Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Incorporated (ΛΠΧ) (also known as Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc.) is a Latina-based, but not Latina-exclusive Greek letter intercollegiate sorority founded on April 16, 1988, at Cornell University by five women.[1]
Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. was established at Cornell University on April 16, 1988.[3] Its founders were Irma Almirall-Padamsee, Maria Caban, Migdalia Franklin, Patricia Rivera, Eva Marie Sosa.
The sorority was founded upon three principles: La Cultura Latina (the Latino Culture), La Comunidad (the Community), and La Hermandad (the Sisterhood).[4] The founders of Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. envisioned an organization that would embrace Latina community leaders who wanted to make a positive impact at Cornell and the Latino community at large despite institutional struggles.
"The community of Latino students and staff at that time (1988) at Cornell was very small. Although there was a student association, which two of the other founders and I started (Las Associacion de Latinas Universitarias) [The Association of Latina University Women], it became clear that what many women really wanted and needed was a means by which to foster lifelong, deep friendships. Having a formal means by which women, who were especially interested in the richness of the Latino heritage, perceived themselves as leaders for their communities and were committed to making positive change for the latino community at the university and after graduation seemed to make sense.
The curriculum was overwhelmingly Euro-centric and although of top caliber theoretically, left much to be desired by students who wanted to learn about the history, experience, and contributions of non-European communities. Our university had experienced various building takeovers, sit-ins, and eventually a hunger strike, which were directly triggered by Latino and black student dissatisfaction with the university's inability and seeming unwillingness to meaningfully address the financial, educational, and social needs of the students of color on campus."
Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. was incorporated on April 8, 1991; it was the first Latina sorority incorporated in New York state.[5][6] The sorority was helped heavily in its establishment by the fraternities Lambda Upsilon Lambda and Alpha Phi Alpha (who were also founded at Cornell University) and La Asociacion Latina present on campus.[7] During the organization's 2015 National Convention, members voted to become trans-inclusive, becoming the first National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) sorority member to do so.[8]
On March 25, 2017, Lambda Pi Chi established its first chapter at a historically black college and university (HBCU), North Carolina Central University.[9] It is the first Latina-based and non-exclusive sorority on the campus and the second NALFO sorority to establish a chapter at a HBCU.[10]
Symbols
The motto of Lambda Pi Chi is ''La Hermandad Nunca Termina''.[6] Its ideals or pillars are La Cultura Latina, La Comunidad and La Hermandad.
The sorority's colors are red, gold, black, and white.[6] Its flower is the red carnation.[6] Its jewel is the fire opal, and its mascot is the butterful in flight.[6]
Philanthropy
Lambda Pi Chi focuses on serving the Latino community with an emphasis on the Latina, communities of color, and members of other underserved communities.[11] The sorority has two public service projects, L.E.A.A.P: Latinas Educating on AIDS Awareness and Prevention and Proyecto H.A.C.E.R (Hacer in Spanish means to make, to build, to do).[12][13]
On July 14, 2016, Lambda Pi Chi Sorority two scholarship opportunities in honor of deceased members Fanny D. Carela and Gabby Oberti. The scholarships are intended to embody the spirit and passion of the Hermanas and also invest in the advancement and education of La Hermanadad (the Sisterhood) and La Comunidad (the Community).[14]
Chapters
Collegiate chapters
Following is a list of the collegiate chapters and provisional chapters (colonies) of Lambda Pi Chi.[15][16] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.
The sorority allows for graduate chapters for those seeking participation after college, or for alumnae initiates. Following is a list of its professional/graduate chapters.[45] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.
