Gamma Eta

Gamma Eta
ΓΗ
The official shield of Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc.
FoundedOctober 18, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-10-18)
University of Florida
TypeMulticultural
AffiliationNMGC
StatusActive
ScopeNational
MottoHoy y Siempre (Today and Always)
PillarsSisterhood, Strength, Unity, Diversity, Scholarship, Leadership, Service
Colors  Purple and   Teal
SymbolSun and Fleur de Lis
FlowerSunflower
PublicationThe Sunrise
PhilanthropyBreast Cancer Awareness
Chapters8
HeadquartersP.O. Box 427
Tempe, Arizona 85280
United States
Websitewww.gammaetasorority.org

Gamma Eta (ΓΗ) is an American multicultural collegiate sorority. It formed at the University of Florida in 1995 and was the first sorority created in the State of Florida. It was chartered and incorporated in 1999.[1] Gamma Eta is a member of the National Multicultural Greek Council.

History

Eighteen women created Gamma Eta Society at the University of Florida in Gainesville on October 18, 1995 under the leadership of Ilena Camilo.[2][3] In the years leading up to 1995, there were many questions regarding the role of the Latino community at the University of Florida. There was a low retention rate for Latino students and a large cultural disconnect at the campus. In direct response to those issues, the Founding Mothers led the efforts to create a sorority for women of diverse backgrounds to provide a social and academic support system.[2]

The founders of Gamma Eta were:

  • Giselle Arvelo
  • Alexa Davila
  • Ana Del Valle
  • Vivian Estalella
  • Claudia Forestieri
  • Beatriz Lugo
  • Deborah Mazzeo
  • Diana O'Hara
  • Leemarie Ortiz
  • Maria Portilla
  • Diana Ramirez
  • Marena Ramirez
  • Vanessa Ramirez
  • Adnybel Rosario-Ortiz
  • Joann Schadenfroh
  • Maria Torres
  • Yahdira Torres

The founders initiated the first class in the spring of 1996.[2] The sorority was chartered and incorporated on August 2, 1999.[2] It was admitted to the local Multicultural Greek Council as an associate member on November 22, 1999. The sorority was chartered and incorporated on August 2, 1999.[1]

In 2004, it added the Beta chapter at the University of North Florida.[1] This was followed by Gamma at the University of Arkansas in 2005.[1] As of 2024, the sorority has seven chapters.[1]

Gamma Eta became a full member of the National Multicultural Greek Council in 2006.[2]

Symbols

Gamma Eta Society's mottos is Hoy y Siempre or "Today and Always".[4] Its symbols are the sun and fleur-de-lis.[4] Its flower is the sunflower.[4] Its colors are purple and teal.[4] The sorority's crest is purple, featuring a teal chevron with seven yellow stars, the fleur-de-lis and sunflower above the chevron, and the sun below the chevron.

The sorority's pillars are Sisterhood, Strength, Unity, Diversity, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service:[3] Gamma Eta's publication is The Sunrise.

Membership

Gamma Eta is composed of college-educated women of diverse cultural backgrounds, including Caucasian, Hispanic, African, Asian, Middle Eastern (West Asia), and Indian.

Philanthropy

Gamma Eta's national philanthropy is breast cancer awareness through its official partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.[5][6][4] Individual chapters at the collegiate and alumnae levels also support secondary philanthropy.[5]

Chapters

Collegiate chapters

Follow is a list of Gamma Eta collegiate chapters. Active chapters are noted in bold, and inactive chapters are noted in italics.

Chapter Charter date

and range

Institution Location Status References
Alpha October 18, 1995 University of Florida Gainesville, Florida Active [1][3]
Beta 2004 University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida Active [1][7]
Gamma 2005 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas Active [1][5]
Delta 2006 Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida Active [1]
Epsilon 2009 University of Arkansas–Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas Active [1]
Zeta 2009–20xx ? University of Georgia Athens, Georgia Inactive [1]
Eta 2014 Indiana University–Purdue University Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana Active [1]
Theta 2017 St. John's University, Staten Island Campus Staten Island, New York Active [1]

Alumnae chapters

Active chapters are noted in bold, and inactive chapters are noted in italics.

Chapter Charter date Location Status References
Alpha Chi Alpha Greater Miami, Florida Active
Alpha Chi Beta North Florida Active
Alpha Chi Gamma Orlando, Florida Active
Alpha Chi Delta Northwest Arkansas Active [8]
Alpha Chi Epsilon Washington, D.C. Active
Alpha Chi Zeta Gainesville, Florida Active

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lurding, Carroll; Becque, Fran, eds. (April 11, 2024). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2024. The main archive URL is Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Gamma Eta Sorority Inc". NMGC - National Multicultural Greek Council. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  3. ^ a b c "Home". Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  4. ^ a b c d e "FAQ | Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc". Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  5. ^ a b c "Gamma Eta Herstory". Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  6. ^ "Philanthropy | Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc". Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  7. ^ "Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc". UNF Fraternity-sorority. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  8. ^ "AXD Alumni Chapter | Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc". Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-05-14.