Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kappa Phi Gamma
(ΚΦΓ)
Founded November 8, 1998 (1998-11-08) (age 9)
University of Texas at Austin, (Austin, Texas)
Type Social Sorority
Scope National
Colors Green, Black, White,
Flower Fire and Ice Rose
Jewel Emerald
Philanthropy Cancer Awareness
Free label Bengal Tiger
Headquarters 3439 Woodbrook Lane[1]
Sugarland, Texas, USA
Homepage http://www.kappaphigamma.org/

Kappa Phi Gamma (ΚΦΓ) Sorority, Inc. is a South Asian interest sorority geared towards women of all descents. It was founded on November 8, 1998, by a group of 27 women from a variety of different backgrounds at the University of Texas at Austin, in Austin, Texas. There are currently four chapters and six colonies of the sorority. Lambda Colony is the latest colony established at George Mason University; the charter line crossed on January 27th, 2008.

Contents

[edit] History

Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 8, 1998, and was the first recognized South Asian interest social sorority in the nation. The sisterhood was created by 27 founders at the University of Texas at Austin in the Jester West basement, and built upon eight principles: character, leadership, scholarship, sisterhood, service, womanhood, culture, and self.

[edit] Today

Today, the founders’ vision of expanding has become a reality with chapters and colonies nationwide, encompassing over 200 sisters and alumnae, and still in the process of growing. Through the years, Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority's primary aim has been a commitment to excellence. Kappa Phi Gamma's goal is to cultivate and uphold superior scholastic and ethical standards; to encourage unity, friendship and allegiance among collegiate women of diverse backgrounds; to improve and disseminate knowledge about our culture and race; and to empower individuals toward the highest possible aspirations. This purpose is achieved through diverse programs in which each chapter and colony is engaged at the local and/or national level. The programs are generally selected in accordance with the following areas: professional development, philanthropic aid, Greek solidarity, education, health, the arts and cultural awareness.

Such involvement includes but is not limited to the following:

Leadership Retreats

South Asian Student Alliance

Festival of India

Greek Awareness Workshop

India Day

Etiquette Workshop

Resume/Interview Workshop

Money Management Workshop

Women’s Empowerment

[edit] Legacy

The sisters of Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc., shall create a sisterhood directed towards the advancement of women. Kappa Phi Gamma aims to instill integrity of character and trust as components of personality. The sorority shall encourage the bonding of women in order to strengthen sisterhood. We shall render service to the community and the university, thus supporting the betterment and unification of society. The sisterhood shall develop leadership skills and high academic standards that follow into the professional world. Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. shall promote pride of culture, womanhood, and self.

[edit] Philanthropy

The Sisterhood believes that a well-rounded individual must know the importance of serving the community, for it is in giving that one receives. Kappa Phi Gamma Sororities pride themselves in rendering service to the community and respective campuses. Since her inception in November 1998, the Sisterhood has participated in a variety of service projects. However, the sisterhood has dedicated itself to its national philanthropy, cancer awareness. The members of Kappa Phi Gamma have been affected by cancer in some way during their lives and decided that cancer has a significant impact on society, and therefore should be their main focus. During the month of April, the sorority hosts its annual C.A.R.E. Week (Cancer Awareness: A Real Effort), in hopes of spreading awareness among campuses and communities around the nation and raising money to donate to a cancer foundation. C.A.R.E. Week has been recognized by the Asian Cup Award for being the only organization of its kind to commit a week of events towards cancer awareness, while incorporating educational and fun-filled activities in order to educate the public about early detection and prevention of cancer. C.A.R.E. Week events include a Kick-Off rally, cancer education seminars and forums, Mr. CARE Week Pageant, candlelight vigils, charity parties and various other activities. All proceeds raised during CARE Week are donated to an array of organizations that are committed to cancer awareness, including, but not limited to, the Scott and White Center for Cancer Prevention and Care-Hope Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The sorority has raised over $46,000 to date in donations to aid these cancer charities in their continuous efforts.

[edit] Scholarship

Pursuing academic excellence is an integral part of Kappa Phi Gamma. To promote the principle of academic scholarship, Kappa Phi Gamma strives to promote and recognize the academic achievement of South Asian women. The Emerald Endowment is an annual scholarship awarded by the sorority to a women who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.

[edit] Founders

Sarah Mammen
Aisha Waliany
Mita Haldar
R. Anouska Biswas
Jalpa Sheth
Samina Chowdhury
Sumita Sheth
Anshu Sawhney
Meena Arora
Sindhu Thomas
Bincy Jacob
Leena Chaphekar
Smitha Dawson
Anshu Agrawal
Hirva Doshi
Mitzi Chamakala
Jamie Sunny
Gopi Patel
Miloni Kothari
Teena Mathew
Yogita Mathur
Bella Desai
Rekha Reddy
Jaya K. George
Priscilla James
Roseleen Malhi
Divya Agrawal

[edit] Chapters and colonies

Founding Chapter: University of Texas- Austin, TX

Beta Chapter: University of Texas- Dallas, TX

Gamma Chapter: Baylor University- Waco, TX

Delta Chapter: University of Houston- Houston, TX

Epsilon Colony: Boston, MA

Zeta Colony: University of Maryland-College Park- College Park, MD

Eta Colony: New York, NY

Theta Colony: Virginia Commonwealth University- Richmond, VA

Iota Colony: Temple University- Philadelphia, PA

Lambda Colony: George Mason University- Fairfax, VA

[edit] References

[edit] External links