national organization
Sigma Psi Zeta is a progressive, multicultural Greek organization that provides a means to success and support for women and non-binary individuals, particularly people of color.
The sorority builds on the unity of strong and independent leaders to affect change in our organization, our members, our universities, and our local communities.
History
In the Fall of 1993 at the University at Albany, a group of women of diverse backgrounds first came together to discuss various campus issues and needs of university women. Over the next few months, they established a goal: to establish an organization that encompassed the strength of today’s Asian-American woman and her potential for making an impact on the world around her. They came together as friends, realizing the apathy towards Asian women and the dual-disadvantage for being “The Silent Minority.”
Sigma Psi Zeta was founded on March 23rd, 1994 by ten inspiring, dedicated women at the University at Albany in Albany, NY. In the early years, Sigma had become invested in combating violence against womxn, a prevalent campus issue as well as global issue. This gave Sigmas a more focused direction for campus and community programming. SYZ was incorporated in 1996, officially becoming a non-profit organization.
Over the past 24 years, SYZ has grown to over 36 campuses and across more than 16 states. Growth has been steady, but expansion in numbers has never been favored over strengthening from within. Sigma Psi Zeta's SYZterhood is an everlasting bond that brings together many passionate, intelligent, creative, and hard-working womxn from all across the country.
10 Rays of SYZterhood
As our SYZterhood grows and evolves, Sigma Psi Zeta National develops initiatives that will encourage our SYZters to achieve, while still remaining connected to the history and vision of the sorority. With this in mind, the Ten Rays of SYZterhood link the natural progression of the organization to the spirit with which the sorority was first envisioned in the Fall of 1993.
overview
vision
To become a national organization uniting the SYZters to follow the code of loyalty, allegiance, and dedication.
mission
To promote unity of womxn and the awareness of the Asian/Asian American culture and heritages.
goals
To best demonstrate SYZterhood and allegiance by merging all efforts and interests to provide an invaluable experience for the SYZters and services to the local communities and community at large.
fast facts
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colors: Red and Gold
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flower: yellow rose with baby's breath
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motto: Lead from the Front
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philanthropy: to Combat the Violence Against Womxn
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founded on March 23, 1994 at the University at Albany
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first East Coast-based Asian-interest sorority
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multicultural, with roots in Asian American women advocacy
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member of NAPA (National APIDA Panhellenic Association)
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national website: sigmapsizeta.org
