Hermana Ashley Nuñez aka Animada
(Empowered Spring ’05, Diva #1)
The Lambda Way
It took six divas to start
Something unique and special
Now it’s the sisters that take
This organization to another level
The red for the struggle
The white for the mature
The gold for the great
And the black because we endure
With the knowledge of the jaguar
And the strength from the pillars
Passing through the jungle of darkness
Somehow made us fuller
True triumph is preceded by struggle
True passion comes from within
Closely following our guiding light
A long journey this has been
Now with hands extended
And hearts open wide
To be part of LPiU
Brings nothing but pride
Hermana Aisha O’mally aka Big Sister Keepin’ It Real
(Empowered Spring ’01 - Diva #3)
I joined this organization because they welcomed me with open arms and without any reservations. Many people who look at me think that I would fit better in a Black sorority but I am here to say that is not true. I felt closer to the sisters of Latin decent than of African American decent because I am of Caribbean decent. When I’m with my hermanas we would tell stories of our upbringing and they literally sounded as if they were raised in my house. I noticed a lot of similarities in our backgrounds. I had two close friends who were already part of the organization and they always made me feel comfortable and did not pressure me to join. I realized that after several years of being exposed to LPiU, I had a connection with this group of women that I never dreamed would exist.
Later in life I know I made the right decision. I have had to struggle through things in my life that most don’t, yet by my side at every turn were my Hermanas. When my family needed help, my Hermanas were there for us. I am grateful for creating a bond with these women and live everyday cherishing them.
I have and continue to make it my mission to give as much as I can to this organization. LPiU has helped me to become the person I am today and I often think of all the ways to thank them and include them in every aspect of my life. I keep them close to my heart as I know they do the same for me.
Hermana Nathalie Espinosa aka Big Sister La Matatana
(Empowered Spring ‘02 - Diva #4)
Ever since I became an Hermana of LPiU I can simply say that my life, both professional and social, has not been the same. Meeting the women of this organization my freshman year at University of Buffalo was a truly memorable one. They stood out to me because no matter how many Hermanas were present, whether its 1 or 100, they always made themselves known. What truly attracted me to LPiU was that they were willing to assist the community in any way, in particular, lending that extra hand to children, ALL CHILDREN.
Being the large Greek campus that the University of Buffalo is, there were many Greek options, but for me, there was only one….Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Latinas Poderosas Unidas Inc. Since crossing the dark and intricate jungle of darkness in the Spring of 2002, I have never looked back. I was determined to wear these letters with pride and make sure that those who became DIVAS after me did the same.
Through our vast levels of programming, social events, and family oriented activities, LPIU not only signifies Hermandad, but the 2nd familia that I never knew I could have. LPiU has been there for me through the good times, the bad times and the worst of times and I could truly say that in my 5 years of being an Hermana, my life has never been so fulfilled.
Hermana Stephanie Rufa aka Azalea
(Empowered Fall ’04 - Diva #1)
Why did I decide to become a Lambda Diva? Well, my mom insisted that I should join a sorority because it could help me in the future. So, being the person that I am, I took her advice and decided to join a sorority. I was not interested in joining the pan Hellenic sororities that are on my campus and most of them are local sororities. I thought that if I were to join a sorority I would join one that had some sort of meaning to me and that was going national. So in my search for sororities, I remember seeing the letters Lambda, Pi, and Upsilon. That intrigued me even more because, who knew that Latina sororities existed?! I was skeptical at first to join this sorority because it was young and different, but I liked everything else about it. The sisterhood seemed real to me and everything that LPiU had to offer was amazing. I had never seen any sorority reach as far as Lambda Pi Upsilon had, and with so much support. I decided to look into other sororities but I didn’t see the bond that LPiU exhibited.
When it came time to decide about joining a sorority, LPiU’s diversity really grabbed me. I am only 50% Colombian and 50% Italian but that didn’t seem to bother anyone in the sorority at all. Furthermore, I wanted to become more in touch with my Latina side because I was raised as an American by immigrant parents, who thought that I should grow up as people in my town did. Let’s face it, I was probably the most non-Latina/Italian person out there, however LPiU has changed that. I still can’t dance the salsa, or dance meringue for that matter, but you don’t need to in order to show your true colors. LPiU showed me that there is more to who you are than what you do (or don’t do). LPiU showed me that being who I am is through giving back to others, helping my sisters when in need. These two things have made me a better person. It was a difficult and long journey to become the Hermana that I am, however I wouldn’t trade it for anything, and I still see that in the years to come, I will grow stronger because of my sisters.
In essence, becoming an hermana of this glorious organization has showed me that even when times are rough, my sisters are always there. I have formed amazing bonds with my sisters, have been able to travel to tons of places with them, and have been shown what it means to give back to others. Even with all the obstacles I, and my sisters, have had to face, we still manage to pull through and show how strength is in our hearts.
LPiU has shown me what it means to be a sister and what sisterhood is. Sisterhood is more than just what you see. It is a bond that is created between people that help us learn about who we are; it helps us think in different ways and helps us grow into bigger and better people. That is why I decided to become a member of Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Latinas Poderosas Unidas Incorported.
Hermana Nadia Ramirez aka Quetza
(Empowered Fall ‘04 - Diva #2)
My road to Greek life was a long one. I attended the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign which has the largest Greek community in the nation. Going into college I never thought of becoming Greek because I was not interested in being a stereotypical “sorority girl”. Then I found out about Latino Greeks and the idea caught my interest. Unfortunately there wasn’t an organization that I thought was worthwhile until I learned about Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Latinas Poderosas Unidas Incorporated several years later. I wanted to be a Diva because so many things about the organization caught my interest both superficially and intrinsically. I loved the Motto, the Colors, the “Latinas Poderosas Unidas”, and of course the Hermanas. Everything the sorority stood for and worked towards was and continues to be very appealing.
Going through orientation was an eye opening experience that I would not trade for anything and sometimes I wish I could go back and do it all over again. I learned so many things about myself, my Hermanas and even life. I became closer to more Hermanas during my time on line than I have with people I have known for years. I truly feel like LPiU is an extended family, and like family they are always there for you just like you are always there for them. I cannot imagine not having LPiU in my life. I have been an active Hermana for 2 years so far and I plan to remain that way for decades to come.
Being a Lambda Diva has made me a better person while also giving me more strength, pride, and courage to try new things and succeed. Not only has LPiU given me life long friendships, it has also given me women to look up to in my life. I only hope one day I can do the same for other women.
