The LaGrange Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota was installed by the National Board on August 22, 1950, the day prior to the opening of the National Convention at Chicago's Drake Hotel. This event happened because the Chicago Alumnae Chapter had several SAI's from the western suburbs on its rolls, and encouraged them to form a new chapter. The western suburban contingent began hosting Sunday afternoon musicales in their homes with Chicago Alumnae as guest performers. This was the initial step in our founding.

Since its inception, the LaGrange Chapter has contributed much to the community at large. In the mid-1950's, the Chapter provided a qualified Music Therapist as well as rhythm instruments to the Helping Hand School for mentally retarded children. During the 1960's and 1970's, individual members were involved in the SAI Bold Note Project and music transcription into Braille. We purchased a Braille writer and ledger to assist in this work, and one member, Marion Talley, received her Braille Transcription Certification in 1975. Our Chapter has also participated in SAI's Radio and TV Awards and lent support in other ways to our local radio and TV stations of quality programming. For years many members ushered for the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra. Many members have also participated in musical groups in their own communities.

Our Chapter philanthropy donations have benefited many musical endeavors internationally, nationally, and locally. While our Chapter has had its share of Current sales, silent auctions and Shop 'n' Share Days as fundraisers, most philanthropy money has been raised through public concerts by our members or guest artists. Our Chapter Chorus dates to 1956 and we had a String Trio in the early 1960's. We performed Young People's Concerts in the 1960's, and sponsored the North Shore Philharmonia Orchestra for Young People's Concerts in the 1970's. We have done much to promote musical development in young artists. Flute and jazz clinics have been held in area high schools. A String Summer Camp Scholarship was established in 1982. In 1997 this scholarship was named for our Past President Elsie Sterrenberg, National President 1987-1994. Each recipient has performed for us, as have many other young artists.

We sponsored the installation of an SAI chapter at North Central College in Naperville and also helped to install Beta Mu at Northern Illinois University and Beta Lambda at Valparaiso. We continue to assist the Beta Mu chapter in many ways.

As a Chapter we have promoted contemporary American music. We have performed selections from the "Modern Music Series" and compositions written by our own members or local composers. Boxed sets of the Inter-American Music Award Series have been bought and presented to college and public libraries.

In addition to our membership of active and inactive members, we have affiliated members in other categories including Patronesses, Friend of the Arts, and National Arts Associates. Many of our members have served on the Inter-Chapter Council of SAI and in Province and National positions.

Individuals have brought honor to themselves and our Chapter. Several members have been awarded the Sword of Honor, the Rose of Honor, or the Ring of Excellence by our Chapter. Carol Miller was awarded the Diamond Sword of Honor. Soloists from our Chapter and our Chorus have performed at several National Conventions. Honors bestowed on the Chapter over the years include the Gamma Province Achievement Award in 1981, 1983, 1984; the Gamma B Province Achievement Award in 2007; the National Program Award in 1981; the Alumnae Newsletter Award in 1984; the Outstanding Yearbook Cover in 1985; the National Alumnae Service Award in 1984; and the National Alumnae Achievement Award in 1987.