Two new University of Alabama sororities that emphasize diversity and multiculturalism initiated their first members this spring.

A delegation of 11 sisters of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, including five national board members, came to UA in May to initiate seven students into their organization. The UA students form the Kappa Associate Chapter of Delta Xi Phi, the nationally recognized multicultural sorority’s 10th chapter nationwide. The sorority is committed to empowering women from all ethnic backgrounds, beliefs and religions.

Earlier this spring, nine UA students were initiated into Alpha Delta Sigma, a local sorority also committed to diversity. The sorority’s stated purpose is “to promote diversity, academic achievement, strong bonds of sisterhood, and the cultivation of powerful women among our members and in our community, both local and global.”

“The students deserve all the credit for creating these new sororities. They took the initiative and persevered to make these organizations a reality,” said Dr. Kathleen Cramer, UA associate vice president for student affairs. “We have worked with them over the last year, and we look forward to their contributions to the UA campus.”

UA students initiated into Delta Xi Phi are: Tiffany Davis of Tuscaloosa, Amanda Dawkins of Ozark, Candice Greathouse of Hoover, Cassandra Mickens of Hoover, Danielle Reaves of Chelsea, Abigail Smith of Tuscaloosa and Miranda Warner of Calera.

Diane Abundabar, a member of Delta Xi Phi’s national board, said UA’s support for these students has been instrumental in their success. “The Kappa Associate Chapter will make a positive impact at the University and help bridge the gap between different cultures,” she said. Abundabar said Delta Xi Phi works to transcend the sorority stereotype. Its pillars are the advancement of women through higher education, increasing multicultural awareness, community service, sisterhood and friendship. The national sorority is one of the founders of the National Multicultural Greek Council.

Chapters are located at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; California State University, Chico; Mississippi State University; the University of Illinois-Chicago; the University of California, Los Angeles; Southern Illinois University; Marquette University; the University of Texas, San Antonio; and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The sorority also has a colony at Johns Hopkins University.

The founding members of Alpha Delta Sigma are Rebecca DiPiazza of Birmingham (zip code 35209), Jennifer Henley of Madison, Jennifer Biladeau of Tuscaloosa, Melody Twilley of Camden, Ashley Al-Sayyad of Holt, Elizabeth Fuller of Gadsden, Leigh Ann Hargrove of Huntsville, Jessica Maxwell of Round Hill, Va., and Elizabeth Frenkel of Tuscaloosa.

DiPiazza, who serves as president of Alpha Delta Sigma, said the sorority’s membership includes women from many different backgrounds. “Our founding class includes a black woman, an Arab-American woman and a woman of Russian-Jewish descent,” she said. “Through our dedication, we hope to accomplish longevity for our sisterhood, as well as being a positive influence on the Capstone.”

Like most sororities, both new organizations are committed to community service. Alpha Delta Sigma members have logged over 200 community service hours this semester. Delta Xi Phi members have also been involved in a variety of volunteer projects, including the Children’s Miracle Network telethon.