Omicron Epsilon Pi
Encyclopedia
Omicron Epsilon Pi is an American sorority
and the first Greek letter organization catering to the needs of lesbian
women with an emphasis on lesbians of color
.
that catered to lesbian women of color in order to would uplift and uphold unity within the lesbian community. However, as the planning got under way, they realized an even greater need for an organization that catered to the needs of aggressive or dominant women. Richards and McCallum renamed Iota Lambda Pi Sorority a "fraternity," while Goss and Smith branched off to form Omicron Epsilon Pi Sorority, which be primarily for more feminine lesbians
.
The four founders are now known as "Sapphires". On February 5, 2005, Danielle Guess and Bruh Kalicia Fresh were inducted as founders.
This project has five main focus sub-programs including anti-discrimination, domestic violence
, homelessness
, LGBT parenting
and families, and suicide prevention
. Some projects currently going on within the sorority include seminars for anti-discrimination and hate crimes, domestic violence, and a suicide awareness and prevention seminar has been completed; also, the members in Atlanta, Ga have a First Saturday Sandwich Project (FSSP) in which lunch bags are prepared and given out to the homeless in downtown Atlanta.
The local chapters include:
Alpha Chapter - Atlanta, GA and surrounding metro areas
Beta Chapter - Orlando, FL and surrounding metro areas
Gamma Chapter - Ft. Lauderdale, FL and surrounding metro areas
Delta Chapter - Nashville, TN and surrounding metro areas
Epsilon Chapter - Tampa, FL and surrounding metro areas
The National Chapter for members who do not have a local chapter in their city is known as the Mu Nu Chapter.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
and the first Greek letter organization catering to the needs of lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
women with an emphasis on lesbians of color
Colored
Colored is a term once widely used in the United States to describe black people and Native Americans...
.
History
In February 2000, students Lakisha Goss, Janiece Smith, Michelle McCallum and Stefany Richards created Iota Lambda Pi Sorority. The intention was to create a Greek Letter organizationFraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
that catered to lesbian women of color in order to would uplift and uphold unity within the lesbian community. However, as the planning got under way, they realized an even greater need for an organization that catered to the needs of aggressive or dominant women. Richards and McCallum renamed Iota Lambda Pi Sorority a "fraternity," while Goss and Smith branched off to form Omicron Epsilon Pi Sorority, which be primarily for more feminine lesbians
Butch and femme
Butch and femme are LGBT terms describing respectively, masculine and feminine traits, behavior, style, expression, self-perception and so on. They are often used in the lesbian, bisexual and gay subcultures...
.
The four founders are now known as "Sapphires". On February 5, 2005, Danielle Guess and Bruh Kalicia Fresh were inducted as founders.
Omicron's Philanthropy
Omicron Epsilon Pi's philanthropy project is called Project E.M.P.O.W.E.R.:- Educate- the LGBT and ally community
- Motivate- people to become active in their communities
- Prepare- the LGBT community for obstacles they may encounter in life
- Organize- the LGBT so that they can be effective in the community
- Work with- people in all areas to benefit the community as a whole
- Equip- the LGBT community with resources that they can use in their own lives and communities
- Reconnect- community members with each other so that they can be helpful to each other
This project has five main focus sub-programs including anti-discrimination, domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
, homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, LGBT parenting
LGBT parenting
LGBT parenting refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people parenting one or more children. This includes children raised by same-sex couples , children raised by single LGBT parents, and children raised by an opposite-sex couple where at least one partner is LGBT.LGBT people can...
and families, and suicide prevention
Suicide prevention
Suicide prevention is an umbrella term for the collective efforts of local citizen organizations, mental health practitioners and related professionals to reduce the incidence of suicide....
. Some projects currently going on within the sorority include seminars for anti-discrimination and hate crimes, domestic violence, and a suicide awareness and prevention seminar has been completed; also, the members in Atlanta, Ga have a First Saturday Sandwich Project (FSSP) in which lunch bags are prepared and given out to the homeless in downtown Atlanta.
Current Chapters
Omicron Epsilon Pi is a growing organization with four local chapters across the southeast, a national chapter for members who do not have a local chapter in their area, and the Gamma Alpha Pi Chapter for ladies 30 years old and above.The local chapters include:
Alpha Chapter - Atlanta, GA and surrounding metro areas
Beta Chapter - Orlando, FL and surrounding metro areas
Gamma Chapter - Ft. Lauderdale, FL and surrounding metro areas
Delta Chapter - Nashville, TN and surrounding metro areas
Epsilon Chapter - Tampa, FL and surrounding metro areas
The National Chapter for members who do not have a local chapter in their city is known as the Mu Nu Chapter.