Gamma Alpha Omega is a Latina-founded Greek letter

Greek alphabet

The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...

 intercollegiate sorority

Fraternities and sororities

Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...

 founded on January 25, 1993 on the campus of Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...

 in Tempe, Arizona

Tempe, Arizona

Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...

.

The organization is dedicated to promoting the achievement and quest of higher education

Higher education

Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...

 amongst all women. The pillars of the sorority are honesty, integrity, leadership, scholarship and unity. The sorority is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for 19 Latino Greek Letter Organizations established in 1998...

 (NALFO). Gamma Alpha Omega was recognized nationally with the founding of Gamma Chapter, at the University of Washington

University of Washington

University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...

 on January 24, 1997. April 2001 marked a milestone for Gamma Alpha Omega, when the organization was officially recognized as an incorporated entity in the state of Arizona.

Vision Statement

To be an innovative and international leader in the Greek Community, renowned for outstanding and diverse undergraduate chapters, prestigious and engaged Alumnae, developing strong leaders and providing a lifelong sisterhood.

Mission statement

A Latina-founded, multicultural organization that exists to

• Increase the number of women with a college education and advanced degrees.
• Provide mentors for youth, women and under-represented communities.
• Enhance the individual leader in each member.
• Provide a family of lifelong support for sisters who live their lives by the pillars of Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Scholarship and Unity.

History

In 1993, four 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 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. They envisioned generating role models that would eventually yield a considerable amount of leaders in our Latino community. Their benevolent vision became a reality on January 25, 1993 when Gamma Alpha Omega obtained acknowledgment as the first Hispanic sorority on the campus of Arizona State University. Gamma Alpha Omega respectfully pays tribute to our Most Honorable Founding Madres who, along with our National Founding Charters, set the stage for Gamma Alpha Omega's 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 the 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, Gamma Alpha Omega continues to see the long-standing effects of their extraordinary foresight.

Gamma Alpha Omega has expanded over the west coast with established chapters in 18 locations and numerous interest groups nationwide. Our membership has grown to include women of various backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. 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.

National Alumnae Association

The National Alumnae Association (NAA) is a collective of GAO alumnae across the nation. The NAA is composed of six regions—Northwest, Southwest, Midwest North, Midwest South, Northeast and Southeast. National Alumnae participate in programming and activities at both the regional and national levels, and are reserved special privileges at both levels.

Chapters

Gamma Alpha Omega recently inducted PHI Chapter of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at their national convention on October 2nd, 2010.

• ALPHA- Arizona State University
  Arizona State University
  Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
  
  
• BETA- University of Arizona
  University of Arizona
  The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
  
  
• GAMMA- University of Washington
  University of Washington
  University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
  
  
• DELTA- Washington State University
  Washington State University
  Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
  
  
• EPSILON- University of Wisconsin–Parkside
• ZETA- reserved
• ETA- University of Idaho
  University of Idaho
  The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
  
  
• THETA- University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
• IOTA- Texas Tech University
  Texas Tech University
  Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
  
  
• KAPPA- Oregon State University
  Oregon State University
  Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
  
  
• LAMBDA- University of Houston
  University of Houston
  The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
  
  
• MU- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
• NU- Baylor University
  Baylor University
  Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
  
  
• XI- University of Houston–Downtown
  University of Houston–Downtown
  The University of Houston–Downtown is a four-year state university, and is a distinct component institution of the University of Houston System. Its campus spans 20-acre in Downtown Houston, with a satellite location in northwestern Harris County...
  
  
• OMICRON- Northern Arizona University
  Northern Arizona University
  Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
  
  
• PI- Humboldt State University
  Humboldt State University
  Humboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, located in Arcata within Humboldt County, California, USA. The main campus, nestled at the edge of a coast redwood forest, is situated on Preston hill overlooking Arcata and with commanding views of...
  
  
• RHO- California State University, Northridge
  California State University, Northridge
  California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
  
  
• SIGMA- University of the Pacific
• TAU- University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
• UPSILON- University of Oregon
  University of Oregon
  -Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
  
  
• PHI- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is part of the University of Wisconsin System, located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It became Wisconsin's second public college on April 21, 1868 when it opened its doors to 39 students taught by nine faculty members...