Latina Sororities, nothing like your average

This contribution is written by Yuritzi E. Lozano, who is a senior at the University of Washington, double-majoring in International Studies: Latin America and Spanish with a minor in Diversity.

Latina sororities first made their appearence on universities about 35 years ago, when the first Latina sorority was established at Kean University. Since then many more have been established. Unlike mainstream Greeks--fraternal organizations that must live in specified housing--these sororities are considered non-traditional in that there is no requirement to live in Greek housing.

These developed when colleges and universities experienced an influx of Latino enrollment. A need to support groups and outreach programs were at an all time high, especially that of Latina women in higher education institutions. At the time there were not many social options for these underrepresented groups. Thus, the decision to create a sisterhood which empowered and supported Latinas evolved.

For many of the women that join these sorority it is more than just a social organization, it becomes a support system that they can rely on. Many of the young Latinas that continue on to higher education are often first, second and sometimes third generation and oftentimes have had to move away from home to pursue their academic dreams.

For me it was just like that: I moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington from a small city in Eastern Washington. As first generation in higher academia I hardly knew anyone, much less about Seattle life. Joining a sorority, for me, was a way of making the UW campus smaller and created a home away from home.

Today university campuses around the nation have many different sororities on their campus. For example, the University of Washington is home to 4 distinct and unique Latina Sororities; Lambda Theta Alpha, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Kappa Delta Chi and Gamma Alpha Omega. Why the need for so many organizations that cater to this specific group? Each Latina sorority formed from the need to embody principles, values, and philanthropies that catered to their specific needs. Every one of the organizations mentioned above provides something different to its members such as community service, leadership skills, diversity, and networking skills.

At the end of the day they all provide a social aspect which allows these women to create a niche.

King County Latino Entrepreneurs: Your Input is Appreciated!

Here's a request from one of our readers. Are you a Latino entrepreneur in the King County area? If so, please help by taking the survey (links below)!

I’m currently conducting an independent research study that focuses on Latino micro-entrepreneurs throughout King County.

The main objective for the study is to better understand the needs, and potential obstacles, that these entrepreneurs might have in terms of business development, sales, and operations management. At the same time, the results from the study will help us develop a curriculum that will be use to teach a series of free business development training seminars in the fall.

This academic research is part of my entrepreneurship degree at the Michael G. Foster School of Business at UW. I’m also working with the Business and Economic Development Center, as they are providing mentorship and act as the supervising source for the study.

Basically, at this point we are trying to reach out to the community and let people know about our survey that is available online and hard copies as well.

English: https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/jesus9/77070

Spanish: https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/jesus9/77301

Speaking of EDUCATION ... read what the Martinez Foundation is doing!

This just off the press - Edgar and Holli Martinez are sponsoring 15 - count 'em - 15 Masters in Teaching scholarships for students of color through the Martinez Foundation. They're helping students at three schools, University of Washington, Washington State University, and Seattle University--with 5 scholarships to be awarded for each university.

Read the story and learn about the first recipients! Congrats!

SAVE THE DATE: Scholarship Dinner and Auction

Help Latinos with a UW MBA Scholarship

Attend the
Ernest I. J. Aguilar Scholarship Dinner and Auction

WHEN: Saturday, July 18, 2009, 4:00 - 7:00pm
WHERE: Conibear Shellhouse - UW Campus (free parking) Directions & Map

Please join the Aguilar Scholarship Committee, the Latino Community, and the University of Washington for an evening of fine dining and spirited auctioning.

Let's celebrate the first endowed scholarship for Latino students in the MBA Program at the University of Washington and recognizing Latino MBA students at the UW Michael G. Foster School of Business. The scholarship endowment recognizes Ernest I.J. Aguilar, the founder of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and numerous other community and business organizations.

You can register at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/59287.

SPONSOR THE EVENT
The organizers offer various levels of event and media sponsorship opportunities; ask me for a sponsorship packet and learn more about how your company can support the success and advancement of Latino MBA students at the UW Michael G. Foster School of Business.

Or contact Jesse Robbins directly at jesselr@u.washington.edu or by calling 206-543-3681.

Another Saturday Night Party with a Purpose!

Party With A Purpose: Latin American Studies Program Fundraiser

WHERE: Greenwood Collective 8537 Greenwood Ave N Suite 1, Seattle, WA
WHEN: Saturday, April 18, 6:30pm - 1:00am

The Latin American Studies Program at the Jackson School for International Studies at the University of Washington invites you to join them for their Spring Fundraiser.

Come to hear live music and dance with Grupo Quetzal with Martha Gonzales, Mudzunga and her Venda Singers, Monica Rojas and her Afro-Peruvian Ensemble, Juan Barco y su guitarra, Dingolay, and others.

They will have an art exhibit, silent auction, food and drinks. Come and meet the new faculty and staff and the student leadership in the Latin American Studies Program, and hear what their vision for the future looks like.

This fundraiser will help them build their coffers to support student abroad programs, business partnerships between Latin America and Washington, and outreach community activities.

Suggested donation: $5.00 students; $20.00 general.

Only one bus stop from the UDistrict and one block away on bus route #48 which leaves from the UDistrict.

For more info, contact Latin American Studies lasuw@u.washington.edu 206.685.3435

TONIGHT at the UW - Film: Niña Quebrada

CORRECTION: FILM SCREENING THIS EVENING

WHEN: TODAY, March 12 7-9pm
WHERE: UW Campus, HUB Auditorium

Diana Romero's film, Niña Quebrada ("Broken Girl"), is the story of Lucena, a teenage girl who runs away from her family in Mexico for the love of a boyfriend who promises her a better life in Los Angeles. The reality, unbeknownst to her, is that she has been sold into sex slavery. Against the backdrop of an illegal cockfighting ring, Lucena must fight for her life to escape the horrors of this nightmarish world of child prostitution and human trafficking.

Director Diana Romero and a panel of expert guests are available for Q&A after the screening.

Thank you to sponsors: Women's Studies Department and the UW Women's Center

Contact Latin American Studies at the UW for more info or to get on their mailing list and learn about the many diverse events on campus!

Special Event This Friday

GLOBALIZATION ON THE GROUND: What Bolivia Teaches Us

A book presentation and discussion featuring the newly released
Dignity and Defiance: Stories from Bolivia's Challenge to Globalization (UC Press 2009)

With Jim Shultz and Leny Olivera Rojas of the Democracy Center, Cochabamba, Bolivia

WHEN: Friday, February 6, 7-8:30pm

WHERE: Husky Union Building (HUB), Room 310, University of Washington, Seattle

WHY: This book presentation and discussion was attended by 200 people in San Francisco last night, and organizers are expecting a good turnout this Friday evening at the UW. The speakers do a great job at providing analysis of current trends both in Bolivia and throughout Latin America. See how the Seattle community responds to the issues which will be raised at this event!

BIENVENIDOS: 3 New Interns at Conexión Marketing

Yes, you read that correctly--we've just been granted the time and talent of three smart UW students from the Spanish and Portuguese division of the Romance Languages Department!

Yecenia Guerrero is a Mexican American from Yakima, Washington! She's studying a double-major in Sociology and Spanish with a minor in Education, and will be looking into fulfilling her teaching requirements once she graduates so she can share her gifts with local kids. With lots of office, community organization, and leadership experience, we're excited to have Yecenia on board with us!

Asunción Márquez is also Mexican American. He hails from Sunnyside, a town with a population that's more Hispanic than anything else. Asunción has another year left in his studies after this one as he's pursuing a double major to include Community Environmental Planning/Urban Planning as well as Spanish. He's got lots of great retail, research, and customer service experience, and is an expert merchandiser.

Ceinwen Bushey is a Dean's List gringa with an amazing fluency in Spanish, thanks to her years in Ecuador and Guatemala (plus travels elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world). She is finishing her Spanish degree in early June and will be doing networking as part of her internship. She is the reason we don't limit our internships to native Spanish speakers.

Yecenia, Asunción and Ceinwen will be working with us both this and next quarter, learning about Hispanic marketing, lending their ideas, and collaborating with us in the Conexión Marketing office. ¡Bienvenidos!

UW Diversity Career Fair

Here's an excellent opportunity for Latino students to talk to employers who are looking to great employees who happen to be a minority. And if you're an employer who would like to see your staff be more representative, this is your opportunity!

Diversity Career Fair
January 22nd, 2009
6:00-9:00pm
HUB Ballrooms
UW Seattle campus

This from the UW:

If you are seeking top-notched diversity candidates for career, internships or Co-op positions then you don't want to miss this event.

Last year's career fair attracted approximately 2500 students and more than 140 employers representing a broad range of employment sectors including: airlines, aerospace, financial services, various engineering, education, consulting, health care, retail, manufacturing, government and non-profit.

Click for more information or to register online.

The People Speak

The University of Washington worked with State Farm Insurance and tú Decides Newspaper to conduct a Hispanic market study at a recent event.

Here are some highlights:

• When local Latinos were asked about the most important issues when it comes to choosing a president, they listed economy and jobs at the top.
• As issues with greatest importance, the nation's economy, the state's economy and education led.
• When asked about whether the situation for Hispanics in Washington State was better, worse, or about the same, males and females responded significantly differently. The majority of women found it about the same (56.5%) or worse (30.4%), whereas men responded that it was about the same (38.3%) or better (30%). In general, we could say that Hispanics feel their situation here is about the same. Note that there was no significant difference in how U.S. born versus foreign-born Hispanics responded.
• Men were found to be generally much more confident about their financial situation than women, but in general Hispanics are only somewhat confident.

For more details on the study, visit the newspaper's bilingual site and look up the October 31, 2008 edition:
http://www.tudecidesmedia.com/