KAPPA PHI LAMBDA

What is Kappa Phi Lambda?

Seven extraordinary women came together to establish Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. at Binghamton University on March 9, 1995. These seven founders: Elizabeth Choi, Karen Eng, Rei Hirasawa, Hee Cho Moon, Chae Yoo Park, Samantha Somchanhmavong, and Connie Yang united with a single vision of providing women with the chance to use their pride in their heritage to become leaders of society. The sorority was conceived through the notion of an organization that would provide a culturally sound and educationally-inspiring grounding for Asian American women. These seven women envisioned themselves laying the cornerstones of what was to become a culturally revolutionary and unprecedented organization. This culturally-based sorority was to unite young women of differing heritages and encourage them to make use of their strong voices and thoughts. This sorority is open to women of all nationalities and backgrounds who want to learn about, actively speak for, and represent Pan-Asian culture.

Held together by the bond of sisterhood and striving to educate each other and the rest of the community, our founding mothers not only channeled Asian American awareness through voice, but also by action. They taught each other about strength and ambition while discovering their own true unparalleled identities in the process. These first sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda also extended their hands to the community through charitable works of both service-oriented and philanthropic natures. By doing so, they were able to make a real and impacting difference in the world around them. All the while, they were given the opportunity to educate others about the beauty and complexity of Pan-Asian culture. Kappa Phi Lambda was formed to provide the campus, and on a larger scale, the society, with yet another opportunity for learning, and another outlet for activity.

Today, years after our founding mothers established Kappa Phi Lambda, the sorority has grown past the boundaries of Binghamton University. What had been only the legacy of seven exceptional women, had quickly become the tradition and inspiration of over 4,000 women nationwide. While Kappa Phi Lambda is one of the youngest Greek organizations in the country, it has successfully flourished into a strong and respectable one that is recognized by Asian American organizations, our peers, and Greek colleagues from across the nation. Although the sisters of each school abide by the mission set forth by our founding mothers, each school is also unique in its own right, adding to our respect for diversity. This is symbolic of the sisters we seek: unique, intelligent, and ambitious women who want to make a difference as leaders in our organization and in the culture we take pride in. Our ultimate goal is to spread our vision and share our experiences with other exceptional women.

In 1995, seven beautiful women lit the fire that is Kappa Phi Lambda and watched it grow. That fire now burns brightly within each of its present sisters, carrying with it all of our individual aspects, and it will continue to burn within the sisters to come.

What is the chapter’s purpose?

The Xi Chapter of the Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was founded at Northeastern University in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts on June 15, 2002. Since then, we have grown and flourished within and beyond our community at NEU. Kappa Phi Lambda’s Xi Chapter is proud to be a member organization of Northeastern’s Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and a founding member organization of the Pan-Asian American Council (PAAC). We strive to constantly support and engage with our fellow PAAC and MGC member organizations through joint events and meetings throughout each semester.

What are the chapter’s core values?

The Sisters of Xi Chapter proudly uphold the ideals and values of the Sorority, as we partake regularly in planning and attending events to promote Cultural Diversity, participate in Community Service, and strengthen our bonds of Sisterhood. One of our goals as an organization is to always give back to our community and raise awareness for issues we care about. The Xi Chapter participates in a wide variety of community service activities every year, from collecting recyclables at Boston Red Sox games, volunteering at charity walks/runs, and participating in Northeastern’s annual Relay for Life. We host philanthropic events every semester to raise funds and awareness for both KPL’s national philanthropy, CARE, and our Chapter’s local philanthropy, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK).