Hispanic vs Latinx
The terms were adopted in the United States in an attempt to loosely group immigrants and their descendants that arrived in the US from Latin America. The terms were and sometimes still are used interchangeably. The categories only refer to a person’s origin and ancestral background. The terms have since evolved. In an overly simplistic way, the term Hispanic refers more to language while Latinx refers more to culture.
Latino is from the Spanish (or Portuguese) latino americano and refers to those from Latin American countries who speak romance languages like Spanish, Portuguese, or French. Hispanic is generally accepted as a narrower term that refers to people who descend from Spanish speaking countries.
As with any personal identifying factor the individual can choose to identify as both, either, or none even if they meet the “textbook definition” of either term.
National Hispanic Heritage Month / Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana
Celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15
Celebrado en los Estados Unidos el 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre
“National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans ...” (www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov)
El Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana celebra las contribuciones de los hispanos y latino americanos.
Hispanic heritage month had its origin in 1968 when Congress passed Public Law 90-498 designating a Hispanic Heritage Week. The week was then extended to a month in 1988 by a superseding law.
El mes de la herencia hispana comenzó como la semana de la herencia hispana en 1968 cuando el congreso pasó la ley pública 90-498. La semana fue extendida a un mes en 1988 por un ley que reemplazó la ley anterior.
September 15 was picked because it was the independence day for a large number of Hispanic countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico’s Independence on September 16. Today the list includes the independence days of Brazil and Chile celebrated on September 7 and September 18 respectively.
Inicialmente la fecha del 15 de septiembre fue escogida por la independencia de Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua en esa fecha y la independencia de México el 16 de septiembre. Hoy incluimos la celebración de la independencia de Brasil celebrado el 7 de septiembre y de Chile celebrado el 18 de septiembre.
Canada celebrates Latin American Heritage Month in the month of October.
Canadá celebra el Mes de la Herencia Latino Americana en el mes de Octubre.
Sources/ Fuentes de información:
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/commemorative-observations/hispanic-heritage.php
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-6.4/page-1.html
Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority And Educational Foundation Announce Social Justice Engagement Program
Philadelphia, PA – Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and the Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation unveiled the inaugural season of their Social Justice Engagement Program. A groundbreaking series of 10 events per year, each focused on a different theme or issue and featuring a notable keynote speaker. The Social Justice Engagement Program brings the entire sorority – collegiate and alumni – together virtually to learn about, explore, discuss and take action in support of important ideas.
“We are proud to launch our inaugural Social Justice Engagement Program, giving our membership special access to events and speakers who will share their knowledge and inspire us to debate and action,” said Nicole DeFeo, Delta Phi Epsilon’s CEO. “Justice is one of our pillars, and these events spark cross-generational engagement, excitement and a sense of purpose for our members. We are living our values, and we are exploring new ways of coming together to create virtual community around many different initiatives and ideas.”
In keeping with Delta Phi Epsilon’s Anti-Racist Policy, at least two events per year will be focused on education around fostering a more racially equitable organization and society. To kick this off, in October the sorority will host noted author Dr. Beverly Tatum for an evening of discussion about her book “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria And Other Conversations About Race.”
In September, Delta Phi Epsilon will welcome Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America and author of “Dare To Speak”, who will share ideas about protecting free speech on college campuses and how to keep the First Amendment alive and well in a fractious society.
Other programs are scheduled throughout the school year and tentatively include an evening with award-winning Playwright, Filmwriter, Author and Director Theresa Rebeck, who will screen her new movie for the sorority membership and talk about breaking the glass ceiling in Hollywood; U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (Delta Phi Epsilon member) on public service; and actress Mariska Hargitay on the important work being done by her foundation, The Joyful Heart, with sexual assault victims and ensuring their evidence is processed swiftly and fully.
The program kicked off in August with a private screening of the documentary “Capturing the Flag” and a conversation about voter suppression and protecting voter rights with producers Laverne Berry and Elizabeth Hemmerdinger.
“Our Social Justice Engagement programming works holistically with so many of our goals – for the continued education of our membership, the active engagement of alumni and collegiate alike, fostering a sense of belonging among members, and living our values,” said Roxanne Donovan, International President.
“I’m so proud to work with our Educational Foundation and our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to develop a robust, impactful calendar of special events with exclusive access to amazing resources and people who will inspire and raise us up,” expressed Social Justice Engagement Program Committee chair Lynna Do, Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of San Francisco.
Underwritten by the Educational Foundation, the Social Justice Engagement Program is available free of charge to all members. Organized on a virtual platform, each event will enable thousands of Delta Phi Epsilon sisters to share experiences and ideas with leading experts and each other.
“Raising the bar on conversations and broadening understanding on important topics is the key to equipping our membership with leadership skills they need to succeed, from the dorm rooms to the board rooms of the world,” said Gina Curtis, President of the Educational Foundation of Delta Phi Epsilon. “Funding the Social Justice Engagement Program through campaigns like #DPhiEUnited, it critical at this time. We cannot thank our
donors enough for having the vision to bring forth the resources needed to make this program a success.”
About Delta Phi Epsilon, Inc.
Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority was founded on March 17, 1917 at New York University Law School as a social organization for women. The mission is to provide a sisterhood experience rich with tradition, innovation and opportunities for growth. Learn more about Delta Phi Epsilon at www.dphie.org.
International PEARL Program
This academic year will certainly be different. That does not mean we cannot still come together to learn and grow as sisters united by the tenants of justice, sisterhood and love. As an international headquarters is our job to support the membership with programs and tools they need to fulfill the expectations of membership. This Fall, we are introducing the opportunity to engage in a virtual community together through an International PEARL Program. Each member (undergraduate and alumnae) are encouraged to complete 21 activities in the 5 areas of development that are the bedrock of Delta Phi Epsilon’s personal growth programming. Commonly known as the 5 S’s, the different areas are explained below. IHQ will be launching activities for sisters to earn their “PEARLS” together and fulfill the expectation of membership. Pick and choose what activities speak to you.
Upcoming events and registration information:
Be-Well After all of the virtual meetings and classes and stress of everyday life, why not give yourself a break and focus on you? Each month will feature a program that will provide guidance on how to take care of yourself, both inside and out. We will rotate between fitness, healthy habits, and mental health, so there will always be something new to look forward to! This will be led by a DPhiE alumna or active sister.
For September, we’ll be focusing on both our body and soul. Join us for yoga with Laura Derrico where she’ll take you through body and breathing techniques that you can use to help manage your daily stress.
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 16th from 1-1:45 PM EST
Sign-up here! If you sign-up, please do plan on attending the session.
Book Club: Do you love reading? Are you never sure what your next book should be? Let us help you! The selected books will be released along with the rest of the programming series for the month and a discussion will be held during the last week of the month.
For September, we at IHQ are reading Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All by Suzanne Nossel. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will be hosting the author in a private session for sisters of DPhiE ONLY about her book where she will discuss free speech on college campuses and the harm of “cancel culture.” We hope you’ll join us!
*The International President and International Executive Director are requiring that one member attend from each chapter to be the representative of the chapter on future discussions and education on this important topic that directly affects the undergraduate experience. Your representative will need to have your Vice President of Operations purchase Suzanne’s book with chapter funds, which will then be reimbursed by the Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation. The link to purchase the book is here.
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 29th at 7:30 PM EST
Sign-up here for the Nossel’s talk! If you sign-up, please do plan on attending the discussion.
On deck for October: Dr. Beverly Tatum’s book, Why Do All The Black Kids Sit Together In The Cafeteria?
Date & Time: October 29th at 7:30 PM EST
Senior Series: Emily Meister will discuss resume writing, interview skills, such as navigating phone/virtual/in-person interviews, as well as building your self-confidence and how handle rejection when searching for that perfect position.
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:30 PM EST
Sign-up here! If you sign-up, please do plan on attending the session.
Keep checking your monthly newsletters for more!
Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority Philosophy on Health & Wellness
In October of 2019, the International Governing Board accepted the following philosophy on health and wellness.
Delta Phi Epsilon strives to create a sense of belonging for all members.
Belonging is a human need, just like food, water, and safety. Delta Phi Epsilon recognizes true belonging can only occur if one's basic needs-primarily one's health and safety-are met.
Delta Phi Epsilon centers its membership experience on cultivating an environment where collegiate and alumnae members thrive physically,
mentally, emotionally, academically, spiritually, and authentically.
The collegiate experience calls for understanding and commitment to healthy decision making, peer accountability, and operating within the policies, procedures, and laws Delta Phi Epsilon chapters exist within. It re9uires individual members to challenge the status quo and uphold the founding principles of Justice, Sisterhood, and Love the organization is built upon.
The alumnae volunteer experience calls for positive role modeling, ongoing training and development, and informed commitment to challenging the
process.
The International Governing Board and Headquarters staff must cultivate effective partnerships with host institutions and peer organizations, root the undergraduate membership experience in co-curricular context with an emphasis on student learning, and commit to ongoing development of
preventative policies, procedures, programs, and resources that facilitate safe and respectful environments for all members.
We know college environments can pose challenge to healthy decision-making. We also believe in honest reflection when mistakes occur and lifelong learning. Delta Phi Epsilon believes in empowering members to take ownership for their actions-positive and negative-and aims to instill a culture of responsibility through standardized accountability processes at the undergraduate, alumnae, and international levels.
Holistic health, wellness, and safety are critical for establishing belonging. Delta Phi Epsilon is committed to the ongoing education, enforcement, and
evolution of data-driven risk prevention and harm reduction practices to ensure all members can thrive.
Delta Phi Epsilon Health & Wellness COVID-19 Commitments
From the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority Philosophy on Health & Wellness:
“Delta Phi Epsilon strives to create a sense of belonging for all members.
Belonging is a human need, just like food, water, and safety. Delta Phi Epsilon recognizes true belonging can only occur if one’s basic needs – primarily one’s health and safety – are met.
Delta Phi Epsilon centers its membership experience on cultivating an environment where collegiate and alumnae members thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, academically, spiritually, and authentically.
The collegiate experience calls for understanding and commitment to healthy decision making, peer accountability, and operating within the policies, procedures, and laws Delta Phi Epsilon chapters exist within. It requires individual members to challenge the status quo and uphold the founding principles of Justice, Sisterhood, and Love the organization is built upon.”
Membership Commitments in the Context of COVID-19:
To align with Delta Phi Epsilon’s Collegiate Expectations of Membership and Philosophy on Health & Wellness, and to ensure health and safety is a top priority in creating a true sense of belonging for all, collegiate members are asked to commit to the following during the 2020 – 2021 academic year:
1. I will adhere to guidelines provided by the CDC, state and local health departments, college/university officials, and Delta Phi Epsilon international and local leadership regarding attendance at events and/or participation in activities that are not required by my academic coursework.
2. If requested, and if required by my college/university, I will wear a mask any time I am not able to maintain social distancing; including during any in-person Delta Phi Epsilon events or activities and at all times when I am in common or communal Delta Phi Epsilon-associated living spaces with fellow members or nonmembers.
3. If my chapter has a facility, suite, or lodge, I will adhere to new rules and procedures regarding food service, sleeping quarters, hosting of guests (including non-resident members), scheduling of study spaces, and other changes as required and/or listed in the Delta Phi Epsilon COVID-19 Facility Operations and Guidelines to help keep myself and my sisters safe.
4. I will strive to embody Delta Phi Epsilon’s Collegiate Expectations of Membership and separate Human Dignity Policy, and as part of that, respect the health and safety concerns of all individuals associated with Delta Phi Epsilon including fellow members, chapter advisors, college/university staff, international leadership and headquarters staff, and non-members that come into contact with the chapter.
5. I understand that while Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority and my host college/university will take precautions to provide health and safety guidelines and procedures to assist with social distancing, it will be up to me and my chapter sisters to follow these guidelines to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
6. As a collegiate member of Delta Phi Epsilon, I commit to sharing this responsibility of sisterhood to create a healthy and safe chapter experience where all members can find belonging and thrive.
Delta Phi Epsilon Trans Woman and Non-Binary Gender Policy
Consistent with our Founder's courageous vision, Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority’s Policy on trans women and gender non-binary individuals supports the sorority’s three core pillars of justice, sisterhood, and love, and reflects our commitment to anti-discrimination practices.
Gender and sex-based equity are, and have always been, a fundamental element of justice. Our motto states “to be, rather than to seem to be.” We cannot profess to be inclusive, and yet exclude or render silent our trans and/or non-binary members. As the public understanding and definition of gender identity and expression evolves, so must our understanding and definition of what makes a person eligible for inclusion in sisterhood. We believe this policy continues our long legacy of leadership relating to our commitment to sisterhood itself.
The purpose of this policy is to establish an environment that is safe, free from stigma and discrimination, and welcoming for all potential new members, sisters, volunteers and staff, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.
Delta Phi Epsilon welcomes members who identify as women, including transgender women, and gender non-binary individuals, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. All members must uphold and represent Delta Phi Epsilon’s values and philosophies.
Trans women and non-binary individuals, therefore, may be included as members in all areas of the organization, provided that they accept and share in the collective values and experiences of the sisterhood. Under the auspices of self-governing chapters and alumnae associations, the ultimate decision to extend a bid for membership is solely that of the chapter or association members.
Notwithstanding that this is Delta Phi Epsilon’s Policy on trans women, and gender non-binary individuals, we trust and empower each one of our Chapters to make decisions that are the best for their Chapters and the Sorority in their recruitment activities. Members must not obstruct recruitment, create hostile environments for transgender and/or non-binary members, or inhibit leadership or scholarship opportunities for those members.
Names and Pronouns
Supporting this policy, Delta Phi Epsilon believes that every individual has the right to be addressed by a name and pronouns that correspond to the individual’s gender identity. Whether or not a transgender or gender nonconforming individual has legally changed their name or gender, Delta Phi Epsilon will allow individuals to use a name and gender pronouns that reflect their identity. It is recommended that all members be asked how they want to be addressed.
Recruitment
We welcome all women as they self-identify, regardless of gender expression. This includes cisgender women and transgender women. Those individuals who identify as gender non-binary may be considered for membership, provided they are committed to the advancement of womanhood.
Individuals who identify as male are not eligible for membership regardless of their commitment to the advancement of womanhood and/or identification with women’s issues and concerns.
No member is required to provide documentation regarding their gender.