A Brief History of the West Coast Sigma Delta Phi
By Myrna Aquitania ’65
Sigma Deltans in Los Angeles started as a group in January 1988 at the home of Cynthia Macabali-Henson ’65. She was the first leader of the informal group, followed by Ditas Sison-Tipton ’64, who, along with husband Upsilonian Gilbert Tipton ’61, organized the Joint Congress of Upsilonians and Sigma Deltans in Los Angeles.
In October 1993, during the presidency of Myrna Aquitania ’65, the group held a grand ball in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the sorority–attended by the largest gathering of Sigma Deltans yet. The highly successful formal affair was also attended by our sorority’s living founder, Gloria Lucero-Monzon ’33, along with Upsilonians and other UP fraternity groups such as Beta Sigmans, Sigma Rhoans and Alpha Phi Betans.
Other sisters who lead the group were Juno Henares-Chuidian ’79, Claire Navarro-Espina ’82, Ditas Sison-Tipton ’64, Maribel Cabrera-Guevarra’75, and Sonia Dalman-Madsen ’75.
During Maribel and Sonia’s joint leadership, the East Coast Chapter held “Sis In The City.” Before Maribel and Sonia left, Myrna Aquitania requested both of them to bid for the next reunion in Los Angeles to be named “Sisterhood Sa Hollywood.” Though this was Myrna’s concept and idea, during the planning stage, she had an almost fatal car accident, which prompted her to resign from the group.
Though the group still exists, the birth of The West Coast Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association, Inc., encompasses a larger scope of expansion in the western part of the United States, to include the states of Nevada, Arizona, Washington and New Mexico.
The Sigma Delta Phi spirit will live on, no matter where it is, and forever, it will thrive!
