Last weekend we took our annual mini-vacay at Deep Creek Lake! We played a bunch of games, ate good food, and enjoyed the sun! It was nice to get away and just relax for a bit. We even called our out of state sisters who couldn't make it! *Shoutout* to Tran and Rita who are working hard and making that money in NJ!
I loved spending time with my sisters and having a goooood laugh ;P You girls make me smile~ =] I hope everyone is pumped up for the upcoming school year!
Neo Convention 2009 was hosted this summer by Theta Chapter-University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Thank you ladies for holding such a professional and stimulating weekend! We attended workshops during the day and headed to the Sigma house at night for some delicious BBQ and a mixer with Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.
@ Neo Convention 2009 with our Psi Sistership Award andEmily *D'lux* Lin, Controller for the National EBOD
I had the pleasure of meeting my other pledge sisters from around the nation, reminding me why I pledged Sigma Psi Zeta. Our sorority was founded on and has passed down a legacy of strong, independent women.
As you know, Sigma Psi Zeta's National Philanthropy is to Combat Violence Against Women and as an organization we strive to achieve this goal through fundraising, workshops, community events, and any other means we can.
We are incredibly proud of our accomplishments as a group as over the last 5.5 years, Tau Chapter has continually put forth strong efforts toward our cause. So you can only imagine how proud we are that one of our sisters, Sharon *Leilani* Choi, will be participating in the Odanadi Cycle. Odanadi is a non-profit organization based in Mysore, India, which rescues, rehabilitates and empowers young women and children survivors of sex trafficking. Sharon, with a group of volunteers and sex trafficking survivors, will be biking for 30 days to 60 villages to spread awarness about the issue.
As a volunteer, she is responsible for raising money for her own flight, food, accommodations, and gear. Please send her your support and keep her in your prayers as she makes this journey!
As the largest active Asian-interest sororityon campus, we use our strength in numbers to spread awareness around our surrounding community on a issue that is commonly overlooked. For the past 5 years, Sigma Psi ZetaTau Chapterhas contributed back to the community by helping at numerous DV shelters, hosting DV self-defense workshops, educating the community through the distribution of pamphlets and awareness ribbons, and last but not least our annual participation in the Clothesline Project, plus much much more!
With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, our lovely philanthropy chair Donna Ryu planned a plethora of events for the entire month. Each and every one of these events successfully increases awareness about an issue that affects 13.7 percent of female undergrad students! In addition to planning great philanthropic events for sisters and the community at large, Donna also directed a great video that delves into common questions that people have on the issue. The video includes narration from a community outreach coordinator who did a great job of informing us about what DV is and how it should be handled. The camera also caught up with CP students to see how they view DV in the college community and beyond. Recently Past Events:
*Survivor Garden Dedication – This was the kick off event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month . It is the biannual Survivor Garden vigil where people gatherd to listen to a DV survivor speak. *Self Defense Class - Donna's friend Steve Lim taught Sigma sisters self defense routines in case she were to ever find herself in a dangerous situation! *Yami Yami Philanthropy Fundraiser- eating yummy sushi and bubble tea to raise money for the Domestic Violence Resource Project in D.C.
Upcoming Events:
*Silent Vigil with Teal & Purple* April 14 (outside of the cultural center in the outdoor amphitheater at 7pm) This is a silent vigil to remember the victims of DV and sexual assault. A victim of sexual assault will be reading some poems she has written about her experiences. Giving us a first hand experience to feel the trauma of being a sexual assault victim.
*Clothesline Project * April 16 (Hornbake Plaza Mall 8am-5pm) - This is one of our biggest philanthropy events of the year! At this event, victims of DV/sexual assault put their feelings on a t-shirt to "clean out the dirty laundry of society". The UMCP health center sponsors this event to bring out the emotions that are so often kept inside of these victims. Feelings of anger, sadness, depression, etc.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT!
PS- Congrats to my lovely pledge sister Jackie *Hanaiko* Tseng for becoming a certified Violence Intervention Assistant!! <3
Doreen *rampage* Wu Tau Iota
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
SYZ History:
On March 23rd, 1994, the sisterhood of Sigma Psi Zeta was formally recognized at the University of Albany, State University of New York.
The Founding Mothers of Sigma Psi Zeta wanted to create an eternal sisterhood and to establish an organization that encompassed the strength of today's Asian-American woman and her potential for making an impact on the world around her.
After15years, Sigma Psi Zeta has grown to include 23 sisterships across the United States, with members that still uphold the values and beliefs of our founders by sharing a universal sisterhood in their hearts and lives.Our sisterships enjoy a distinguished reputation for activism, scholarship, character, and leadership.
Last month marked the 15 year Anniversary of our founders. We are all so proud and honored to be a part of such an amazing and strong sisterhood.
True to the colors red and gold,
Sisters forever heart and soul.
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SYZ Spring 2009 Convention
This year's convention was hosted by our founding Alpha Chapter at the University at Albany - SUNY in Albany, NY.We celebrated Sigma Psi Zeta's 15th anniversary with a wonderful Convention and a nighttime Gala.
Tau Chapter was awarded the 2009 Psi Sistership Award, similarto "Chapter of the Year" - one of the highest honor in SYZ.
UMCP SYZ @ 2009 Spring Convention!
With one of the founding mothers, Sally *Shae* Hsieh and the Psi Sistership Award.
Special Shoutouts to
Jennifer *w00tw00t* Feng for planning the National Spring 2009 Convention and Gala!
Cathy *uh-oh!* Linfor a wonderful year on SYZ National EBOD as Controller!
Emily *D'lux* Linfor being the newly elected Controller for the '09 - '10 National EBOD!
Reese Witherspoon was recently announced the Avon Global Ambassador, and she's going to be working as the Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation. She's working with the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Avon, Andrea Jung, to bring awareness of breast cancer and domestic violenceto the audience.
She has products like this: Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Key Chain and the Women's Empowerment Bracelet... I think I'm going to purchase both! ;D If you want more information, check it out here!
<3, Jacqueline *Hanaiko* Tseng Spring 2008 Tau Iota
One of the most exciting times of the school year is the beginning of each semester - everyone comes back freshly rested and energized, ready to start a new semester.
New goals are made, new expectations are set and motivation is pushing you to be the best, to be a cut above the rest... Don't miss out on one of the most amazing experiences you'll ever have.
Come check out Sigma Psi Zeta's Spring 2009 Rush - Diamonds in the Rough.
Please welcome our Fall 2009 Tau Mu pledge class! 
