Herstory
In the fall of 1994, five inspiring young women, Zuleyka Heredia, Ricki Robles, Amelia Schustz, Erica Solorzano, and Bernadette Vargas recognized the lack of adequate support offered to Chicanas/Latinas at UC Berkeley. They set to provide these resources on campus by establishing a new organization, thus ensuing the beginning of the Hermanas Unidas. Its purpose was to not only give Chicanas/Latinas a link to academic and community resources, but also a support system or home away from home. It was to be a family networking system guided by three pillars: academics, community service, and collegial networking.
After hearing of the Hermanas Unidas, our own strong and motivated founders, Vidiana Cervantes, Angie Abarca, Elizabeth Baltazar, Christina Jacobo, Laura Orozco, Marcela​ ​Soto,​ ​Vanessa​ ​Campos and Sandra​ ​Telles decided they wanted to provide the same resources at UC San Diego. In the winter of 2010, they established the Hermanas Undias de UCSD.
Mission
We provide resources and leadership opportunities for predominantly Chicana/Latina, college students and alumni by participating in and organizing community service events, social activities, and academic/professional workshops.
Motto
"Poder de la Mujer" is what all Hermanas strive to embody, both as individual women and as an organization. It symbolizes the strength and will of each and every Hermana in their quest for higher education, the empowerment of their families and communities, as well as equality in education, the workplace and the rest of society. In the face of adversity and triumphs, we will exemplify our strengths as Chicana/Latina women and succeed.
Logo
At the focal point of our logo, the Quinto Blossom, there is el Quinto Sol, which is an Aztec sun stone. Within the leaf and stem, there is the profile of a woman's face.
Our logo as a whole follows the story of a young woman's path to enlightenment through the pursuit of higher education. Her path is symbolized through the winding stem as a challenging, yet rewarding road of self growth lies ahead of her. This path leads to el Quinto Sol, which is the fruit of her sacrifice, the sum of her experiences, and the valuable relationships that she has built. This is the story of the Hermana that blossoms into a changed woman, a better woman for having traveled that road. Through this symbol, may we never forget where we come from and where we are going together in hermandad.
Colors
The official colors of the Hermanas Unidas are blue and silver. The founding mothers chose blue because it is one of UC Berkeley's colors, and silver because of a pair of silver go-go boots one of them owned.
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