Hello everyone out there!
First and foremost, I want to give you a warm welcome to the Iota Chapter of SLU's informative blog. I hope you enjoy it!
My name is Patricia Rodriguez and I am the vice president of the Iota Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. This blog was created because we as a chapter felt that we needed another way to communicate with the public about what we do here in Ithaca and beyond.
Just to give you a little background, Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1987, at SUNY Binghamton as an organization that would provide sisterhood and support while also promoting academic achievement, service to the community, and cultural enrichment. Today, the sorority's purpose remains to unite women committed to seeking the political and social advancement of underrepresented populations.
Sorority Quick Facts:
*Established: December 1, 1987 at SUNY Binghamton
*Goals: Sisterhood, Academic Excellence, Community Service, Cultural Enrichment, Leadership
*Ideals: Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity
*Colors: Red, Black, Silver, and Gold
*Flower: Red Pansy with Gold and Black
*Mascot: Black Persian Cat with Gold Eyes
*Motto: Hasta La Muerte
*National Philanthropy: Literacy
*Over 30 undergraduate chapters, including 7 of the 8 Ivy League Institutions
*13 Graduate/Professional Chapters across the nation
*Latina-BASED, NOT Latina-EXCLUSIVE
INVINCIBLE IOTA!!!
Iota Chapter was established in the Spring of 1993 at Cornell University, and it expanded to include Ithaca College in the Spring of 2008. In addition, the chapter was dormant since 2005 and was recently reactivated with the Iota Line, which was initiated in Spring 2008.
This line includes:
HERMANA SIRIANNY CAMILO (Ithaca College '08)
HERMANA SASHA MARIE LOPEZ (Cornell '10)
HERMANA PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ (Ithaca College '09)
Check out some Iota press releases discussing last semester's activities.
IOTA CHAPTER’S BACK AND READY TO MAKE AN ENTRANCE
July 28, 2008 – Ithaca, NY – After a three year hiatus, the Iota Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Senoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. is officially back in Ithaca, NY.
The newest members of the chapter, Hermana Sirianny Camilo (Ithaca College ‘08), Hermana Sasha Lopez (Cornell University ‘10), and Hermana Patricia Rodriguez (Ithaca College ’09) were initiated this past April.
Now serving as President (Sasha Lopez) and Vice President (Patricia Rodriguez) of Iota Chapter, both undergraduate Hermanas will continue in the Iota tradition. This summer, the new Hermanas are working diligently to coordinate programs and events for the fall 2008 semester that uphold the values and ideals of SLU and as a result, are confident that next semester will be a very successful one for the chapter.
This level of dedication comes as no surprise. Since the chapter’s inception in 1993, Hermanas have executed influential programs and taken on an active approach to campus politics (e.g. the Day Hall Takeover of 1993), and the lucha for ethnic studies (both at Cornell University). In addition, the Hermanas have co-founded Latino organizations such as, Quisqueya (the Dominican Students Association) and MECHA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanas de Aztlan).
Sigma Lambda Upsilon has definitely left its mark at Cornell and the greater Ithaca community. In fact, the mural of the Day Hall Takeover in the Latino Living Center at Cornell, painted by Hermana Yasmin Hernandez, is a physical representation of this. Please join the undergraduate Senoritas as they continue to make history for Iota through community service, social programs, political events, professional panels, among many other exciting events.
IOTA CHAPTER COMMITS TO EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT, LITERACY, AND SOCIAL CHANGE
October 28,2008– Ithaca, NY – After a three-year hiatus, the Iota Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. was reactivated this past spring with the initiation of Hermana Sirianny Camilo (Ithaca College ’08), Hermana Sasha Lopez (Cornell University ’10) and Hermana Patricia Rodriguez (Ithaca College ’09).
The current undergraduate Hermanas, Sasha Lopez and Patricia Rodriguez, have executed programs and literacy initiatives that are consistent with Iota chapter’s local legacy and the goals and ideals of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. on a national level.
Literacy Initiatives:
SLU’s national philanthropy is literacy and Iota Chapter is committed to educating and empowering children through reading. This is why the Señoritas began the year with Bowling for Books, a program co-sponsored with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to collect books and funds to donate to the Ithaca Family Reading Partnership. With over 100 people in attendance, the Señoritas and the Alphas were able to collect over 100 books and over $200. In addition, the Señoritas reinstated La Hora del Cuento, Spanish story time at the Tompkins County Public Library, an event that the sorority hosted in Ithaca for several years. Through this program, the Señoritas spread knowledge and awareness of Latino culture all year long by reading stories that relate to the Latino experience and discuss relevant issues such as the importance of bilingualism, family, friendship, education, and heritage.
Raices:
Every year the sorority hosts a national week called Raices (roots). Each chapter provides programming and community service activities to their respective communities that encompass the current year’s theme. This year’s theme was “Coming Out of the Shadows: Latin American Women Tell Herstory.” Iota Chapter hosted a program called Las Mirabales, which was a screening of the film “In the Time of the Butterflies,” followed by a discussion on political turmoil in Latin America. Next, the Señoritas moderated a panel discussion that focused on the various Latina experiences and how the media excludes certain Latina stories. Accordingly, the program was entitled “Su Historia” or Herstory.
Education and Empowerment:
The Iota Chapter of SLU has hosted programs such as “Are You In or Are You Out?: Latinos & Homosexuality” to discuss the issues that face Latino homosexuals. This group is a minority within a minority that is often forgotten about. The Iota Chapter of SLU is dedicated to discussing issues of identity and intersectionality that are relevant to the Latino community and communities of color, in order to educate and empower the Ithaca College, Cornell University, and overall Ithaca community. Next, the Señoritas held a program entitled “The Fine Line: Consent and Force” to discuss the issue of rape on college campuses and how women can take precautions against the dangers of it. A self-defense instructor came in to teach women strategic moves to keep themselves safe and defend themselves against a potential attack. In addition, Iota Chapter co-sponsored a program entitled “My Friend..” in conjunction with a number of MGLC sororities as a part of Lambda Theta Alpha’s week of Burgundy Bliss, to promote healthy female sex lives through knowledge and education regarding sexually transmitted diseases and infections and how women can protect themselves.
Make sure to check out Iota Chapter's first Major Week of Events at Cornell starting March 22nd!!!
The events are as follows:
"Ain't I a Woman?"
Is feminism solely for white women? What have the roles of minority women been in shaping feminism as we know it? Have women of color always been excluded? How can we balance our cultural values and the feminist ideology?
Join the Hermanas of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. as we answer these questions and further explore the issues facing women of color that identify as feminists.
Monday, March 23 at 7:30 PM
Cornell University, Balch Hall – Unit 1 Lounge
Refreshments Provided!
Ever wonder what characteristics people associate with promiscuity? How do these associations relate to sexual and social double standards in our society?
"What's your Number?"
Join the Hermanas of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. and the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to find out the role that gender, race, age, education level, and income have in people’s perceptions of your number of sexual partners at this fun and interactive program.
When: Wednesday, March 25
Location: Ujamaa – Main Lounge
Time: 8:00 PM
"A Girl Like Me"
Join the Hermanas of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. for “A Girl Like Me.”
Part of the Latino Living Center’s Café Con Leche Discussion Series
Why is it always a trigueñita versus blanquita issue? Why is lighter skin considered more attractive? Why does skin color matter so much within the same culture?
Inspired by the 7-minute independent film entitled “A Girl Like Me” by Kiri Thomas, this discussion focuses on the issues of race and color faced by minority women living in a “Barbie” society.
Date: March 27, 2009
Location: Latino Living Center – Main Lounge
Time: 6:30 PM
"Breaking the Cycle"
Have you ever been in a situation where you did not know how to protect yourself? Has anyone ever approached you off-guard and you did not want to fight, but walking away was not an option? Do none of these scenarios apply to you, but you would like to know more about how you can defend yourself in the future?
Join the DevaSTating Divas of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Radiant Sisters of Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and the Scintillating Señoritas of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. for a REAL TALK discussion about domestic violence and an interactive self-defense session.
Spaces are limited and are on a first come first serve basis! RSVP by March 25, 2009, to Sharon Foretia at (saf223@cornell.edu).
Location: Cornell University, Appel Multipurpose Room
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
The INFERNO
SLU and LUL are bringin’ back the HEAT! Join the Scintillating Señoritas of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. and the ELITE Hermanos of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. as we set the campus ablaze with the HOTTEST party of the semester!
THE INFERNO
The OFFICIAL After Party to Noche Dorada
When: Sat. March 28, 2009
Where: Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)
105 Westbourne Lane
Ithaca, NY 14850
DOORS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT!
$2 w/ Noche Dorada Ticket
$3 for Greeks ALL NIGHT
$3 before 12:30 AM - INFLATION AFTER
DJ Heavyness will be spinning the HOTTEST in Hip-Hop, Reggae, Reggaeton, Salsa, and Merengue till 4 AM!
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Well now that you know what we've been doing for the past year and what we are bringing to Cornell, Ithaca College, and the Ithaca community next week, I hope that you are able to come out to some of our events and community service activities!
For more info. on the Iota Chapter of SLU, please contact Patricia Rodriguez at patricia.rodriguez7@gmail.com or Sasha Lopez at sml67@cornell.edu with any questions!
Love,
Ithaca Señoritas
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