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Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. (ΣΠΑ) is a Chicana and Latina-based, Greek letter, intercollegiate sorority founded in 1996 at the University of California, Berkeley. Although Sigma Pi Alpha is a Chicana Latina organization by tradition, membership is open to all college females. It has established thirteen chapters in California.
Sigma Pi Alpha was established on May 2, 1996 at the University of California, Berkeley, and has expanded to other locations in California.[1][2] It founders were nine Chicana and Latina female students who wanted to create a network for Latinas and make an impact in Chicana and Latina communities.[2] The founders were Michelle Amezcua, Lisa Carlsen, Karina Jacobo, Karina Lleva, Yovanna Monia Ochoa, Erica Quintor, Leonor Maria de los Angeles Ocon Chavez Rodriguez Sierra, Elizabeth Naty Santana Lepe, and Teresa Torres.[3]
In 2001, Beta chapter was established at the University of California, Riverside, followed by Gamma at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2002.[1] In 2003, chapters were chartered at the San Francisco State University, California State University, San Bernardino, University of California, Davis.[1] By 2016, Sigma Pi Alpha had chartered thirteen chapters within the California state university system.[1] Although Sigma Pi Alpha is a Chicana Latina organization by tradition, it considers itself to be multicultural and its membership is open to all college females.[4][5]
The sorority's Greek letters ΣΠΑ were selected to symbolize their Chicana and Latina heritage by spelling ELLA, meaning "she" and "her" in the Spanish language.[2]
The sorority's motto is Mujeres Con Cultura, Fuerza y Hermandad.[6] Its pillars are "Community Service, Campus Involvement, Culture, Academics, and Sisterhood.[2] Its colors are midnight green, pearl, onyx, and shimmering gold.[2][7] Its flower is the calla lily and its mascot is the golden bear.[2] The sorority's nicknames are ELLAs and Sigmas.[2][7]
Sigma Pi Alpha promotes cultural education with cultural events, lectures, and workshops.[5] Its national philanthropy is breast cancer awareness, raising funds for the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.[8][7] Members also participate in community service on Cesar Chavez Day.[7]
The Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alum Association provides a post-graduation social and professional networks.[9] One of the Alum Association's activities is the Ella Puede mentorship program.[10]
The sorority is governed by a national council.[2] Its officers include president, vice president, director of finance, director of administration relations, director of academic affairs, director of constitutional records, director of expansion relations, director of philanthropy, director of public relations, and director of sorority ethics.[11]
The sorority is not part of the Greek Panhellenic System and does not affiliate with any national fraternity or sorority council.[2] However, its chapters may participation the Multicultural Greek Council at the campus level.[12]
Chapters are present at the following institutions, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.[1][13]
