About
Our
Chapter
In her final year of undergraduate studies, Jessica Nicole Tang was a first hand witness to the sparse unity and enthusiasm of Asian-American students. She noticed the under representation of minorities and lack of involvement in the Clemson community. During her time at Clemson, a growing social discord was evident as a result of increasing racial tension on campus. Students were divided over Tillman Hall, named after a racist who supported lynching African-Americans but was also integral to establishing Clemson as an agricultural college. Some wanted to rename this controversial but historic Clemson building. As a result, African-Americans were banding together for the nationwide #blacklivesmatter campaign, some even bold enough to deface Tillman.
The campaign somewhat alienated other minorities on campus who all have faced some form of social injustice stemming from their race. Therefore in Fall 2015, a Multi-Cultural Greek Council (MGC) was established on campus to accommodate the newly chartered Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., two Latin-based greek organizations. In addition to the two, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) had eight organizations already established on campus as well. Despite the growing inclusivity of greek life, students still opted to ignore those different from them. The tension coupled with her own experience in other cultural organizations helped Jessica decide in her penultimate semester that diversity was still lacking on campus and it was time to make the presence of Asian-Americans known.
With her familiarity with clubs and organizations, Jessica created Women In Power (WIP), a club specifically for women with the intent of spreading cultural diversity on campus. She chose to rely on the permanence of greek organizations for the opportunity to build something that will last in Clemson. The Asian Student Association (ASA) and other similar clubs on campus had problems with the variability of commitment and motivation within members. Therefore, the club also doubled as a interest group for the highly respected Delta Phi Lambda, Inc., a Sorority whose ideals resonated with WIP. At first, Jessica surveyed her female friends for interest and found loyalty within a few (Kimberly Bui, Thavi Chhoun, Victoria Le, Michelle Gee, Kathryn Ho) but not enough to meet the requirements for a recognized organization. Next, they all held an interest session which helped them secure more motivated women to join their cause (Amy Nguyen, Raghed Al Dahabi, and Clara Zhou). The unimaginable amount of blood, sweat, and tears of the process brought them closer together. The sheer adversity fueled their passion to complete the Charter Member education to bring a Sisterhood to campus for each other and themselves.
On April 10, 2016, under the guidance of Quocanh (Ann) Nguyen and chee ia Yang, the women of WIP successfully chartered the eighteenth colony of Delta Phi Lambda. The founding members included Jessica Tang, Kimberly Bui, Victoria Le, Thavi Chhoun, Amy Nguyen, Michelle Gee, Kathryn Ho, Raghed Al Dahabi, and Clara Zhou. With or without Delta Phi Lambda, they were already Sisters bonded simply by the countless hours and moments spent with each other. However, finally united under one of the few Asian-interest Sororities in the whole nation, they hope to pass their dream of unity, diversity and Sisterhood to future generations of empowered women who hope to call Clemson home.
