About
Kappa Phi Lambda is a non-profit, Asian-interest sorority represented by over 4,600 sisters nationwide at more than 33 active universities. Sisters are united through a common goal of upholding our three pillars, with an emphasis on service and commitment to give back to our members’ communities. As a part of the National APIA Panhellenic Association (NAPA), Kappa Phi Lambda aims to provide a community that is culturally sound and educationally inspiring for both Asian-American women, and any women interested in Asian culture.
NATIONAL HISTORY
Kappa Phi Lambda was founded on March 9, 1995 at Binghamton University by seven founding mothers. These inspirational women – Elizabeth Choi, Karen Eng, Rei Hirasawa, Hee Cho Moon, Chae Yoo, Samantha Somchanhmavong, and Connie Yang – united with a single vision of providing women with the chance to use their pride in heritage to become leaders of society.
The founding mothers envisioned themselves laying the cornerstones of what was to become a unique and revolutionary organization. They taught each other about strength and ambition while discovering their own true identities in the process. This sorority would unite young women of diverse heritages and encourage them to make use of their strong voices and thoughts. Kappa Phi Lambda is open to women of all nationalities and backgrounds who want to learn about and actively represent Pan-Asian culture. The founding mothers not only channeled Asian American awareness through voice, but also through action. These first sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda extended their hands to the community through charitable actions. By contributing their time and funds, they were able to make a powerful impact on the world around them.
Twenty nine years ago, seven beautiful women lit the fire that is Kappa Phi Lambda and watched it grow. As our sisterhood expands, that fire now burns brightly within every individual sister, carrying with it the vision that our founding mothers conceived.
CONTinuing the legacy
The Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Phi Lambda was established at New York University on March 7, 1998. A group of ambitious women, united in the belief that the community at New York University needed an Asian interest sorority with the goals and mission of Kappa Phi Lambda, came together and committed themselves to the task. Five women – Jocelyn Cruz, Wendy Kong, Adrianne Ortizo, Mary Tung, and Loretta Wong, became a part of history by chartering the first Asian sorority of its kind at NYU. Upholding the three pillars, sisters have completed countless hours of community service, donated hundreds to philanthropy, and held numerous Asian interest and cultural events. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Epsilon Chapter was disbanded in Spring 2010.
Six years later on May 1, 2016, Kappa Phi Lambda was revived at New York University by the Alpha Beta Re-Charter Class. Under the guidance of new member educators Erika *SCREAM!* Jang and Nancy *Warrior* Yang, along with the Zeta Chapter at St. John's University, these ten women – Madeline Huang, Annie Jiang, Youran Lee, Erica Lei, Alice Li, Jenny Liu, Monica Pan, Shirley Suen, Crystal Wong, and Jessica Yang, continued the legacy that the charter class created. These women left an imprint on all future generations to come with their passion, dedication, and determination in upholding the three pillars.
Twenty six years since our establishment, Epsilon Colony is now 158 sisters strong and growing!
Sisterhood
Although it is difficult to describe, the bond of sisterhood is a common light that burns passionately in each sister. We embrace a unique relationship based on friendship, respect, and a shared vision. Wherever we go, and no matter how long ago we were initiated, each sister is connected and important to the sorority. With a network of sisters spanning across the globe, we can find comfort in knowing that Kappa Phi Lambda extends so much further beyond our own universities!
Service
Contributing to the community and supporting important causes are core values of Kappa Phi Lambda. We place a heavy emphasis on service and are committed to giving back to our communities. We also uphold strong ideals of philanthropy adopting CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty as our national philanthropy. In addition, we work closely with our local philanthropy, Sanctuary for Families, a non-profit organization dedicated to the safety, healing and self-determination of victims of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence.
Cultural Diversity
We believe that by educating our community about the beauty and complexity of Pan-Asian cultural heritage, we also uphold the importance of understanding all cultures. The events we host on campus enrich our cultural awareness and help to educate others. The events we attend, hosted by other organizations, in turn enhance our appreciation of other cultures. Although we are an Asian / Asian American interest sorority, by no means are we Asian exclusive. Across the nation, sisters represent over 50 different ethnicities and over 30 different native languages.
Chapters
*Denotes Inactive Chapters
σ University of Connecticut ⭑ Spring 2004
υ University at Albany ⭑ Fall 2004
φ University of Michigan at Ann Arbor ⭑ Spring 2003
χ University of Maryland at College Park ⭑ Fall 2004
ψ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ⭑ Fall 2006
αα George Mason University ⭑ Fall 2004
αβ George Washington University ⭑ Spring 2008
αγ University of Texas at Austin ⭑ Fall 2009
αδ Northern Illinois University ⭑ Spring 2004
αε North Carolina State University ⭑ Fall 2012
αζ University of South Florida ⭑ Fall 2015
αη University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ⭑ Fall 2013
αθ University of Nevada, Reno ⭑ Spring 2015
α Binghamton University ⭑ Spring 1995
β University at Buffalo* ⭑ Spring 1997
γ Syracuse University ⭑ Fall 1997
δ Stony Brook University ⭑ Spring 1998
ζ St. John's University ⭑ Winter 1998
η Rutgers University ⭑ Fall 1999
θ Baruch College* ⭑ Summer 1999
ι Cornell University ⭑ Spring 2000
μ University of Massachusetts at Amherst ⭑ Spring 2001
ν Northwestern University ⭑ Fall 2002
ξ Northeastern University ⭑ Summer 2002
ο The Ohio State University ⭑ Spring 2003
ρ University of Florida ⭑ Spring 2004
Associate Chapters
ε New York University ⭑ Spring 1998
π Carnegie Mellon University ⭑ Fall 2002
τ Columbia University ⭑ Winter 2003
Miami University* ⭑ Spring 2006
Duke University* ⭑ Spring 2010
University of Denver ⭑ Spring 2013
University of North Carolina at Charlotte ⭑ Fall 2017
American University* ⭑ Spring 2018
Drexel University ⭑ Spring 2019
University of North Carolina at Greensboro ⭑ Spring 2019