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the Chicana/Latina sorority formed at Cal Berkeley in 1996. Not to be confused with the local sorority of the same name, founded in 1991 at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri.
Sigma Pi Alpha
ΣΠΑ
FoundedMay 2, 1996; 29 years ago (May 2, 1996)
University of California, Berkeley
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisLatina
ScopeRegional
MottoMujeres Con Cultura, Fuerza y Hermandad
PillarsCommunity Service, Campus Involvement, Culture, Academics, Sisterhood
Colors  Midnight Green,   Pearl,   Onyx, and   Shimmering Gold
FlowerCalla Lily
MascotGolden Bear
PhilanthropyBreast cancer awareness
Chapters12 active
NicknameELLAs, Sigmas
Headquarters, California
United States
Websitewww.sigmapialpha.org

Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. (ΣΠΑ) is a Chicana and Latina-based, Greek letter, intercollegiate sorority founded in 1996 at the University of California, Berkeley. Although Sigma Pi Alpha is a Chicana Latina organization by tradition, membership is open to all college females. It has established thirteen chapters in California.

History

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Sigma Pi Alpha was established on May 2, 1996 at the University of California, Berkeley, and has expanded to other locations in California.[1][2] It founders were nine Chicana and Latina female students who wanted to create a network for Latinas and make a impact in Chicana and Latina communities.[2] The founders were Michelle Amezcua, Lisa Carlsen, Karina Jacobo, Karina Lleva, Yovanna Monia Ochoa, Erica Quintor, Leonor Maria de los Angeles Ocon Chavez Rodriguez Sierra, Elizabeth Naty Santana Lepe, and Teresa Torres.[3]

In 2001, Beta chapter was established at the University of California, Riverside, followed by Gamma at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2002.[1] In 2003, chapters were chartered at the San Francisco State University, California State University, San Bernardino, University of California, Davis.[1] By 2016, Sigma Pi Alpha had chartered thirteen chapters within the California state university system.[1] Although Sigma Pi Alpha is a Chicana Latina organization by tradition, it considers itself to be multicultural and its membership is open to all college females.[4][5]

Symbols

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The sorority's Greek letters ΣΠΑ were selected to symbolize their Chicana and Latina heritage by spelling ELLA, meaning "she" and "her" in the Spanish language.[2]

The sorority's motto is Mujeres Con Cultura, Fuerza y Hermandad.[6] Its pillars are "Community Service, Campus Involvement, Culture, Academics, and Sisterhood.[2] Its colors are midnight green, pearl, onyx, and shimmering gold.[2][7] Its flower is the calla lily and its mascot is the golden bear.[2] The sorority's nicknames are ELLAs and Sigmas.[2][7]

Activities

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Sigma Pi Alpha promotes cultural education with cultural events, lectures, and workshops.[5] Its national philanthropy is breast cancer awareness, raising funds for the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.[8][7] Members also participate in community service on Cesar Chavez Day.[7]

The Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alum Association provides a post-graduation social and professional networks.[9] One of the Alum Association's activities is the Ella Puede mentorship program.[10]

Governance

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The sorority is governed by a national council.[2] Its officers include president, vice president, director of finance, director of administration relations, director of academic affairs, director of constitutional records, director of expansion relations, director of philanthropy, director of public relations, and director of sorority ethics.[11]

The sorority is not part of the Greek Panhellenic System and does not affiliate with any national fraternity or sorority council.[2] However, its chapters may participation the Multicultural Greek Council at the campus level.[12]

Chapters

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Chapters are present at the following institutions, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.[1][13]

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha May 2, 1996 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California Active [2][14]
Beta June 2001 University of California, Riverside Riverside, California Active [4]
Gamma 2002 University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California Active
Delta 2003 San Francisco State University San Francisco, California Active
Epsilon 2003 California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardina, California Active
Zeta 2003 University of California, Davis Davis, California Active [7]
Eta 2004 California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, California Active
Theta 2005 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California Active
Iota 2007 University of California, San Diego San Diego, California Active [12]
Kappa 2008 California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California Active
Lambda 2010 San Jose State University San Jose, California Active
Mu 2016–202x ? California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Arcadia, California Inactive
Nu 2016 University of California, Irvine Irvine, California Active [15]
Sigma 2003 Eternal chapter Memorial

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (July 6, 2025) Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed August 2, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Our Story". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  3. ^ "A Message From Our Founding Mothers". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  4. ^ a b "Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc". University of California, Riverside. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  5. ^ a b "Cultura". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  6. ^ "Home". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Sigma Pi Alpha | Center for Student Involvement". University of California, Davis. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  8. ^ "Breast Cancer Awareness". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  9. ^ "Sigma Alums". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  10. ^ "ELLA Puede Mentorship Program". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  11. ^ "National Council". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  12. ^ a b "Sigma Pi Alpha National Sorority, Inc. | UCSD Center For Student Involvement". University of California, San Diego. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  13. ^ "Chapters". Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  14. ^ "Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc". University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  15. ^ "Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc. | Home". University of California, Irvine. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
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