SLU to Step with Nobel Nine at Penn Relays

SLU to step with Noble Nine at Penn Relays
First Latino organization to join Black Greeks in historic show

April 22, 2002

Philadelphia, PA -The National Performance Team of SLU/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. will be the first Latino organization to step alongside the Noble Nine on Saturday, April 27, 2002 at the University of Pennsylvania's historic Penn Relays Step Show.

"Twelve years ago, Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Senoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., established its presence in the city of Philadelphia. Being the third chapter, the Gamma Chapter Hermanas have always taken an active part in taking our organization to new heights. To now witness our organization's National Performance Team participate in this year's Penn Relays Step Show for the first time is a proud moment for all of us. It is truly going to be a historic event," said Tania Caceres (UPENN '95), Gamma Chapter, Spring 1992.

The Hermanas of SLU will be joining the highly regarded organizations of the Noble Nine of the National Panhellenic Council. These include: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

"Since the beginning, many compared our organization to other Greek organizations, specifically those of historical African American tradition. While I always thanked the Black Greeks for blazing the trail of fraternal organizations and people of color, I also yearned for others to appreciate and love us for what we really are-strong, dedicated women with our own progressive agendas. On Saturday, April 27th, we will begin to blaze a new trail, alongside the Noble Nine who have supported us in Philadelphia. We will stake our claim and represent for Latino Greeks in general," said Marcela Poveda (UPENN '01), Gamma Chapter, Spring 1998.

The first Penn Relays was held on April 21, 1895, in conjunction with the University's Spring Handicap Track and Field Games. The meet is now the longest uninterrupted collegiate track meet in the country, and one of the best-attended track events in the world. More spectators have watched the meet than any in the world except the Olympics. This year it is expected that the three-day event will likely top 100,000 spectators for the third year in a row.

Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., was founded on Dec.1, 1987 at Binghamton University as an organization that would provide sisterhood and support while also promoting academic achievement, service to the community and cultural enrichment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE