Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad, L P C
Sorority,
Inc. was founded on April 16, 1988 at Cornell
University by four strong and progressive women.
The Founding Hermanas: Patricia Rivera, Maria Caban, Eva Marie
Sosa-Grandison, and Migdalia Franklin sought to establish an organization
that would transcend their collegiate experience and consolidate their
strength as responsible women devoted to the community. With the
assistance of Dr. Irma Almirall-Padamsee, this dream was brought to
fruition. Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. is
the first Latina sorority ever established at an Ivy League Institution.
Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. was founded on
three ideals: La Comunidad, La Cultura Latina and La Hermandad. Las
Hermanas strive to uphold and emulate these ideals through our steadfast
commitment to the community, to ourselves and to each other. It is through
infinite dedication and determination that we attempt to tackle the
critical issues affecting our community.
La Comunidad
As is clearly evident in our name, Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi
Chi Sorority, Inc., we are deeply committed to the upliftment and progress
of our community. It is to this end that we dedicate ourselves to life
long service to the community. As part of our efforts, we sponsor
cultural, educational and social programs/events that focus on the
critical issues affecting the community. In addition, we collaborate with
local community-based organizations, social service agencies and other
Greek-lettered organizations to achieve unity and progress.
La
Cultura Latina
Las Hermanas seek to educate others, as well as ourselves, about the
Latina experience in this society. We sincerely believe that knowledge of
one's self and strong cultural identity exemplifies the beauty and
strength of our community. Our Hermandad is a constant celebration of the
diversity that exists within all of our communities. It is because of this
that we feel that Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority,
Inc. truly epitomizes what is known as La Comunidad within our expanding
sisterhood in the collegiate community.
La
Hermandad
Our Hermandad, our special sisterhood, is our everlasting bond to each
other and to the organization. This Hermandad provides us with a lifetime
support system that extends from the youngest undergraduate Hermana to our
graduate and professional Hermanas. It is the means by which we support
each other unconditionally through our personal, academic and professional
lives. It also allows Las Hermanas the opportunity to share in our common
experiences and learn from our distinct perspectives. Our motto, "La
Hermandad Nunca Termina", is representative of our lifetime commitment to
each other and the special sisterhood we share.
Inherently interwoven with our three ideals of: La Comunidad, La Cultura
Latina and La Hermandad are the following four concepts: Academic
Excellence, Community Service, Hermandad and Networking.
Academic
Excellence
We strongly believe that our primary reason for attending college is the
attainment of a sound education. For this reason, throughout every facet
of our organization we stress academic excellence. It is never enough to
simply attend college and fulfill the minimum requirements set forth in
order to merely graduate, we aim to succeed at every task set before us
academically. This ideology permeates all aspects of our lives and
evidence of this can be found in that a majority of our Hermanas continue
on to obtain higher academic degrees.
Community Service
Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. is an
organization based on the action of servicing the community. Given that we
understand the power we possess within our respective communities, we
utilize the vast resources at our disposal to create positive changes,
while continuing to build and improve on the changes already initialized.
We believe in participating and organizing community services with a
definite purpose in the hopes of achieving a specific end. We believe that
while working within the community we need to utilize the experience and
knowledge we have gained and share it so that others may benefit from it.
This concept and its importance is highlighted throughout our entire
organization beginning with the undergraduate chapters to the National
Board of Advisors. Our undergraduate entities are required to
participate/organize a minimum number of community service projects per
semester, a requirement that is not only met but also superceded.
On a national level we are in the process of creating a national project
entitled Project H.A.C.E.R., Hermanas for the Advancement of Career and
Educational Resources, a multi-level community service project involving
our entire organization focusing on mentorship for disadvantaged youth.
Networking
We, as Hermanas, use each other as resources for advancement, both
academically and with respect to our careers. We continually support and
work to provide opportunities for one another. We also believe in
networking externally, as evidenced by our participation/organization of
networking events such as business card exchanges.
Expansion and Growth
Although we are located at fifteen (15) major colleges and universities
throughout the Northeast, Las Hermanas sincerely believe that we need to
continue to grow and expand to include more women of high standards and
strength of character that will promote the goals and purposes of this
organization. It is for this reason that we seek individuals who are
committed to academic excellence, service to the community, and hard work.
As a result of our focus on these qualities, the Sorority has attracted
women of high caliber. We are truly committed to continuing this tradition
and would like to expand our Hermandad to other college/university
campuses with women who share this common vision and purpose.
Colors: Red, Gold, Black and White
Flower: Red Carnation
Jewel: Fire Opal
Mascot: Butterfly
Motto: La Hermandad Nunca Termina