Zeta Sigma Chi
Encyclopedia
Zeta Sigma Chi, (also known as Z-Chi, pronounced "Zee-Kaii") was founded on March 3, 1991 at the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
The eight women who founded Zeta Sigma Chi, known as the "Mommy Chi's," envisioned a sisterhood that would unite all women of diverse backgrounds
and encourage sisters to achieve success in higher education and careers. As one of the oldest established intercollegiate
multicultural sisterhood
in the nation, Zeta Sigma Chi is proud of its ability to provide a strong open-minded organization to its members and the community. The sorority believes in maintaining a true sisterhood that is accepting of one another no matter what their differences are. Members of Zeta Sigma Chi are genuine and successful in their attempts to spread multiculturalism
and sisterhood to others in the community
, and on a global scale. As a steadily growing organization, Zeta Sigma Chi offers members not only a strong support network and system, but also an active National Board and Alumnae Association.
The idea of combining the principles of Education
, Success, Culture
, Service
, and Sisterhood
to make an impact in the lives of every woman as well as the community is the main goal of the organization. The uniqueness of the sorority includes its vast multicultural base with regards to culture
, ethnic group
, race, religion
, orientation
, opinion
s, belief
s, and identity
. One of its many strengths is pushing academic success among its members in their undergraduate, and post graduate careers.
The purpose of Zeta Sigma Chi is:
"To unify a group of women from diverse cultures for one common goal, success in education. To achieve our goal, we base our beliefs on our unique backgrounds with the purpose of building a strong sisterhood that will assist us in our success. We invite ALL women of diverse cultures to join our sisterhood and share their beliefs, as well as to gain knowledge from our multicultural heritage."
came together to form a bond like no other. They had a new idea for an organization that would unify all women of different cultures, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.
"Mommy Chis"
Members of Zeta Sigma Chi strive to:
"A Home-Away-From-Home"
The idea behind Ronald McDonald House is simple: provide a "home-away-from-home" for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby for Multicultural Education (N.A.M.E.)]
The Founders of NAME envisioned an organization that would bring together individuals and groups with an interest in multicultural education from all levels of education, different academic disciplines and from diverse educational institutions and occupations. NAME today is an active, growing organization, with
The eight women who founded Zeta Sigma Chi, known as the "Mommy Chi's," envisioned a sisterhood that would unite all women of diverse backgrounds
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
and encourage sisters to achieve success in higher education and careers. As one of the oldest established intercollegiate
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
multicultural sisterhood
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...
in the nation, Zeta Sigma Chi is proud of its ability to provide a strong open-minded organization to its members and the community. The sorority believes in maintaining a true sisterhood that is accepting of one another no matter what their differences are. Members of Zeta Sigma Chi are genuine and successful in their attempts to spread multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
and sisterhood to others in the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
, and on a global scale. As a steadily growing organization, Zeta Sigma Chi offers members not only a strong support network and system, but also an active National Board and Alumnae Association.
The idea of combining the principles of Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, Success, Culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
, Service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
, and Sisterhood
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...
to make an impact in the lives of every woman as well as the community is the main goal of the organization. The uniqueness of the sorority includes its vast multicultural base with regards to culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
, ethnic group
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
, race, religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, orientation
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
, opinion
Opinion
In general, an opinion is a subjective belief, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts. An opinion may be supported by an argument, although people may draw opposing opinions from the same set of facts. Opinions rarely change without new arguments being presented...
s, belief
Belief
Belief is the psychological state in which an individual holds a proposition or premise to be true.-Belief, knowledge and epistemology:The terms belief and knowledge are used differently in philosophy....
s, and identity
Cultural identity
Cultural identity is the identity of a group or culture, or of an individual as far as one is influenced by one's belonging to a group or culture. Cultural identity is similar to and has overlaps with, but is not synonymous with, identity politics....
. One of its many strengths is pushing academic success among its members in their undergraduate, and post graduate careers.
The purpose of Zeta Sigma Chi is:
"To unify a group of women from diverse cultures for one common goal, success in education. To achieve our goal, we base our beliefs on our unique backgrounds with the purpose of building a strong sisterhood that will assist us in our success. We invite ALL women of diverse cultures to join our sisterhood and share their beliefs, as well as to gain knowledge from our multicultural heritage."
National History
In 1990, eight determined women at Northern Illinois UniversityNorthern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
came together to form a bond like no other. They had a new idea for an organization that would unify all women of different cultures, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.
"Mommy Chis"
- Maribel Campa
- Zandra Cortez
- Sandra de le Roca
- Veronica Escobar
- Sandra Gomez
- Jacqueline Herrera
- Laura Murrilo
- Julie Sanders
Principles
The principles of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. are: Education, Success, Culture, Service and Sisterhood. It is the goal of the sorority to support the growth of its membership by upholding these principals.Members of Zeta Sigma Chi strive to:
- Attain and maintain a high graduation rate among members of Zeta Sigma Chi, and assist sisters in completing their educational goals in every way possible.
- Encourage sisters to strive for success in both their educational endeavors and their career goals.
- Encourage sisters to embrace, discover and share both their own personal cultures, as well as the cultures of other sisters and individuals, in order to broaden their horizons and gain respect for others.
- Support and provide opportunities for members to give back to their communities and environments as much as possible through outreach, philanthropic efforts and community service.
- Provide an environment in which women from different backgrounds and cultures come together on one accord to become true sisters. Our sisters do not take their bonds to one another lightly; once a sister of Zeta Sigma Chi, we are true sisters for life. What differentiates Zeta Sigma Chi as an organization is our dedication to personal and spiritual growth through the sharing of experiences, common bonds and a commitment to positive change.
- Embody all the above aspects and become a true "Radiant Lady" of Zeta Sigma Chi for life.
Philanthropy
The Philanthropies of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. are the Ronald McDonald House and the National Association for Multicultural Education (N.A.M.E.). Sorority members are united together through sisterhood and share the goal to be ready and willing to lend a helping hand to those who are in need on and off a campus environment."A Home-Away-From-Home"
The idea behind Ronald McDonald House is simple: provide a "home-away-from-home" for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby for Multicultural Education (N.A.M.E.)]
The Founders of NAME envisioned an organization that would bring together individuals and groups with an interest in multicultural education from all levels of education, different academic disciplines and from diverse educational institutions and occupations. NAME today is an active, growing organization, with
Chapters
- Alpha Chapter at Northern Illinois UniversityNorthern Illinois UniversityNorthern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
- March 3, 1991 - Beta Chapter at University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterUniversity of Wisconsin-WhitewaterThe University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is part of the University of Wisconsin System, located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It became Wisconsin's second public college on April 21, 1868 when it opened its doors to 39 students taught by nine faculty members...
- June 4, 1994 - Gamma Chapter at Purdue University CalumetPurdue University CalumetPurdue University Calumet is a school within the Purdue University system that is located in Hammond, Indiana in the Northwest Indiana portion of the Chicago metropolitan area.-Schools:Purdue University Calumet is academically organized into six schools:...
- November 19, 1995 - Delta Chapter at Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
- March 31, 1996 - Epsilon Chapter at University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
- November 14, 1999 - Zeta Chapter at Towson UniversityTowson UniversityTowson University, often referred to as TU or simply Towson for short, is a public university located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S...
- June 30, 2001 - Eta Chapter at The University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
- March 29, 2003 - Theta Chapter at University of Maryland, Baltimore County - May 2, 2004
- Iota Chapter at Shippensburg UniversityShippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Ship, or SU, is a public university located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 40 miles west-southwest of Harrisburg...
- April 24, 2005 - Kappa Chapter at Wayne State UniversityWayne State UniversityWayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
- July 30, 2005 - Lambda Associate Chapter at Oakland UniversityOakland UniversityOakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...
- September 10, 2005 - Mu Chapter at University of Wisconsin - Parkside - June 25, 2006
- Nu Chapter at Purdue UniversityPurdue UniversityPurdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
- April 15, 2007 - Xi Chapter at University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghThe University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
- February 24, 2008 - Omicron Chapter at Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
- March 29, 2008 - University of South Carolina Associate Chapter at University of South CarolinaUniversity of South CarolinaThe University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
- August 21, 2010 - California State University, Sacramento Associate Chapter at California State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
- May 1, 2011