Two years ago today, the world welcomed the birth of the Empowered Arab Sisterhood, now formally known as Epsilon Alpha Sigma, the first and only Arab-interest sorority in the nation. Since our founding in 2012, we have welcomed the expansion of our sisterhood to the University of California, Davis with our Beta chapter, the Empowered Arab Sisterhood at UC Davis, and the establishment of our beloved brother fraternity, the Brotherhood of Distinguished Arabs. The Doves and Dovelets of both chapters are embracing and celebrating the diversity that lies within our Arab roots and culture. This sisterhood has cultivated an open and safe space for women to share experiences and passions, and also express the beauty and struggles of balancing cultural practices and customs with the progressive ideals we are exposed to daily as Arab-American women. The women of ΕΑΣ have also made an impact both on a local and global scale. From funding refugee relief in the middle east to raising domestic violence awareness in our immediate communities, our Doves are successfully upholding the philanthropic focus of this sisterhood and striving to contribute and help these communities in any way they can. Our Founder, Rula Othman states "My goal in creating this organization was to foster a sense of solidarity amongst arab-american women in the university setting in hopes of creating a space for these women to come together and educate their peers. To show the world that we as Arab-American women do not all follow the same stereotypical mold, but in actuality represent 22 different countries, a multitude of different religious beliefs, and an endless list of accomplishments making strides in the history of our being. Words cannot describe how proud my sisters have made me. What started out as a mere idea has grown into so much more in such a short amount of time. There is great beauty in being an Arab-Ameican women and we plan to continue to showcase that beauty." Founding Mother and National Director of Expansion states, "This has been such a beautiful journey of unity, growth, love, and empowerment. My sisters have taught me so much about myself and what it means to be an Arab-American woman. The powerful and meaningful impact this sisterhood has had on its members and communities here and abroad in these two short years is remarkable and inspiring. I'm so honored and blessed to have been a part of this sisterhood from the beginning when it was just four girls sitting in an apartment eating pizza and working on a constitution. I am eager to see the wonderful future contributions from this incredible group of empowered arab women. Yaiii we are two years old!" This organization has turned strangers into sisters. ΕΑΣ is not only where these women find a family, but also where they find themselves. To our friends and family, we thank you for your continued support. To our diverse family of sisters, let us continue to make this beautiful history together. Here's to twenty more years of empowerment, progress, sisterhood, and of course ΕΑΣ! ❤
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