Omega Phi Beta

Omega Phi Beta (ΩΦΒ) is a Latina-oriented collegiate sorority founded in 1989 at the State University of New York in Albany, New York.^[1] It is a member organization of National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.

Omega Phi Beta
ΩΦΒ
Founded	March 15, 1989; 36 years ago (March 15, 1989) University at Albany, SUNY
Type	Social
Affiliation	NALFO
Status	Active
Emphasis	Latina
Scope	National
Motto	Sirviendo y Educando a Través de Nuestra Diversidad ("Serving and Educating Through Our Diversity")
Colors	Black,   Forest Green, and   Radiant Gold
Flower	Sunflower
Mascot	Hummingbird
Publication	El Girasol
Philanthropy	Violence against women
Chapters	51 collegiate; 15 alumnae
Colonies	1 collegiate, 4 alumae
Nickname	OPBSI, Betas, Radiant Sisters, Sunflowers, Girasoles
Headquarters	Radio City Station PO Box 2104 New York City, New York 10101-2104 United States
Website	www.omegaphibeta.org

History

Omega Phi Beta was founded on March 15, 1989, at the State University of New York in Albany, New York by seventeen women of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Its founders wanted to create an outlet for all women with an emphasis on multiculturalism, as well as community service and sisterhood. The sorority is Latina-oriented, not Latina-base.^{[citation needed]}

The sorority initially expanded on the East Coast but has since formed chapters at colleges and universities in the Midwest, California, and Southeast. It is a member organization of National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

Symbols

Omega Phi Beta's colors are black, forest green, and radiant gold. Its flower is the sunflower and its mascot is the hummingbird. Its motto is "Sirviendo y Educando a Través de Nuestra Diversidad" or "Serving and Educating Through Our Diversity". Its publication is El Girasol.

Activities

Omega Phi Beta was the first Latina sorority to participate in and win Step Correct, a traditionally National Pan-Hellenic Council competition.^[2] In 2007, MTV's True Life featured the journey of the Soul Steppin' Divas National Step Team compete in the episode "I'm Stepping". In 2014, the Art of Stepping team was inducted to the Art of Step/Stroll Hall of Fame.

Philanthropy

Omega Phi Beta's national philanthropy, Raising Awareness of Violence Against Women, includes all forms of violence affecting women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual mutilation, stalking and human trafficking.^[3]

In June 2005, the sorority established a partnership with Amnesty International.^[4] It has also helped to raise over ten thousand dollars towards AIDS research and domestic violence awareness initiatives.^[5] It has created youth mentoring groups such as S.O.U.L. (Steppin’ Off to Unite Latinas) and the Madrinas Program and various scholarships such as the Reach For the Gold book scholarship.

Omega Phi Beta Foundation

Omega Phi Beta Foundation is a national philanthropic organization committed to initiatives that build a safe and equitable world for women and girls through leadership and educational programs for communities nationwide. The foundation was created in response to the ongoing need for role models and leaders in the community.^[6]

Chapter List

Main article: List of Omega Phi Beta chapters

The sorority has chartered 51 undergraduate chapters.^[1][7] Additionally, it has established fifteen alumnae chapters and colonies.^[7]

Notable members

• Caridad de la Luz (1992), actress and poet
• Eve Torres, actress, martial arts instructor, and retired professional wrestler

See also

• List of social sororities and women's fraternities