Late afternoon, sunlight illuminated the second-floor patio of the Sacramento State’s University Union as four distinguishably different women met to talk about life, school and the principles their organization was founded upon. The different backgrounds and upbringings seem to have no effect on what these women have been brought together to do – help teach and lead young women under the gospel of the Bible.

Other than the sororities trademark colors, purple and white, one thing stood out and remained constant and that was the concept of sisterhood. It exuded from them as they greeted each other with laughter, warm smiles and hugs.

Alpha Lambda Mu Christian Sorority is a baby of sorts among the dozens of greek organizations on campus. Founded as a multicultural sorority on the campus of Cal State Northridge on Feb. 9, 2005, this sorority encompasses the basic values of Christianity. Alpha Lambda Mu maintains that their organization was founded upon sisterhood, community service, evangelism, ministry, academic excellence and spiritual growth.

As a transfer student from CSUN, President Shay Jackson felt there was a lacking niche that needed to be filled on the campus. She took that initiative and founded the first Christian sorority on the campus of Sac State on July 7, 2007.

Known as the Exodus chapter, Alpha Lambda Mu boasts nine active members with majors as diverse as their backgrounds. “We are multicultural,” Jackson said.

Founding a chapter of a sorority on campus took a lot of man-work, or woman-work in this case. It was “a very arduous process,” said Tiffany Smith, a junior psychology major.

“[We] remained in communication with student activities and laid the groundwork for the chapter here,” Smith said.

Like most Greek organizations on campus, community service is of the utmost importance for the sanctity and survival of the organization. Mikal Jones, junior biology major, stressed the importance of community service within the sorority. “We do a lot of ministry in the community,” Jones said. “We plan on ministering on campus when the opportunity presents itself.”

Jackson, junior biology major, makes sure that Alpha Lambda Mu does not limit itself to just campus community service. It is also active in the community outside of Sac State. The sorority participates in Girl Scouts, as their chapter philanthropy.

Courtney Smith, junior sociology major, stressed the importance of the organization’s humanity work. “We do the AIDS walk in Los Angeles,” Smith said.

The sorority has reached out, like many greek organizations, and established a MySpace page. The webpage includes essential information about the sorority, along with its members’ profiles.

Alpha Lambda Mu upholds the values of its organization, but remain quite sociable as well.

Current members welcome emails via MySpace as well as personal email. Women interested in joining are also encouraged to get in contact with the members.

“They would need to attend an informational and from there they would learn how to become a member and what the membership process would be,” Jackson said.

Also, prospective members are required to keep a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. The intake process is similar to that of many fraternities and sororities as are the traditions they hold.

Jackson said next year the sorority will participate in the festivities of Black Fall Welcome, an annual celebration that introduces organizations founded and organized by black students.

What sets these young women apart is the fact that Christianity is what they are founded upon.

Jones said in order to be a member, girls must believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“You also have to strive for that walk to get closer to God.” Jones said, but clarified that the organization doesn’t discriminate.

“We don’t exclude people if their walk [of life] is different,” Jones said. “Basically, we don’t judge people.”

The message Alpha Lambda Mu wants the student population to receive is that being a Christian is not about perfection.

“We fall short, we make mistakes, we’re all human,” Jones said. “We’re all human beings striving to be like the Lord.”

Oneika Richardson can be reached at [email protected]