Lambda Pi Chi just became the lucky seventh sorority at Hopkins. This new local chapter of the nationally recognized Latina sorority, Latinas Promoviendo comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi, Inc., intends to provide a voice for young and rising Latina women on a national stage by supporting them at the college level.
The JHU chapter was formed by four current students who decided to make a difference in the Latina population here at Homewood. According to President Jessica Hilpabidel, she and her friends tried rushing other sororities their freshmen year, but found something major lacking. They wanted a sorority that reflected their culture, while allowing for the sisterhood that so many girls find in sororities.
Many of them were greatly involved in the Organization Latina Estudantil (OLE), which is the Latino student group here on campus. However, the girls felt that Hopkins still lacked a venue specifically geared towards Latina women.
As a result, the small group began to sort through the several national Latina sororities, and decided that Lambda Pi Chi was the right decision. Lambda Pi Chi provides both a support group and friend base for all those involved. Although the sisters respect all the sororities, both on and off campus, they thought only Lambda Pi Chi could provide that perfect fit that they were looking for.
There is also a large emphasis placed on cultural outreach programs, where members become further acquainted with their heritage.
Another key pillar of Lambda Pi Chi is that it connects members to older Latina women who can advise the young women on internship and job opportunities, and offer professional support to those wishing to break into a particular field.
In fact, Hlipabidel remembers that at her very first meeting of the national chapter, the sisters were very outreaching and had a "genuine love for being part of the organization."
The pledging process for Lambda Pi Chi differs slightly from that of the other sororities found at JHU. As per the national chapter, interested girls must first join an interest group during spring semester.
During this trial semester, the new members of the interest group are expected to attend meetings and events, both at JHU and on other campuses, to get a feeling for what the sorority is all about and make sure they are serious about being sister in Lambda Pi Chi. Most girls succeed in the interest group.
Once the interest group requirement has been fulfilled, the girls become pledges. They then participate in several events, some secret, some not, which further instructs them on the values and traditions of Lambda Pi Chi.
As freshman Topacio Cruz states, "My interest in the sorority comes from the realization that as sisters we would create a community focused on benefiting the Hispanic population from which we came: a population of different cultures that faces many of the same problems."
After the pledge process has been completed, the girls become full-fledged hermanas, or, in English, sisters.
Lambda Pi Chi also hosts several events in conjunction with OLE and other sororities throughout the academic year.
One of their main events is a play, which took place this Thursday, demonstrating the difficulties of having an interracial couple dating even in today's society.
Following the performance, Lambda Pi Chi and their co-sponsors hosted a workshop with a panel discussion and a food tasting.
The sorority also had a panel of professional Latina women come speak to members on how to achieve success in the business and medical world. The hermanas also participate annually in a cell phone drive sponsored by a local women's shelter.
This April, Lambda Pi Chi will put on the first ever Step Show held at Hopkins, which combines a rhythmic dance with modern music. The title of this event "Breaking Ground: Leaving an Impression" reinforces the sorority's goal to increase multi-cultural awareness.
The long-term goals for the hermanas are to have everyone on campus know what Lambda Pi Chi is and what it entails, and to uphold their three ideals of culture, community, and sisterhood.
They also want every Latina woman on campus to be aware of Lambda Pi Chi and to join if they feel like it is something they could contribute to and something they would love.
As Hilpabidel reminds the hermanas, Latina women are here for more than "cooking, cleaning and conceiving." She and other Lambda Pi Chi members want to increase the awareness of not only Latinas, but also the awareness of everyone on campus.
She also reinforces the point that Latina women are "a force to be reckoned with" in today's society, and that they are not to be taken lightly.
Clearly, Lambda Pi Chi has been an inspiration to many Latinas here at Hopkins, and the chapter continues to grow.
