In 1922 six nurses founded the organization and there are currently 463 chapters on college campuses around the world. The organization headquarter is on the campus of Indiana University located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The founders chose the name Sigma Theta Tau from the Greek words Storgé, Tharsos and Timé meaning "love," "courage" and "honor." The honor society became incorporated in 1985 as Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc.