Gamma Alpha Omega
National Herstory
In 1993, four determined collegiate women congregated with the common goal of establishing an organization at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona that would serve towards the advancement of Hispanics/Latinas while promoting a quest for higher learning and volunteerism. These visionary young women saw the need to create a support system that would encourage women to become actively involved with social issues, achieve educational excellence, and serve as a motivational source for others while generating role models and eventually yielding a considerable amount of leaders in the Latino/Hispano community. Their benevolent vision became a reality on January 25, 1993 when Gamma Alpha Omega obtained acknowledgement as the first Hispanic sorority on the campus of Arizona State University. We respectfully pay tribute to our Most Honorable Founding Madres who, along with our National Founding Charters, set the stage for our legacy and made possible the birth of a unique and strong sisterhood.
National Founding Madres
Michelle Seanez
Amy Alvarez
Patsy Guardado
Clara Lopez
National Founding Charters
Annette Escalante
Valerie Mendoza
Roxana Quinones
Sandra Saenz
The efforts put forth by our National Founding Madres and Charters have served to instill a powerful sense of dedication to self, sisterhood and community within our membership. More than ten years after our inception, we continue to see the long-standing effects of their extraordinary foresight. April 2001 marked a milestone for Gamma Alpha Omega, when our beloved organization was officially recognized as an incorporated entity in the state of Arizona. We have expanded all over the United States with established Chapters in 29 locations and numerous interest groups nationwide. Members of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. strive to uphold the values of the sorority - Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Scholarship and Unity - as they continue to excel in their respective campuses and surrounding areas.
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Chapter Herstory
At the University of the Pacific, a group of women came together to discuss the possibility of establishing a Latina based sorority at Pacific. Noticing a lack of Latina representation on campus, these women formed the interest group of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. and began meeting on a regular basis. After being recognized on Pacific campus as a Greek organization, the group attended their first GAO national convention in April of 2003 where they received word they had been granted Petitioning Group status. Following completion of the necessary requirements, the ladies attended the GAO Southwest Regional Conference in October of 2003 where they, along with California State University, Northridge, were granted Charter Status. As of June 24, 2005, this group of women were now the Sigma Chapter of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. Although Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. is historically a Latina founded sorority, we welcome and encourage women of all backgrounds to join. Gamma Alpha Omega also adheres to a strict no-hazing policy.
Founding Madres: Cindy Sapien, Rocio Gonzalez, Olga Marquez, Alma Barocio, Lizeth Marquez, Marina Borroel, Lizbeth Gutierrez, Ramona Garcia