When Kamala Harris rose to national prominence as a presidential candidate and then as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, she joined a long line of distinguished members of the Divine 9, the nine historically sororities and fraternities black people who make up the National Pan-Hellenic. Advice.
Other members who have made a name for themselves include author Toni Morrison, actress Phylicia Rashad, judge Thurgood Marshall, singer Lena Horne and basketball great Shaquille O’Neil. Other notables include Martin Luther King, his wife Coretta Scott King, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who are honorary members.
Sigma Gamma Rho Shield. Their motto is “More service, more progress”
The University of New Mexico is now home to all D9 organizations, such as the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority recently relocated to campus after a long absence.
“This is a special time for our Black Greek community because it now means that our four historically Black Divine 9 sororities are now active at UNM,” said Brandi Stone, director of African American Student Services, she -same member of Zeta Phi. Beta Inc. “Collectively, the historically African American fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9 are leaders in our community and have played a prominent role in advocating for social justice. Recently, our undergraduate chapters at UNM all participated over the summer in a statewide census of the Black community.
Nicole Tucker is a junior majoring in information technology and minoring in cybersecurity. She is considering a career at a technology company as part of a cybersecurity team. She came to UNM from Texas in part to rehire Sigma Gamma Rho, an undergraduate sorority that had faded a few years ago as members graduated and left. She serves as president of the Xi Eta Chapter, the local undergraduate chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
“After 20 years, we are finally back,” Tucker proclaimed. “We have been gone for a long time and it was time to reappear. It was important for me to come help with the re-chartering because I wanted to see our sorority grow. I wanted to expand our community service to places that need it. This is the second time I have re-chartered a chapter. Tucker also recreated the organization at Texas State University where, she said, they hadn’t seen “poodles,” Sigma Gamma Rho’s nickname, in 22 years.
“We are the smallest in terms of numbers overall of the other sororities, but we are coming out strong and ready. It’s like the saying goes, quality or quantity. It makes me happy that there are women who see the same, or even bigger, visions as I do when it comes to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.,” Tucker said, adding that she is grateful to the Eta graduate chapter Beta Sigma from Sigma Gamma Rho. Sorority Inc. for their support.
Tucker said Sigma Gamma Rho was the best fit for him because its values and motto “Greater Service, Greater Progress” resonated with him. The word “values” comes up a lot when talking to sorority sisters.
Other sorority members at UNM are:
Odelle Brown, a sophomore from Des Moines, Iowa, majoring in business who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the business. Brown is the vice president of the Xi Eta chapter.
“I joined the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority because I loved the message of “Greater Service, Greater Progress” the sorority exuberates. They help their own communities progress and prosper on their own. As a product of a single mother home, Sigma Gamma Rho really resonated with me because they focus their programs on helping single mothers,” Brown said.
“Finding sorority while being part of a Black Greek-letter organization is so special because the women you join sorority with will be the women you bond with long after your college years,” she said. -she continued. “So having a few people that I can go to for anything, whether it’s for comfort, finances or advice, is so special and empowering. Knowing that no matter what happens in your life, there are sisters there to help and support you, it is a special strength that not all women know.
Yashira Ortiz, a junior/senior, is from Delaware. She is majoring in pre-professional studies in architecture with a minor in business management. She is the amiochus/anti grammateus chapter of Xi Eta. She plans to own an architecture firm focused on the dance industry.
“I joined this sorority to help bring about change within different communities and I hope that if others saw me or saw that I help others succeed through different examples, it would lead others into our direction to also become one of us and do what we do. we do it,” Ortiz said.
Jezarae Van Zile of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is majoring in radiology with a minor in psychology and is the grammateus/epistoleus chapter of Xi Eta.
Like the others, Van Zile cited values as the reason she joined, noting, “I joined a Black Greek-letter organization because of the values they stand for. There are so many ways to make a change in communities across the country, and within Sigma Gamma Rho, I can accomplish things that are bigger than itself… Our sorority is special because The core values of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority are strong… With our motto being “Greater Service, Greater Progress”, we as a sorority are always moving forward and serving others by hosting events around the world whole within our sorority and sharing within the community.
Stone explained that the legacy of Black Greek life officially began on the UNM campus with the charter of the Sigma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1965. Since then, chapters have followed one another , but today, eight of the Divine 9 are present on campus, with all four Divine 9 sororities on campus.
“All of our organizations have principles centered on scholarship, service, sisterhood and brotherhood. These organizations all have national programs and initiatives implemented at the local level to serve and directly impact our community, whether it be youth mentoring, health initiatives, engagement voters, social and civic action and much more.
Stone said membership provides students with an added level of retention support as they enroll in higher education because of the encouragement and help they receive from their graduates and former members of the section. It also provides individuals with the opportunity to benefit from professional mentorship and community from an international membership of like-minded individuals.
“What makes this experience special and unique for members is that it is a lifetime commitment,” she said. “Membership doesn’t end after you graduate from college, and all of our organizations have members who have been financially active in their community since the age of 18 and could now be 90! This is a special bond within and between these organizations.
Black Greek life also supports the concept of Excellence of Black Students.
“Black Greek life has been a presence on our campus since the 1960s, and many of the students who have completed these chapters have had a significant impact on the black student experience, for the better. We’re excited to see what the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho will do on campus,” Stone said.
