At Binghamton University on december 1, 1987, four Latinas saw the need for an organization that would provide sisterhood and support, while also promoting academic achievement, service to the community and cultural enrichment.
They fulfilled this need by creating Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Seņoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
This sorority is a Latina-based, Greek lettered organization which exists to promote a bridge between all women committed to seeking the advancement of Latinos(as).
These sisters or "Hermanas" as they are called, have various cultural backgrounds and through mutual respect, trust, honesty, and academic support, they unite to share a common goal; to unite and empower all Hermanas.
Now, Seņoritas Latinas Unidas has 10 chapters on 11 different campuses in the United States.
In 1993, women at the University of Rhode Island formed a dual chapter, known as the Delta Chapter, along with Brown University women.
From Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at SUNY Oswego, their Zeta Chapter, the sorority celebrated their eighth annual Founder's Day called "Historical Conventions." At this convention, the Delta Chapter received the Excellence Award for Community Service.
"It was a very emotional, great time. You feel close to all your Hermanas even if you don't know them,'' said Maria Palomares, an alumnae of Seņoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority. "It's a time where we get to know each other and talk about various experiences and network together,'' Palomares said.
This award is based on how much community service each chapter takes part in. They are each required to participate in at least three mandatory community service projects, however, they may do as many projects as they want.
This year, the Hermanas of the Delta Chapter participated in a variety of projects.
They sponsored the URI blood drives, provided Thanksgiving dinners to needy families in Providence, participated in the annual Making Strides Walk-a-thon for women's breast cancer and organized Project Pumpkin along with Clearinghouse Volunteers.
They have also started the "Latino Campaign," in which Hermanas go to different high schools in Rhode Island to let students know what the college experience is all about.
"Basically, we say 'We made it, so you can too,''' explained Melba Depeņa, public relations director for Seņoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority.
A new mentor program formed by the sorority and the women's Center is called De Mujer A Mujer. They pair freshmen Latina women with upper classmen Latinas to help them with things such as academic problems or even personal problems that the freshmen may be having as they adjust to college life.
"I'd like to say a special thanks to Carolyn Sovet, the director of the Women's Center, for all of her support," said Sandra Rodriguez, dean of academics for the sorority.
On top of the Excellence Award the sorority received, Rodriguez received an award herself called the Outstanding Hermana Award. She was selected to win this award because of her contributions and sisterhood she has shown.
"It was an honor for me to win this award because it is the most prestigious," Rodriguez said. "It was a great honor." She also explained that she didn't know she was receiving the award so it made it all the more surprising and better for her.
"I could get any other award, but this one means the most to me,'' Rodriguez said.
"It was a very emotional thing for us [Hermanas] to see sandra receive the award because it means a lot to her," Palomares said. "We're very proud of her."