Zeta Sigma Chi () (also known as Z-Chis, pronounced "Zeek eyes") is a
multicultural
Multiculturalism is the coexistence of multiple cultures. The word is used in sociology, in political philosophy, and colloquially. In sociology and everyday usage, it is usually a synonym for ''ethnic'' or cultural pluralism in which various e ...
American
sorority
In North America, fraternities and sororities ( and ) are social clubs at colleges and universities. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Greek life or Greek-letter organizations, as well as collegiate fraternities or collegiate sorori ...
founded in 1991 at the
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded as "Northern Illinois State Normal School" in 1895 by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, initially to provide the state with c ...
in
DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb ( ) is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,290 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The city is named after decorated Franconian-French war hero Johann de Kalb, who died during the Ameri ...
.
[Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) ]
Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities
'. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed December 23, 2022. It was the third national multicultural organization founded in the United States.
History
On March 3, 1991, Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc. was established at Northern Illinois University by eight founding members known as the Mommy Chis.
The Mommy Chis are Maribel Campa, Zandra Cortes, Sandra de la Roca, Veronica Escobar, Sandra Gomez, Jacqueline Herrera, Laura Murillo, and Julie Sanders.
Zeta Sigma Chi is based upon five principles. The organization's principles are education, success, culture, service, and sisterhood, with an emphasis on social justice.
The Oakland University Office for Student Involvement selected its Zeta Sigma Chi chapter as the Fraternity & Sorority Life Organization of the Year for the 2019–2020 academic year.
Symbols
Zeta Sigma Chi's colors are peach and black.
Its flower is the peach rose and its symbol is the unicorn.
Its motto is "Keeping the Dream Alive."
Its principles or pillars are Education, Success, Culture, Service, and Sisterhood.
Activities
The sorority's philanthropies are the
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an independent American nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.
RMHC has a global network of ...
and the
National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME).
The ''Eastern Michigan University chapter'' hosts an annual SexapalooZa to encourage positive discussion and education about healthy and safe sex. The ''University of Michigan chapter'' held a workshop to discuss homophobia in the Greek system.
Chapters
See also
*
List of social sororities and women's fraternities
Social, traditional, or collegiate sororities, in the North American fraternal system, are those that do not promote a particular profession, as professional fraternities do, or discipline, such as service fraternities and sororities. Instead, ...
*
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities, in the North American student fraternity and sorority system, refer to general, social organizations oriented to students having a special interest in a culture or cultural identity.
Although racial ...
References
{{Fraternities and Sororities , collapsed
Student organizations established in 1991
Student societies in the United States
1991 establishments in Illinois
Women's organizations based in the United States
Sororities
Fraternities and sororities in the United States