“How you gon’ win, when you ain’t right within?” The words of famous recording artist Lauryn Hill resonated throughout the room. Tracy Buenavista, Department of Asian American Studies at California State University, Northridge, recited this line to emphasize the night’s theme: EmpowHERed Pinays. Each year, the sisters of Kappa Psi Epsilon organize Pinay Symposium to share the Pinay experience, which often goes overlooked. The theme of EmpowHERed Pinays focused on the different avenues which women can take to find their own inner strength.

Speakers of various backgrounds were invited to address an audience of both women and men on the night’s theme. Nenita “Tita” Domingo, lecturer in Filipino at UCLA, spoke about her experiences in community organizing in the Philippines to her story in becoming an educator. Loralei Bingamon shared how she uses her passion for art as a form of self-expression and community education through her workshops as a Certified Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner and Soul Collage Facilitator. Darlene “Daya” Mortel narrated her journey from being the first Filipina to sit on the University of Washington’s Board of Regents to how she co-founded the Anakbayan in Honolulu, Hawaii, and how she is involved today with BAYAN-USA and Habi Arts. Last but not least, Tracy Buenavista elaborated on the importance of self-empowerment to prevent the occurrence of “battle fatigue” within both the Pinay and Pinoy community.

The sisters of Kappa Psi Epsilon find importance in learning about the struggles of the community and sharing the lessons that come with their experiences. Through this annual event, the sisters of Kappa Psi Epsilon are able to reach out to an audience of UCLA students as well as members of the greater Los Angeles community. With that said, Kappa Psi Epsilon would like to thank the brothers of Theta Delta Beta, Gamma Chapter and the sisters of Tau Theta Pi, Beta Chapter as well as members of the community based organizations: People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment, Kabataang maka-Bayan, and SiGAw for attending this event. Each year, the sisters will continue to carry out Pinay Symposium in order to provide a space where Pinays and their allies can share their experiences.