Lambda Pi Upsilon (), also known as Latinas Poderosas Unidas Sorority Inc. or ''Lambda Divas'' is a Latina oriented

sorority Fraternities and sororities are social organizations at colleges and universities in North America. Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student, but continues thereafter for life. Some accept gradua ...

founded at

SUNY Geneseo The State University of New York College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo State College or, colloquially, "Geneseo") is a public liberal arts college in Geneseo, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The colle ...

by six women who believed that the problems of womanhood, particularly those of Latinas, needed to be addressed and resolved on campus by seeking unity, cultural identity, and growth of mind as a whole group. Established on November 6, 1992, Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority Inc. seeks to show their commitment and desire to help educate others through programs and social events that address issues involving their community, youth, and womanhood. Lambda Pi Upsilon's essence is based on education, commitment, and aspirations that reflect the beliefs of the Founding Mothers and accentuate strong leadership qualities that their members possess. The main archive URL i
The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage
The sorority is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

History

''Inception'': Lambda Pi Upsilon began with six women who sought to fight and address increasing social issues involving women in their community, particularly Latina women. They believed that, as a whole and working as a close support system, they could provide other women, especially Latinas, with the strength and aspirations needed to succeed. Located on a predominantly caucasian campus, these six women were driven to find a sense of unity and commonality by approaching the ideas of cultural identity and growth of mind. Referred to as the ''Six Pillars of Strength'', these women are: Founding Mothers * Founding Mother #1: Sandra Mosquera-Valerio * Founding Mother #2: Lisette Pineda * Founding Mother #3: Maria Fritz-Rodriguez * Founding Mother #4: Glorivy Arce * Founding Mother #5: Ebony Robinson * Founding Mother #6: Nancy Martinez Together these women believed that by providing a sisterly networks of strengths, women could confront the challenges they were faced with, and gain a sense of empowerment that would defy social issues, and lead them to success. Their motivation, faith, ambition, and vision lead them to experience what is known as the Lambda Way. Disregarding the social and political challenges they faced, they succeeded in 1992 in creating Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority Inc., a path in which all women can follow, based on six founding principles. These six founding principles are: Family, Advancement, Education, Motivation, Learning, and Exposure. Since its inception, Hermanas of Lambda Pi Upsilon aim to maintain and uphold these six founding principles. The Hermandad has remained on the front of exerting these six founding principles by creating a commitment to education, family, cultural awareness, and above all, to each other. Hermanas Para Siempre Con Amor, Dignidad, y Orgullo.

Philanthropy

As an organization, Lambda Pi Upsilon decided to adopt children as part of their philanthropic research. However, with the death of one of their members from asthma, Lambda Pi Upsilon has also focused its attentions on

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, co ...

as part of their philanthropic research. Research is focused on the effects of asthma on women, especially women of color. It has become a yearly organizational event for members of the Hermandad to participate in the annual Asthma Walk held in New York City.

Other Contributing Organizations

Besides focusing on their philanthropic research, members of Lambda Pi Upsilon also sponsor and contribute to other organizations. Some of these organizations are the MS Walk,

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St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility located in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1962, it is a 501(c)(3) designated nonprofit medical corporation which focuses on children's catastrophic diseases, par ...

AIDS Walk AIDS Walk is a walkathon fundraiser that raises money to combat the AIDS epidemic. Since 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has drawn hundreds of thousands of supporters to walk, and millions more to donate, raising more than $90 million to combat HIV a ...

American Lung Association The American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. History The organization was founded in 1904 to figh ...

Lung Force Walk,

Ronald McDonald House Charities Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an independent American nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. RMHC has a global network of c ...

, and

Wildlife Conservation Society The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a non-governmental organization headquartered at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, that aims to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions. Founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological ...

's "Save the Jaguar" to name a few.

Diva Affairs and Programs

Affairs

As part of the organization, members of Lambda Pi Upsilon host numerous annual events for Hermanas and other people to attend. Some of these events are: ;Sisterhood Weekend :Sisterhood weekend is a legacy that was left by the Six Pillars of Strength for the hermanas of the sorority to go and bond with each other. The first sisterhood weekend was held on August 4–6, 1995 in

. ;Emerald Gala :The Emerald Gala is an event hosted in New York City to celebrate the growth and the accomplishments of the organization.

Chapters

Undergraduate Chapters

Chapters of Lambda Pi Upsilon include:

Graduate chapters

Zeta Alumnae/Professional Class Regions

Colonies

Colonies of Lambda Pi Upsilon include:

Membership and Orientation Process

Lambda Pi Upsilon, Latinas Poderosas Unidas Sorority, Inc. welcomes women who are interested in a young and developing organization who also want to become leaders within their communities.

References

*http://www.lambdapiupsilon.org/ *http://www.nalfo.org/

External links

*http://www.lambdapiupsilon.org/ *http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR/LungWalk/ALANY_New_York?team_id=12981&pg=team&fr_id=2010 {{National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations Student organizations established in 1992 Latino fraternities and sororities 1992 establishments in New York (state)