Welcome to the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Omicron Pi at the University of California, Berkeley. Sigma Omicron Pi is the first Asian-American interest sorority, established since 1930, with twelve chapters nationwide striving to promote unity, friendship, leadership, and service. Each of our sisters come from different backgrounds with different goals and opinions -- yet they share their experience with Sigma Omicron Pi as a common ground, filled with many memorable memories and lifetime experiences. This website paints a colorful glimpse of our strong sisterhood. We hope all our viewers enjoy their visit!
2012.08.23
Website and Rush information updated!
The sisterhood of Sigma Omicron Pi was established at
San Francisco State University in 1930 by ten Asian American women:
Elizabeth Hall, Frances Hall, Dorothy Lau, Gertrude Lee, Hannah Lee, Louise Lee,
Fannie Lim, Nancy Lim, Emma Lum, and Beatrice Ng, pursuing the interest of teaching.
They chose the Greek letters, Sigma, Omicron, and Pi to represent themselves
as the "Sisters of Pedagogy." The Constitution was derived from an existing
"Honorary Society of Education."
The sorority was active in the Asian Community
for the next fifteen years. At the advent of World War II, the organization was
forced to become inactive. In 1946, a group of women from the University of California,
Berkeley re-established Sigma Omicron Pi on their campus. Since its inception,
Sigma Omicron Pi has grown in membership with student chapters at:
Beta Chapter,
San Francisco State University, 1988
Gamma Chapter,
San Jose State University, 1992
Delta Chapter,
University of California, Davis, 1993
Epsilon Chapter,
California State University, Sacramento, 1993
Zeta Chapter,
University of California, Santa Cruz, 1995
Eta Chapter,
University of Maryland, 1997, retired 2000
Theta Chapter,
University of California, Irvine, 2001
Iota Chapter,
Pennsylvania State University, 2001
Kappa Chapter,
University of California, San Diego, 2002
Lambda Chapter,
The Johns Hopkins University, 2002
Mu Chapter,
University of California, Riverside, 2003
Nu Chapter,
Binghamton University, 2008
Though the sorority no longer centered around the interest of teaching,
it still maintained its commitment to the Asian American Community.
All of the chapters became extremely involved in their respective
communities, volunteering their time at community agencies and raising
money to donate to favorable charities. Sigma Omicron Pi earned a
respectable reputation as a benefactor to the Asian American cause.
The purpose of Sigma Omicron Pi is to promote unity, lifelong friendships,
leadership, and community service. This organization offers women a supportive
network of sisters to achieve academic and social growth. The sisterhood of
Sigma Omicron Pi provides an environment where sisters may utilize and develop
their organizational skills.
Each one of our sisters has different interests and aspirations, yet we all share
one common ground - Sigma Omicron Pi. We have based our sisterhood on four objectives:
UNITY, FRIENDSHIP, LEADERSHIP and SERVICE. In addition, Sigma Omicron Pi has a
tradition of lifelong friendship that has prevailed for over eight decades.
"Elizabeth Hall- Broke Barriers in San Francisco Schools"
Heather Knight, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 12, 2003
Elizabeth Ling-So Hall, was San Francisco school district's
first Chinese American principal in 1953.
Ms. Hall was born in San Francisco on May 19, 1911, shortly
after her family emigrated from China.
Elizabeth Hall was one of the city's few Asian American
children who didn't attend Chinatown's Oriental School,
which was renamed Commodore Stockton School in the
mid-1920s. Instead, she was granted special permission by
the district to attend Pacific Heights School near her
family's home.
After graduating from Polytechnic High School -- where she
was the only Chinese American girl -- Ms. Hall won a
scholarship to UC Berkeley, taking the ferry across the bay
to her classes. She later transferred to San Francisco State
University to enroll in its education courses.
Along with nine other women, Ms. Hall founded Sigma Omicron
Pi, the school's first Chinese sorority, and served as its first
president. Each spring, the group put on a fashion
show along with the UC Chinese Alumni Association to raise
money for scholarships. The sorority now has chapters around
the country, including local branches at San Jose State
University, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz.
The sisters of Sigma Omicron Pi are not only
dedicated to sisterhood and the Asian Greek Community,but also
engage themselves in a variety of other activites. Each one of
our girls participate in a variety of different campus
organizations and work for many prominent companies. We also
have numerous other indirect connections as support. Because of
the high level of involvements in other activities, each sister
helps one another by sharing these connections.
UC Berkeley Campus Organizations:
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Companies through Jobs/Internships:
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Other connections:
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| President: Nancy Tran | ||
| Vice President, Philanthropy: Rachel Xiao | ||
| Vice President, Sisterhood: Thanh Tran | ||
| Vice President, Social: Teresa Nguyen | ||
| Treasurer: Rose Huynh | ||
| Secretary and Sergeant at Arms: Christina Vu | ||
| New Member Educator: Natsuki Hara | ||
| External Affairs: Karissa Nishimurai | ||
| Rush Co-Chairs: Rose Huynh, Wanda Lam | ||
| Publicity Co-Chairs: Chanel Chu, Wanda Lam | ||
| Siblinghood Chair: Chanel Chu | ||
| Historian: Sophie Kim | ||
| Formals Committee Co-Chairs: Tiffany Chang, Tiffany Tam | ||
| ICC Delegate: Tiffany Chang | ||
| MCGC Delegate: Sharon Zhong | ||
| Alumnae Representative: Rachel Xiao | ||
| Asian-American Culture Representative: Sophie Kim | ||
| Academic Chair: Elaine Ma | ||
| Professional Development Chair: Elaine Ma | ||
| House Manager: Tiffany Chang | ||
| Athletic Chair: Fahm Saephan | ||
| Webmistresses: Tiffany Chang, Juliana Zhou | ||
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
Meet the Sisters | Kimchi Garden 2517 Durant Ave, 7PM
Meet the sisters of Sigma Omicron Pi and enjoy a free dinner!
Friday January 25th, 2013
Bowling Night with Pi Delta Psi | Meet at Unit 2 Courtyard, 7PM
Kick off the weekend by bowling with the brothers of Pi Delta Psi!
Monday January 28, 2013
Info Night | 56 Barrows, 7PM
Come learn more about our loving sisterhood over refreshments: why girls join SOPi, what we have to offer, and our alumnae's experience in the sisterhood!
Tuesday January 29th, 2013
Family Night | 220 Wheeler, 7PM
Come meet our extended SOPi family over light snacks and find your way to a family at Cal!
All events are free and require no commitment!
Questions? Concerns? Feel free to contact any of the following sisters:
Sophie Kim | 510.590.1555
Tiffany Tam | 626.283.3723
Thanh Tran| 916.527.4970
1. To be part of the strongest Asian American sisterhood-- over 80 years of history and service!
2. To make a difference in the Asian American community.
3. To know that someone is always watching your back - you're never alone.
4. To build friendships that will last a lifetime.
5. To know that you will always have someone to talk to or to listen to you.
6. To meet new people who make your social and academic life in college more memorable.
7. To gain leadership skills that will make you a better person as a whole and help you get ahead in the future.
8. To get to know and bond with other girls from your school and other prestigious schools across California and in the East Coast.
9. To have a group of girls who aren't just friends, but sisters for life.
10. To be part of a group that is not just an organization, but a family.
What is a sorority?
A sorority is a group of women joined together for fellowship and friendship, sharing a lifelong common bond of sisterhood.
What is rush?
Rush is a conglomeration of activities held during the first two weeks of school. The purpose of these activities is for potential members to get acquainted with the sisters of SOPi.
Does it cost anything to rush?
NO, all rush events are FREE!
What kind of activities does Sigma Omicron Pi hold?
We hold fundraisers, parties, sisterhood events, social exchanges with campus and outside organizations, and philanthropies for the community.
What are the objectives of Sigma Omicron Pi?
The objective of Sigma Omicron Pi is to promote lifelong friendships through a commitment to unity, friendship, leadership, and service.
How do I rush?
Simple! Just drop by any of our events.
Do I have to attend all the rush events?
No, you are welcome to attend any number of rush events as you wish! However, attending more events is highly encouraged so that potential members can get to know the sisters better.
What is Sigma Omicron Pi?
Sigma Omicron Pi is not just a sorority or an organization on campus. Most important is the fact that Sigma Omicron Pi is a SISTERHOOD! The meaning of sisterhood brings warmth, trust, and loyalty within us. As sisters, we become much more than just friends. We are able to lean on each other during times of hardship and stress. Our bond of sisterhood grows stronger due to our willingness to sacrifice for each other. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, we are confronted with the thoughts of our lifelong companionship and trust. As a sister, you are never alone and will always have support from the sisters of Sigma Omicron Pi!
What is pledging?
Pledging is perhaps the most important part of understanding the values of sisterhood. When you decide to pledge for Sigma Omicron Pi, you are pledging your time, heart, and dedication to learn the true meaning of sisterhood. The challenges and obstacles you face along with your pledge sisters will only make you stronger as an individual. During pledging, you will develop teamwork as you and your pledge sisters work together to find sisterhood. Through our encouragement and support, Sigma Omicron Pi becomes a supportive network for you to achieve academic and social growth.
How do I join?
Participate in our rush events to become aquainted with the sisters of Sigma Omicron Pi. Then, sign up for an interview. This is a chance for you to ask us any questions or speak of concerns that may not have been answered during rush events. If you are extended a bid, you are officially invited to pledge for the sisters of SOPi.
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Beta Chapter
San Francisco State University
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Gamma Chapter
San Jose State University
Website - MySpace
Delta Chapter
University of California, Davis
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Epsilon Chapter
California State University, Sacramento
MySpace
Zeta Chapter
University of California, Santa Cruz
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Eta Chapter
University of Maryland, College Park
Retired in 2000
Theta Chapter
University of California, Irvine
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Iota Chapter
Pennsylvania State University
Website - Facebook
Kappa Chapter
University of California, San Diego
Website - Myspace
Lambda Chapter
The Johns Hopkins University
Website- MySpace - Facebook
Mu Chapter
University of California, Riverside
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Nu Chapter
Binghamton University, State University of New York
Website - MySpace - Facebook
Pi Alpha Phi Our Brother Fraternity National University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Santa Cruz Alpha Kappa Omega San Jose State University Lambda Phi Epsilon National San Francisco State University Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Stanford University University of California, Davis University of California, Santa Cruz Sigma Mu Delta University of California, Berkeley Sigma Pi University of California, Berkeley Psi Chi Omega University of California, Davis |
alpha Kappa Delta Phi National San Jose State University Stanford University Sacramento State University Sigma Phi Omega University of California, Berkeley Chi Delta Theta University of California, Davis |
