Lambda Psi Delta

Summary

Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc. (ΛΨΔ) is a multicultural, community service-based Greek-lettered sorority founded on March 9, 1997.[1][2] Lambda Psi Delta (referred to as "LPsiD") was established by a group of women known as the Nine Black Diamonds. Lambda Psi Delta was a founding member of the National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) but is no longer a member.[3]

Lambda Psi Delta
ΛΨΔ
FoundedMarch 9, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-03-09)
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
TypeService and social
EmphasisMulticultural
ScopeNational: United States
MottoSovereignty to the Community
ColorsCoal black   and lily white  
FlowerWhite calla lily
JewelDiamond
MascotWhite Bengal tiger
CharteredNew Haven, Connecticut
Chapters13
NicknameLPsiD
AffiliationNMGC (former)
HeadquartersP.O. Box 734
Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475
United States
WebsiteLambda Psi Delta Website

History edit

Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc. was founded on March 9, 1997, at Yale University[4] by nine women who were formerly part of a Latina sorority. They decided to leave their former sorority and create an organization whose primary goal was the upliftment and empowerment of women and their communities. They formed Lambda Psi Delta, a multi-ethnic, service-based organization, for women by women and about women. Its motto is "sovereignty to the community."[5]

The founders are referred to as the Nine Black Diamonds. They are: Ericka Ramos Carrasquillo, Irma Beatriz Cordero, Margarita Martis Navarro, Isabel Veguilla, Paula Arputhasamy Ladd, Laura Elaine Gilbert, Karina Tejeda, Marina Lori Franzoni, and Denise J. Pipersburgh.

The sorority incorporated in 1998 in Connecticut.[6] Lambda Psi Delta now has undergraduate chapters in Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas and Louisiana.[7] It also has two graduate chapters as well as the Connecticut Graduate Association.[7]Although the sorority works primarily in minority communities, its members are from a variety of backgrounds including African, Afro-American, Anglo-American, Belizean, Chilean, Chinese, Colombian, Costa Rican, Dominican, East Indian, El Salvadoran, Ecuadorian, Filipino, Guatemalan, Greek, Haitian, Hungarian, Italian, Iranian, Irish, Jamaican, Korean, Mexican, Pakistani, Palestinian, Polish, Puerto Rican, Russian, Somalian, Scottish, West Indian, Transylvanian, and Vietnamese.[7]

The LILies is the official interest group of Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc. The acronym LILies stands for Ladies Interested in Lambda Psi Delta. The purpose of the LILies group is threefold. It serves to teach interested ladies more about Lambda Psi Delta, encourage service and academic excellence, and to foster a relationship amongst other interested ladies nationwide.

Service edit

One of the sorority’s governing principles is a commitment to empowering and uplifting the larger community, as well as political involvement to initiate and promote political change. The sorority's program includes public service and political service. Some of its original programs include the LPsiD College Resource Center, Unity Day, and the sorority’s proprietary educational campaigns which address current societal concerns. Its current focus initiatives include multiple sclerosis research and the STEP UP–SPEAK OUT! Bullying Awareness and Prevention Campaign which is a partnership initiative with Omega Phi Chi sorority.

Chapters edit

Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in italic. Graduate chapters are indicated with the prefix Gamma.

Chapter Chartered/Range Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha March 9, 1997 Greater New Haven Area: Yale University, University of New Haven, and Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut Active [4][a]
Beta 1998 Greater Hartford Area: Trinity College, University of Hartford, and Saint Joseph's College Hartford, Connecticut Active [4]
Delta 1999 Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas Active [4]
Epsilon 1999 University of South Florida Tampa, Florida Active [4]
Zeta 2004 Ramapo College Mahwah, New Jersey Active [4]
Eta 2004 Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey Active [4][b]
Theta 2005 Wesleyan University Middletown, Connecticut Active [4][b]
Iota 2005 Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey Active [4][b]
Kappa 2006 Texas Woman's University Denton, Texas Active [4]
Lambda 2009 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana Active [4]
Gamma Alpha State of New Jersey New Jersey Active
Gamma Beta Southeastern Region Active

Notes edit

  1. ^ Formed at Yale University and later expanded into a citywide chapter, including more campuses.
  2. ^ a b c Started as a colony in 2004.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc". www.lambdapsidelta.org. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05.
  2. ^ "Wanna Go Greek?". Lake Front Media. 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  3. ^ "NMGC - National Multicultural Greek Council » Member Organizations".
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed January 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Guzman, Sandra (2011-05-03). The New Latina's Bible: The Modern Latina's Guide to Love, Spirituality, Family, and La Vida. Basic Books. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-58005-358-7 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "Lambda Psi Delta Sorority Inc - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  7. ^ a b c "Welcome to Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc.!". www.lambdapsidelta.org. Archived from the original on 2002-04-02.