Established in 1994, Sigma Lambda Alpha became the first Hispanic sorority established at MSU to educate and excel the stance of Latina cultures as well as others.
“If personal development, leadership skills, and selfless giving is what you seek, then Sigma Lambda Alpha is the sorority for you,” Keidra Phillip, senior in chemistry and molecular biology, said.
The sorority aims to give back to the community, to promote the importance of community service involvement and enhance academic achievement. Phillip said joining Sigma Lambda Alpha was one of the greatest decisions she ever made at the university.
“I became a member of Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority Inc. after learning their main ideas and values: Leadership, community service, and academic excellence,” she said. “Their values conceded with my own, and I knew that joining such a driven organization would help mold me into the individual I see myself becoming.”
The sorority has united against barriers that minority women face in modern society. They help each other succeed in academics, and they encourage each other to pursue careers and overcome adversity.
“Our sisters are strong, independent women who understand the need for cultural awareness,” Catherine Spurlock, junior in biology and member of Sigma Lambda Alpha, said.
The sorority also makes members feel like they have another family to turn to. “Our sorority ensures that each member feels comfortable and ‘at home,’” Phillip said. “We trust each other and know that we can count on each other during times of need. Just knowing that we have each other to lean on reminds us each day that we are indeed a family.”
Sigma Lambda Alpha has an emphasis on Latino culture and empowerment of minority youth because its founding mothers stood together and vowed to begin a movement that would change society, starting with their own campus.
“Aside from the ideals which we live by, leadership, community service and academic excellence, our sorority emphasizes diversity,” Phillip said. “There are a few people in the sorority that aren’t a Latino. You don’t have to be of a Latino culture to join.”
Spurlock said that Sigma Lambda Alpha is a multicultural sorority and its members’ composition highlights that. “We have members from Africa, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Asia. Despite being a Latino based sorority we ensure that we expose ourselves to all types of culture,” Phillip said.
The sisters consider themselves to be very busy college students, but being members of the sorority helps them retain a united front. “Sometimes the value of sisterhood can be lost with the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” Phillip said.
The sisters make mandatory bonding times with each other and each sister has a designated accountability partner.
“We are also the most diverse sorority on campus,” Spurlock said.
The ladies of Sigma Lambda Alpha sorority also ensure that quality of life in their areas is improved through different community service projects throughout the year.
“We have grown since and continue to make our sisterhood stronger. If you demonstrate leadership and a desire to give back to the community, we welcome you to share your ideas and grow with us in sisterhood,” Phillip said.
Being a member of Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority also exposes its members to many new experiences and opportunities where they can develop into more confident and independent individuals.
“Our girls were molded into more balanced young women whilst underscoring and appreciating the value of sisterhood,” Phillip said.
According to its members, joining the sorority also aids in workplace preparedness and acquiring skills for the job, especially analytic and teamwork skills.
“The Señoritas come together as sisters, developing strong women into future leaders within their local communities, and national community,” Phillip said.