In the Fall semester of 1993, a group of courageous women came together to establish an organization that encompassed the strength of today’s Asian-American womxn and her potential for making an impact on the world around her. They came together as friends, realizing the apathy towards Asian womxn and the dual-disadvantage for being “The Silent Minority.” Sigma Psi Zeta was founded on March 23rd, 1994 by ten brave and dedicated womxn at the University at Albany in Albany, NY becoming the first Asian-interest sorority on the East Coast. Soon, SYZ became invested in combating violence against womxn, a prevalent campus and global issue and adopted this cause as their national philanthropy. SYZ was incorporated in 1996, officially becoming a non-profit organization.
Over the past 27 years, SYZ has grown to over 36 campuses and across more than 16 states. Growth has been steady, but expansion in numbers has never been favored over strengthening from within. Sigma Psi Zeta's SYZterhood is an everlasting bond that brings together and empowers many passionate, intelligent, creative, and hard-working individuals from across the country.
The Alpha Phi Charter of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. was chartered in the spring semester of 2021 at Western Michigan University. A group of ambitious, hardworking, and tenacious womxn, including Abigail Lee, Tram Huynh, and Kara Soukhome, came together to create an interest group for Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. They were later joined by five other fearless womxn; Paige Amsbury, Emily Bosak, Ambika Burramukku, Amy Nobouphasavanh, and Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan, making the Blossom Interest Group. They not only strived to embrace their differences, but stay true to their purpose of empowering womxn of color, being a voice for survivors of violence, and creating a safe space where everlasting bonds and a common vision could be nurtured.