Walk America 2006
The Beautiful Beta Chapter – Buffalo Region adopted the March of Dimes in 2002 as one of its main philanthropical events. March of Dimes is a charity which raises funds to find a cure for premature babies. Preterm labor is any labor that occurs between 20 weeks and 37 weeks of pregnancy. They also believe in prevention and focus on helping women stay healthy before and during pregnancy. Below are some tips found in the Walk America website that will help women with this goal:
-See a health care provider if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. Ask about possible risk factors associated with birth defects and prematurity.
-Take a daily multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid as part of a healthy diet before and during early pregnancy.
-Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
-Be aware of the warning signs of preterm labor and what to do if it happens to you.
-Relax! Although it is sometimes difficult to do, take it easy. Remember that stress is a major contributor to health complications for both you and your baby.
For more information please visit Walkamerica.org
Our Sisterhood
The very idea of a sisterhood founded from the depths of marginalization should forever unite us to Change, Challenge and Improve, not only our society, but ourselves. The passion and pride that are inherent in every single Hermana should never cease upon entrance and adjustment into the organization. Fourteen years from the founding of Lambda Pi Upsilon, we, as an organization have grown with experience and have remained true to our origins. Yet, with time comes new tribulations and trials, and it remains on each one of our shoulders to carry this organization forward into the next fifteen years. There are several phenomenal women in this organization that take the seriousness and intensity of our process and continually apply it to every area of their life. To those Divas, I applaud you.
Lambda Pi Upsilon is more than a sorority; it is within itself a powerful entity. This power is fueled by the caliber of women that compose the organization and without it, our organization would not remain true to its goal. Yet, still, I believe that there is so much more to be contributed, to be decided and to be done. We, as Hermanas, must realize and acknowledge the true Essence of Sisterhood. To work together, plan together and accomplish our goals together should be our top priority within this organization. Through professionalism in all things we do, our organization will never falter.
More than anything, Lambda Pi Upsilon has taught me Patience, Perseverance, and Pride. Walking around campus throughout my process, I realized that if your confidence runs only as deep as your lipstick, then you really have nothing to work with. My confidence comes knowing that our process isn’t something simple and fun, it’s a struggle every single day, and every single day that I continued, I was that much stronger. But here lies point, the Struggle does not end with the privilege of being able to wear these letters, it is exactly where the struggle begins. We, as Divas stand apart from every other organization because of our Amor, our Dignidad and our Orgullo. All we need now is to take it to the next level, we must communicate effectively, interact, plan and build blueprints for the future, for a time when our daughters will be able to understand what Lambda Pi Upsilon really is about.
Speaking about intentions in life can only take you so far, yet Daring to take it even further and actually accomplishing those intentions will take you as far as you allow it. Challenges are only as big as you see them. This has been one of the greatest choices in my life because besides learning and growing so much throughout this process, I am beyond proud to have such intense and determined Divas as my sisters. Through our passion alone, we have the power to break down inhibitions and cause revolution on all levels.
Con Amor, Dignidad Y Orgullo,
Nora “Kalea” Garcia
Kappa Chapter, Alpha Line
Empowered Fall 2005
Slavery Still Exists
Human trafficking is a vital problem that has recently been highlighted in the media. Unfortunately, this type of modern day slavery can be found in the United States. Last year, New York police discovered 59 Peruvians enslaved by a labor-trafficking ring on Long Island. About 80 percent of those that are trafficked are woman and girls; these women have been trafficked from all around the world including Latin America. These women are brought to the United States with promises of a better life; once they are in the United States they are imprisoned and coerced. They are lead to believe that they will be deported or arrested if found; once caught this belief causes these women not to cooperate with officials. What they do not know is that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) which was enacted in 2000 was put in place to specifically help victims of trafficking. This act allows some individuals who have been victimized to remain in the U.S. temporarily with Federal and State assistance.
According to the Department of Justice approximately 17,500 people in the US are victims of human trafficking every year. The problem is mostly driven by money; according to the State Department Report on Trafficking, it’s the third-most- lucrative criminal activity in the world, after illegal drugs and black-market gun—generating $9.5 billion in annual revenue.
To get involved or for more information: Please Visit the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (www.castla.org)
Religion: A Thing of the Past or the Future
By Hermana Rachel Coronel
Recently the media has been covering various stories about religion. Why this sudden attention to religion in a world that has seemingly lost the meaning of morality? All of a sudden there are books and movies on the topics of religion particularly on Jesus and the Judeo-Christian beliefs. Could it be that this recent media coverage is a reflection of the world’s current sense of loss and confusion? Has the world all of a sudden become religious or is it just looking for a leader in a world full of disastrous events?
Some scholars believe that religion was created to provide Man with guidelines in order to end the chaos and bring civility. Many believe that Man created religion as a form of leadership under which to unite its community. In order to understand this theory we must follow the trajectory of it. It is believed that Man at first existed by means of survival of the fittest. Each human was out for his/her own survival, which led to chaos as a result of the battles each fought against the other. Then, Man found that it was more beneficial to form clans or tribes, which has now extended to nations and races. The first laws that we have knowledge of were all mandated by some Deity. No matter what the culture or race, religion had been the differential of right and wrong and provided the leadership that each entity required.
However, basic human instinct is the need to follow his/her own desires irrespective of the desires and needs of the group or the whole. This fundamental fact has always generated change in governments via the governance of different power structures. It has been the root of varying factions causing revolutions and wars. One of our earliest examples of this theory is Moses and his people. They revolted and went in search of a new land, but the people had difficulty staying focused on their goal. They were united under the belief that they were God’s chosen people, yet they were not perfect because they followed their own desires. Even the most respected believers were tempted into adultery and murder. Moses, as leader of the Israelites had strict rules and no friends. He unfortunately had to be first to condemn his own friend so that there was no precedence of disrespecting the laws they had set in place.
As a leader a person cannot have friends, otherwise it’s considered favoritism. A leader must abide by the rules he/she sets forth, as well as to ascertain that his/her sovereignty abides by these same rules. It is a difficult position to have because it is the one that is held accountable even for other people’s mistakes. When things go wrong or the sovereignty is unhappy, the first to be blamed is the leadership. As a result of this accountability, a leadership position is a very lonely and difficult responsibility.
The lesson to be learned from this observation is that the one true key to the survival of the entity is faith in its leadership. Without that faith the entity falls apart into confusion and loss of its reason for being.
The Jaguar and Me
By: Hermana Jennifer Campoverde
Catch a glimpse of the Jaguar and it can easily be seen
How the sleek craft master of the Jungle shares qualities with me
Keeping to itself, found most often in sheltered places
As I would shelter my heart from common faces
The gold hue of the Jaguar brilliant red with the setting sun
Yet as my night approaches my day not nearly close to done
The nocturnal hunter leaving signs of presence in the pitch black night
Remembered as a master never quitting without a fight
The Jaguar is a bold daring fighter protecting those at its side
I am a diva holding my head with Love Dignity and Pride
Together through the jungle the Jaguar led my way
Our survival, our passion continues to guide us through our days
Strong Women VS. Women of Strength
-Anonymous
A strong woman works out every day
to keep her body in shape ...
but a woman of strength kneels in
prayer to keep her soul in shape...
A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ...
but a woman of strength shows
courage in the midst of her fear
A strong woman won't let anyone
get the best of her ...
but a woman of strength gives the
best of her to everyone...
A strong woman makes mistakes
and avoids the same in the future...
a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can
also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...
A strong woman walks sure footedly ...
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...
A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face ...
but a woman of strength wears grace...
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey ...
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...
Diva Spotlight : Vanessa Martir
We would like to Recognize and Congratulate Hermana Vanessa Martir on her novel “Woman’s Cry” … Please read below for book details. You may order the book on Amazon.com or click on the book cover below.
