Sigma Iota Alpha
Encyclopedia
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. (SIA)--is a Latina
-based Greek lettered
intercollegiate sorority
founded on September 29, 1990, by 13 dedicated ladies from four universities in the state of New York: SUNY Albany
, SUNY Stony Brook
, SUNY New Paltz
, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
. This diverse group of women came together with the goal of creating an organization that would help their communities, unite women, and uphold a distinct set of goals. Its dedication to scholarship, service, and professional development within the Latino community has grown beyond New York, and Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. has chartered over 50 chapters & colonies nationwide. The sorority participates in local, national and international community service as well as educational, cultural and social events.
SIA is more than a sorority; we are a family and network of professional, strong, and dedicated women leaders. We are also a 501(c)7 tax exempt organization and we work in conjunction with the Solidaridad Inspiración Amistad Community Foundation, Inc.,
a 501(c)3 community foundation committed to scholarship, service, and professional development within Latino communities nationally.
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. welcomes positive women with the determination to continue our legacy and service to our community. Any women interested in pursuing membership should have an interest in their community, excel academically, and be genuinely interested in personal development and that of others as well as be prepared to serve as a role model.
, Multiple Sclerosis
(MS) and the March of Dimes
. Additionally, every chapter is required to sponsor a child through Children International
. During the 2003 National Convention, SIA adopted One Heartland as their national philanthropy. Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. was the 2007 & 2008 recipient of the Philanthropic Organization of the Year awarded by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).
Our Community Service Platform:
International: Children's International
Through C.I. each of our undergraduate chapters as well as alumnae sponsor underprivileged children in Latin America. We have sponsored impoverished children in Latin America since 1990.
www.children.org
National: One Heartland
One Heartland is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children impacted by HIV/AIDS through year-round support, advocacy, recreational programs, and community AIDS awareness efforts. One Heartland was founded in 1993 to provide children impacted by HIV/AIDS with "the best week of their lives." Since then, it has expanded from a week-long camping experience to a variety of life enhancing programs and services. Our organization fundraises on behalf of One Heartland year round. Each undergraduate chapter is required to host annual fundraisers for this organization and nationally we participate in various annual funding drives as well as volunteer at One Heartland. Our partnership with One Heartland began in 2003.
www.oneheartland.org.
Local: SIA Cares
On a local level, undergraduate and graduate/alumnae chapters as well as individual alumnae participate in a variety of community service events. Each chapter as well as each region is encouraged to participate in local events based on the needs of their community.
Philanthropies that our organization traditionally sponsors/participates in include
(but are not limited to): March of Dimes, MS Walk, Special Olympics, Hands on Network (City Cares Days: NY, Chicago, etc.), AIDS Walk, Various Breast Cancer Walks, Food & Clothing Drives, Holiday Toy Drives and our ROSE mentorship program (described below).
The R.O.S.E. Mentorship Program aims to:
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
-based Greek lettered
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
intercollegiate sorority
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
founded on September 29, 1990, by 13 dedicated ladies from four universities in the state of New York: SUNY Albany
University at Albany, The State University of New York
The State University of New York at Albany, also known as University at Albany, State University of New York, SUNY Albany or simply UAlbany, is a public university located in Albany, Guilderland, and East Greenbush, New York, United States; is the senior campus of the State University of New York ...
, SUNY Stony Brook
State University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, about east of Manhattan....
, SUNY New Paltz
State University of New York at New Paltz
The State University of New York at New Paltz, known as SUNY New Paltz for short, is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It was founded in 1828 as the School for teaching of classics. In 1885, the New Paltz Normal and Training School was established as a school to prepare teachers for the...
, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
. This diverse group of women came together with the goal of creating an organization that would help their communities, unite women, and uphold a distinct set of goals. Its dedication to scholarship, service, and professional development within the Latino community has grown beyond New York, and Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. has chartered over 50 chapters & colonies nationwide. The sorority participates in local, national and international community service as well as educational, cultural and social events.
SIA is more than a sorority; we are a family and network of professional, strong, and dedicated women leaders. We are also a 501(c)7 tax exempt organization and we work in conjunction with the Solidaridad Inspiración Amistad Community Foundation, Inc.,
a 501(c)3 community foundation committed to scholarship, service, and professional development within Latino communities nationally.
Goals
- To constantly strive towards the expansion of awareness of the Latino culture to our members and the community at large.
- To promote sisterhood and leadership amongst ourselves.
- To serve as models of excellence in academics and achievements among women.
Membership
Our richly diverse background welcomes women of all walks of life. SIA strives to promote education and unity among women. We encourage women,they are in the Hermandad to promote a diverse cultural and social environment. Our endeavor is to work as sisters united through common goals; however, we value personal identity and individualism highly. Through the bonds of sisterhood, we develop leadership, scholarship, sportsmanship, and friendship.Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. welcomes positive women with the determination to continue our legacy and service to our community. Any women interested in pursuing membership should have an interest in their community, excel academically, and be genuinely interested in personal development and that of others as well as be prepared to serve as a role model.
Community service
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. promotes service on 3 different levels; International, National, and Local. SIA has had several initiatives in place since their establishment: Special OlympicsSpecial Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
, Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
(MS) and the March of Dimes
March of Dimes
The March of Dimes Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.-Organization:...
. Additionally, every chapter is required to sponsor a child through Children International
Children International
Children International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities....
. During the 2003 National Convention, SIA adopted One Heartland as their national philanthropy. Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. was the 2007 & 2008 recipient of the Philanthropic Organization of the Year awarded by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).
Our Community Service Platform:
International: Children's International
Through C.I. each of our undergraduate chapters as well as alumnae sponsor underprivileged children in Latin America. We have sponsored impoverished children in Latin America since 1990.
www.children.org
National: One Heartland
One Heartland is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children impacted by HIV/AIDS through year-round support, advocacy, recreational programs, and community AIDS awareness efforts. One Heartland was founded in 1993 to provide children impacted by HIV/AIDS with "the best week of their lives." Since then, it has expanded from a week-long camping experience to a variety of life enhancing programs and services. Our organization fundraises on behalf of One Heartland year round. Each undergraduate chapter is required to host annual fundraisers for this organization and nationally we participate in various annual funding drives as well as volunteer at One Heartland. Our partnership with One Heartland began in 2003.
www.oneheartland.org.
Local: SIA Cares
On a local level, undergraduate and graduate/alumnae chapters as well as individual alumnae participate in a variety of community service events. Each chapter as well as each region is encouraged to participate in local events based on the needs of their community.
Philanthropies that our organization traditionally sponsors/participates in include
(but are not limited to): March of Dimes, MS Walk, Special Olympics, Hands on Network (City Cares Days: NY, Chicago, etc.), AIDS Walk, Various Breast Cancer Walks, Food & Clothing Drives, Holiday Toy Drives and our ROSE mentorship program (described below).
R.O.S.E. Mentorship Program
REACHING OTHERS through SERVICE & EDUCATION (R.O.S.E.) Mentorship Program is a national educational initiative administered by the Alumnae/Graduate chapters. The program serves as a resource to Latinas aged 14-18 and encourages service, scholarship and personal development in order to create leaders within our communities while providing the tools necessary to succeed.The R.O.S.E. Mentorship Program aims to:
- Provide mentorship and programming that will aid in the academic and personal development of young Latinas.
- Utilize SIA's network of professional Latinas to increase awareness of the Latino culture while promoting educational excellence and proactive community involvement.
- Develop leadership qualities and abilities in young Latinas.
- Work in conjunction with the Solidaridad Inspiración Amistad Community Foundation to establish solid partnerships that produce additional resources for young Latinas.
External links
- http://www.hermandad-sia.org National Website
- Follow us on Twitter: @HermandadDeSIA