la mensajera

Contents

Features

Letter from the Board3

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15

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2 Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women La Mensajera Fall 2014

Greetings from your NBOD

Alejandra “Novanzipact” Zepeda

14

Paige “Grian” Lewin

Books for the Soul

Sigma Beta

Denisse “Anayansi” Martinez Omicron Beta

13

Not all Charities are Created Equal

4 Gammas GROW5 DCMAA: A Continued Promise to Sisterhood

5 Mindset Tips to Start Your Own Business7

Spotlights

Brianna “Encantadora” SantanaGeorgia Southern University Colony

9 SLG Fast Facts11 Month in Review: Horoscopes

3Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women La Mensajera Fall 2014

Letter from the National Board of DirectorsGreetings Sisters,

As the new academic year begins, your National Board of Directors (NBOD) is excited and honored to be serving our distinct sorority. We continue to work closely with our headquarters staff and volunteer leaders to fulfill the needs of our organization, to enhance the overall sisterhood experience, and strengthen our efforts in support of the sorority’s Strategic Plan. As a board, we want to maintain communication and engage our sisters throughout the academic year, whether it is through regional retreat visits or new initiatives like Gammas G.R.O.W. (snippets of information brought to you by your NBOD covering hot topics around the world).

With each passing year, it is inevitable to think of what we have accomplished in the 25 years of our establishment. We have grown to serve thousands of sisters, impact our community through several service projects, and have continued to be trail-blazers with new and engaging initiatives. The Drive to 25 is our first national program that has created

direct partnerships between our membership and The SLG Education Foundation, The American Heart Association, Voto Latino, Better World Books, and The Dara House. All of these avenues will allow

our organization to influence and enhance our local and national communities. Furthermore, we are counting down the days to our 25th celebration at our National Sisterhood Retreat, July 10-12, 2015 in Shaumburg, Illinois. We will be celebrating the “Power of Me: I Am ΣΛΓ.”

We want you to know you inspire each of us to be innovative and dedicated to the work that we do. We will continue to seek ways to connect with our membership and remain transparent in sorority affairs. If you should have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We are always open to your feedback and love to hear from you! We wish you all of the best for the fall semester and look forward to seeing your programming, community service and academic success!

“We have grown to serve thousands of sisters, impact our community through several service

projects, and have continued to be trail-blazers with new and engaging initiatives.”

“We want you to know you inspire each of us to be innovative and

dedicated to the work that we do.”


A new initiative inspired by our members is the Gammas G.R.O.W (GAMMAS REACHING OUR WORLD) program. Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women. Recognizing our responsibility to the progression of a positive global community, we stress the importance of morals, ethics, and education in our daily lives. With the Gammas G.R.O.W initiative, it is our mission to strengthen the knowledge of our membership and raise awareness, while engaging in meaningful conversations surrounding our five principles. Through small snippets of electronic or recorded communication disseminated via La Mensajera, EmpowerNet, or Facebook, we hope our sisters feel empowered to educate themselves AND others on matters affecting our community, country and the world.

Our first Gammas G.R.O.W. Fact is about Ebola Here are some quick facts about the Ebola Outbreak happening in West Africa:The Ebola virus infecting and killing people in West Africa is the worst recorded outbreak, according to the World Health Organization. The number of people to die in this outbreak has risen to at least 932. Sierra Leone, one of the country’s worst hit by the virus, is not able to cope and calling on the international community to assist with support. Below are keys facts that explain why this virus is so deadly and hard to manage.

•Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.•The first human outbreak occurred in 1976, one in northern Zaire and the other, in southern Sudan. The virus is named after the Ebola River, where the virus was first recognized •EVD outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%.•EVD outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.•The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.•Symptoms of Ebola typically include: weakness, fever, aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Additional experiences include rashes, red eyes, chest pain, throat soreness, difficulty breathing, or

swallowing and bleeding (including internal).•Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus.•Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people or animals.•There have been more than 300 reported human cases and more than 2,000 deaths since the discovery of Ebola.

For more information about Ebola, please visit the Center for Disease Control website www.cdc.gov. Information gathered from: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/infographic.pdf

Are you interested in a topic and want the NBOD to cover the facts? Do you want to ask your NBOD a personal or professional question? If so, send your request to [email protected] reference Gammas G.R.O.W. YOUR question could be featured in our next Gammas G.R.O.W via La Mensajera, EmpowerNet or Facebook.

*Gammas G.R.O.W will be covered on a quarterly basis. Our next publication will be in February.

Gammas G.R.O.W. InitiativeNational Board of Directors

5Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women La Mensajera Fall 2014

DCMAA: A Continued Promise to SisterhoodSister Alejandra “Visionaria” AguirreWhen I began my undergraduate journey with Sigma Lambda Gamma I was constantly reminded that SLG was not a sorority, but rather a sisterhood. This sisterhood claimed empowerment of all women, cultural awareness and above all, a lifetime commitment to be “Hermanas por Vida, Sisters for Life.” I never doubted that this would change and I held on to my personal commitment to SLG as a woman who sought to empower other women and find empowerment from other sisters I crossed paths with.

Once I graduated I received the opportunity to move to Washington, D.C., a city filled with personal and professional challenges. This meant I was going to leave the one place I called home. The familiarity of my neighborhood and my undergraduate career as a Sigma Lambda Gamma woman were gone. However, when I arrived to D.C. I connected with SLG DC Metro Alumnae Association (DCMAA) and I found exactly what I had as an undergraduate: an alumnae association that empowered all women, embraced cultural awareness and continued the promise of a lifetime commitment to sisterhood.

Not only did the DC Metro Area Alumnae Association have these qualities, they were fulfilling our principles on a bigger stage. There were sisters who were attending law or graduate school and continuing to fulfill our principle of Academics. Other sisters who were fulfilling the principle of Morals and Ethics while working for the

government or in non-profit organizations. To exhibit cultural awareness the alumnae association would come together and host personal programming to learn about the various cultures that we have within the alumnae association and in the greater DC Metro area. One of the main successes of the alumnae association this year was a community service event to collect and ship toiletries to send to The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley for border relief efforts in Texas. With the help of the DC Sigma Lambda Beta Mid-Atlantic Alumni Network, we were able to collect close to $2,000 in monetary donations. With the frequent gatherings of the DCMAA members, social interaction has been highlighted and promoted during fun, educational and professional events.

The constant strive to be better women has made DCMAA an organization I am proud to affiliate myself with. They demonstrate what it truly means to be women of balance in their daily lives and they do not leave sisters behind. The sisters constantly motivate and help other women to do more, dream bigger and fulfill goals. Alumnae associations may be best known as an avenue for professional growth and networking. DCMAA provides that and much more. It is an association that holds sisterhood at the center of all that it does, while helping sisters move forward in many other areas of their lives.


Books for the SoulSister Bianca “Sparta” SalvantMISSION:The purpose of Books for the Soul is to educate, motivate and inspire women aged 18 and up through a selection of profound and soulful reading. Books for the Soul will dedicate itself to the educational development of all women in hopes of providing a social outlet to express diverse thoughts and theories based on novels and books via social media.

BENEFITS OF READING:1. Make Your Brain Work!

a. To remain mentally stimulated allows you to be true to yourself. How? Because studies have shown that reading slows the progress (and can possibly prevent) the development of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Similar to the other muscles in your body, your brain needs exercise to stay strong and healthy. The phrase, “Use it or Lose it” is real life! Puzzles and playing games like chess or cards are also very helpful.

2. Breathe, Let Go, Relax.a. Have you ever been so immersed in a book that you forgot about everything that was surrounding you? Well, that is a common technique that is taught for practicing and perfecting meditation. To be successful in meditating, you must focus on

one thing and push everything else out of your very busy mind—a good read allows you to do just that. It will help you to be focused in the present moment while letting go of all the unnecessary stress. Ever wanted to meditate? Start with a good book!3. Knowledge is Power.a. Scientist Bill Nye said, “Everyone you will ever meet, knows something you don’t.” No matter how miniature or “irrelevant” the information may

seem, there are decades and decades of knowledge and experience between the pages of a book. It is also said that people who read are more likely to vote, exercise and be more cultural.

4. Talk the Talk, Walk the Walka. The more you read, the more exposure you gain to different words and eventually, those words will make their way into your everyday life without you realizing. Having a large vocabulary and being well-spoken can benefit you in any part of your life and may even help you get that promotion you’ve been waiting for! But that isn’t all: your writing skills will get better, too.

5. “Where’d I Put My Keys?”a. Always forgetting where you put your car keys? Well, we’ve found the solution: reading can help you remember. A book is composed of different characters, backgrounds and information that you must remember to stay afloat for the rest of the story. According to studies, every new memory you create forges new brain pathways and strengthens existing ones—which helps in short-term memory and stabilizing moods. Read on!

6. Analyze, Think, Solve!a. Whether you’re reading a suspenseful thriller, horror or self-help, you are practicing your analytical skills every time you pick up a book.

7. Grab the Popcorn—I mean, Teaa. Reading is entertaining. Author Tim Green says, “If you don’t love to read, you just haven’t found the right book.”

What have you read lately that wasn’t required by your professor? If you’ve already graduated and are living in the real world—what have you read for personal development, growth and entertainment? I challenge you to Read On and follow us on Instagram @booksforthesoul!

Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women La Mensajera Fall 2014 7

5 Mindset Tips to Start Your Own BusinessSister Selina M. “Imani” Almodovar

If you are in a current state of dreaming for a deeper satisfaction in your career, or you have already taken matters into your own hands and made the leap towards your own business, then I’m here to tell you GOOD FOR YOU! The world needs you and whatever you have to offer (you were born for this!)

Starting your own business can be exciting and somewhat scary all at the same time. The excitement of calling all the shots can also drive you into some scary thoughts that can easily fill you with doubt, fear, insecurity, or desperation because all success will rely on you.

Fear not. Every entrepreneur has experienced both of these stages. Working for yourself is one of the best things in life, but there’s a huge learning curve that comes with it.

To save you from a few meltdowns, here are some of the biggest lessons I have learned throughout my years of owning my own business.

1) Know your “Why.” Why do you want to start a business? Your “why” is more valuable then what you offer, or how you offer it. More importantly, you’ll never fully understand why you were called to do this kind of work and how this work will someday change the world. Simon Sinek (the guru of the “why”) may help you a bit more with this concept: https://www.startwithwhy.com/2) You’re not starting a business, you’re planting seeds. As your business continues to grow, look at it from a seed point of view: Your

harvest does not come in the same season that you’re sowing the seeds. If you want to have an abundant harvest, you must be sure to sow many seeds. Give it time to grow. Water and nurture your dream. 3) If you don’t believe in you, no one will. No

one in the world will believe in your business as much as you do…but do you believe in yourself? Believe that your work is good. Believe that you know enough to do this. Believe that you earn every penny you charge. If you don’t…it will be very difficult trying to convince others to buy into you.4) Don’t be afraid to play. All of your life, you are bombarded with thoughts of 8-hour work days, 2 weeks of vacation, and you better pray you don’t get sick. Wake up! You are now the boss—YOU make the hours, YOU set the wages, YOU say when to play. The playground gate has opened--you are allowed to skip and play in it for as long as you please. What does your “play” look like? Why aren’t you including it into your dream job?5) If you don’t quit, you’ll win. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. With all of your heart, do not surrender and declare defeat. You will find a way to find your tribe, earn the money, produce the products, and change the world, if only you just keep going.

Remember, this is your job…the job you cannot advance to because you’re already at the top…this is you dream job. Make it so.

“Give it time to grow. Water and nurture your dream.”

“Working for yourself is one of the best things in life, but there’s a huge learning

curve that comes with it.”

Books for the Soul


Not All Charities Are Created Equal: Putting Your Money Where It CountsSister Tomi ‘Itzel’ Jolee

Every year our sisterhood holds hundreds of philanthropy events dedicated to funding charities championing breast cancer awareness. Because of this, I believe it is important that as a sisterhood we are educated on the difference between awareness and research, and which charities are making the most out of our donations and time

in order to help save women’s lives.

The word “awareness” generally refers to public education about breast cancer. This is not about wearing pink and buying pink kitchen appliances. It is about passing out flyers with information on where to get free/discounted mammograms and breast exams in the area, holding public events in which you teach women to give self-exams, and generally teaching others about breast cancer: what it is, how to find it, and how to fight it. The word “research” refers to the research that is conducted concerning breast cancer. This means a focus on scientists studying breast cancer so that we better understand how to detect and treat it. When you donate to “research” organizations, you are donating to people actively working to find a cure. When your chapter has picked a breast cancer charity to support, it is important to look into what that charity is doing to uphold their mission of awareness, research, or both.

When you think “breast cancer,” you probably think “Susan G. Komen.” In fact, it is a common misconception that this is our sorority’s official breast cancer awareness philanthropy. The Susan. G. Komen Foundation has been around for years, encouraging us to donate our

yogurt tops and dye all of our possessions pink. Once considered a reputable organization, the charity has recently changed its name to “Susan G. Komen for the Cure.” Despite the change in name, the foundation is still only an awareness organization, with over half of their money used toward “promoting awareness.” Around 10% of the funds they receive are directed toward “fundraising,” which is simply a nicer name for advertising and painting things pink. Only 5.6% of their funds go towards treatment, which seems a bit ridiculous since the women who need our monetary and emotional support the most are the ones who are battling the disease.

It seems as if, over the years, the Komen foundation has morphed into more of a capital generator than an organization focused on providing treatment and cures for women in need. When choosing to support charities of any kind, we must demand clarity concerning the

usage of our funds. Obviously, our goal as fundraisers is to eliminate breast cancer from the lives of women, so I believe it is time that we begin thinking more critically about the organizations we choose to support as a sisterhood. There are several breast cancer awareness and research foundations that are working tirelessly to bring cures to women, rated full starts by charitynavigator.org, including:

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF): The BCRF was founded in 1993 by Evelyn Lauder, with the unwavering mission to find a cure for breast cancer. The BCRF is extremely open about the usage of their funds, boasting a whopping 91% of money going towards breast cancer research.

The Rose: An organization founded in 1987 in order to provide support to both insured and uninsured women and men. The Rose serves Houston, Texas and surrounding areas by providing education about breast cancer and mammograms to the public.

“...it is important to look into what that charity is doing to uphold their mission of

awareness, research, or both.”

“When choosing to support charities of any kind, we must demand clarity concerning

the usage of our funds.”

Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women 9La Mensajera Fall 2014

Breastcancer.org: An online c o m m u n i t y d e d i c a t e d to providing the best and most reliable i n f o r m a t i o n about breast cancer as well as a supportive and safe space for breast cancer patients, survivors, and loved ones.

The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation (LSCRF): LSCRF is a Midwest-based organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. All funds donated to this organization go to supporting new understanding, research, and treatment of breast cancer. The Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center is the largest of its kind in the area.

Additionally, when planning philanthropy events and fundraisers related to breast cancer, put the patient/

“I think it is safe to say that because of actions taken in the past twenty years, breast cancer is more visible

than ever before.”

Not All Charities Are Created Equal: Putting Your Money Where It CountsSister Tomi ‘Itzel’ Jolee

survivor first. It’s become a trend to pass out bracelets or t-shirts that say “Save the boobies” or similar messages. Not only is this pretty tacky and generally

unprofessional, this kind of rhetoric suggests that we should be working to find a cure for breast cancer not to keep women alive, but to save their breasts. It sexualizes a very harmful and deadly disease. Our mission is to provide a mechanism of empowerment for women, not reduce them to their body parts.

I think it is safe to say that because of actions taken in the past twenty years, breast cancer is more visible than ever before. As a premier, elite organization dedicated to the empowerment of women, I think that it is time for us to step up our philanthropy game, donate to organizations that matter, and provide meaningful and professional educational events and fundraisers for our communities.


Entity SpotlightSigma Beta ChapterSisters Lumaris “Sirius” Franco and Carissa “Nehan” CullumFor many of us, the 2013-2014 academic year was one of hard work, dedication, and above all, extraordinary success. The Stunning Sigma Beta Chapter at The University of Tampa was certainly no exception. During the inaugural Regional Banquet hosted this past March, they were recognized as the Southeast Chapter of the Year. In addition to receiving this outstanding award, Sigma Beta was named Outstanding Chapter of the Year during National Convention and achieved the highest score nationwide in the Standards of Distinction Assessment, marking the second consecutive year the chapter has achieved Distinct.

In 2011, Sigma Beta launched one of the chapter’s signature events that has factored into their success, the annual Pink Tie Affair. This event is held each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise funds for local organizations dedicated to breast cancer research. During the 3rd Annual Pink Tie Affair, the Sigma Beta Chapter raised a total of $815 for the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation. With this amount nearly doubling the funds raised in 2011, it would seem as if Sigma Beta would be under a lot of pressure to make this year’s event even more amazing. Although

she didn’t want to give away too much about this year’s event, Sigma Beta’s Vice President of Program Development, Johanna “Canaima” Bermudez stated, “Our goal this year is to keep improving the event by having more guests and raising more money than we did last year.” The Sigma Beta Chapter will host this year’s Pink Tie Affair on Monday, October 27, and plan to have their traditional dinner and raffles, as well as a special guest speaker.

When Sigma Beta’s current President, Paige “Grian” Lewin, was asked what she thinks contributed to the Chapter’s success, she replied, “I believe that we understand commitment and the amount of work it takes to put on a successful event. We learn from our mistakes and build upon them, we always look for ways to improve and that is how we continue to grow and achieve to even greater heights.” At a time when many of our National guidelines are constantly changing, it’s comforting to know that sisters still value our organization’s founding principles. While we all may claim to uphold these principles, it’s important to examine the ways in which we act on these beliefs and continue our efforts in empowering women nationwide. Perhaps if we look towards our undergraduate chapters, we can find the inspiration to work towards success and learn much more along the way.


Member SpotlightPaige “Grian” Lewin Jeff Skowronek, Sigma Beta Faculty AdvisorThe purpose of the Sigma Beta Educational Award is to reward one undergraduate sister from the Sigma Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., who has maintained at least a 3.0 GPA, for her outstanding dedication to the SLG Principle of Academics. For the 2013-2014 academic year, from an impressive applicant pool, Paige “Grian” Lewin was the unanimous winner and the first recipient of the award. It was clear that Paige is dedicated to playing a crucial role in advancing the academic goals of SLG, as evinced through things like surpassing study hour requirements and working with others to enhance their academic standing while working on her own. As a double major in Psychology and Criminology, we were impressed with her work ethic and ability to maintain an above-average GPA in the process. She consistently showed improvement along the way, indicative of a desire to constantly strive to do better. It was also obvious that Paige is very focused on her career aspirations in clinical psychology and determined to succeed. As a result, the selection committee believed Paige to be a very well rounded woman and a quality example of the Sigma Lambda Gamma principle of Academics.


Entity SpotlightOmicron Beta ChapterSister Carolina “Virtuosa” ZunigaThe ladies of the “Honorable” Omicron Beta Chapter at the University of Texas at Arlington do not stop achieving greatness. Since its founding on December 13, 2002, the women in shocking pink and majestic purple strive to be the best role-models of leadership on campus.

Sisters started the semester off by fundraising for their Trio scholarship fund through their “INSTA-DATES” event. The speed dating event was an amazing success. During the event, sisters raffled off a Valentine’s Day date bundle, with proceeds significantly increasing funds toward the scholarship.

Later in the spring semester the sisters also hosted a women’s self-defense class. The class educated college women about the dangers on college campuses. The event was hosted by a campus police officer and self-defense instructor who gave attendees the skills to both prevent and evade possible assaults.

During the month of April, Omicron Beta hosted their 9th annual 5K walk for awareness on the university campus. The chapter donated proceeds benefiting local breast cancer research organizations. A total of about 200 people attended the 5K walk. Sisters also provided a carnival area with games to inform participants about breast cancer. Other campus organizations also provided volunteers to help the ladies make the walk a success. Proceeds raised at their annual walk were approximately $3,000 and was donated to the American Association of Cancer Research and the Baylor Healthcare cancer research.

The women were also recognized by their university

with the award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Community by a Student Organization” on April 22, 2014. Sisters served a grand total of 1,236 hours of community service in the DFW area. The chapter’s commitment to excellence was recognized by the department of Fraternity and Sorority Life when they were awarded the “Top Chapter” award for the second year running.

The women of distinction ended their semester with the welcoming of five new incredible members to the chapter. Along with helping out with the community, the women of the Omicron Beta chapter have also begun to finalize plans for a TRIO Scholarship, taking into consideration the low income students by lending them a helping hand with college expenses and offering a scholarship which will be awarded in the spring of 2015. During October 6th-9th, they will be hosting their breast cancer

a w a r e n e s s week which further informs the university c o m m u n i t y about the signs and risks of breast cancer. The chapter aims to reach higher by building upon their achievements of 2014 and doing even more for Sigma Lambda Gamma in 2015.


Member SpotlightDenisse “Anayansi” Martinez Sister Priscilla “Tenaz” LandSome people come into our lives to only leave an impression, but then there are others who leave a long lasting mark. Sister Denisse “Anayansi” Martinez is definitely someone who has left a mark in the hearts of many. She is full of life, funny, generous, and always there whenever you need her.

Denisse is of Mexican descent. She grew up with her family on the south side of Chicago. She became a part of our sisterhood at Zeta Chapter, Illinois State University on April 10, 2010. When she graduated from Illinois State University she earned her Bachelor’s in English Education. For the last five years she has worked at Golder College Prep in Chicago. She currently serves as the Alumni Coordinator & Cheerleading Coach. Denisse works diligently to empower and educate her students to not only thrive throughout high school but beyond.

There is quote by an unknown author that says, “Adversity doesn’t build your character. Adversity reveals your character.” I’ll explain why I am inspired by Denisse’s character. On April 20th, 2012, her life was turned upside down when she was admitted to the hospital because doctors believed she had some form of leukemia. A few days later she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Denisse began treatment right away. After her first treatment plan failed she began a second chemo treatment. Twenty-four hours after her second chemo treatment she was completely immobile and unable to speak. Denisse will tell you it was the second scariest moment of her life. The following weeks became a huge blur for her. She was in the ICU, sedated, suffering from seizures, and it was simply the most terrifying moments for her family, who didn’t know what was going to happen.

Denisse continued in the months ahead with more treatments, participated in clinical trials, and also received a stem cell transplant from her brother

Michael. Her journey after treatment was not easy, but Denisse is a fighter. She chose to feed her faith and not her fear. On September 4, 2014 she celebrated her two year anniversary of being cancer free. Denisse will never forget when she heard the words, “You are finally in remission” from her doctors. Complete remission means that there is no evidence of leukemia (cancer cells) in the body. She is not cured yet, because there is currently no cure. However, a complete remission that lasts five years after treatment, often equates to being cured.

Denisse feels very blessed to have overcome that experience. She also recognizes that that time in her life will forever be part of her. She has a new “normal” to adjust to, but recognizing her struggles and victories has been life changing for her. Denisse’s strong beliefs, values, love, and support from her family, friends, and sisters helped her push forward.

Write poetry? Have a love for photography? Is there an issue you want to write about? Want to share your talents and views with Sisters across the world?

Send your submissions to [email protected]

Next issue: Spring Semester 2015


Entity SpotlightGeorgia Southern University ColonySister Felicia “La Luchadora” Anzaldua The Georgia Southern University Colony of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, I n c o r p o r a t e d defines itself as an organization committed to promoting the advancement of culturally diverse women in the community by providing social and academic support, while nurturing a sense of cultural pride and success. The sisters at Georgia Southern University aim to develop and foster a group of diverse young ladies, all of whom strive to:

A. Support cultural awareness by promoting and respecting all cultures.B. Support the educational and social needs of the women at Georgia Southern University.C. Support the interest and concerns of Statesboro, Georgia and its surrounding communities.

Heading into its second year on campus, the colony approached programming with a renewed focus on quality, impact and upholding its purpose. Within the first month of this semester, the colony successfully collaborated with five campus organizations and university offices to execute programming that promoted each of our five principles: a study abroad workshop, Operation Move-in, a forum on police brutality, a multicultural mixer and various Voto Latino initiatives. But they didn’t stop there.

On Monday, September 15, 2014 the colony partnered with another student group, Southern Activists, to host “#ITooAmGeorgiaSouthern,” a photo campaign and open forum on stereotypes and prejudice. On a campus where social segregation runs deep, a safe space for students to open up about the challenges they face was long overdue. Vice President of Recruitment, Sister Jamila “K.A.T.N.I.S.S” Johnson sought to fill this void by building on a model set by the “I, Too, Am Harvard” photo

campaign, a collective black c o m m u n i t y project started by the Kuumba Singers of H a r v a r d C o l l e g e , Harvard’s oldest existing black organization. The campaign e x p l o r e d the diverse e x p e r i e n c e s that black students at Harvard face.

The colony adopted the photo campaign, took it a step further by including all cultures and concluded with an open forum. In addition to allowing students to voice their concerns, the colony wanted to facilitate a safe space for students to uncover and confront their own views and prejudices. In the weeks leading up to the forum, students from all backgrounds lined up to share stereotypes that they’ve been burdened with on dry erase boards and pose for photos; many of which were shared through both sponsors’ social media accounts. The forum itself garnered tremendous support and attendance from a diverse group of students and dismantled one of the most pervasive perceptions at Georgia Southern University: Greek-lettered social organizations only collaborate with one another. This program was one of many steps towards recognizing our responsibility to the progression of a positive global community. The sisters of the Georgia Southern University Colony look forward to challenging themselves and their campus through innovative programming and collaboration. I’m extremely proud of their achievements thus far. Best wishes to the Georgia Southern Colony and all entities that continue to strive for greatness through purpose driven programming.

For more information on the Georgia Southern Colony, follow them on Twitter and Instagram @GSUGammas or visit their website at: gasouthernslg.wix.com/gsugammas


Member SpotlightBrianna “Encantadora” SantanaSisters of Omicron Beta ChapterConfident, optimistic, and fearless are just a few words that describe Sister Brianna. Santana is of Mexican descent and was born in Abilene, Texas and raised in the city of Fort Worth. She is the second to oldest of five children and is currently a fourth year senior at the University of Texas at Arlington. Brianna is majoring in Kinesiology with dreams of getting into a great P.T. program after obtaining her undergrad.

Since her initiation into Sigma Lambda Gamma in the spring of 2013, Santana has exemplified what it is to be a Woman of Distinction. She has held many positions in chapter such as marketing, president and associate member educator, while maintaining involvement in other organizations. Brianna is involved in Women in Leadership and serves as the Summit Chair on their executive board. She was recently a New Maverick Orientation Leader in the summer of 2014, giving her the opportunity to empower both women and new students on campus. Academics has always been a big part of her life and in 2014, she was inducted into Order of Omega and

also became a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Sister Brianna partakes in the Multicultural Affairs division at UTA and FYE (First Year Experience) Mavericks, which helps the newly, diverse population of our university get better acquainted with the school and celebrate the diversity that our campus has to offer.

Her contribution to our sisterhood and her commitment to our school does not go unnoticed.

For her outstanding leadership and involvement, she was awarded the Outstanding Member for Women in Leadership in the spring of 2014. Santana’s commitment and enthusiasm for the sisterhood are all great characteristics of a great member and a great leader of our community. Her dedication and devotion to the Omicron Beta chapter has been tremendous and is something that will leave a mark for future sisters and semesters to come.

Alejandra “Novanzipact” ZepedaSister Abby OcampoAlejandra is a third-year student at the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast News, and a minor in Ethnic Studies. She currently holds the position of Chapter President for the Nu Gamma Chapter. Alejandra was raised in Colorado, but she proudly represents her Tapatia roots in her everyday life.

Alejandra stepped up to the plate when the position of Chapter President was left empty. As a chapter, we all knew she could lead us to success. While most of us were worried we would fail, Alejandra made sure our chapter would continue to be strong and thrive.

In addition to holding an executive position within our chapter, she is also involved on campus. She is a member of the Multi-Ethnic Media Organization – a club for students who are involved in the Journalism department. She is also a member for the Underrepresented Student Council Group and the Journalism Diverse Scholars Program. She supports other organizations on our campus and tries to make sure she and other sisters attend events.

Although she might be quiet at first, her quirkiness and silliness outshines her shy side. Alejandra can brighten any sister’s day and make them feel better. Her go-getter attitude inspires everyone around her. She’s always there to motivate our chapter, from being a gym buddy, to a simple positive word. We can always count on her for positivity. We couldn’t thank Alejandra enough for being a remarkable sister within our chapter.

16 Sigma Lambda Gamma strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women

17La Mensajera Fall 2014

Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.

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