This post was written by Hatchet reporter Katherine Hurrell

Students gathered Wednesday to honor what they called rabiosa – meaning “rabid” in Spanish – within empowered and influential women.

The event featuring spoken word performances was sponsored and organized by the Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. in collaboration with Mu Sigma Upsilon and Kappa Phi Lambda, to recognize poverty and the marginalization of females across the world.

Alumna Elizabeth Acevedo, who graduated in 2010 and is a sister of Sigma Lambda Upsilon, recited poetry incorporating her own take on women empowerment.

A slideshow accompanied with video clips displayed influential women from around the globe including Yoani Sánchez, an activist blogger from Cuba, Aung San Suu Kyi, a political opposition leader from Burma and Ghada Jamshir, an activist and proponent of Sharia courts reform from Bahrain.

Junior Linnea Abeyta, secretary of Sigma Lambda Upsilon and the event coordinator, said Rabiosa is a national event Sigma Lambda Upsilon chapters incorporate into their annual events and celebrations.

“One of the ideals of our sorority is leadership. We put on the event in order to demonstrate this and to showcase strong women who are making a difference – who can embody passion, leadership and revolution,” Abeyta said.