Bessie Rhoades Martin joined Omega Rho, the sorority’s chapter for deceased sisters, in late 1946 or 1947.