Zeta Sigma Chi

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Zeta Sigma Chi
(ΖΣΧ)
Founded March 3, 1991
Northern Illinois University
Type Social
Scope National
Motto Keeping The Dream Alive
Colors Peach and Black
Symbol Unicorn
Flower Peach Rose
Free label Education, Success, Culture, Service, and Sisterhood
Headquarters
DeKalb, Illinois, USA
Homepage www.zetasigmachi.com

Zeta Sigma Chi (ΖΣΧ), (also known as Z-Chi, pronounced "Zee-Kaii") was founded on March 3, 1991 at the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

The eight women who founded Zeta Sigma Chi, known as the "Mommy Chi's," envisioned a sisterhood that would unite all women of diverse backgrounds and encourage sisters to achieve success in higher education and careers. As one of the oldest established intercollegiate multicultural sisterhood in the nation, Zeta Sigma Chi is proud of its ability to provide a strong open-minded organization to its members and the community. The sorority believes in maintaining a true sisterhood that is accepting of one another no matter what their differences are. Members of Zeta Sigma Chi are genuine and successful in their attempts to spread multiculturalism and sisterhood to others in the community, and on a global scale. As a steadily growing organization, Zeta Sigma Chi offers members not only a strong support network and system, but also an active National Board and Alumnae Association.

The idea of combining the principles of Education, Success, Culture, Service, and Sisterhood to make an impact in the lives of every woman as well as the community is the main goal of the organization. The uniqueness of the sorority includes its vast multicultural base with regards to culture, ethnic group, race, religion, orientation, opinions, beliefs, and identity. One of its many strengths is pushing academic success among its members in their undergraduate, and post graduate careers.

The purpose of Zeta Sigma Chi is:

"To unify a group of women from diverse cultures for one common goal, success in education. To achieve our goal, we base our beliefs on our unique backgrounds with the purpose of building a strong sisterhood that will assist us in our success. We invite ALL women of diverse cultures to join our sisterhood and share their beliefs, as well as to gain knowledge from our multicultural heritage."

Contents

[edit] National History

In 1990, eight determined women at Northern Illinois University came together to form a bond like no other. They had a new idea for an organization that would unify all women of different cultures, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds. This organization would also focus on the pursuit of higher education and achieving academic success. These strong women wanted to not only teach others at their school about their ideals, but they wanted to share their dreams and experiences with others as well. On March 3, 1991, Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. was formed by its Founders:

"Mommy Chis"

  • Maribel Campa
  • Zandra Cortez
  • Sandra de la Roca
  • Veronica Escobar
  • Sandra Gomes
  • Jacqueline Herrera
  • Laura Murillo
  • Julie Sanders

Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority hopes that other women will also seek the dream that, not only its founders had, but the dream that every Z-Chi has and continues to uphold. The sorority holds a strong belief that united through sisterhood, members will continue to learn about each other and the diverse heritages of every member, individual and culture.

Zeta Sigma Chi invites all women to seek membership within its organization and also strives to seek women who will maintain the idea of spreading multiculturalism and sisterhood everywhere. As the world grows ever more diverse, so will Zeta Sigma Chi.

Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc.. Retrieved on 05-06-2007.

[edit] Principles

The principles of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. are: Education, Success, Culture, Service and Sisterhood. It is the goal of the sorority to support the growth of its membership by upholding these principals.

Members of Zeta Sigma Chi strive to:

  • Attain and maintain a high graduation rate among members of Zeta Sigma Chi, and assist sisters in completing their educational goals in every way possible.
  • Encourage sisters to strive for success in both their educational endeavors and their career goals.
  • Encourage sisters to embrace, discover and share both their own personal cultures, as well as the cultures of other sisters and individuals, in order to broaden their horizons and gain respect for others.
  • Support and provide opportunities for members to give back to their communities and environments as much as possible through outreach, philanthropic efforts and community service.
  • Provide an environment in which women from different backgrounds and cultures come together on one accord to become true sisters. Our sisters do not take their bonds to one another lightly; once a sister of Zeta Sigma Chi, we are true sisters for life. What differentiates Zeta Sigma Chi as an organization is our dedication to personal and spiritual growth through the sharing of experiences, common bonds and a commitment to positive change.
  • Embody all the above aspects and become a true "Radiant Lady" of Zeta Sigma Chi for life.

Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc.. Retrieved on 05-06-2007.

[edit] Philanthropy

The Philanthropies of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. are the Ronald McDonald House and the National Association for Multicultural Education (N.A.M.E.). Sorority members are united together through sisterhood and share the goal to be ready and willing to lend a helping hand to those who are in need on and off a campus environment.

"A Home-Away-From-Home"

The idea behind Ronald McDonald House is simple: provide a "home-away-from-home" for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Some children need to travel great distances to get the medical attention they need. In-hospital treatment may last one day, one year, or even longer. For the families of these children, accommodations can be hard to come by; options are often limited to costly hotels or unforgiving hospital chairs and benches.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a comfortable, supportive alternative for these families. It serves as a temporary residence near the medical facility where family members can sleep, eat, relax and find support from other families in similar situations. In return, families are asked to make a donation ranging from $5 to $20 per day; if that isn't possible, their stay is free.

The Founders of NAME envisioned an organization that would bring together individuals and groups with an interest in multicultural education from all levels of education, different academic disciplines and from diverse educational institutions and occupations. NAME today is an active, growing organization, with members from throughout the United States and several other countries. Educators from preschool through higher education and representatives from business and communities comprise NAME's membership. Members in 22 states have formed NAME chapters and more chapters are currently being organized.

The achievement of NAME's goals and objectives is supported by funds from membership, conference registration fees, and the volunteer work of members. As the organization's membership increased, NAME incorporated as a nonprofit organization, developed a publication on multicultural education, and established a national office. NAME continues to host national and international conferences and to provide leadership in national and state dialogues on equity, diversity and multicultural education.

Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc.. Retrieved on 05-06-2007.

[edit] Chapters

Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc.. Retrieved on 05-06-2007.

[edit] External links