As September 15th through October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked a few chapter members to share what their Hispanic heritage means to them in their Alpha Delta Pi experience.
Valeria Lopez – Delta Eta, McNeese State University
As a young child, I believed I left behind my identity in Mexico. My culture, the music, the food, and even my family. My parents and I abandoned a part of who we are. Having to fully learn a new language in elementary school was extremely challenging for me and my whole world had shifted in a matter of weeks. The older I got, the more I questioned where I really belonged. I was torn between two cultures and two languages, not knowing who I genuinely was. I changed my own name to “Valerie” to fit in because “Valeria” was never pronounced correctly. I remember strongly feeling that I had to change and hide my culture to fit in. Over the years, I’m relieved I learned to embrace my heritage and be proud of my Mexican roots. I learned to take pride in my given name and embrace the two different cultures I am fortunate to experience. After joining Alpha Delta Pi, I am grateful to have sisters who support me unconditionally and call me by my real name. Looking back now, I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunities I had, to strive and make a new life for myself.
Attempting to hide my culture at school when I was younger would come to an end when I would come home to my hardworking parents who would never let me forget where I was from. Not only are Hispanics truly hardworking people, but a major thing about us is that family always comes first. Every opportunity we get to visit our city of Guadalajara, Mexico is a blessing to enjoy our culture and visit our family. It does not matter how far away we are, our love for each other will always thrive. Because of the distance, I learned to value the time I have with my loved ones. I would do anything for my two younger brothers, and now I have my beautiful Alpha Delta Pi sisters who I feel the same way about. My family has undoubtedly molded my personality and who I am as a person.
I have seen my parents come from nothing to now having their dream cars and home. They have worked tirelessly throughout my entire life to provide everything possible for me. As a first-generation, I treasure the heritage I inherited from my parents who sacrificed their lives to only make mine better. Learning more about my culture is a way to learn more about myself and reflect on the importance of being proud of who I am. Watching my family growing up, I have pushed myself to grow in their image as work as hard as I can to achieve my goals. I am grateful for my family and sisters, and thankful to be able to share with everyone the impact my heritage has on who I am today.
Victoria Soliz – Theta Eta, Drake University
I’m proud to say I’m Hispanic and LatinX. Being of Hispanic descent in a sorority brings a new perspective of diversity for my sisters. They accept who I am and the struggles I’ve had to go through. I’m happy to teach my sisters my culture and I’m also happy that they accept it with open arms. I’ve also learned a lot about other cultures within the sorority as well.
Going through recruitment, I was scared that I didn’t look like everybody else. I was scared they’d laugh at my last name or not recognize that part of me. But coming home to Alpha Delta Pi, they’ve accepted all of me- not only my heritage but my sexuality, gender, and all the lovely quirks that I have. They love and appreciate who I am and I don’t feel the need to change anything about me. I’m proud to call Alpha Delta Pi my home.
Pamela Rodriguez – Epsilon Omicron, Murray State University
Coming from a Hispanic household, family is a priority to me since I was taught how you can count on them through thick and thin. Because of this, leaving home to attend out-of-state college was difficult since I moved 2,000 miles away from all my family living in southern California. However, Alpha Delta Pi provided me with a home away from home. Not only was I able to create my own within the sorority (Galaxy fam, represent!), but I also felt supported by my fellow sisters.
My sense of belonging was truly put to the test when I transferred from Allegheny College’s Eta Beta chapter and reaffiliated with the Epsilon Omicron chapter at Murray State University. While I had my skepticism about finding a sisterhood like the one I was initiated into, my doubts quickly dissolved when I discovered the same loving, inclusive atmosphere I experienced back at the Eta Beta chapter over 650 miles away. I found sisters who reached out to grab lunch and one who invited me over for Easter with their family. The familias and memories I have developed through my membership in ADPi are priceless and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.