Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Far Western Region
Region Established: 1946
Geography Today:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
First Chapters Chartered:
Alpha Omicron (Denver, CO) – established 1940; Alpha Phi Los Angeles, established 1945 were the first chapters of the FWR region.
Region Highlights:
Host to nine anniversary conventions of the membership (1949 Los Angeles, CA – Alpha Phi, 1955 Denver, CO – Alpha Omicron, 1962 Seattle, WA- Beta Kappa, 1970 Oakland, CA- Beta Mu, 1976 Denver, CO – Beta Nu, 1987 Fresno, CA – Gamma Eta, 1997 Los Angeles, CA – Gamma Mu, 2007 San Francisco, CA – Gamma Nu, 2017 Long Beach, CA - Gamma Mu).
Home of two White Rose Queens:
A. Lucille Reynolds, 9th National President. Alpha Phi Chapter
E. Grace Payne, 15tt National President, Gamma Mu Chapter
A. Lucille Reynolds
E. Grace Payne
History of the Far Western Region
The Far Western Region of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. encompasses thirteen states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. As the Sorority's largest geographic region, it currently has chapters in five of these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington.
The region's diverse landscape features arid to semi-arid plateaus, plains, forested mountains, deserts, and scenic coastal areas, making it not only the Sorority’s largest region but also a strikingly varied and unique part of the United States.
The Natural Beauty of the Far Western States
The western states boast a breathtaking array of natural wonders, ranging from majestic snow-capped mountains, rolling hills, and fertile green valleys to scenic vistas, magnificent coastlines, enchanting deserts, exotic tropical islands, and frozen glaciers. The landscape is further enriched by buttes, mesas, and plateaus, alongside charming old towns, rambling ranches, historic mansions, bustling cosmopolitan cities, and everything in between.
The Beginning
When Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was founded, its Constitution initially designated four regions: North, South, East, and West. However, a revision in 1946 expanded the regions to six: Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Southwestern, and Far Western. This revision also defined the states included within each region.
The First Graduate Chapters
In 1946, the Far Western Region was established with two graduate chapters: Alpha Omicron in Denver, Colorado, and Alpha Phi in Los Angeles, California. Sorors in the region immediately began recruiting friends, neighbors, and professional women to join their efforts in serving their local communities.
By 1948, four additional chapters had joined the sisterhood in the Far Western Region:
Beta Iota in Portland, Oregon
Beta Kappa in Seattle, Washington
Beta Mu in Oakland, California
Beta Nu, a second chapter in Denver, Colorado
The sisterhood’s growth continued through the years:
Beta Tau was established in 1949.
Gamma Eta was chartered in 1956.
Gamma Mu was established in 1961 in Los Angeles, California.
By the 1960s, the Far Western Region welcomed additional chapters:
Gamma Nu in San Francisco, California
Gamma Xi in Pasadena, California
Gamma Psi and Gamma Chi
Recent Expansion and Historical Milestones
The Far Western Region continues to make history:
In 2017, the Zeta Beta Chapter was chartered in Eastvale, California, during the 88th National Convention in Long Beach, California.
In 2020, the region chartered its first virtual chapter, Zeta Kappa Chapter, in Phoenix, Arizona, marking a significant moment in Black history.
On October 7, 2022, the Far Western Region proudly chartered its first graduate chapter in Las Vegas, Nevada: Zeta Sigma Chapter.
On December 15, 2022, the region welcomed another Arizona chapter: Zeta Tau Chapter, based in San Tan Valley, Arizona.
In 2024, the Far Western Region continued its historic growth by chartering Eta Delta Chapter on December 28, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona.
The Far Western Region also has members in New Mexico and Hawaii, further expanding its presence and influence.
FWR Means Business!
The Far Western Region remains dedicated to its mission and continues to serve its communities with pride and purpose.
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