Alpha Gamma Alpha was founded at UCLA by four strong Armenian women who wanted
to establish an organization to unify diverse women and give them an opportunity
to make lifelong connections while making a difference within their communities.
Karen Badal, Linet Megerdomian, Talin Hovnanian, and Sharis Minassian founded
the Alpha Chapter at UCLA on October 25, 2002. The Beta Chapter at UCI and Gamma
Chapter at CSUN were founded on December 21, 2003. Further expansion occurred
on March 13, 2005 with the creation of the Delta Chapter at UCR and the Epsilon
Chapter at USC.
The Founding Mothers of the Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Gamma Alpha are Anna Hovasapian,
Nareh Abrahamian, Maggie Kirikian, Armine Asatryan, Herma Agopian, Areni Mahdessian,
Hala Shamas, and Tate Bejanyan. Following acceptance from the Multicultural
Greek Council of USC, the Sisters of Alpha Gamma Alpha began their journey to
fulfill their mission as a sorority.
The purpose of Alpha Gamma Alpha is to unify students to work towards the advancement of Armenian causes, our college community, and the greater community.
Through this organization we will: spread and further the Armenian culture and
aid in Armenian causes, as well as guide fellow sisters in academics, life decisions,
and social relationships, while building life-long ties.
The belief of Alpha Gamma Alpha is the advancement of the Armenian culture,
cause, and family. The symbols on our crest are the book and pen, the sign of
eternity, My’r Hayastan (Mother Armenia), the dove with a branch, the
Greek Goddess Aphrodite, and the tree of life. The sign of eternity represents
the perseverance of the Armenian people. My’r Hayastan represents the
strength of women and the role they carry in preserving the Armenian language
and culture. The dove with a branch is the representation of peace, gentleness,
innocence and purity. The Greek Aphrodite represents love, harmony and sympathy.
The tree of life represents strong rooted beliefs and self-growth, cultural
and the future expansion of the sisterhood.
The official colors of Alpha Gamma Alpha are pink and silver. The color pink
symbolizes femininity and sensuality and the silver represents balance and immortality.
The unofficial colors are those of the Armenian flag: red, blue, and orange.
The red symbolized the blood shed by the Armenians for their freedom, the blue
for the sky, and the orange for the wheat they harvested.
Wisdom
Fortitude
Strength
Integrity
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