Sigma Lambda Gamma
 | This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (March 2012) |
| Sigma Lambda Gamma | |
|---|---|
| ΣΛΓ | |
 | |
| Founded | April 9, 1990 University of Iowa |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Culture is Pride, Pride is Success (Cultura es Orgullo, Orgullo es Exito) |
| Colors | Shocking Pink and Majestic Purple |
| Symbol | Purple Panther |
| Flower | Pink Rose |
| Chapters | 110 undergrad, 29 colonies, 24 alumnae associations |
| Nickname | SLG |
| Headquarters | 900 West Penn Street North Liberty, Iowa USA |
| Website | Sigma Lambda Gamma Website |
Sigma Lambda Gamma (ΣΛΓ) is a historically Latina-based national sorority with multicultural membership founded on April 9, 1990, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
History
In fall of 1989, the foundation of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc. decided it was important to form an organization that provided empowerment to Latina women as well as women of all cultural backgrounds. Beginning at the University of Iowa, the vision was to create a network of academic and social support for these women. Under the guidance of Esther Materon Arum and Mary Peterson, the vision came to true on April 9, 1990, as the University of Iowa Panhellenic Council officially recognized the organization as a sorority.
Sigma Lambda Gamma is a sisterhood of women who have chosen this affiliation to achieve their desired personal development and to act for the betterment of local, regional, national and global communities through the efforts of a network of more than 3,000 sisters. Sigma Lambda Gamma is a pioneer in the Greek fraternal world through development of innovative programming initiatives, such as the Young Women’s Leadership Program and Emotional Intelligence.
Today, Sigma Lambda Gamma is the largest, historically Latina-based multicultural national sorority, and the fastest growing[citation needed] fraternal organization in chapters and alumnae associations throughout the United States, having expanded to more than 100 universities in less than 20 years. A criterion for membership into Sigma Lambda Gamma is that a woman must have exceptional morals and ethics with a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, and is pursuing or has completed courses leading to a degree in an accredited college or university.
Founders
Five University of Iowa multicultural students – Gloria Cuevas, Julieta Maria Miller, Maria Esther Pineda, Danell Marie Riojas and Guadalupe Cruz Temiquel – formed the sorority in 1990 under the guidance of Esther Materon Arum and Mary Peterson. They continue to demonstrate a commitment to being "Sisters For Life – Hermanas Por Vida". The first inductees to the sorority in the spring 1991 term played a vital role in promoting the ideals of the organization on the University of Iowa campus, and helped in the first wave of expansion to the University of Michigan, Iowa State University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Facts
- Mission Statement
Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women. Through a network of close to 3,000 members from collegiate chapters and alumnae associations located across the United States, it promotes academic excellence and higher education through the sorority's principles: academics, community service, cultural awareness, morals & ethics, social interaction-in our daily lives.
- Vision Statement
Recognizing its responsibility to the progression of a positive global community, the sorority stresses the importance of morals, ethics, and education in the daily lives of its members, so that they serve the needs of their neighbors through a mutual respect and understanding of their various cultures.
- Sorority Ideals
Academics, Community Service, Cultural Awareness, Morals & Ethics, Social Interaction
- Sorority Stone
Purple Amethyst
Sigma Lambda Gamma Education Foundation
The goals of the Educational Foundation are based on the Founding Principles of Sigma Gamma Lambda:
- Academics
- Make higher education a reality for Hispanic/Latina and other ladies of diverse backgrounds.
- Community Service
- Support philanthropic initiatives.
- Cultural Awareness
- Support programming that educates members and the community about the many ethnic and cultural legacies represented in Sigma Lambda Gamma.
- Social Interaction
- Support programming that educates members and the community about positive interpersonal interactions.
- Morals & Ethics
- Support programming that develops ethical and responsible leaders who will support their communities in a positive way.
Young Women’s Leadership Program
The Young Women’s Leadership program is designed to build confidence and leadership skills for middle-school aged girls through an eight-week process that introduces them to the principles embodied by Sigma Lambda Gamma and a series of exercises and activities that helps them learn about themselves and each other along the way. The program is facilitated by members of local Sigma Lambda Gamma Alumnae Associations who serve as mentors and role models for the participants throughout the program and beyond.
The goal of this program is to get a head start with young girls to provide them the self awareness and self-esteem to help them finish their high school education and consider pursuing a college degree upon graduation. As this program is a volunteer effort that takes place outside of the regular school day, the Sigma Lambda Gamma Education Foundation can assist programs across the country to provide materials, transportation, food and other program costs for facilitators and participants.
Philanthropies
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. supports a variety of charitable organizations as a part of our community service commitment. As a national organization, we are proud to dedicate our philanthropic efforts to: Breast Cancer Awareness and the TRIO programs. Sorority entities conduct and participate in extraordinary programming events that are designed to bring about public awareness and education on these topics
Breast Cancer Awareness Sigma Lambda Gamma and its member groups actively support the important societal issue of Breast Cancer Awareness. Our support of this cause comes in various avenues: from fundraising campaigns; educational workshops to create awareness; active participation in run/walk events; volunteer participation with organizations; or a combination of these forms. The two primary programs our organization supports in respects to breast cancer awareness include, but are not limited to: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.
TRIO Programs Sigma Lambda Gamma supports the TRIO programs for its innovative and proactive stance on the continual education of individuals who otherwise would not have been afforded the education or financial assistance to further their education and livelihood. These programs have become stepping stones for many students within our organization and other affiliates who have benefited to identify and continue secondary education.
Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstance.
In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life. These programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs. While financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
Emotional Intelligence
In Sigma Lambda Gamma’s continuing effort to become the premier women’s organization, we have launched an educational program for our members based on emotional intelligence. Our attention to emotional intelligence means we are committed to our sisters enhancing their personal and social competencies. Our program encourages members to develop specific skills of emotional intelligence for personal and leadership development.
This program is focused on our members addressing the needs of our sisterhood in the most timely and effective way. All women will complete the EI Profile: An Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment. Based on the results of this self-assessment, our members will have the chance through the academic year to learn more about the nineteen different skills of emotional intelligence.
Sigma Lambda Gamma Today
Sigma Lambda Gamma believes that Culture is Pride, Pride is Success. We explore the richness in the traditions of Latina culture. This encompasses the cultural heritages of Native Americans (North, Central and South), Europeans, Africans, Asians and their multiple and interesting mixtures. We celebrate the diversity of the backgrounds of all the members of our sorority. Through these efforts in cultural awareness, we expect that each woman will explore their roots and traditions and share those with other individuals so that cultural understanding and respect are promoted. We hope to create new traditions for future generations of women to celebrate their identity and heritage with pride and joy throughout the college years.
Our Founding Mothers broke the barriers of traditional sororities to create an organization for women of every cultural and socio-economic background. In staying true to our foundation, Sigma Lambda Gamma is proud to say that we have over 110 nationalities in our membership. In the world map below, a country colored in either pink or purple denotes a country of origin for our sorority membership.
Notable members
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Tamika Henry, Alpha Gamma Chapter: Miss Guyana Universe 2010
Chapters
