In the Spring of 1993, the
Delta Chapter at Brown University became the first City Chapter of the sorority when four
women from the University of Rhode Island pledged alongside three women from Brown.
It was decided it would better benefit both URI and Brown to be one chapter because of
their distance within the same state. Hermanas worked together as one, despite being on
separate campuses over 40 miles apart.
On July 1, 1998, the University of Rhode Island became the Xi Chapter of Sigma Lambda
Upsilon/Seņoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
While working as a City Chapter, Delta Chapter Hermanas achieved the following at the
University of Rhode Island:
De Mujer a Mujer - A mentorship program created by the Hermanas in
which first-year Latinas were paired with upper-classmen Latinas to help in the transition
from high school to URI.
Dia De La Mujer Latina Banquet - A yearly banquet, alternating between the URI
and Brown campuses, celebrating women and those women who have inspired our lives.
Orgullo Award Scholarship - As a result of our tribute to women at Dia De La
Mujer, we felt we should tribute an undergraduate woman of color with a scholarship to
help with her college costs.
RAICES - A sorority-wide week of events focusing on
cultural, social, educational and community service events held simultaneously at each
Chapter of the sorority.
Latino History Month (April) - Since all Hermanas were active campus leaders,
the sorority played an integral part in the organization and development of this month,
its events, speakers and the anxiously-awaited calendar which highlighted our culture. In
1996, Edward James Olmos graciously accepted an invitation to be the opening speaker for
Latino History Month.
Latino Conference - Again, Hermanas showed leadership as they
organized and made successful the first-ever Latino Conference to be held at the
University of Rhode Island which brought Latino actor Daniel Laro of the award-winning
film American Me.
The Rainville Award - The most prestigious award a URI organization
could receive was presented to the sorority in 1997 for their undying committment to the
URI community and the Providence community. Hermanas were also nominated as individuals
for their activism and leadership in the community.
In the Fall of 2000, five
women took the journey to sisterhood and demonstrated to the University of Rhode Island
community that diversity and unity are possible and can flourish.
On November 18, 2000, five women came to be known as the Alpha Line of the Xi
Chapter.
Hermana Hlee Kue
Aspirante
Hermana Ti-Auna Foster
Magnanima
Hermana Philomene Fortes
Destacada
Hermana Cynthia Reeves
Armonia
Hermana Cristina Garcia
Intelectual
Contact the Xi Chapter at xi@sigmalambdaupsilon.org.