Lambda Pi Upsilon

Lambda Pi Upsilon began with six women at the State University of New York at Geneseo who sought to fight and address increasing social issues involving women in their community, particularly Latina women.^[4][5] Located on a predominantly caucasian campus, these six women were driven to find a sense of unity and commonality by approaching the ideas of cultural identity and growth of mind.^[7][5] They created Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority Inc. on November 6, 1992.^[7][5] Referred to as the Six Pillars of Strength or the Founding Mothers, these women were:^[7][5]

• Sandra Mosquera-Valerio
• Lisette Pineda
• Maria Fritz-Rodriguez
• Glorivy Arce
• Ebony Robinson
• Nancy Martinez^[8]

Lambda Pi Upsilon seeks to "empower initiates to educate others about the fallacy of the negative stereotypes that surround Latinos, to act as a role model, to work for the advancement of women, and to emphasize the importance of higher education."^[9]

The sorority is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).^[6] It is overseen by a national board of directors based in New York City.^[10][11] Leaders meet at the Empowerment Conference which is a convention held each January.^[12]

The sorority's colors are red, white, gold, and black.^[13][14][8] Its mascot is the spotted jaguar and its gemstone is the emerald.^[13][14][8] Its flower is the "Fire and Ice" rose, a white rose with red tips.^[13][14][8] Members are referred to as Lambda Divas and experience a sisterhood or Hermandad.^[5][8]

The motto of Lambda Pi Upsilon is Con Amor, Dignidad, y Orgullo or "With Love, Dignity, and Pride".^{[13][14][8][15]} The sorority's six founding principles or pillars of strength are family, advancement, education, motivation, learning, and exposure or the acronym F.E.M.A.L.E.^[7][5]

Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Latinas Poderosas Unidas, Inc. welcomes women who are interested in a young and developing organization who also want to become leaders within their communities. Although the sorority is Latina-based, membership is not exclusive to Latina women.

Members of Lambda Pi Upsilon host numerous annual events for members and other people to attend. The Sisterhood Retreat is a legacy that was started by the founding mothers to help members of the sorority to bond with each other over a weekend of workshops and storytelling each August.^[12] The first Sisterhood Retreat was held on August 4–6, 1995 in SUNY Geneseo.

The Emerald Gala is an event hosted in New York City every five years to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of the organization.^[12]

Chapters also help with campus celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month.^[16][17]

The sorority also has a national performance team, Divalución.^[10][2][11]

As an organization, Lambda Pi Upsilon adopted children as its national philanthropy.^[14][18] However, with the death of one of their members from asthma, Lambda Pi Upsilon has also focused its attention on asthma awareness as part of their philanthropic work and also partner with the American Lung Association for various awareness activities.^[14][18]

At a local level, chapters and members of Lambda Pi Upsilon also participate in other events and support other charities, including the AIDS Walk, autism awareness, Breast Cancer Walk, and the March of Dimes.^[18]

• List of social sororities and women's fraternities
• Cultural interest fraternities and sororities