Members and Chapter of OPBSI Recognized at NALFO’s Winter Business Meeting

New York, NY – December 5, 2016

* For Immediate Release *

Contact:

Gabriela Mata
Director of Marketing
Marketing@OmegaPhiBeta.org

On Saturday, December 3rd the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) convened at its Winter Business meeting and celebrated the achievements of its member organizations through an Awards recognition luncheon. Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) was recognized in four Sorority categories:

• Campus Leadership Excellence: In recognition of an undergraduate who has demonstrated their commitment to their organization, University Campus and the Latino Greek Community through their service in leadership positions in their organization, campus and/or the Latino Greek Community as a whole.
• Undergraduate Philanthropist of the Year: In recognition of an Undergraduate who has successfully integrated philanthropy as part of their everyday life through continual contribution and participation to philanthropic events
• Professional of the Year: In recognition of established professionals or entrepreneurs who embody the standards of the Latino Greek Community through their professional accomplishments.
• Philanthropic Excellence – Alumni/Graduate Chapter: In recognition of an Alumni Chapter which has successfully integrated philanthropy as part of their annual programming and events.

National President, Elizaveta Reyes, and NALFO Representative, Monica L. Miranda, traveled to the meeting, held in Boston, and proudly accepted these awards on behalf of the organization and the three sorority members and chapter selected for demonstrating excellence in their commitments to Omega Phi Beta, the Latino Greek Community, and community at large through leadership, philanthropy, and service during the course of 2015.

Campus Leadership Excellence Award: Adriana Mata, Beta Iota Chapter

Adriana Mata is a student at Northeastern Illinois University who known for wearing many hats and serving her community in an array of roles. Those roles include mentoring incoming students, volunteering for alternative Spring Break programs, serving as a student aid for the Latino Resource Center, working with the United Greek Council in the marketing/PR role, travel to El Salvador with the McNair scholars program, and serving as a Resident Assistant.

Our National President, Elizaveta Reyes, had this to say about Adriana: “It is clear that Adriana loves Omega Phi Beta with all her heart but she also shares that wonderful big heart with her community. She connects with the students, faculty, and staff at NEIU in several diverse ways. If it’s helping others, you can count on her being there! She is a true leader on the NEIU campus if there ever was one, and did we mention that Adriana also performed as the school mascot, Goldie?”

Undergraduate Philanthropist of the Year Award: Penelope Ramirez, Psi Chapter

Penelope Ramirez attends DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. A leader for the Sorority and her community, she has been a true social justice warrior on campus. She has held leadership roles in campus organizations Femenista! and Ladies and Allies for Cross Culture Education (LACE), and served as live-in resident at the Women’s Center, Intercultural Community Conversation Facilitator, and a member of the Sexual Assault Coordinating Committee. Penelope’s dedication to social justice education and community organizing is not only visible at DePauw University but it is present in her personal life. In the summer of 2015 Penelope got accepted into a second fellowship program named the Nina Baker Feinberg Fellowship. With the support of the fellowship she was able to create an art and writing curriculum that focused on helping women survivors of varying forms of violence build sisterhood amongst each other as a form of healing.

Professional of the Year Award: Ariana Curtis, Omicron Chapter

Dr. Curtis is an anthropologist who earned her Bachelor’s degree at Duke University followed by a Master’s and PhD at American University. A member of various honor societies and a Fulbright Scholar, Ariana has spent the past three years at the Smithsonian Institute as Curator for the Anacostia Community Museum and Smithsonian Latino Center, specializing in identity and the Latino urban experience. In this role, she conducts research and develops exhibitions, programs, and collections as related to various aspects of Latino urban experiences. Her museum projects seek to build sustainable networks and engage communities at multiple levels. Dr. Curtis has organized and spoken at numerous symposiums and conferences, collaborated with other museums and institutions, maintained the Anacostia museum’s publications, and launched several exhibitions. This very weekend Dr. Curtis launched her latest exhibit: Gateways / Portales at the Anacostia Community Museum which will be open through August of next year.

Philanthropic Excellence Award – Alumni/Graduate Chapter: Alpha Beta Chapter

Alpha Beta Chapter is OPBSI’s New York City Alumnae Chapter. The Chapter has demonstrated passion and dedication to philanthropic excellence through hard work over many years. It conducts a variety of social, cultural, and family oriented programs per year however service is always at the root of the Chapter’s mission. Last year was no exception to this as the chapter organized or participated in some type of philanthropic activity nearly every month of the year! Alpha Beta’s Executive Board made a commitment to excel in community service and philanthropic work; completing 302.5 hours of community service – the same as 38 full working days! From supporting OPBSI’s national initiative the Ray of Hope Walk to End Violence against Women (ROHW) to raising more than $2,000 for grassroots charities through its programming including the signature E.N.C.A.N.T.O. event, this Chapter and its members have gone above and beyond in philanthropy and service.

Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated is a Greek-lettered organization committed to spreading the Awareness of Violence Against Women. The mission of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. OPBSI envisions a world without oppression, where empowered women celebrate the essence of womanhood and act as resources in the advancement of their communities. For more information visit: www.OmegaPhiBeta.org