Mu Alpha Phi (ΜΑΦ) is a sorority established in Puerto Rico on October 24, 1927.[1] It is considered to be the first Puerto Rican sorority founded in the island.[2] The sorority has alumnae and university chapters across the island and an alumni chapter in Orlando, Florida.

Mu Alpha Phi
ΜΑΦ
FoundedOctober 24, 1927; 96 years ago (October 24, 1927)
University of Puerto Rico
TypeSocial
ScopePuerto Rico
Nicknamela Mu
HeadquartersSan Juan
Puerto Rico
Websitemualphaphi.com

History edit

The sorority that pioneered the Greek world movement for women on the island was established in the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus in October 1927.[2] The founding sisters were Carmen Rosa Janer, Laura Muñoz, Emma Colón, Aida González, María Padial, Carmen Belén Cruz, Alicia Rivero, Luz Vilá, María Luisa Márquez, Luz Vilariño, Georgina Pastor, Mercedes Fernández, Ramona Santana, Ligia Noya, María Antonieta Delgado, Laura Cesteros, Blanca Martorell, Dolores Gutiérrez de Arroyo, Encarnación Rodríguez, Celia Machese, Sofía Oronoz, Josefina Gutiérrez, Sara Irizarry, María Inés Dávila and Ana María Santana.[3] Since many sisters were graduating by 1930 the need for an alumni chapter was evident, thus the Capitulo Pasivo was founded; this chapter is now called Zona Alpha Alumnae.

By September 13, 1946, the Beta chapter was established at the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The first Beta sisters were Delia González, Maita Bravo, Andreita Martínez, and Rochie Sabater. As a result of the Beta chapter, the Río Piedras university chapter came to be called Alpha chapter.

In June 1950, sorority sisters at Universidad Católica de Santa María, later called Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico,[4] organized the Gamma chapter, its first president was Betty Zapater de McConnie.[5] The chapter was officially recognized by University Authorities by November 1955.[5] By the early 1960s, sisters at the Inter American University at San Germán organized the Delta chapter, it was led by Martita Mercado, Sally Zaragoza, Laira González Rigau and Berníe Pabón.

Two years later, Mu sisters led by Leila Padilla de Balaguer and Katherine Morell de Domínguez at Arecibo requested a charter for the Epsilon chapter This chapter closed and was later re-opened in 1985. Since so many chapters were being created by 1950 a central governing body was created called Honorable Consejo Supremo.. Its first president was Judith Mercader de Sifre.[5]

Two alumni chapters, Chi Alumni in Cabo Rojo and Gamma Alumnae in Ponce, were established; both chapters were closed. Nevertheless, alumni chapters or "zonas" were then established for sisters who had graduated, were married, or had other interests than those of the student sisters. The first Zona was established in Ponce in 1979 and called Zona Ponce. In San Juan. the alumni chapter was reopened as Zona Alpha Alumnae. By 1985, the Zona Beta was founded in Mayagüez. In1989, Zona Epsilon was founded in Arecibo. In 1992, Zona Phi Alpha was founded in San Juan, and in 1993, Zona Delta.formed in San Germán. Zona Orlando was founded in October 2016, with approximately 70 members living in Florida.

Chapters edit

Collegiate chapters edit

Following is a list of the collegiate chapters of Mu Alpha Phi.[6] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

Chapter Chartered Institution Location Status References
Alpha October 24, 1927 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus San Juan, Puerto Rico Active [7]
Beta September 13, 1946 University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Active [8][a]
Gamma September 15, 1950 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Ponce, Puerto Rico Active [9][b]
Delta June 27, 1959c. 1965; 1986 Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San Germán, Peurto Rico Active [10]
Epsilon 1963–c. 1973-1975; September 1985–2004; 2010 University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo Arecibo, Puerto Rico Active [11]

Alumnae zones edit

Following is a list of the alumnae zones or chapters of Mu Alpha Phi.[12] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

Chapter Chartered Location Status References
Alpha Alumnae Passive chapter 1930–19xx ? San Juan, Puerto Rico Active [13][14]
Gamma Alumnae 1965–1966 Ponce, Puerto Rico Inactive [15]
Chi Alumnae 1965 Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico Inactive [16]
Zona Delta May 1979–198x ?; 1995 San Germán, Peurto Rico Active [17][14]
Zona Ponce November 18, 1979 Ponce, Puerto Rico Active [18]
Zona Alpha Alumnae 1984 San Juan, Puerto Rico Active [13][c]
Zona Beta February 23, 1985 Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Active [19]
Zona Epsilon March 19, 1989 Arecibo, Puerto Rico Active [20]
Zona Phi Alpha 1992 San Juan, Puerto Rico Active [21]
Zona Orlando October 2016 Florida, United States Active [22][14]

Notable members edit

Name Chapter Notability References
María del Mar Rivera Miss Puerto Rico 1977 [3]
Lueny Morell Engineer, Professor of Chemical Engineering [3]
Delis Castillo Former mayor of Ponce [3]
María del Carmen González Journalist [3]
Mercedes Marrero de Bauermeister Former Director of Administración de Tribunales de Puerto Rico [3][23]
Janina Singer and actress [3]
Melissa Marty Nuestra Belleza Latina 2008 [3]
Rosarito Ferrer Business woman [3][24]
Rosita Velázquez Actress, comedian, and singer [3]
Sor Isolina Ferrer Humanitarian [3][25]
Lcda Ana Margarita Mateu First Lady of Ponce [3]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Chapter formed at the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts of Mayagüe, now the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.
  2. ^ Chapter was formed at the Catholic University in Ponce, which later became Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.
  3. ^ Chapter formed as Alpha Alumnae Passive chapter but later changed its name.

References edit

  1. ^ McClintock Hernández, Kenneth; Arce Ferrer, Luz (September 18, 2003), R. del S. 3424 (in Spanish), Senate of Puerto Rico, pp. 1–2, retrieved September 1, 2010
  2. ^ a b "MU History" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Mu Alpha Phi History" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2010-05-24.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Baird, William Raimond (1977). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Menasha, Wisconsin: Banta Publishing Company. p. 73. ISBN 0-9637159-0-9.
  5. ^ a b c "Gamma History" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  6. ^ Baird, William Raimond; John Robson (1977). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, Issue 19. G. Banta Co. p. 120.
  7. ^ "Capítulos Alpha". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  8. ^ "Capítulo Beta". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  9. ^ "Capítulo Gamma". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  10. ^ "Capítulo Delta". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  11. ^ "Capítulo Epsilon". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  12. ^ "Home". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  13. ^ a b "Zona Alpha Alumnae". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  14. ^ a b c "Nuestra Historia". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  15. ^ "Gamma Alumnae". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  16. ^ "Zona Chi Alumnae". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  17. ^ "Zona Delta". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  18. ^ "Zona Ponce". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  19. ^ "Zona Beta". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  20. ^ "Zona Epsilon". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  21. ^ "Zona Phi Alpha". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  22. ^ "Zona Orlando". Sororidad Mu Alpha P. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  23. ^ Morey Noble, Angel (March 7, 2023). "P. de la C. 1653" (in Spanish). House of Representatives of Puerto Rico: 1–3. Retrieved April 3, 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. ^ Morey Noble, Angel (March 7, 2023). "P. de la C. 1653" (in Spanish). House of Representatives of Puerto Rico: 1–3. Retrieved April 3, 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  25. ^ Morey Noble, Angel (March 7, 2023). "P. de la C. 1653" (in Spanish). House of Representatives of Puerto Rico: 1–3. Retrieved April 3, 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)