SECTION: Vol. 6; No. 23; Pg. 9
LENGTH: 1511 words

HEADLINE: LEADERSHIP: Sigma Lambda Upsilon; A Fledgling Sorority Gains Ground
BYLINE: Luhrs, Joyce

BODY:
LEADERSHIP: Sigma Lambda Upsilon; A Fledgling Sorority Gains Ground.

With a network of more than 100 women, Sigma Lambda Upsilon strives to be a voice for Latinas in the United States. As one of only two Greek letter Latina sororities in the country, Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Senoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., has achieved much with 11 chapters up and running along the Eastcoast. Started in 1987 at the State University of New York at Binghamton, the sorority was founded by four women who felt a need for an organization where Latinas could come together to educate themselves, share ideas, and get involved in their communities.

Co-founder Cynthia Santiago-Guzman, notes that she and other founders --Adriana Zamora, Carmen Garcia, and Carol Torres -- were all first-year students at the time they pioneered the organization at SUNY-Binghamton.

"When I started at Binghamton, there was a Latino fraternity, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, which was co-ed because there weren't many Hispanic men and women on the campus," said Santiago-Guzman. "There were only two women members. That chapter wanted to become national and become a fraternity only. We, pledged to that fraternity while we simultaneously developed documents needed to create a sorority."

Once the sorority was accepted by the student association on campus, they were in business. Santiago-Guzman believes that starting a sorority during the first year of college was an advantage, despite some obstacles.

"With such an early start, we had several years to develop the organization. We were able to overcome some of the obstacles that arise when you're learning the sorority system, navigating the university system, and keeping up with your studies."

Sigma Lambda Upsilon's goals are to develop sisterhood, academic achievement, cultural awareness, leadership, and community service among members of the larger community. Without funds from the university, the members still demonstrate their commitment to these goals through their interaction with other hermanas (as they call each other). They take on leadership roles as an Executive Body, speak at forums and conferences, and participate in the community service program of the organization.

Raquel Martinez, president of the Alpha Chapter at SUNY-Binghamton, explains that the sorority seeks out dedicated undergraduate and graduate women who have a record of accomplishing their goals. Members identify themselves as hermanas (sisters) with membership open to all women who share the organization's philosophy and objectives. This creates a bridge between all women who are committed to the advancement of Latinos. Today, there are 150 hermanas nationwide.

Pledges to the sorority go through a rigorous process. With the sorority's emphasis on academics, applicants are placed on social probation and are not allowed to attend parties. They learn about the history of the organization and even wear uniforms. Prospective members are interviewed about their personal goals, why they want to join, how they will benefit from joining, and their belief in the common goals about growing through community involvement.

The academic rigors of the organization have not gone unnoticed. In 1993, the Alpha Chapter was recognized for its academic achievement with the highest grade point average of all the other organizations on the Binghamton campus. That same year, the national board of the sorority honored the chapter with the Cacique award, which is given in recognition of academic excellence.

Martinez points out that Latino fraternities and Latina sororities tend to be smaller in size than others because they have only recently been formed. She believes that with the growth of the Latino population in this country, sororities like Sigma Lambda Upsilon will help unite Latinas.

Although they are small in numbers, hermanas are actively involved in the community. Service is an integral part of a member's activities with the organization. According to Santiago-Guzman, the goal of the community service project is to help people in the Binghamton area and to gain knowledge for the members.

"Our members stress the importance of the hands-on work they perform in the community. We promote service by doing something with the community, and we benefit from our participation. It is always a give and take."

Working with women and children in a domestic violence center in Binghamton was one of the community service projects Santiago-Guzman and others worked on. Members cleaned and painted rooms in a battered women's shelter and brought toys for the children. The sorority sisters received a great deal of satisfaction and learned from the project.

"It wasn't just something we were doing on a Saturday. We saw what these women were going through by meeting and talking with some of them and their children," said Santiago-Guzman.

For Rosanne Santos, joining Sigma Lambda Upsilon also meant getting more involved in the community.

"I did a lot more community service," Santos said. "That was one of the main changes in my activities. I really got into it. I guess I just needed that extra push to get involved." Children's International, the March of Dimes, and the Urban League are among the community organizations that have benefited from the sorority's work.

The sorority also sponsors cultural activities celebrating Latino music and dance, Women's History Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.

For Raquel Martinez, personal growth has been a major outcome of her sorority membership. She believes that she's learned to see life beyond her accounting major.

"As a business major, I tend to look at things in a business way. Because the sorority is very active and we are dealing with so many different kinds of people, I have really learned about sisterhood. We share things together, and I have learned from what we give to other people. We're always looking to help others, and that alone gives me much satisfaction."

Although Santos was involved with several Latino organizations at her alma mater, Syracuse University, she felt more attention needed to be given to the concerns of Latinas.

"The other organizations addressed political concerns and Latino issues in general," Santos said. "But I felt that I needed something that focused on women and brought women together as a group." Santos didn't feel that other organizations lived up to the standards that Sigma Lambda Upsilon set for itself.

"I had looked at Black sororities and traditional white sororities. None of them actually addressed what I needed as a Latin woman." She cited her need to be involved with an organization that understood the Latin foods she eats, the kind of family and cultural background she comes from, and the Spanish language.

"There were bits and pieces that I missed from home that I wanted at school, and I found them with my sisters in the sorority."

After investigating a few sororities, Santos and five other women discovered Sigma Lambda Upsilon at Binghamton and co-founded the Eta Chapter at Syracuse University in the spring of 1992. While pursuing graduate studies in history at the State University of New York at Albany and working full time, she remains active in the sorority, serving as senior vice president on the board of directors.

Individual members cite several benefits of joining the organization. Santiago-Guzman considers all the people she met through the organization a big plus. She finds it very rewarding to see the hermanas graduate and go on with their lives in so many different areas.

"All the women I have met contribute to a very positive experience. Because we're so small, it's important to know all the women in the sorority. They are all very intelligent, have goals and aspirations, and are committed to service in the community. Being a part of the sorority has made a huge difference in their lives."

Sorority sisters remain active in the organization even after graduating. Alumnae council operates in New York City with board meetings held once every three weeks. All the chapters of the sorority meet every year at a convention. In addition to professional development workshops, members, continue their hands-on interests in the community and get involved in a service project for the weekend.

But Santos believes that more work needs to be done to keep alumnae involved.

"We want to mobilize the alumnae and continue to get them involved. We want to set up alumnae chapters in areas that have large numbers of former members. Likely spots for alumnae chapters include Texas, New York City, and New Jersey, where alumnae are concentrated."

What is the future of Sigma Lambda Upsilon? As president of the national board, Santiago-Guzman believes the organization can accomplish even more. "We're trying to focus on networking among ourselves," she said.

Santos adds that they have to work slowly.

"We want to do so much so quickly, and that is not always possible. We would like to expand nationwide, but because we are so small, we have to take baby steps."

ETHNIC-GROUP: Hispanic
LANGUAGE: English

LOAD-DATE: September 16, 1996