Sigma Psi Zeta - History

History

In the Fall of 1993, a group of undergraduate women came together. These women, hailing from different cultural backgrounds, became close friends. While musing about the state of their campus and their friendships, the idea of forming a sorority casually came up. They believed that a sorority built on their friendships and sharing their vision could address a gap that existed on the SUNY Albany campus. This idea solidified. These women believed that a sorority built on their friendships, laughter, strengths and dedication would be a formidable force. Over the course of the semester, their group of friends grew closer and in size.

On February 28, 1994, the Founding Mothers of Sigma Psi Zeta sat down together over dinner to discuss their common goal. They all aimed 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. They came together as friends, realizing the apathy towards Asian women and the dual-disadvantage for being "The Silent Minority." Sigma Psi Zeta stands for "Ten Rays of Sisterhood": integrity, legacy, scholarship, philanthropy, professionalism, community, sisterhood, culture, citizenship, and activism. The Ten Rays of Sisterhood link the natural progression of the organization to the sorority first envisioned in the fall of 1993 by its founding mothers.

On March 23, 1994, the State University of New York at Albany formally recognized the sisterhood of Sigma Psi Zeta. Since then, Sigma Psi Zeta has expanded into twelve states and the District of Columbia and twenty-seven schools.

On September 10, 2006, the Law Caucus of Sigma Psi Zeta became formally recognized as a branch of the sisterhood's National Governance. The Law Caucus comprises sister attorneys, law students, and law-bound undergraduates. The main objectives of the Law Caucus are to research and offer its opinions on legal matters directly related to sorority interests, offer invaluable resources and support to undergraduate sisters in pre-law programs, sisters preparing for law school, law student sisters, and attorney sisters, and generally provide mentorship and career services to law-bound sisters.