LADYS

Using the success of the PEARLS program, the Sigma Lambda LADYS program was piloted in the Fall of 2001 by the Theta Epsilon Graduate/Professional Chapter of Buffalo/Rochester, New York. Understanding the sensitive issues young high school women face, Hermanas wanted to create a curriculum that addressed and managed the needs of this population.

Sigma Lambda for the Leadership, Advancement, and Development of our Young Sisters is a mentorship program geared toward young women ages 14 to 18 that promotes sisterhood, cultural pride, academic excellence and service to the community within its participants, with an emphasis on college and career preparation.

Unlike our Sigma Lambda PEARLS program that is based at one elementary school, the Sigma Lambda LADYS program consists of numerous young women attending various high schools in the Buffalo/Rochester area. As a result, the Sorority needs to ensure the commitment of the participants and require them to complete an application to be selected for the program.

The Program's Impact

Since its inception, the Sigma Lambda LADYS program has graduated ten young women and has five more students currently enrolled. The program has helped each participant gain college preparatory skills, develop professionally, learn about her culture and much more. Each of the participants that have concluded the program have successfully completed high school and as a result of the Hermanas support and the prospectus of the program, participants were enabled to excel and be accepted to institutions.

Graduates of the Sigma Lambda LADYS program currently attend the following colleges/universities:

Binghamton University
Buffalo State College
St. John Fisher College
State University of New York at Stony Brook
University at Buffalo
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Upon successful completion of high school and the program, active participants are awarded the Sigma Lambda LADYS Book Scholarship, a $200 scholarship to assist with the economic demands of institutions of higher learning.

Today our LADYS program have expanded to the follow areas:

Theta Alpha NYC: 16 LADYS
Theta Beta Providence RI: 10 LADYS
Theta Epsilon Buffalo NY: 10 LADYS
Theta Epsilon Rochester NY: 5 LADYS
Theta Iota: Tampa FL: 25 LADYS