Gamma Alpha Omega

Gamma Alpha Omega (ΓΑΩ) is a Latina-founded Greek letter intercollegiate sorority founded on January 25, 1993 on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

The organization is dedicated to promoting the achievement and quest of higher education amongst all women. The pillars of the sorority are honesty, integrity, leadership, scholarship and unity. The sorority is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). Gamma Alpha Omega was recognized nationally with the founding of Gamma Chapter, at the University of Washington on January 24, 1997. April 2001 marked a milestone for Gamma Alpha Omega, when the organization was officially recognized as an incorporated entity in the state of Arizona.

Founders and charters

In 1993, four determined collegiate women congregated with the common goal of establishing an organization at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona that would serve towards the advancement of Hispanics/Latinas while promoting a quest for higher learning and volunteerism. These visionary young women saw the need to create a support system that would encourage women to become actively involved with social issues, achieve educational excellence, serve as a motivational source for others while generating role models and eventually yield a considerable amount of leaders in the Latino/Hispano community. Their benevolent vision became a reality on January 25, 1993 when Gamma Alpha Omega obtained acknowledgement as the first Hispanic sorority on the campus of Arizona State University.

• Michelle Seanez
• Amy Alvarez
• Patsy Guardado
• Clara Lopez
• Annette Escalante
• Valerie Mendoza
• Roxana Quinones
• Sandra Saenz

Gamma Alpha Omega encourages an atmosphere among women that fosters high ideals of friendship, promotes their educational and cultural interests, creates in them a true sense of social responsibility and develops in them the best qualities of character. Dedicated to advancing women, the founders' vision has grown to serve more than just Latina women but all women regardless of race, color, creed, or national origin.

Mission and responsibility

A Latina-founded, multicultural organization that exists to:

• Increase the number of women with a college education and advanced degrees.
• Provider mentors for youth, women, and under-represented communities.
• Enhance the individual leader in each member.
• Provide a family of lifelong support for members who live their lives by the pillars.

Gamma Alpha Omega supports the dignity and integrity of every member, and therefore does not tolerate hazing or discrimination of any kind.

Sisterhood

Built on a foundation of fostering high ideals of friendship, promoting educational and cultural interests, a true sense of social responsibility and developing the best qualities of character, Gamma Alpha Omega is a women’s organization that impacts women’s lives nationwide.

Founded in 1993, in Tempe, Arizona, by eight young women, the motto “Nos Una Crescemus” (United We Will Grow) was chosen to exemplify the power of the tie that binds so many women across the nation. It remains the motto of the sorority and a serves as a reminder each day of the promises we made to our sisterhood.

Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority distinguishes itself in the fraternity and sorority world by leading the way as the first Latina-based sorority to be founded at Arizona State University. Gamma Alpha Omega will also be the first sorority to partner its philanthropic efforts with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Scholarship, service, and philanthropy

Throughout its history, Gamma Alpha Omega has recognized the importance of serving others. Gamma Alpha Omega’s commitment to mentoring youth began in 2011 with the founding of the Gamma Alpha Omega’s Emeralds for Education, which brought youth mentoring to our local communities through various organizations. We have worked to promote youth mentorship ever since.

Since 1993, Gamma Alpha Omega has beens serving and assisting communities. Members serve more than 1,000 hours of service each year. Chapters also conduct fundraiser and donation drives to help local organizations that share our mission.

It is a clear expectation of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority that each member will strive to reach her full scholastic potential. With the pressure on today’s college students—school, family, friends, work, extracurricular activities plus planning for a future—it is often difficult to find a balance. Gamma Alpha Omega requires its members to maintain at least a “C” college average. Each chapter also develops its own scholarship program to support members’ academic success.

Rose Vine magazine

The ROSE Vine of Gamma Alpha Omega is the official national magazine of the sorority and is digitally published quarterly. Making its debut this July, the mission of the magazine is to inform, educate, entertain and inspire readers. Our articles and features focus on subjects relevant to the sorority, cultural and women’s issues, our members and fraternity/sorority life. The magazine aims to encourage members’ lifetime involvement and “Shine On” spirit, and serves as a permanent record of sorority history.

Chapters

• ALPHA- Arizona State University
• BETA- University of Arizona
• GAMMA- University of Washington
• DELTA- Washington State University
• EPSILON- University of Wisconsin–Parkside
• ZETA- Reserved
• ETA- University of Idaho
• THETA- University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
• IOTA- Texas Tech University
• KAPPA- Oregon State University
• LAMBDA- University of Houston
• MU- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
• NU- Baylor University
• XI- University of Houston–Downtown
• OMICRON- Northern Arizona University
• PI- Humboldt State University
• RHO- California State University, Northridge
• SIGMA- University of the Pacific
• TAU- University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
• UPSILON- University of Oregon
• PHI- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• CHI- University of Wisconsin-Madison
• PSI- Eastern Washington University
• OMEGA- Reserved for deceased sisters
• ALPHA ALPHA- University of New Mexico
• ALPHA BETA-California State University, Fresno
• ALPHA GAMMA-New Mexico Highlands University

References