Sigma Psi Zeta
Sigma Psi Zeta (ΣΨΖ) Sorority, Inc., also known as Sigmas or SYZ, is a progressive multicultural sorority. It was founded on March 23, 1994 at the University at Albany and incorporated in New York on March 15, 1996 by the 10 Founding Mothers. The sorority's colors are red and gold and its flower is a yellow rose with baby's breath. It is a part of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA).
| Sigma Psi Zeta | |
|---|---|
| ΣΨΖ | |
 | |
| Founded | March 23, 1994 University at Albany |
| Type | Cultural interest |
| Emphasis | Asian-American |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "Lead from the front." |
| Colors | Red and Gold |
| Flower | Yellow Rose with Baby's Breath |
| Philanthropy | To Combat Violence Against Women |
| Chapters | 39 |
| Nickname | SYZ, Sigmas |
| Website | http://www.sigmapsizeta.org |
Sigma Psi Zeta is a cultural, social, educational and community service–oriented Greek organization. It is the third largest Asian-interest sorority in the nation. Its philanthropic focus is to combat violence against women in its various forms. Sigma Psi Zeta is an official partner of the White House initiative, It's On Us, which launched as a result of the ARC3 Survey.
Sigma Psi Zeta currently has active memberships in the states/commonwealths of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C. It has 36 memberships in the United States.
History
Plans for the Sigma Psi Zeta sorority were formed in the Fall semester of 1993 at SUNY Albany by a group of female undergraduates from different backgrounds. The sorority was formed in part to address the dual difficulties faced by Asian women. On March 23, 1994 the sorority was officially recognized by the University. Within a year, a second chapter was formed at SUNY University at Binghamton.[1]
The founding mothers were:
- Gina Han
- Sally Hsieh
- Jean Kim
- Jenny Kim
- Sandra Lam
- Winnie Liu
- Yan-Chieh Liu
- Michelle Macaraig
- Sung-Yon Noh
- Loan Trang
Philanthropy
Since 1999, Sigma Psi Zeta's philanthropy has been to combat violence against women. The sorority has worked against violence against women in many forms, and has focused specifically on Asian women who are historically objectified and disempowered. Local chapters and colonies participate in events such as the Take Back The Night rallies, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence's Domestic Violence Awareness month.[2]
Membership Locations
Chapters
- [Α] Alpha Chapter – University at Albany, The State University of New York – Albany, NY
- [Δ] Delta Chapter – University at Buffalo, The State University of New York – Buffalo, NY
- [Η] Eta Chapter – Stony Brook University – Stony Brook, NY
- [Ι] Iota Chapter – University of Rochester – Rochester, NY
- [Λ] Lambda Chapter – University of Virginia – Charlottesville, VA
- [Ν] Nu Chapter – Drexel University – Philadelphia, PA
- [Ξ] Xi Chapter – University of Nebraska–Lincoln – Lincoln, NE
- [Ο] Omicron Chapter – Stanford University – Stanford, CA
- [Π] Pi Chapter – The George Washington University – Washington, D.C.
- [Ρ] Rho Chapter – University of Washington – Seattle, WA
- [Υ] Upsilon Chapter – University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, PA
- [Τ] Tau Chapter – University of Maryland at College Park – College Park, MD
- [Φ] Phi Chapter – University of Colorado at Boulder – Boulder, CO
- [ΑΒ] Alpha Beta Chapter – Northwestern University – Evanston, IL
- [ΑΘ] Alpha Theta Chapter – Wichita State University – Wichita, KS
Charters
- [Β] Beta Charter – Binghamton University – Binghamton, NY
- [Κ] Kappa Charter – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) – Blacksburg, VA
- [ΑΓ] Alpha Gamma Charter – Villanova University – Villanova, PA
- [ΑΔ] Alpha Delta Charter – Rutgers University – New Brunswick, NJ
- [ΑΕ] Alpha Epsilon Charter – University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign – Champaign, IL
- [ΑΖ] Alpha Zeta Charter – University of the Sciences – Philadelphia, PA
- [ΑΙ] Alpha Iota Charter – University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley, CA
- [ΑΚ] Alpha Kappa Charter – University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN
- [ΑΛ] Alpha Lambda Charter – Rochester Institute of Technology – Rochester, NY
- [ΑΜ] Alpha Mu Charter – University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
- [ΑΝ] Alpha Nu Charter – George Mason University – Fairfax, VA
- [ΑΞ] Alpha Xi Charter – Syracuse University – Syracuse, NY
- [ΑΟ] Alpha Omicron Charter – Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis – Indianapolis, IN
- [ΑΠ] Alpha Pi Charter – University of Wisconsin – Madison – Madison, WI
- [ΑΡ] Alpha Rho Charter – Stevens Institute of Technology – Hoboken, NJ
- [ΑΤ] Alpha Tau Charter – New York University – New York City, NY
Inactive Memberships
- [Γ] Gamma – Jamaica, NY
- [Ε] Epsilon – Oneonta, NY
- [Ζ] Zeta – New York, NY
- [Θ] Theta – Amherst, MA
- [Μ] Mu – Geneseo, NY
- [Χ] Chi – Shippensburg, PA
- [ΑΑ] Alpha Alpha – New Haven, CT
- [ΑΗ] Alpha Eta – New York City, NY
References
- "Our Story". Sigma Psi Zeta. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- "Philanthropy Background". Sigma Psi Zeta. Retrieved 14 December 2013.