Sorority receives prestigious honors at awards banquet

San Diego, CA, May 2, 2009 – Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. (SIA) along with other prominent Latino/a Greek leaders convened for the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organization’s annual business meeting and awards banquet. Member organizations discussed important issues affecting Greek organizations, networked and came together in solidarity.

During the awards ceremony, SIA was honored among 21 other national Latino/a organizations with the following organizational awards:

-Organization of the Year – Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

-National Philanthropic Organization of the Year – Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

-Philanthropic Excellence (Undergraduate Chapter) – Zeta Chapter (Hofstra University)

-Alumni/Graduate Chapter of the Year – Gamma Gamma Chapter (NY/NJ)

Last year, NALFO added the award category, National Philanthropic Organization of the Year. SIA is happy to have received the award both years since it was created. SIA promoted initiatives like the Gold Ribbon Campaign, National Day of Service and the Reaching Others through Service and Education Mentoring Program (R.O.S.E.) maintaining our dedication to the Latino and Greek communities across the country. We volunteered countless hours, helped individuals, groups and organizations from California to NY to South America.

“SIA has worked diligently since our inception to help individuals and communities near and far therefore it is wonderful to know that our efforts have been recognized at this level.” said Outgoing President, Ivone De Jesus. “This is a great way to end my term especially knowing that hermanas continue bringing about positive change through action and awareness; the very essence of our foundation!”

Incoming President, Marisol Palau commented, “This is a great time for our organization and an exciting time for me to take on the role of National President. We, as an organization, have been working relentlessly for 18 years to positively affect our communities. Recieving this award solidifies that we are doing just that.”

Members of SIA would like to thank NALFO for these honors and congratulates all other award recipients for their contributions to Latino Greek life.

About Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. (SIA):
SIA was founded in New York on September 29, 1990 by thirteen Latina women with the purpose of creating an organization that would help their communities, unite women, promote the Latino culture and uphold a set of distinct goals. Our dedication to scholarship, service and professional development within the Latino community has grown beyond New York, with chapters in several states including: New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.

We are more than a sorority; we are a family and network of professional, strong and dedicated women leaders. We are also a 501(c)7 tax-exempt organization and we work in conjunction with the Solidaridad Inspiracion Amistad Community Foundation, Inc.- a 501(c)3 Community Foundation committed to scholarship, service and professional development within Latino communities nationally. Together, we administer a national scholarship fund for incoming college freshmen who demonstrate academic merit, service to communities in need and exemplary leadership capabilities. For more information, please visit www.hermandad-sia.org.

Contact: Marisol Palau
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
marketing@hermandad-sia.org
www.hermandad-sia.org