Sigma Iota Alpha

Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Incorporada
ΣΙΑ
Founded	September 29, 1990; 30 years ago (September 29, 1990) SUNY Albany, Stony Brook University, SUNY New Paltz, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Type	Social
Affiliation	NALFO
Scope	National
Motto	Semper Unum et Inseparabilis (Always One and Inseparable)
Colors	Red   Gold   Royal Blue   White as background color   Black as background color
Flower	Red Rose
Jewel	White Pearl
Mascot	Unicorn and Pegasus
Chapters	59 undergraduate chapters, 13 graduate chapters, and 16 colonies
Nickname	SIA, Lovely Latin Ladies
Headquarters	1732 1st Avenue #20267 New York, New York 10128 United States
Website	hermandad-sia.org

Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Incorporada (ΣΙΑ), known as 'SIA,' is a Latina-oriented Greek letter intercollegiate and independent sorority, founded on September 29, 1990, by 13 women from SUNY Albany, Stony Brook University, SUNY New Paltz, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The sorority participates in local, national and international community service as well as educational, cultural and social events.

Symbols and traditions[]

Symbols of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. include Pegasus wings, a unicorn's head, the red rose, as well as four curved lines which represent the four founding schools of the sorority.

The logo of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Incorporada

The unicorn and the red rose feature strongly in the original crest. For certain usages the sorority has adopted a more streamlined logo using both of these symbols along with specific instructions to use the letters either in Greek fashion or spelled out, and in specific colors. These usages are:

• All event flyers (except informationals)
• National fundraisers
• External documents (proposals, grants, sponsorship, and anything business related)

Mission & Goals[]

The mission of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. is to uphold the goals set forth by their thirteen founding mothers. Their members pledge to formalize, cultivate, and foster bonds amongst each other as sisters and abide by respect, trust, communication, professionalism, and accountability.

Goals of the sorority are:

• To constantly strive toward the expansion of awareness of the Latino and diverse cultures to their members and the community at large.
• To promote sisterhood and leadership amongst their members, which is the basis of their precious and rare foundation.
• To serve as models of excellence in education and achievement amongst women.

To fulfill these goals, members undergo educational programming, community service, and personal development.^[1]

R.O.S.E. Mentorship Program[]

The R.O.S.E. Mentorship Program is a national educational initiative meant to serve as a resource to young women aged 14–18. It encourages service, scholarship and personal development in order to create leaders within 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, y Amistad Community Foundation, Inc. to establish solid partnerships that produce additional resources for young Latinas.^[2]

Growth[]

Throughout the last 30 years, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. has grown as an organization composed of 59 undergraduate chapters, 13 regional alumnae chapters, and 16 colonies in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, California, Kansas, Arkansas, and South Carolina. SIA was the first Latina sorority to be established in Massachusetts and Arkansas.

Chapters and colonies are composed of undergraduate, graduate, and professional women.

Chapters & Colonies[]

Community Service[]

SIA has supported several initiatives since its establishment, promoting service on three levels: international, national, and local.^[3] Notable organizations include Children International & Women for Women International, Nationally Special Olympics, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the March of Dimes, and locally volunteering in soup kitchens and school initiatives.^[4] Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. is also associated with One Heartland.^[5] Additionally, every chapter is required to sponsor a child through Children International.^[6]

Notable members[]

• Gloria Garayua, film and television actress

References[]

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External links[]

• http://www.hermandad-sia.org National Website