Sigma Psi Zeta

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ΣΨΖ - Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.

Motto	True to the colors red and gold, sisters forever heart and soul.
Colors	Red and Gold
Flower	Yellow Rose with Babies' Breath
Founded	March 23, 1994 at University at Albany
Fraternity type	Social Sorority
Headquarters	Albany, New York, USA
Homepage	Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.

Contents 1 Overview 2 History 3 Philanthropy 3.1 Background 3.2 About Our Philanthropy 3.3 2006-07 Philanthropic Projects 4 Beliefs 5 Sistership Locations 5.1 Chapters 5.2 Charters 5.3 Colonies

[edit] Overview

Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. (ΣΨΖ), an Asian-Interest sorority was founded on March 23, 1994 at the University at Albany and incorporated in New York on March 15, 1996 by their Founding Mothers: Gina Han, Sally Hsieh, Jean Kim, Jenny Kim, Sandra Lam, Winnie Liu, Yan-Chieh Liu, Michelle Macaraig, Sung-Yon Noh and Loan Trang. The sorority's colors are red and gold and its flower is a yellow rose with baby's breath.

As a multicultural, Asian-Interest Greek organization, Sigma Psi Zeta is a cultural, social, educational and community service oriented sorority. It stands today as the third largest Asian Interest sorority in the nation. Sigma's philanthropic focus is to combat violence against women in its various forms. On a national level, Sigma Psi Zeta has adopted the New York Asian Women's Center as its adopted shelter.

Sigma Psi Zeta currently has active sisterships in New York, California, Washington (state), Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Colorado. It has 20 sisterships across the United States, and continues to expand.

More information can be found at Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.

[edit] History

In the Fall of 1993, a group of undergraduate women came together. These women, hailing from different cultural backgrounds, became close friends. While musing about the state of their campus and their friendships, the idea of forming a sorority casually came up. They believed that a sorority built on their friendships and sharing their vision could address a gap that existed on the SUNY Albany campus. This idea solidified. These women believed that a sorority built on their friendships, laughter, strengths and dedication would be a formidable force. Over the course of the semester, their group of friends grew closer and in size.

On February 28, 1994, the Founding Mothers of Sigma Psi Zeta sat down together over dinner to discuss their common goal. They all aimed to establish an organization that encompassed the strength of today's Asian-American woman and her potential for making an impact on the world around her. They came together as friends, realizing the apathy towards Asian women and the dual-disadvantage for being "The Silent Minority."

On March 23, 1994, the State University of New York at Albany formally recognized the sisterhood of Sigma Psi Zeta. This was the birth of many firsts. Our Alpha Chapter was established on that date, and with it, the birth of the first East Coast-based Asian sorority in the United States. The founding mothers struggled to establish our organization, our purpose, and most importantly, a precedence by fighting the odds.

Sigma Psi Zeta immediately became a positive influence for the University at Albany campus community, as well as its Asian community. Realizing the importance of expanding their leadership, empowerment, and service, they initiated their first pledge class and established a second chapter less than a year later, which is known today as the Beta Chapter at the State University of New York at Binghamton. They too were pioneers, becoming the first Asian-interest sorority to be established in Binghamton, NY.

Since its inception over ten years ago, Sigma Psi Zeta has expanded into nine states and eighteen schools. All sisterships are populated by members who have pledged to uphold the same beliefs as the Founders. Growth has been steady, and expansion for the mere sake of numbers has never been favored over strengthening from within. From the first chapter in Albany, Sigma Psi Zeta has remained steadfast in continued growth of a sisterhood which keeps pace with the ever-changing nature of the collegiate world and contemporary Asian society.

Sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta are pioneers and activists as their Founding Mothers were before them. The sisters, both undergraduate and alumnae, enjoy a distinguished reputation for activism, scholarship, character, and leadership. Sigmas are women who share the beliefs of the Founders, sharing the bond of universal sisterhood in their hearts and lives. It is an organization that seeks to educate and enlighten all people - regardless of race - about Asian/Asian-American struggles, achievements, interests, and identities in an everchanging world.

[edit] Philanthropy

[edit] Background

In 1999, the sisters of SYZ formally adopted their National Philanthropy, to Combat Violence Against Women. The first Asian-interest sorority to take on this cause, SYZ hopes to bring awareness of this issue to our universities and communities as well as the community at large. Sigma sisters have built a campaign to help those affected by violence, to educate the community about the nature of this problem, and to empower our sisters to make a lasting commitment to the issue of violence against women.

[edit] About Our Philanthropy

The National Philanthropy of Sigma Psi Zeta is to combat violence against women in its varied forms. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: rape, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, exploitation, the trafficking of women and children, the abuse of migrant workers, intimidation at work, child abuse, harassment, and spousal abuse. Any kind of physical, emotional or mental duress constitutes violence.

[edit] 2006-07 Philanthropic Projects

Sigma Psi Zeta has adopted two philanthropic projects for the 2006-07 academic school year- marrow registration drives and supporting the American Cancer Society. In hopes of finding a marrow match for a University of Rochester alum and chartering sister, all sisterships will hold marrow registration drives at their schools in the fall semester. More information can be found at wincheng.believable.org In addition to these marrow drives, all sisterships will actively participate in American Cancer Society events and fundraising throughout the school year.

[edit] Beliefs

Vision: To become an international organization uniting the sisters to follow the code of loyalty, allegiance, and dedication.

Mission: To promote unity among women and awareness of the Asian/Asian American culture and heritage.

Goal: To best demonstrate sisterhood and allegiance by merging all efforts and interests to provide an invaluable experience for the sisters, and services to their local communities and the community at large.

[edit] Sistership Locations

[edit] Chapters

• Alpha - University at Albany, The State University of New York - Albany, NY
• Beta - SUNY Binghamton - Binghamton, NY
• Delta - University at Buffalo - Buffalo, NY
• Eta - Stony Brook, NY
• Theta - University of Massachusetts at Amherst - Amherst, MA
• Lambda - University of Virginia - Charlottesville, VA

[edit] Charters

• Iota - University of Rochester - Rochester, NY
• Kappa - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) - Blacksburg, VA
• Mu - SUNY Geneseo - Geneseo, NY
• Nu - Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
• Xi - University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
• Omicron - Stanford University - Stanford, CA
• Pi - The George Washington University - Washington, D.C.
• Rho - University of Washington - Seattle, WA
• Tau - University of Maryland, College Park - College Park, MD
• Upsilon - University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA
• Phi - University of Colorado at Boulder - Boulder, CO
• Chi - Shippensburg University - Shippensburg, PA

[edit] Colonies

• Gamma - Jamaica, NY
• Epsilon - Oneonta, NY
• Zeta - New York, NY