![]() ![]() But while it provided a supportive space, it was fleeting, filling the need for the moment but not a permanent piece of their lives that they would carry with them after they left. Out of this need, a discussion and support group La Organizacion de Latinas Universitarias (LOLU) was started. The longer they were on campus, the more they realized how crucial and necessary having another option was. “We each felt a need to find a place where we would be valued for our brains, our commitment to the Latino inner city communities we came from, and the belief that as women we could stand on our own two feet, independent, strong, not willing to take no for an answer,” Esencia says.ĭuring this time, each of our founders desired something more than the options they were given: they could either join a traditionally Anglo sorority or pledge a historically African American sorority. On the surface they were different, but they had something important in common. In 1986, on this sprawling campus in centrally isolated Western NY five Latinas lives intersected- Eva Marie Sosa-Grandison, Viveza Maria Caban, Sayan Patricia Rivera, Nipin Irma Almirall-Padamsee, Esencia Migdalia Franklin, Raiza. When Hispanic women were literally the new kids on the block and people just didn’t get why they wouldn’t pick a side of the race/culture spectrum. This was Cornell University in the 1980s. With each woman that leaves, you lose another friendship not out of maliciousness but simply the passage of time and no real thread to keep you connected, no reason for them to reach back and remain in your life or you in theirs. ![]() Diplomas bought freedom, freedom bore forgetfulness. Now imagine seeing these same women who you spent years working, studying, bonding with, suddenly disappear. Not because they didn’t deserve it, but because of their gender. Imagine seeing others like you give and nurture and support and work and lead but never be acknowledged, respected or appreciated. By professors, administrators, officials, peers and colleagues, some of them just like you or close enough to be. ![]() Imagine carrying the expectations of your family, your friends, your neighborhood, on your back because you were the first to accomplish something others around you did not: going away to college. But in reality, you were one, or the other, neither, or both. A place where your color or last name and how you spoke it, put you in one category – either black or white. Judging by the reaction of the crowd, I did a pretty good job. I strayed away from the typical pamphlet/brochure/website spiel and instead simply spoke from the heart in a way to somehow convey the essence of how and why our Hermandad was founded. I couldn't have been prouder (or more nervous) to do so. As a result, I was asked to give a speech at one of our chapter's last night about our organization's genesis. I also happen to sit on our National History Committee. I joined during college and am still an active member today. For those that don't know.I've been an Hermana of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. ![]()
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