alpha Kappa Delta Phi (αΚΔΦ), also known as aKDPhi, Kappa Delta Phi, KDPhi, is an international Asian-interest sorority founded at the University of California, Berkeley.[2] alpha Kappa Delta Phi has established 67 chapters and colonies at numerous universities across the United States and in Canada.[2] It is part of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA), which it helped charter in 2006.

alpha Kappa Delta Phi
αΚΔΦ
FoundedFebruary 7, 1990; 34 years ago (February 7, 1990)
University of California, Berkeley
TypeSocial
AffiliationNAPA
StatusActive
ScopeNorth America
MottoTimeless Friendship Through Sisterhood
Colors  Purple and   White
SymbolHourglass
FlowerIris
JewelDiamond
MascotPhoenix
Chapters67 [1]
Headquarters
United States
Websitewww.akdphi.org

History

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alpha Kappa Delta Phi was established at the University of California in the Fall of 1989 and recognized by the College Panhellenic Association on February 7, 1990. There were fourteen founding sisters:

  • Betty Chu
  • Karin Co
  • Susan Kim
  • Nancy Lee
  • Sherri Leung
  • Annie Loo
  • Belinda Ma
  • Anita Ng
  • Serene Ngin
  • Fannie Pon
  • Josie Sun
  • Daisy Wu
  • Jill Yoshimura
  • Reina Yuan

The Founders dedicated themselves "to establishing a sorority which would offer Asian American women the opportunity to participate in the Greek system while also establishing an organization which would last as a strong tradition."[3]

During the fall of 2002, the National Alumnae Board was established under the guidance of Sophia Yen to oversee the expansion and growth of the sorority’s alumnae. The 2002–2003 National Alumnae Board wanted to create a working organization that would provide programs and services to all alumnae, resulting in the National Alumnae Association. The National Alumnae Board’s initial activity focused on creating a mentoring program, followed by a scholarship program that would award financial aid to sisters looking to further their education.[3]

Symbols

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alpha Kappa Delta Phi uses four Greek letters in its name and chooses not to capitalize the first letter or Alpha. Thus, in Greek, its letters are written: αΚΔΦ.[1]

The sorority's official symbol is the hourglass. A candle features prominently on its crest. Its colors are Compassion Purple and White. Its stone is the diamond and its flower is the iris. The sorority's mascot is the Phoenix.[1]

Activities

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alpha Kappa Delta Phi promotes Asian Awareness by encouraging its members to be constantly aware of and involved in Asian American issues in their communities. Chapters host events such as forums, presentations, and workshops. Many of these events take place during May, which is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.[citation needed]

Philanthropy

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alpha Kappa Delta Phi's national philanthropy is breast cancer awareness.[4][5][6] The sorority's breast cancer awareness campaign began in 1998, and its exclusive partnership with Avon began in 2010 and ended in 2017.[4] Across all chapters, the sorority hosts various events to raise awareness and fundraise towards this initiative, including but not limited to breast cancer awareness banquets, information sessions, workshops, and discussion groups. In 2016, the sorority raised and donated over $102,000, hitting the half-a-million mark in terms of the total dollar amount donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade since the start of their partnership in 2010.

Foundation

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The aKDPhi Foundation, also known as The Foundation, was chartered in 2011 by the alpha Kappa Delta Phi Board of Directors with a focus on supporting educational, leadership, and philanthropic development. The Foundation was formally recognized in 2013 as a 501(c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service and is considered a separate entity from alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, Inc. Today, the foundation has expanded its mission to focus on women's empowerment and through fundraising efforts, grant programs, programming, and scholarship initiatives. Its ultimate vision is a world where women of all backgrounds have equal access to personal & professional development and physical & mental health resources.

Chapters

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alpha Kappa Delta Phi has 67 chapters across three classes.[2][7][8] Full-fledged chapters have met all the requirements for the sorority's chapter advancement process and have been installed. Associate chapters and pre-associate chapters meet some of the requirements for installation but are still developing.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Official website, General Info tab Archived 2013-08-21 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 23 Jan 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran.(October 7, 2022) "alpha Kappa Delta Phi Archived 2021-04-22 at the Wayback Machine". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities Archived 2021-06-10 at the Wayback Machine. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed November 9, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "aKDPhi General Information". Archived from the original on 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  4. ^ a b Breast Cancer Awareness Archived 2011-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Kappa Delta Phi hosts breast cancer awareness activities
  6. ^ Kappa Delta Phi Sorority honored for commitment. Archived 2011-02-14 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Chapters". aKDPhi. Archived from the original on 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  8. ^ "Chapters". University of Maryland Baltimore County akdphi. Archived from the original on 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
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