Gamma Eta
Gamma Eta (ΓΗ) is the first social sorority to be founded in the State of Florida. Eighteen women came together to create the sorority at the University of Florida in Gainesville on October 18, 1995. The sorority is dedicated to creating a culturally aware atmosphere in which women from diverse ethnic backgrounds can develop a sense of pride, sisterhood, and support in order to ensure professional and academic success. Gamma Eta was chartered and incorporated on August 2, 1999.
| Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. | |
|---|---|
| ΓΗ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 18, 1995 University of Florida |
| Type | Social |
| Motto | Hoy y Siempre |
| Colors | Purple Teal |
| Symbol | Sun and Fleur de Lis |
| Flower | Sunflower |
| Publication | The Sunrise |
| Philanthropy | Breast Cancer Awareness |
| Chapters | 4, with 4 colonies |
| Website | gammaetasorority.org |
As a diverse sorority, Gamma Eta is composed of college-educated women of diverse cultural backgrounds, including Caucasian, Hispanic, African, Asian, Middle Eastern (West Asia), and Indian.
Gamma Eta is a part of the National Multicultural Greek Council.
History
Founding
| Founding Mothers | |
|---|---|
|
Ilena Camilo |
Vivian Estalella |
In the years leading up to 1995, there were many questions regarding the role of the Latino community at the University of Florida. There was a low retention rate for Latino students and a large cultural disconnect at the University of Florida campus. In direct response to those issues, the Founding Mothers led the efforts to create Gamma Eta for women of diverse backgrounds to provide a social and academic support system.
Gamma Eta Society
First known as Gamma Eta Society, the founding mothers faced numerous barriers in becoming formally recognized as an official sorority. Despite these obstacles, the founders initiated the first Founding Class in the Spring of 1996. A few months after Gamma Eta's incorporation, the sorority was admitted to the local Multicultural Greek Council as an Associate Member on November 22, 1999.
Pillars of success
- Sisterhood
- Strength
- Unity
- Diversity
- Scholarship
- Leadership
- Service
Chapters
Undergraduate chapters
- Alpha – University of Florida
- Beta – University of North Florida
- Gamma – University of Arkansas
- Delta – Jacksonville University
- Epsilon colony – University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
- Zeta colony – University of Georgia
- Eta colony – IUPUI
- Theta colony – St. John's University, Staten Island Campus
Alumnae chapters
- Alpha Chi Alpha – Greater Miami
- Alpha Chi Beta – North Florida
- Alpha Chi Gamma – Orlando
- Alpha Chi Delta – Northwest Arkansas
- Alpha Chi Epsilon – Washington, D.C.
- Alpha Chi Zeta – Gainesville
Philanthropy
Gamma Eta's national philanthropy is breast cancer awareness in official partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Individual chapters at the collegiate and alumnae levels also support a secondary philanthropy.