Tannenbaum-Sternberger

Sigmund Sternberger was born in Darlington, South Carolina on May 8, 1887. He moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1899 and remained a resident of that community until his death in 1964.

His father and uncle founded Revolution Cotton Mills Corporation in Greensboro. Sigmund started working for the mill at a young age as an errand boy and ultimately worked his way through every department and virtually every job provided in the mill.

In 1916, at age 29, he became Assistant Treasurer and a Director of Revolution Mills. In 1919, he became Treasurer. Revolution Mills merged with Cone Mills Corporation in 1948, and Sigmund Sternberger became a Director of Cone Mills.

He was active in community and religious affairs throughout his life, serving as Treasurer of Temple Emanuel for 47 consecutive years.

He was an active member of Revolution Lodge No. 552, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, which was founded by his father, and became a 32nd Degree Mason and a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.

He established the Sigmund Sternberger Foundation during his life, in honor of his parents, Herman and Elizabeth Sternberger, and through the Foundation provided many scholarships for students who otherwise would not have been able to pursue their educations beyond the high school level. Sigmund Sternberger was survived by his sister, Rosa Sternberger Williams, who died in 1985, and his niece, Leah Louise B. Tannenbaum. In 1991, the name of the Foundation was changed to the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation to reflect the family connection. The Board of Directors of the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation has attempted to perpetuate the record of service begun by Sigmund Sternberger. As did Sigmund Sternberger, the Foundation attempts to assist individuals who have the character, integrity, ability and desire to make a contribution to the community in which they live, but who are prevented from developing their full potential because, due to no fault of their own, they lack economic resources with which to develop their skills to the degree that would enable them to make a full contribution to their community. The Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation also endeavors to help those who, due to no fault of their own, have been deprived of the basic necessities and comforts of life and to assist those groups in the community who seek to bring needed services and enrichment to the lives of residents of Guildford County.

The Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation strives to carry on Sigmund Sternberger’s tradition of service to the community. It is the hope of the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation that recipients of scholarship and other assistance available to them because of Sigmund Sternberger’s generosity will be able later in life to continue this tradition of service by contributing money to their college or university and community programs serving people in need.