With Winter Quarter drawing to an end and students preparing for their final exams, the United Greek Council would like to conclude this quarter by happily announcing and welcoming a new chapter to the council: Pi Nu Iota Sorority! Also known as the Ates, Pi Nu Iota aims to provide a strong and supportive sisterhood that promotes leadership, diligence and strength. The sorority encourages its members to further their personal growth through academic excellence, cultural awareness, community service and female empowerment.

The Sisterhood known as Pi Nu Iota was officially founded on May 15, 2005 by eight Founding Mothers between the campuses of University of Washington and Seattle University. The purpose of the Sisterhood of Pi Nu Iota shall be to fortify the Filipina through academic excellence, community service, cultural awareness and female empowerment—their four pillars. As Ates (older sisters) of PNI, their mission is to provide a strong and supportive sisterhood that promotes leadership, diligence and strength while continuously upholding PNI’s pillars and investing in their philanthropy of children’s literacy. The care and dedication that founded this organization has materialized into a movement that strives to unite Filipina Sisters in the efforts to discover our strength as women, as well as Filipinas.

Throughout the year, PNI holds several educational, cultural and philanthropic events in the community. Each winter, PNI hosts an annual silent auction named “Matatag na Babae” after the Tagalog motto meaning, “Strong (Filipina) Women.” This event showcases Filipinos in the community who promote female empowerment, and also fundraises for their annual philanthropy literacy event. Literacy Jamboree is a free children’s fair that involves literacy-based games that they hope will inspire children to learn. Through this educational celebration, PNI aims to promote the importance of children’s literacy, primarily among elementary students. The sorority hosts additional fundraisers to help fund Literacy Jamboree such as car washes, restaurant fundraisers, graduation leis, etc. Throughout the year, Pi Nu Iota also uphold its pillars through study tables (academic excellence), through involvement with the children’s literacy organization Friends of the Children (philanthropy), Pinay sa Seattle/GABRIELA (female empowerment) and the wider Filipino community (community service/cultural awareness)

PNI also organizes many events and activities amongst its members. Fall Rush events begin in fall quarter, and leads into the pledge process, which takes place over the entire year. They are also actively involved in NWFASA (Northwest Filipino American Student Alliance), where sisters participate in monthly meetings among Washington/Oregon Filipino organizations and attend NWFASA Conference in spring. Every May, the active and alumni Ates celebrate their Founding Week with daily activities throughout the week and a dinner celebration to end. PNI also host socials to bond with friends in the community. The sorority host barbeques, bonfires, and holiday dinners. Lastly, PNI makes an effort to plan Ate retreats and trips throughout the year to maintain their friendship and sisterly bond outside of PNI business.

The PNI Sisterhood joined the United Greek Council because of the great inclusive community it provides. UGC is a great way to create relationships with other cultural organizations on campus and PNI is seeking that sense of community and support. The Ates hope to not only network within UGC and utilize the opportunities offered, but also support their brother and sister organizations and contribute to both the UGC and overall UW community.