Melbourne in July 1988, and has strong emphasis on robotics and electrical engineering. Phi Sigma Rho – A social sorority founded at Purdue University on September 24, 1984. Rashmi Khanna and Abby McDonald were the founders of Phi Sigma Rho. Khanna and McDonald were unable to participate in traditional sorority rushes due to the demands of their engineering program, so they decided to start their sorority instead. The Alpha chapter was founded with ten charter members: Gail Bonney, Anita Chatterjea, Ann Cullinan, Pam Kabbes, Rashmi Khanna, Abby McDonald, Christine Mooney, Tina Kershner, Michelle Self, and Kathy Vargo. Since the founding of the Alpha chapter in 1984, Phi Sigma Rho has grown to forty-five chapters nationally. Phi Sigma Rho has built a strong community for women in engineering and help foster the growth of women in engineering. See also Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology Society of Women Engineers History of women in engineering Women, girls and information technology Women in science Women in computing Women in the workforce Feminisation of the workplace Occupational sexism Women Who Code Notes References Women At Work Museum. 16 Mar. 2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. http://www.womenatworkmuseum.org/programs.html 01 Science and technology in the United States