The National Philanthropy of Sigma Psi Zeta is to combat violence against womxn in its varied forms. This includes but is not limited to the following: rape, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, exploitation, the trafficking of womxn and children, the abuse of migrant workers, intimidation at work, child abuse, harassment, and spousal abuse. Any kind of physical, emotional, or mental duress constitutes violence.

To accomplish this, SYZters:

  • Volunteer at domestic violence and local women’s shelters
  • Sponsor or attend conferences and meetings that empower womxn’s rights
  • Lend support to womxn who need this specific type of support and seek help for them
  • Help to stop violations against female refugees and asylum seekers
  • Advocate for political causes that affect such demographics
  • Attend and host self-defense workshops and classes
  • Collaborate artistically and educationally with other womxn of color
  • Donate proceeds of activities to organizations that support this same cause
  • Organize collection drives and secure in-kind donations for local charities and domestic violence shelters

By adopting this ethic within our sorority, we acknowledge the demographic we seek to empower as our own and amplify the collective voice of those effected. Historically oppressed by tradition and objectified in the eyes of the contemporary media to be physically powerless, emotionally isolated, and culturally subordinate – we work to advocate for the education, development, liberation, and growth of womxn everywhere, particularly womxn of color. We also equip ourselves as undergraduates and alumnae of institutions of higher education. Furthermore, we remain vigilant and encourage others to remain vigilant of their surroundings. Attacks may happen anywhere – even at universities and colleges across the nation.

Violence affects the lives of millions of womxn worldwide from all socio-economic and educational backgrounds. It cuts across cultural and religious barriers, impeding the right of womxn to participate fully in society. Violence against womxn takes a dismaying variety of forms and constitutes a violation of basic human rights.

The SYZters of Sigma Psi Zeta stand united behind our philanthropy and advocate for this cause on an organizational and individual level.

National Involvement

In 1999, the SYZters of SYZ formally adopted our National Philanthropy, to Combat Violence Against Womxn. Among the first Asian-Interest sororities to take on this very worthwhile and relevant cause, SYZ aspires to bring awareness of the prevalence of violence against womxn to our universities and communities at large. Sigma SYZters have built a campaign to help those affected by violence, to educate the community about the nature of this problem, and to empower our SYZters to make a lasting commitment to the issue of violence against womxn.

SYZ undergraduate memberships collaborate with the National Office to raise awareness and funds for this cause.

Every October, the undergraduate memberships take part in Domestic Violence Awareness month. They participate in the Purple Ribbon Campaign, in which they distribute purple ribbons and literature to raise awareness of this widespread phenomenon. They also work with their local charity to raise money and hold at least one other dedicated community service event in keeping with our National Philanthropy.

The National Office of Sigma Psi Zeta takes a proactive approach towards Domestic Violence and other acts of violence against womxn. We have spearheaded an ongoing collection drive of cell phones that can be reprogrammed for use by victims of domestic violence (as needed) and an ongoing collection drive of self-help books to help build a resource library for the clients of WomanKind.

If you or your organization would like to work with our sorority, or if you would like to find out more about our National Philanthropy and programming, please contact us.

Initiatives

The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at the national, state, and local levels. We encourage our sxsters and our communities to participate in the democratic process to exercise our rights as citizens, in hopes that our voices will be heard and impact change. To learn how to register to vote, please follow the link to APIAVote.