:.National History.:
Seven extraordinary women came together to establish Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. at Binghamton University on March 9, 1995. These seven founders: Elizabeth Choi, Karen Eng, Rei Hirasawa, Hee Cho Moon, Chae Yoo Park, Samantha Somchanhmavong, and Connie Yang united with a single vision of providing women with the chance to use their pride in their heritage to become leaders of society. The sorority was conceived through the notion of an organization that would provide a culturally sound and educationally inspiring grounding for Asian American women. These seven women envisioned themselves laying the cornerstones of what was to become a culturally revolutionary and unprecedented organization. This cultural based sorority was to unite young women of differing heritages and encourage them to make use of their strong voices and thoughts. This sorority is open to women of all nationalities and backgrounds who want to learn about, actively speak for, and represent Pan-Asian culture. Held together by the bond of sisterhood and striving to educate each other and the rest of the community, our founding mothers not only channeled Asian American awareness through voice, but also by action. They taught each other about strength and ambition while discovering their own true unparalleled identities in the process. These first sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda also extended their hands to the community through charitable works of both service oriented and philanthropic natures. By doing so, they were able to make a real and impacting difference in the world around them. All the while, they were given the opportunity to educate others about the beauty and complexity of Pan-Asian culture. Kappa Phi Lambda formed to provide the campus, and on a large scale, the society, with yet another option for learning, and another outlet for activity.
Albany Colony History
On November 14, 2004, five young women ~ Gayle Unhjem, Megumi Finnegan, JiaWei Yieh, Julie Phok, and Heather Zhang ~ established themselves as the University at Albany of the Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority. Each founding sister is unique, with her own values and ideas; yet, through pledging they were able to come together as one. Through their hard work and dedication, they were able to bring a new opportunity to campus.
:.Our Commitment to Service.:
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority is an organization which prides itself on its sense of commitment to cultural diversity and strong bonds of sisterhood. However, our other primary focus is to offer our service to the community. Community and culture is largely what has made us the strong and independent women we are today. It is for these reasons that we want to reciprocate and give back to the communities around us. Sisters participate in individual community service events of their choice, as well as those which we support as a whole and unified organization.
Albany Kappa Phi Lambda's community involvement includes, but is not limited to:
AIDS Walk
Campus Clean Up
Clothing Drive
Homecoming
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
New York State Museum
Out of Darkness Community Walks - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Relay for Life
Run for Literacy
WMHT
:.Our Commitment to Philanthropy.:
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority is a growing Asian American interest sorority. While we celebrate all the Asian countries prospering in America, we also recognize the issues faced by Asian American women. Despite the independent and bountiful state of this country, our people are slipping through the socio-economic cracks of our government. Our national philanthropy is about empowering Asian American women by helping them overcome issues from domestic violence, hate crimes, economic injustice, to immigration rights. The national organization, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, works on a grassroots level for social and economic justice and the political empowerment of Asian and Pacific American women and girls. Through national campaigns including legislation reform, media attention, and grassroots movements, they are working on 6 platforms including civil rights, economic justice, educational access, ending violence against women, health, and immigrant and refugee rights. Kappa Phi Lambda pledges to donate to this national organization which benefits Asian American women. Our goal is to empower women living in poverty, fear, and illness.
For further information about NAPAWF, please visit their website at http://www.napawf.org.
As we continue to support our national philanthropic cause, the Upsilon Chapter has adopted Polaris Project as its colony cause. The mission of Polaris Project is committed to combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and to strengthening the anti-trafficking movement through a comprehensive approach. This year we held a benefit reception with a keynote speaker, performances and raffles with all proceeds towards Polaris Project.
For further information about Polaris Project, please visit their website at http://www.polarisproject.org/
:.Our Commitment to Cultural Awareness.:
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority strives to emphasize the importance of cultural diversity -- not only within our own organization, but also to the universities at which we exist, and outside the community. While we do classify ourselves as a Pan-Asian interest sorority, by no means do we limit membership to those of only Asian descent. We have sisters from very diverse backgrounds, including French, Korean, Chinese, Latino, Thai, Filipino, Indonesian, and Japanese. Diversity is what helps broaden the horizons of thinking. It is for this reason that we always welcome young women of interest from all ethnic backgrounds. Through various workshops and events, Kappa Phi Lambda continuously tries to educate our members, schools, and communities about Asian culture. Likewise, we stress the importance of awareness on events occurring in our society on a daily basis.
The following is a selected list of cultural workshops and events that Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. has sponsored in the past:
Asian Jeopardy
Body Image
Burma Workshop
Interracial Dating
Pink Box
Regina Park - NEVER PERFECT
'Slavery Still Exists'