Beta Sigma Phi (which translates into "life, learning, and friendship") may sound like a college sorority, but the aptly-named organization is actually open to women of all ages who are interested in making lifelong friends, learning and helping their local community.

It's the friendship and immediate acceptance of new members that appeals to many of the women who join, and the knowledge they gain and ability to give back to the community that often turns them into lifelong members.

As LaDene Urban, a member since 1962, put it, "You become each other's sisters."

Pahrump now has two chapters, Laureate Omicron, which holds meetings during the day, and the recently formed Beta Xi, which holds evening meetings.

Beta Sigma Phi is a national organization that was originally founded April 30, 1931, by Walter Ross in Abilene, Kansas.

While travelling throughout the Midwest selling encyclopedias to parent teacher organizations, Ross met many young women who, due to the depression and the customs of the time, were not able to complete their education and had no social outlets.

So he began offering them a series of programs of study, a tradition still carried on by the organization today.

In fact, the group was originally named the What to Read Club.

The outbreak of World War II brought Beta Sigma Phi into the realm of community service, as the quickly growing organization got to work selling $22 million dollars worth of war bonds.

Beta Sigma Phi came to Pahrump in 1995, when Cynthia Sepulveda (who joined the group in 1961 in West Memphis, Ark.) moved here and discovered the closest chapter was in Las Vegas.

"I thought driving all that way was for the birds, so I contacted the international and they sent me a list of five people here," Sepulveda explained.

The chapter originally started with seven members and now has 17.

Last April the second chapter, Beta Xi, was formed for women who were unable to meet during the day. It has 12 members.

Both chapters continue the tradition of learning, with each member having a project on a different topic that they research and then present to the group.

"Every meeting we have a program," Sepulveda explained. "You learn, you're constantly learning."

Project topics have ranged from chocolate to former first ladies.

Community service is also an important part of the organization for the local chapters. For the past several years Beta Sigma Phi has awarded seven scholarships to Pahrump Valley High School students, including two last year.

They have assisted local families for Christmas and this past Thanksgiving made baskets for seniors at home.

This year their annual service project is to raise money for the Pahrump Valley Senior Center.

But above all, Beta Sigma Phi is a place where women can find friendship.

Louis Kosciuszek joined the Beta Xi chapter in April after they had a rush at Artesia.

"I just wanted to give it a try," Kosciuszek said.

Since then, she said she has especially enjoyed the camaraderie the group offers. "The women are wonderful, and it draws that kind of woman," Kosciuszek said.

Beta Sigma Phi has many social events as well, including their annual Founders Day Banquet in April where a Woman of the Year is selected from each chapter.

The organization meets bi-weekly Wednesdays in each other's homes and is always ready and willing to welcome new members.

If you are interested in joining Laureate Omicron, contact Betty West at 775-751-9689.

To join Beta Xi, contact Karo Lippon at 775-727-0680.