Gamma Eta

Summary

Gamma Eta (ΓΗ) is the first social sorority to be founded in the State of Florida. Eighteen women came together to create the sorority at the University of Florida in Gainesville on October 18, 1995. Gamma Eta was chartered and incorporated on August 2, 1999.[1]

Gamma Eta
ΓΗ
The official shield of Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc.
FoundedOctober 18, 1995; 28 years ago (1995-10-18)
University of Florida
TypeSocial
AffiliationNMGC
MottoHoy y Siempre
Colors  Purple   Teal
SymbolSun and Fleur de Lis
FlowerSunflower
PublicationThe Sunrise
PhilanthropyBreast Cancer Awareness
Chapters7, with 1 colony
WebsiteOfficial website

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

Gamma Eta is a part of the National Multicultural Greek Council.

History edit

Founding edit

Founding Mothers

Ilena Camilo
Claudia Forestieri
Maria Portilla
Marena Ramirez
Vanessa Ramirez
Maria Torres
Giselle Arvelo
Alexa Davila
Ana Del Valle

Vivian Estalella
Beatriz Lugo
Deborah Mazzeo
Diana O'Hara
Diana Ramirez
Adnybel Rosario-Ortiz
Leemarie Ortiz
Joann Schadenfroh
Yahdira Torres

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 University of Florida campus. In direct response to those issues, the Founding Mothers led the efforts to create Gamma Eta for women of diverse backgrounds to provide a social and academic support system.

Gamma Eta Society edit

First known as Gamma Eta Society, the founding mothers faced numerous barriers in becoming formally recognized as an official sorority. Despite these obstacles, the founders initiated the first Founding Class in the Spring of 1996. A few months after Gamma Eta's incorporation, the sorority was admitted to the local Multicultural Greek Council as an Associate Member on November 22, 1999.

Pillars of success edit

  • Sisterhood
  • Strength
  • Unity
  • Diversity
  • Scholarship
  • Leadership
  • Service

Chapters edit

Active chapters noted in bold, inactive chapters noted in italics.[1]

Undergraduate chapters edit

Name Chartered Institution Location Status Notes Reference
Alpha October 18, 1995 University of Florida Gainesville, FL Active
Beta 2004 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Active
Gamma 2005 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Active
Delta 2006 Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FL Active
Epsilon 2009 University of Arkansas–Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Active
Zeta 2009–20xx ? University of Georgia Athens, GA Inactive
Eta 2014 IUPUI Indianapolis, IN Active
Theta Colony 2017 St. John's University, Staten Island Campus Staten Island, NY Active

Alumnae chapters edit

Philanthropy edit

Gamma Eta's national philanthropy is breast cancer awareness in official partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Individual chapters at the collegiate and alumnae levels also support a secondary philanthropy.

References edit

  1. ^ a b William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 10 Jul 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.

External links edit

  • Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. National Website