The Amazonian Fall 2015

Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated

Fall 2015

Inside Understanding ARPKD The 30th Annual NY AIDS Walk Be A Fierce Amazon Woman: Top 10 Makeup Tips & Tricks

Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. National Governing Council 2015 - 2017 Josie Acosta Haumea National President Lorimar Santiago Concordia National Vice President Arlene Oviedo Amazona National Secretary Kathy Otero Mosaic National Treasurer Lillian Sierra Founding Mother National Officer of Membership Sylvia Vigo-Smith Founding Mother National Assistant Officer of Membership Rachele Hall Nysa National Officer of Expansion Ana Estevez Zaona National New Chapter Advisor Vivian Moreno Arnobit Matriarca National Historian

Dear Sisters, This past year has been an amazing experience! As we come off the high of our remarkable National Convention this summer I hope that we continue to strengthen the relationships we’ve created and bring the tools we learned back to our chapters and districts. This semester also marks our 34th anniversary and I hope you are looking forward to another exciting and hilarious Amazon Race filled with bonding and memes to celebrate! Get your game faces on and start thinking about who will be on your team.

Lastly, on behalf of your National Governing Council I would like to thank each and every sister for sticking it out when the going gets tough. It is so impressive that you guys take on the responsibility of leading your chapters and dealing with all the logistics of running a chapter or district. The support you all have shown between chapters recently has been phenomenal and your dedication does not go unnoticed! Thank you for reminding us how much work is put into making Mu as successful as it possibly can be.

I sincerely wish you all a successful, safe and lesson-learning semester. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, and remember that your heart and your decisions are always looking out for your sisters.

For the Love of Mu,

Ashley Brevil Haumea National Officer of Communications Monifa Ellis Zaona National Step Director Carolina Velasquez Aretias National Officer of Community Affairs

Josie Acosta NGC President 2014-2016

Ashley Hill Haumea National Programming Chair Yessica Martinez Miakardia National Officer of Retention

Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated was founded on November 21, 1981, at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ as the first multicultural minority Greek letter society in the nation.

Danielle Smith Amazona National Officer of Risk Management

Founding Mothers Eve Bracero, Lillian Sierra, Karinee Candelario, Ruth Gonzalez, Sylvia Vigo

Inside this Issue 1 2 6 8

NMGC: An Inside Look on the ideal Greek Companionship Understanding ARPKD Be A Fierce Amazon Woman: Top 10 Makeup Tips & Tricks Cover Story: March2Justice

11 The 30th Annual NY AIDS Walk: A Walk To Remember 13 Spring & Summer 2015 Graduates

Editor’s Desk I am so excited to serve as your National Officer of Communications this year.

Thank you for trusting me to keep you abreast of all the wonderful things going on throughout our sisterhood. One of the most exciting parts of taking on this new role is being able to be a part of the creative process of branding our organization. With the success of the revamping of our Amazonian newsletter during the last term I want to continue moving forward with providing you all with a quality newsletter. I cannot do it with your help. Please continue to send us updates on all of the amazing activities you are involved in throughout the community so that we may highlight you. I look forward to a successful year with you!

In Sisterhood,

Ashley Brevil

National Officer of Communications

The Amazonian Official newsletter of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc Editor Ashley Brevil National Officer of Communications Contributing Writers Alyssa Rivera, Genesis Chapter Carlene Pinto, Nysa Chapter Genesis Concepcion. Amazona Chapter Karla Rodas, Siksika Chapter Tasha James, Zotikon Chapter Design & Layout: Sabrina Colón, Dhyani Chapter On the cover: Carlene Pinto, Nysa Chapter The Amazonian is published three times a year. Send inquiries and submissions to: Communications@MSU1981.org www.MSU1981.org 163 East Main Street #312 Little Falls, NJ 07424

Greek Unity

NMGC: An Inside Look on the ideal Greek Companionship Genesis Concepcion Witnessing the dedication amongst the members of the National Multicultural Greek Council was truly a remarkable experience. I am currently an undergraduate sister at the Amazona chapter embarking on my senior year. I was given the opportunity to represent our organization on a national level in an NMGC meeting. NMGC like any other organization has an eboard who do nothing but uphold the values by which our fellow sister Jessica Flores, of the Aborigena chapter and Denise J. Pipersburgh, a sister of Lambda Psi Delta Sorority Incorporated, founded NMGC. As many should know NMGC was founded on the principles to “provide a forum that allows for the free exchange of ideas, programs, and services between its constituent fraternities and sororities, to promote the awareness of multicultural diversity within collegiate institutions, their surrounding communities, and the greater community at large, and to support and promote the works of its member organizations.” With all

that in mind, member organizations are encouraged to be genuine, open, and supportive of one another in order to prosper individually as organizations but overall as cultural Greeks.

In all relations amongst organizations there is a mutual respect and struggle. As multicultural organizations it is a known fact that finances, recruitment, recognition, and support is not easily obtained. The importance of NMGC is beyond many people’s comprehension. It is one of the only opportunities members of different organizations have to converse with others who share similar experiences and can receive appropriate guidance and advice from those who have been in similar predicaments. There is a bond amongst members where certain topics are never too “sacred” to discuss when a fellow Greek is in need. Overall, NMGC is crucial to implement in all institutions with Greek life because it allows for a collaboration of those who truly

care and have the dedication to make a change.

It is vital for all but especially undergraduates to witness the tie all Greeks within multicultural organizations have. Many undergraduates have the idea that Greek life is about competition. In reality Greek life is bigger than any individual and will only continue to grow. In all, being Greek is not intended to divide us; instead it is intended to have different strengths and connections from different organizations combined in order to make a change. Incorporating NMGC in any school that has Greek life would be extremely beneficial to the members, the school, and the community.

Undergraduates would have the opportunity to find better solutions to their obstacles through guidance of others, there will be a higher production from co-sponsorships, and people will then finally understand what it means to be part of something beautiful, meaningful, and rewarding.

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Understanding

ARPKD Karla Rodas

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So what exactly is ARPKD? As per PKDInternational.org, “Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare disease that affects the kidneys and liver. It is usually diagnosed in babies and young children and occurs in about one in every 20,000 live births.

Sometimes only the liver is affected; this condition is called congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF).

ARPKD causes cysts – sacs filled with fluid – to develop in the small tubes of the liver and both kidneys.

In the liver, these tubes are involved in producing and transporting bile (a fluid that helps in digestion); in the kidneys the tubes produce and transport urine.

nephew Nathaniel. My sister was about 25 weeks pregnant when during a routine ultrasound they found that his kidneys were enlarged. The doctors were concerned but not too concerned since there was still amniotic fluid. About a week or so later, there was no more amniotic fluid.

I didn’t know this before (to be honest, I didn’t know much about pregnancies) but the amniotic fluid is crucial for the development of babies while in utero. Not only does it show that the kidneys are working properly but it also helps the babies learn to breathe and helps the lungs develop as they should. Most doctors were hopeful that Nathaniel had amniotic fluid

long enough to develop his lungs but there was no way of knowing until he was born. Some doctors advised my sister to abort the pregnancy but that was simply just not an option. As you can imagine, the weeks and months that followed were extremely stressful. We all truly believed that everything was going to be ok but there was always the weight of, what if it wasn’t?

Finally the day came when Nathaniel was born. We all went to the NICU and waited for the doctors to tell us that everything was going to be ok. But that never happened. Nathaniel was not able to breathe on his own and passed away just a day after he was born.

ARPKD eventually causes scarring (called fibrosis), which destroys the healthy tissues in the kidney and liver. If it is severe, ARPKD can lead to kidney and liver failure.

However, the disease doesn’t affect the liver and kidneys equally and the severity of the disease can vary between these two organs.”

If you’re like me, you probably never heard of this genetic disease before. Heck, I probably still wouldn’t ever have heard of it if it weren’t because both my nephew and niece suffer/suffered from it.

Like the statement above said, the disease affects everyone differently and I’ve seen first hand just how differently.

The first in our family to ever be diagnosed with ARPKD was my

Nathaniel in the NICU

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We were (and still are) devastated.

How could this happen? Why did this happen? And what actually happened? That’s when we learned that my sister and her fiancé are both carriers of the mutated gene (PKHD1) and have a 1 in 4 chance that their child will inherit both mutated genes and have ARPKD. This, of course, raised more questions. How come they didn’t know they were carriers of this mutated gene? And does that mean we (the families) are also carriers?

The short answer is yes, we’re probably carriers. And because the gene is recessive, we won’t know unless we get tested or if we have a child with someone else who has that same mutated gene and the child is born with ARPKD.

Madeline

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Remember I told you that this disease affects everyone differently?

The second person in our family to suffer from ARPKD is my niece Madeline. Like Nathaniel, my sister’s pregnancy with her was perfect until about week 25. And again, that’s when they noticed her kidneys were enlarged. Her story is a little different though. Even though her kidneys were enlarged, they were still functioning and producing amniotic fluid. Not to the levels that were considered normal, but enough for her to get the benefits of it.

At about 33 weeks, she lost all her amniotic fluid and the doctors made the decision to deliver her because they were afraid of a cord accident.

She was born on November 7, 2013

and was breathing on her own! She had to be hooked up to a respirator to help her along, but the lungs were developed a much as a baby delivered at that age would be. This was fabulous news! I remember being so happy and thinking that everything after that was going to be a piece of cake! But man, was I wrong. That was just the beginning. Maddy spent almost two months in the NICU. What I didn’t realize about ARPKD is that it doesn’t only affect the kidneys.

There are a lot of different things that are affected because the kidneys help to regulate many things in our bodies. They had her on so many different medicines! Meds for her blood pressure (the kidneys regulate blood pressure but because

hers weren’t functioning how they should, she needed meds to control her bp), for sodium (again because her kidneys regulate electrolytes and hers were out of whack), for acid reflux (all the meds they were giving her, were affecting her tummy) just to name a few. And every time they gave her a new medicine to treat something, it would affect something else, so they had to give her meds to treat that, so on and so forth. It was like trying to fix a leaky hose with little patches. And every time one patch is placed, it would spring a leak somewhere else.

It was madness.

That’s when I realized that the Dr’s weren’t actually treating the disease; they were treating the symptoms.

There is no cure for ARPKD. And that sucks.

We’ve been lucky with Maddy.

After she was released from the NICU, there were only a few hospital stays that followed. I never realized how hard it is to regulate a baby’s medication. Because of all the growing babies go through their first year, the medicines she can take and the quantities she can take change from day to day. And there’s no way of knowing how one medicine is going to affect her until it’s given And then again, you’re dealing with the effects that medicine will have on everything else. Like I said, Madeline was lucky she only had a few in patient stays, many children spend entirely too much time admitted

from complications as well as the progression of the disease. It’s very sad and very stressful. Not only for the child suffering, but for the families that are suffering right along with them.

I would love for there to be some medical advancement where the actual cysts are treated so that the kidneys and livers could hopefully regain full function and there would be no need for transplants.

I would love for my niece to be taking medicines that actually make her better and not just prolong the inevitable. Heck, I would love for my niece (or any body for that matter) not to be suffering from this disease. But unfortunately, that is not the case.

aware that this genetic disease exists and that you could possibly be a carrier of it and not even know it. I want to put ARPKD on the map so money can be raised and research can continue. But ultimately, all I really want is a cure.

Learn more about Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease at www. pkdinternational.org

Photo credit: Karla Rodas Photography, www.karlarodas.com

She will continue to keep taking all the medicines she has to take. She will continue going to her monthly check ups at CHOPs (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia). She will continue having physical therapy to learn how to walk, because unfortunately, because her belly is so big from her enlarged kidneys and low muscle tone from being premature, she was never able to crawl. And now her legs aren’t strong enough to hold up the weight of her belly. And she will continue to keep us all on our toes.

I want a cure to be found. I want my niece to be better. And I don’t want anyone to have to go through this. That is why I am writing this article. I want to make people The Amazonian – Fall 2015 | 5

Beauty

Be A Fierce Amazon Woman: Top 10 Makeup Tips & Tricks Alyssa Rivera, Owner, Makeup By Alyssa

Enhancing our natural beauty with makeup can help us feel like we can conquer anything; whether it be an interview, a presentation, or just to feel good for ourselves. As a makeup artist in Pennsylvania, my skills and business has grown since doing my first bride at 14 and I want to share my knowledge with all of my sisters!

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1. Skin Care In order to have a flawless makeup application, you need to have a good base. Skin care is so important and you need to give your skin some TLC. Whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin, you need to have a customized skin care routine to ensure that you have a good foundation for your makeup.

2. Prep & Prime The most important step is to prime your skin and eyes with a primer.

This step is important and will help your makeup last longer and go on much smoother. Eye primers help shadows to look more pigmented and not fade away.

3. Blend, blend, blend!

Blending is the key to having a flawless face and eye look. Invest in some good brushes or a beauty blender and blend your foundation down your neck so you don’t have a line at your jaw. Also, when it comes to eyes, use a gradient effect starting with lighter colors towards the brow bone and working down to darker colors towards the lash line.

4. Foundation Pick the right foundation finish for your skin type or preference by picking matte, satin/natural, or dewy finish. If you want to experiment, go to your local Sephora and ask for samples of foundations and see which work best for you!

5. Correct and Conceal To look more awake, correct the

dark circles before concealing. For light skin, use a peach concealer, for medium to tan use a salmon colored concealer, and for darker skin tones use orange to correct and neutralize the dark circle first. Then, go in with a yellow tone concealer in a triangle shape under your eye to help brighten up your under eye.

6. Highlight and Contour Highlighting and contouring can shape and sculpt your face. Use a brighter, yellow tone concealer under your eyes and in your t-zone to brighten up the center of your face. Then use a matte bronzer to contour just under your cheek bones and on the perimeter of your face. Finally, use a powder highlighter to give you a beautiful glow on the top of your check bones, tip of nose, and cupids bow to shine bright!

nighter spray to set your makeup in place all day!

9. Experiment and Practice Makeup is all about having fun and experimenting with new products.

Also, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t get the wing liner or the perfect smokey eye, just keep trying!

10. Be Confident Be creative and confident with makeup because you are already a beautiful and sophisticated lady.

7. Step your brow game up Brows are so important to framing your face and shouldn’t be forgotten. Use a pencil like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencils to lightly fill in your brows using small short strokes mimicking brow hair. Use the spoolie on the end of the pencil to help blend it out to ensure they look natural and not to overdone.

8. Set it Use a translucent setting powder to set the area under your eyes and anywhere you used a creamy concealer to ensure it doesn’t fade and crease. When you are finished with your makeup, use a setting spray like the Urban Decay all-

Alyssa started doing makeup at the age of 14 and has professionally been working as a Makeup Artist in her hometown of Reading, PA for two years.

Alyssa graduated from Kutztown University with her degree in Business Management and Marketing and is excited to relocate in December to Orlando, Florida to expand her knowledge, skills, and service area. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube to learn more!

Instagram: @Lyssarivera Facebook: MakeupbyAlyssaRivera YouTube: youtube.com/ makeupbyalyssarivera

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Carlene Pinto

My name is Carlene Pinto. I am a thick accented Brooklynite, with Irish freckles and Cuban curves. I am as courageous as I am spontaneous, I am loyal, compassionate, and charismatic.

Since the beginning of this year I have been on a journey to find my purpose. Learning, reading, traveling, growing, and gaining wisdom to love myself more and more each day. I am in touch with my humanity and my sense of self more then ever before. I begin this article with positive affirmations of myself, to recognize that we often forget to elevate ourselves and appreciate the essence of our being. We are WOMEN. We are SISTERS. We are the CREATORS of life; Queens by our own right.

This article will discuss topics that make most people uncomfortable.

I ask that you reserve your first judgment, that you see yourself in me, that you understand we are one in the same. I ask that you take the time to express to me your thoughts, your opinions or allow this article to inspire you to 8 | Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

join me in taking action. Race, a social construct has been used as a means to divide us from each other for hundreds of years, a denial of racism has pushed us into the age of colorblindness. So this often causes me to question the accolades and awards I have received. Did I receive them because of the silent privilege that comes with my skin complexion? Or was it actually my hard work?

Act, and The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. For eight weeks I assisted the logistics team, fundraised and practically lived in the 1199SEIU building in Midtown where our initiative is housed.

On April 13th we set out on our journey stepping off in Staten Island, NY. Our journey was tremendous and at times tumultuous. We walked through

We learned from one another; we disconnected ourselves from our egos and we learned to stand and protect one another.

In response to the repeated questioning of race in the social construct, The Justice League NYC strategized and organized the March2Justice, a 250 mile eight day march to deliver three pieces of legislation to change the landscape of Criminal Justice Reform in America. The three pieces of legislation would make up The Justice Package: The End Racial Profiling Act, the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement

harsh weather: heavy rain, and heat souring into the high nineties.

However, through it all we, traveled together. The stories we shared on why we marched trended on our own experiences being wrongfully profiled, wrongfully convicted, and wrongfully imprisoned. We learned from one another; we disconnected ourselves from our egos and we learned to stand and protect one another. When our blisters made each step painful,

we held each other, we sang, and uplifted each other’s spirits when we needed it the most. The walk was not safe and it damn sure was not easy. Each morning we had no idea the obstacles that lay ahead but we just kept on marching… New York. New Jersey. Pennsylvania.

Baltimore. And finally, Washington DC. Each night we were fed by and sought refuge in local Churches, Community Centers, Mosques, and Universities. Our march was supported heavily by our partners at 1199 SEIU Labor Union who provided nurses and a mobile clinic.

On day three as we marched through Philadelphia we met Ms. Tanya Dickerson, the mother of Brandon Tate Brown, an unarmed 26 year old black man who was shot in the head by police at a car stop in December 2014. It was Ms. Tanya’s birthday, and the four-month anniversary of her son’s death. Ms. Tanya never received an official report of the traffic stop that ended Brandon’s life. Walking next to her, my knees and back ached, but

her story and her spirit ignited my courage. I thought, what pain she must have endured loosing her son and that she too deserved justice, she deserved answers, she deserved to see accountability. We promised to carry her son’s name on our journey, to share her story because his life matters. In that moment I decided, more than ever, I am in favor of justice no matter who it is for or who it is against.

As we marched into day four and five, the constant threat of arrest loomed around each corner especially the deeper into rural Pennsylvania and Maryland areas we occupied. The leadership team had to make split second decisions that often involved the safety and welfare of the entire group. Each day we learned to move more cohesively together, the trust that we all had in each other was incredible. We became a family. On the fifth day we marched through Rising Sun, Maryland which house the Ku Klux Klan Headquarters for the state of Maryland. People

called us the N word as they drove past us speeding closely trying to raise fear in our hearts. They spat their exhausts at us, black soot and smoke engulfing us, but we marched on. Confederate flags flew overhead with voices close to our sides but, we marched on. People in that area tried to scare us, to stir fear in us, but, we marched on.

When we finally reached Baltimore we received word from Pastor Jamal that Freddie Grey had succumbed to his injuries and died that morning. Freddie could no longer fight for himself and we were there in Baltimore in that moment by divine intervention to fight on his behalf.

The last leg of our journey was marched on April 21st, when The Justice Leagues Justice Champions were joined by hundreds of people to hit the streets of Washington DC and descend on the Capitol Building. Baltimore had taught us that the media does not report the constant violence against black men and women, they purposefully The Amazonian – Fall 2015 | 9

promote propaganda through over excessive reporting on the eruptions of anger or violence that black men and women express after being systematically and disproportionately targeted for generations. The media does not report The Churches, community centers and citizens that took to the streets everyday and cleaned after the eruptions in Ferguson and Baltimore.

Since the march, I have been more active then ever in the movement.

This is my purpose. I will continue to lay in the street or shackled in a cell if that means Black and Brown liberation in America. I do this work because not one more unarmed black or brown civilian should be killed by law enforcement with out political ramifications, indictments or convictions; not one more wallet or candy bar should

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be mistaken as a gun, to which someone looses their life; not one more poorly lit stairwell should be the reason a little girls father will never come home again. The march taught me to combat arrogance with humility. I will live my life as if it were a gift from God (because it is). I will remember their names, and I will tell their stories at any opportunity where someone will listen. Rest in Power Brandon, Freddie, Tamir, Ramarley, Kimani, Danroy, Jordan, Rekia, Reynisha, Sean, Amadou, Alan, Oscar, Megan, Walter, Mya, Sandra, and all those that are no longer here with us physically. I feel them, I connect with them, their humanity is mine, and I will continue to remember their names, until there are no more names added to these lists.

Please note that I am currently working on mobilizing people to #justiceorelse the 20th anniversary of the million man march. If interested in traveling with my contingent please email me.

If you are from a community plagued with violence and/or issues with police accountability please email me as we are setting up justice summits to empower and elevate those communities.

Email: carlenempinto@gmail.com Twitter: cmp4justice / nyjusticeleague Instagram: @success1981

Health Issues

The 30th Annual NY AIDS Walk: A Walk To Remember

HIV/AIDS awareness is critical and everyone should know their status and encourage others to find out.

Tasha James

Why is HIV/AIDS Awareness crucial?

Sunday, May 17th 2015 marked an important day in NY HIV/AIDS awareness history and Mu Sigma Upsilon was happy to participate!

This special day celebrated the 30th Annual NY AIDS Walk sponsored by many corporate partners in support of the GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis) and 30 years New Yorkers have been in the fight against HIV/AIDS by fundraising for this event. This Walk has brought a tremendous amount of attention to a major health issue affecting so many of our people across New York and the world. This year’s fundraising efforts surpassed last year’s with a total of 4.88 million dollars.

Lambda Sigma Upsilon and Mu Sigma Upsilon, our Unstoppable Upsilon Family, have marched in this Walk as an annual tradition in support of HIV/AIDS awareness and health promotion. GMHC was and continues to be the world’s first and leading agency in providing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. This organization aims to uplift the lives of all affected by this disease through several programs and by addressing the underlying causes, shifting cultural beliefs and promoting smart behaviors that empower a healthy life for all of us (www.gmhc.org). With said goals, who would ever deny in getting involved in such a great cause?

In the United States, more than 1.2 million people are living with the HIV infection, including the 14% who are unaware of their infection. Within the cases of new HIV infections, 1 in 4 people are among the ages of 13 to 24, do not know they are infected and are not receiving treatment (www.aids. gov). Those who are infected and do not know can unwillingly pass the virus to others and increase the probability of infecting the next person with the virus. Infections are increasing in women, people of color and homosexual men. If we are able to know our HIV status, we can help limit and prevent the spread of the infection to others.

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Once a person is aware that they are HIV positive, they should seek treatment immediately but the road to living comfortably with the disease may be a challenge.

This is the reason why so many organizations and programs have been formed to fundraise and help those battling with the disease.

There have been countless efforts in scientific research, treatments and supporting those who need the help emotionally, physically and medically. As with any disease, it not only affects the person with the disease, but their family and friends as well. By donating, volunteering and walking for an event as large as the NY AIDS Walk, we are able to accomplish more every year and provide funds for GMHC and 40 other AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area.

Walking in Upsilon Unity The sisters of District 4 prepared for this walk several weeks before the day of the event. With constant, non-stop promotion of the Walk and our Pre-Walk Happy Hour Fundraiser in NYC, the district was able to fundraise nearly $300.00

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toward our goal. It was amazing to have over 60 sisters registered to our Mu Sigma Upsilon Team and donate online from across the nation. At the Walk in Central Park, the attendance of sisters, family and friends was incredible!

Despite the cloudy weather, there was a great turnout in the number of sisters and brothers who came to the Walk. At our Team Meeting station, we had sisters from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts join us, as well as interests from within NYC. LSU had their National Main Event Step Team perform on stage before the launch the Walk. After the Opening Ceremony, kicked-off

by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Walk began. We were all ready and prepared to walk the 6.2 mile route around Central Park. Throughout our checkpoints, volunteers, school cheerleaders and marching bands were cheering on the walkers. Our Upsilon Family walked together with our banners held high in the sun and enjoyed the company of new people and fellow walkers. There were a wide

variety of companies, agencies and organizations who participated in the Walk ranging from NBC Universal, TARGET ® and to several other fraternities and sororities. It was a day to show pride and unity in HIV/AIDS awareness and letting the world know that we will never give up until this epidemic is over.

As we came closer to the finish line, we laughed and strolled with excitement. Within a few feet of the finish line, our Fall ’14 and Spring ’15 sisters and brothers marched and chanted across the finish line, continuing our tradition. Even though this may have been the first time line siblings have met, the memories from that day will last forever. This definitely will be a walk to remember for future generations to come and as an organization; we hope that our support and fundraising efforts grow with HIV/AIDS awareness and the Annual NY AIDS Walks to continue to have organizations such as GMHC proceed in uplifting those affected by the disease.

Photo credit: Joe Magia, Tasha James & Elizabeth Rivera

Spring & Summer 2015 Graduates Juris Doctorate

Julisa Medina (Genesis Chapter)

Master’s Degree Christina Okoye (Yemaya Chapter) Diana Calle (Mosaic Chapter) Camille Chong (Haumea Chapter) Maria N. De La Cruz (Genesis Chapter) Stephanie Flores (Amazona Chapter) Monica Friedman (Haumea Chapter) Ashley Hill (Haumea Chapter) Fatima Johnson (Gaia Chapter) Tatiana Perez (Orisha Chapter) Tammie Wiles (Mosaic Chapter)

Stephanie Morales, Hillary LeDesma and Angel Crockett, Bachelor’s Degrees from Bucknell University Michelle Cuenca (Matriarca Chapter)

Samantha Munoz (Aborigena Chapter)

Chantel Cumberbatch (Atitlan Chapter)

Kelsey Nieves (Matriarca Chapter)

Jaleesa Davis (Nysa Chapter)

Ashley Nunez (Matriarca Chapter)

Laura Diaz (Matriarca Chapter) Mary Esho (Themiskyra Chapter) Jessica Espinal (Destinidas Chapter) Destiny Figueroa (Themiskyra Chapter) Yasmin Forbes (Zarya Chapter) Reina Hill (Lazuline Chapter) Tasha James (Zotikon Chapter) Hillary LeDesma (Miakardia Chapter) Daphnie Montoya (Amazona Chapter) Ashley Hill, Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University

Stephanie Morales (Miakardia Chapter)

Nadirah Parker (Samara Chapter)

Bachelor’s Degree

Pieryne Ramos (Zarya Chapter) Blanca Rivas (Matriarca Chapter)

Carla Agbiro (Novastella Chapter)

Michelle Rivera (Nysa Chapter)

Rinsha Ballani (Concordia Chapter)

Jasmine Robinson (Mosaic Chapter)

Brittany Broner (Dhyani Chapter)

Norma Rodriguez (Siksika Chapter)

Mariah Brown (Samara Chapter)

Adrienne Rodriguez (Ionia Chapter)

Alexandria Carbonaro (Ionia Chapter)

Shannon Sandles (Genesis Chapter)

Andrea Castillo (Matriarca Chapter)

Sheram Serrano-Camacho (Dhyani

Alycia Cody (Dhyani Chapter) Aida Colón (Lazuline Chapter) Angel Crockett (Miakardia Chapter)

Jessica Espinal, Bachelor of Arts from Bloomfield College

Adrienne Rodriguez, Bachelor of Science from East Stroudsburg University

Chapter) Taylor Thomas (Gaia Chapter) The Amazonian – Fall 2015 | 13