Epsilon Alpha Sigma Sorority Empowered Arab Sisterhood

Another Year in the Books - Epsilon Alpha Sigma Turns 8!

4/23/2020

Today, we celebrate 8 years of the Empowered Arab Sisterhood/Epsilon Alpha Sigma sorority! Take a trip down memory lane with us and look back on what we were able to achieve over the past years. And with each new year moving forward, we will add one new accomplishment.

1. Friends of Kayany Partenership. In 2015, we created a 5-year partenership with Friends of Kayany, where the majority of proceeds for Remebering the Refugees has gone to. Friends of Kayany is a United States based non-profit that supports their sister organization Kayany Foundation. Based in Lebanon, the Kayany Foundation hosting schools and providing education for the displaced children living in the informal tented settlements of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Our proceeds have provided classrooms, a library, a computer lab, and various other resources to enhance the education provided. As we are at our 5-year mark, we are hoping to continue our work with Friends of Kayany moving forward.

2. Women's Empowerment Week. Since their first year, our Beta Chapter at UC Davis has hosted a “Women’s Empowerment Week.” This week has included numerous events addressing what it means to be an Arab-American woman. It includes a week long series of events including: a self-defense class, various exploitative talks with leads on campus, and inspiring students to write what they feel empworment means. What an empowered group of sisters we have at UC Davis. In the future, we hope to expand WEW to all chapters across the nation.

3. Remembering the Refugees surpassed 100K. To date, Remembering the Refugees has raised over $140K to support medical aid, transportation, and education for refugees. Although the bulk of our proceeds have benefited Friends of Kayany, we have raised funds for other non-profits supporting the refugee crisis.

4. Granting First Academic Scholarships! In 2018, we were excited to award our first academic scholarships to the highest performers of the Kayany Schools. We are so proud of these empowered little ladies for excelling academically in the face of adversity. We are incredibally grateful and warmed by the fact that Epsilon Alpha Sigma has the capability to raise funds all the way from the United States for Kayany students. The work we have done and continue to do for the refugee crisis is the driving force for everything we do here. We look forward to granting more scholarships in the future.

5. The Empowered Girl Scholarship. Speaking of scholarships, in 2020, we launched a yearly $250 scholarship for Arab girls graduating high school or community college and who will be continuing their education at a 4-year university. Award recepients are chosen based off of the values held by the Empowered Arab Sisterhood, including, but not limited to: diversity, class, and intelligence, and the applicant's passion for philanthropic engagement through volunteer work and spreading awareness of humanitarian issues, for example. We look forward to finding out who our winner is of the first scholarship in July!

6. Chartering our Zetas! On March 23rd, 2019 our Zeta chapter was officially chartered at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The Zetas have made quite the impact in the Michigan community in their inaugural year and have already left an imprint in our ever-growing organization! In April 2020, they gained full membership in the Multicultural Greek Council at UofM. The successes of our UofM doves is incredibly vital as they have planted the roots and set the stage for further expansion in the Mid West and East Coast.

7. The Epsilon Alpha Sigma sponsored Library in the Bekaa Valley. Pictured are Elena Salman of our Alpha Chapter and Silan Fadlallah of our Zeta Chapter who recently conducted a site visit of the Kayany schools in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon and visited one of the libraries that Epsilon Alpha Sigma helped fund. Moments like these are moments we cherish because we are able to see the impact we have made in the Kayany schools. We hope that when our sisters visit the schools, they return back home to the U.S. even more excited and motivated.

8. National Board Retreat. For the first time in Epsilon Alpha Sigma history, our National Board members from all over the country joined together in September 2019. They've gotten to know and build relationships with each other virtually, but this in-person 2-day retreat strengthened the bonds they shared previously through the screen. They used their time to brainstorm ways to improve the organization and implement stronger expansion plans. With it being hosted in Las Vegas, they were able to meet a few members of the UNLV chapter and hear their input.

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Kayany Site Visit Reflection: Jenna Berry

1/7/2020

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Last year, the Zeta Chapter of Epsilon Alpha Sigma Sorority, Inc. held its first Remembering the Refugees (RTR) banquet at the University of Michigan (UofM). That night we raised $9,510 dollars for Friends of Kayany, the United States branch of The Kayany Foundation. The Kayany Foundation and Friends of Kayany support schools in Lebanon that provide free education to Syrian Refugees living in Informal Tented Settlements (ITSs). At the end of RTR, I felt a sense of accomplishment because I knew that every dollar raised would be put to good use. When Jessica Doumit, Epsilon Alpha Sigma’s National Director of Philanthropy at the time, reached out to all of us about visiting the Kayany schools this past summer, I jumped at the opportunity. She connected me with Lory, who works for The Kayany Foundation in Lebanon. Lory was super helpful in answering any questions I had and making my visit run as smoothly as possible. On July 24th, we departed to Beqaa Valley, Lebanon to visit three of the Kayany schools.

The first school we visited was the United Nations Women for Peace Association School for Girls. It was summer time, so not all classes were in session, but there was a cosmetology class happening at the time of our arrival. Foundation L’oréal built a “Beauty For a Better Life” cosmetic classroom in this school. I walked into the classroom not expecting to see it looking like a standard salon we would see in the U.S. To my surprise, there were many hair dyes, wigs and styling tools for the students to practice with. I had the chance to talk to the professor of the class during their break and the passion in her voice left no doubt in

my mind that she truly cared for her students and their education. After taking the course, these young women would graduate with a cosmetology certification and would be able to go find work. She spoke highly of her students, mentioning that a lot of the times they knew how to do things the most experienced, uneducated stylists did not. Speaking to the students themselves, who ranged in age from late teens to mid-twenties, was a highlight of my experience. I had the chance to talk to them not just about their class, but about their lives in general. They raved about their professor and were thankful for having the opportunity to take a class and graduate with a certification. They were eager to take pictures with us and I had such a nice time just talking to them like I would with friends back home. After saying a sad goodbye, we headed to our next

school.
The second and third schools we visited were similar in that both had classes in session for middle and early high school aged children. Lory toured us around the facility where we saw science labs that looked like my chemistry lab back at UofM, libraries filled with books and computer labs where students were designing websites. We observed as professors gave students lessons and I was truly in awe of how lovely the classroom atmosphere was. I saw a professor that tied in songs when teaching a math

lesson and another who had her students so eager to engage with each other they were almost jumping out of their seats. Every time we walked into a classroom, the professors were nothing but friendly and the students all had shy smiles on their faces as they waved hello. These two schools were both located across the street from the ITSs was definitely an eye opening experience, as I had never seen them before. Leaving the schools was harder than I thought it would be because I wish I had more time to spend with the students. Driving past the ITSs on my way back to Beirut put everything into place for me. The work we do back in the states fundraising for Friends of Kayany through RTR felt more real to me in that I saw exactly where the money was going. Of course it helped with the facilities, but more importantly, I saw its fruit in the smiles on the students’ faces, their determination to solve a math problem and their collaboration to form a sentence in English. My life is truly changed forever and visiting the Kayany schools this summer has kickstarted my motivation for this upcoming year.

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Epsilon Alpha Sigma Turns 7!

4/23/2019

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Today, we celebrate 7 years of the Empowered Arab Sisterhood! Take a trip down memory lane with us as we revisit 7 of our favorite moments over the last year.

1. Remembering the Refugees surpasses 100K! To date, Remembering the Refugees has raised over $125K to support medical aid, transportation and education for refugees. The bulk of our proceeds has benefited Friends of Kayany, a US based nonprofit that supports the Kayany Foundation, a lebanese NGO which hosts schools and provides education for the displaced children living in the informal tented settlements of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Our proceeds have provided class rooms, a library, a computer lab, and various other resources to enhance the education provided.

2. Back to Our Roots. Our newest addition, the Zetas of the University of Michigan introduced a new tradition in their inaugural year which not only brought our sisters back to our roots but exposed the surrounding Michigan community to the most enticing aspect of our culture: THE FOOD!

3. Women's Empowerment Week: Since their first year, our beta chapter at UC Davis has hosted a “Women’s Empowerment Week.” This week has included numerous events that addressed what it means to be an Arab-American woman. It includes a week long series of events including inspiring students to write what they feel empowerment means and various exploitative talks with leaders on campus. What am empowered group of sisters we have at UC Davis!

4. Bringing Awareness to Yemen Crisis. Our beautiful beta chapter sisters Anna Rita Moukarzel, Samantha Jildeh, and Salma Helwa educated UC Davis community on the often forgotten humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

5. Granting First Academic Scholarships! This year we were excited to award our first academic scholarships to the highest performers of the Kayany Schools. We are so proud of these empowered little ladies for excelling academically in the face of adversity.

7. Our Sisters Visiting the Epsilon Alpha Sigma sponsored Library in the Bekaa Valley. Pictured are Elena Salman of our Alpha Chapter and Silan Fadlallah of our Zeta Chapter who recently conducted a site visit of the Kayany schools in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon.

A special thank you to all of our supporters whether it be the friends who supported our bake sales or the empowered arab mothers who baked the goodies we sell from baklawah to kunafa. Here's to many more years of expanding our philanthropic impact and extending our legacy of diversity, class, and intelligence.

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Meet the Founding Sisters of our University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor Colony!

9/11/2018

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Our colony at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor was initiated on September 2, 2018. Read below to learn more about each sister and their goals within Epsilon Alpha Sigma!

Silan Fadlallah, President

The lack of knowledge regarding Arab culture in Greek Life and on campus has inspired me to be a part of EAΣ’s founding line at the University of Michigan. Our chapter should serve as a platform that gives young Arab (and Arab interest) women the confidence to grow, express themselves, and use the tools they have acquired to empower themselves and others. Bringing EAΣ to U of M does exactly that while simultaneously creating bonds that last a lifetime. I look forward to being part of a community that constantly supports and challenges one another both at U of M and throughout our Chapters nationwide. Additionally, the creation of EAΣ at U of M marks another historical moment for the Arab community on campus.

Reem Khatib, Vice President

I hold an Arab identity that is often times politicized, misunderstood, and overlooked. After my first year at the University of Michigan, I realized I wanted to close the gaps in our campus, and create a community for Arab women so that they would not have to ever feel alone. I am looking forward to meeting new girls, and getting to know some girls even better. Although we are all Arab, the different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences we all hold make us unique and diverse in our own ways and I cannot wait to be part of it.

Mirette Habib, Director of Administration

When I was told about the potential of EAΣ at U of M, I immediately knew I not only wanted to but needed to be a part of its founding. Throughout my life, service and volunteering have played integral roles in shaping me into the person I am today, and through EAΣ I can further this passion and hopefully make a positive impact on someone's life. Surrounded by strong Arab women, empowering each other and making our presence known on campus was something that I desired to accomplish. Far too often Arab women are marginalized, pushed aside and overlooked but through EAΣ, we will overcome this. I am so excited to grow with my future sisters and aim to make our campus more amenable for other girls just like us.

Nour Eidy, Director of Philanthropy

Throughout the last couple of years, I have engaged in outreach work to increase retention numbers and aid the transition of students of color at the University of Michigan. Through this work, I came to recognize the need to create a space that will provide Arab women with the navigational capital, mentorship, and support in our postsecondary education and for the rest of our lives. The exciting part about becoming a sister of Epsilon Alpha Sigma Sorority, Inc. is being a part of a larger collective of Arab women, from all across the nation, that are united under the same passion for education and philanthropy.

Zeinab Elreichouni, Director of Finances

Coming into my Freshman year at the University of Michigan, being Arab had already been a major part of my identity. Being aware of the stigma that surrounds the culture, I wanted to offer an avenue to young Arab women through which they would be comfortable expressing their respective identities, as well as grow personally and professionally. As a sister of Epsilon Alpha Sigma, I look forward to watching this sisterhood grow into friendships that will endure the tests of time, all while combating negative connotations through education and service on campus.

Sally Kafelghazal, Director of Recruitment | Internal Social Chair

My decision to partake in founding EAΣ at U of M stemmed from my personal experience as an Arab on campus. The bonds that I have created with others through shared interest in Arab culture has taught me values that will stay with me as I navigate through college and beyond. Through EAΣ, I hope to give my sisters a similar sense of community that not only allows them to embrace themselves and the Arab culture, but encourages and empowers them to do so. In addition to providing these sisters with personal growth, I am looking forward to join my EAΣ sisters across the country in making a change beyond our incorporation. Our sorority’s philanthropic focus to aid and support Syrian refugees hits close to home, and I am passionate and excited to raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian needs overseas.

Ellen Khoury, Academic Excellence & External Social Chair

As an international student, it was initially very challenging adapting to the new college environment. Although there was a diverse community of students that attended the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, I still felt the lack of the Arab presence and impact in the student body. Bringing Epsilon Alpha Sigma to U of M Greek life will change this and allow Middle Eastern women to celebrate and show their culture, while helping the Arab community globally. One of the most exciting things about becoming a founding sister is being able to build this beautiful organization and create lifelong connections with my sisters all over the U.S. I look forward to the exciting adventure of starting Epsilon Alpha Sigma on campus and creating a home away from home.

Angie Achkar, Public Relations and Outreach Chair

As a freshman at the University of Michigan, I initially felt lost and confused. I left my hometown of a culturally rich and diverse community of Arab Americans to a melting pot of different backgrounds. I was worried my identity would not be accepted and I would not be given opportunities to embrace my roots; however, I was shocked at the amount of support I received as an Arab female entering this campus. I was surrounded with individuals that celebrated, rather than judged, diverse backgrounds and I broadened my own cultural views. I developed a new Arab community through different organizations and events, and that fear of not being accepted slowly disappeared. I felt at home at this University. As a founding sister of EAΣ at UM, I plan to assist in the transition for women entering the University of Michigan and provide an inclusive and welcoming environment. I also joined the founding line because I want to use EAΣ as an outlet to increase retention numbers of Arab women at UM and help them overcome that fear of not fitting in or feeling comfortable enough to leave home. I look forward to the lifelong relationships and connections I am going to build with my sisters and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.

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Gamma Chapter Founding Sister, Diana Zeineddine, Recruited by the NHL Golden Aces!

8/4/2018

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A special congratulations are in order for one of our very own Doves, Diana Zeineddine, for being selected to represent the Vegas Golden Knights as a Golden Ace!

The Golden Aces are an NHL dance team for the Vegas Golden Knights, the first NHL team in Las Vegas. The Vegas Golden Knights, a professional ice hockey team that began play in the 2017–2018 NHL season, is a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The new-look promotional team for the Golden Knights have been selected for the 2018-2019 season following three days of intense tryouts in front of the team's entertainment production staff. The three-day audition process consisted of a series of panel interviews, talent portions, written exams, HIIT workouts and a choreographed dance routine. The new rosters can be found here.

During her undergraduate career, Zeineddine was the Captain of the UNLV Scarlet Dance Line, leading her team in performances at various university sports events. As president of the Gamma Chapter at that time, she continued to inspire fellow members with her ambition and determination to succeed. We wish her all the best in this next milestone!

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Welcome Epsilon Chapter!

7/11/2018

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On June 3, 2018 the Empowered Arab Sisterhood at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) was officially chartered as the Epsilon chapter of Epsilon Alpha Sigma at their first annual Remembering the Refugees banquet!

Their first banquet was a wonderful success, as they raised over $10,000 for Friends of Kayany, bringing our 2018 contributions to $37,000. The night was filled with various musical performances, including an oud performance from Peter Hanna and a Dabke number from their fellow student organization, the Lebanese Social Club.

The founding sisters of the Epsilon Chapter receiving their charter.

EPSILON CHAPTER AT THE 2018 MESC ANNUAL GALA

In their first year, the Epsilon Chapter were quick to become acknowledged and involved on their campus across numerous events, including the Middle Eastern Student Center's (MESC) Middle East week.

At the 2018 MESC Annual Gala, they were recognized for the Collaborative Program of the Year alongside Glocally Connected & CNAS Ambassadors for AfghaniSTEM.

The Epsilon Chapter also received numerous awards from UCR's greek council and centers. The Collaborative Multicultural Council (CMC) awarded them for Chapter of the Year, and Founding Sisters Nadine Kadri and Raghad Tabaza were recognized for dedication towards the CMC and President of the Year, respectively.

Additionally, the Fraternity and Sorority Involvement Center at UCR awarded them for “Most Improved GPA” award, and Tabaza received a FSIC Hall of Fame award.

We are so proud of their quick strides and accomplishments throughout their first year and we are so happy to welcome the Epsilon Chapter into the Epsilon Alpha Sigma family. We cannot wait to see where they go next!