Kappa Phi Gamma
Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc., is the first South Asian interest sorority geared towards women of all descents. It was founded on November 8, 1998, by a group of 27 women from a variety of different backgrounds at the University of Texas at Austin, in Austin, Texas.
History
On November 8, 1998, 27 women from a myriad of backgrounds came together to form the first South-Asian interest sorority. Although, South-Asian founded, she has expanded the warmth of her Sisterhood to any and all motivated young women, willing to make a difference at her University and community.The Founders envisioned a sorority built around 8 principles: Character, Leadership, Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service, Womanhood, Culture, and Self. Realizing the quality of The Sisterhood could never be compromised, the founders’ every endeavor thereafter was directed toward fostering these 8 principles and establishing a solid foundation for the future before embarking on plans for expansion. The infant years of The Sisterhood were dedicated to developing lifelong traditions and rituals, service to the community, writing and ratifying the national constitution, and a commitment to excellence.
Today
Each chapter and colony is engaged in programs generally selected in accordance with the following areas: professional development, philanthropic aid, Greek solidarity, education, health, the arts, and cultural awareness.Such involvement includes but is not limited to the following: Leadership retreats, South Asian Student Alliance, Relay for Life, National Conference, NAPA Conference, chapter/colony and regional formals, Be the Change, and Meet the Greeks. The topics of the workshops and forums that have been led by Kappa Phi Gamma include but are not limited to: leadership skills, finance, cultural awareness, rape culture, women's empowerment, business etiquette, GRE/MCAT/OAT/DAT preparation, resume building/interview preparation, risk management, hazing prevention, stress relief, healthy lifestyles, cancer awareness, social media etiquette, crafts, and self cultivation.
Philanthropy
Kappa Phi Gamma Sororities render service to the community and respective campuses. Since her inception in November 1998, the Sisterhood has participated in a variety of service projects. However, the sisterhood has dedicated itself to its national philanthropy, cancer awareness. The founders discovered, that in one way or another, almost all of them had been affected by cancer. They realized that cancer does not discriminate by race, sex, or class; it can affect anyone. For those reasons, the founders chose to devote our philanthropy for cancer awareness.Every Spring, Kappa Phi Gamma around the nation plans Cancer Awareness: a Real Effort! Week. C.A.R.E Week is a week long series of events dedicated to raising funds for a cancer organization and to bring awareness to the community about the truths of cancer. To date, Kappa Phi Gamma has raised over $70,000 and has donated their services to over 40 different charities. C.A.R.E. Week has been recognized by the Asian Cup Award for being the only organization of its kind to commit a week of events towards cancer awareness, while incorporating educational and entertaining activities in order to educate the public about early detection and prevention of cancer.
Events held during C.A.R.E. Week include, but are not limited to: Kick-Off Rally, Candlelight Vigil, cancer workshops/forums, Mr. C.A.R.E. Week Pageant, sports tournaments, bake sales, and movie viewings.
All proceeds raised during C.A.R.E. Week are donated to an array of organizations that are committed to cancer awareness, including, but not limited to, the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, Bite Me Cancer, the Scott and White Center for Cancer Prevention and Care-Hope Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Scholarship
Pursuing academic excellence is an integral part of Kappa Phi Gamma. To promote the principle of academic scholarship, Kappa Phi Gamma strives to promote and recognize the academic achievement of South Asian women. The Emerald Endowment is an annual scholarship awarded by the sorority to a female student not associated with the sorority who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.Chapters and colonies
Chapters:- Founding Chapter - University of Texas at Austin
- Beta Chapter - University of Texas at Dallas
- Gamma Chapter - Baylor University
- Delta Chapter - University of Houston
- Zeta Chapter - University of Maryland at College Park
- Theta Chapter - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Iota Chapter - Temple University
- Lambda Chapter - George Mason University
- Mu Chapter - University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
- Nu Chapter - Drexel University
- Omicron Chapter - Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Epsilon Colony - Boston University
- Eta Colony - New York, New York
- Pi Colony - New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury
- Rho Colony - Rutgers University-Newark
- Sigma Colony - New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Tau Colony - University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Upsilon Colony - University of Connecticut
- Phi Colony - Adelphi University