Iota Phi Lambda
| Iota Phi Lambda | |
|---|---|
| ΙΦΛ | |
 | |
| Founded | June 1, 1929 Chicago, Illinois |
| Type | Professional |
| Affiliation | Coalition of Black Business Sororities |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | African American - Business |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "Upward and Onward in Efficient Service" |
| Colors | Emerald Green and White |
| Flower | White rose and green fern |
| Mascot | Turtle |
| Publication | Iota Journal |
| Chapters | 64 |
| Members | 1,300+ active 5,000+ lifetime |
| Headquarters | 80 M Street SE, Suite 2-118 Washington, D.C. 20003 United States |
| Website | www |
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. (ΙΦΛ) is an African American business sorority. It was the first Greek-lettered business sorority established by African American women. It has established more than 100 chapters in the United States. It is a member of the Coalition of Black Business Sororities.
History
[edit]Iota Phi Lambda was founded on June 1, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois by Lola Mercedes Parker.[1][2][3] It was the first African American business and professional sorority.[4] Its purpose was to help elevate the status of business women, encourage women to chose business as a career, inspire women to seek career training, and to help African American women overcome the impact of the Great Depression.[5][6][3] Its six founding members were Ethel T. Edwards, Mildred G. Hardin, Ophelia Harrison, Lola M. Parker, Harriet M. Robinson, Burdette Trigg, and Marjorie Tyndall, Lola M. Parker.[5] Six of the founders were graduates of the Chicago Business College and one from Kansas State College.[3]
The sorority held its first annual convention in 1929.[7] By 2023, it expanded to charter more than 100 chapters with 5,000 initiates.[3]
Iota Phi Lambda is a member of the Coalition of Black Business Sororities, which also includes Gamma Phi Delta, Eta Phi Beta, and Lambda Kappa Mu.[8] Iota Phi Lambda is not a National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) sorority; dual membership within Iota Phi Lambda Sorority and NPHC sororities is allowed.
As of January 2024, the sorority has 64 active chapters and more than 1,300 active members.[9] Its national headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.
Symbols
[edit]The motto of Iota Phi Lambda is "Upward and Onward in Efficient Service." Its colors are emerald green and white.[10] Its flower is the white rose with green fern.[10] Its mascot is the turtle.[10] Its publication is the Iota Journal.[3]
Activities
[edit]The national sorority holds activities and programs to support public schools during American Education Weeks, Black History Month, Business Month, and Correspondence Week.[11][12][9][4] It also presents the Lola M. Parker Award for the outstanding woman of the year and the Mahala S. Evans Award for the outstanding member of the year.[3][13] Iota Phi Lambda is not a National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) sorority; dual membership within Iota Phi Lambda Sorority and NPHC sororities is allowed.
The sorority's national philanthropies are Toys U Can't Return, a teen pregnancy prevention program, and Iota Mothers Assistance which provides outreach and help for disadvantaged mothers.[13][6][4][9] Chapters provide tutoring at local schools and hold programs to help youth explore careers.[13][6] The sorority also awards annual scholarships on the chapter, regional, and national levels to help women seek careers in business, engineering, or science.[13]
Chapters
[edit]Iota Phi Lambda has established more than 100 chapters in 85 cities in the United States.[3]
Notable members
[edit]Honorary
[edit]- Peggielene Bartels, Ghanaian chief[15]
- Mary McLeod Bethune, educator and civil rights leader [15][16]
- Pearl S. Buck, writer[15]
- Donna Christensen, United States House of Representatives[15]
- Marian Wright Edelman, activist for children's rights[15]
- Ada Crogman Franklin, activist for children's rights and journalist[15]
- Irene McCoy Gaines, social worker and civil rights activist[15]
- Hazel Garland, journalist[15]
- Lydia P. Jackson, Louisiana State Senate[15]
- Carrie Meek, United States House of Representatives[15]
- Rachel B. Noel, educator and politician[15]
- Mai Padmore, Liberian politician[15]
- Betty Smith Williams, nurse[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Iota Phi Lambda celebrates 90th anniversary with a call to action". Philadelphia Tribune. May 28, 2019.
- ^ Torbenson, Craig LaRon; Parks, Gregory (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g Mjagkij, Nina (2003-12-16). Organizing Black America: An Encyclopedia of African American Associations. Routledge. p. 247. ISBN 978-1-135-58123-7 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "D.C. Sorority Motivates Black Girls to Aim Higher". AFRO American Newspapers. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ a b "History". Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. Gamma Delt Chapter. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ a b c "Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. Nu Chapter 84th Anniversary Inaugural Vert En Blanc Gala - The Savannah Tribune". 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ "St. Paul woman installed as national sorority president". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ "History". Omicron Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ a b c "Local Chapter of Black Sorority Celebrates 93 Years of Supporting Black Entrepreneurs and Professionals in the DC Area". BlackNews.com. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ a b c "About". Iota Phi Lambda Far Western Region. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ "National Programs". Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. Gamma Delt Chapter. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ "The Nu Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Celebrates Correspondence Week". The Savannah Tribune. 2019-01-09. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ a b c d "National Projects". Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. Gamma Delt Chapter. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ Garland, Hazel (April 4, 1964). "Pioneer Broadcaster Mary 'Dee' Leaves a Legacy". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. p. 1, Section 2. Retrieved September 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Iota Phi Lambda National Honorary Soros
- ^ Bethune Résumé
Additional references
[edit]- Green, E. K. (1959). A history of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, 1929-1958. Washington, DC: Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.
- Howard University, Social Work Library: Sims, S. B. (1978). A history of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority 1959-1969. [n.p.]: Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.