What Are the Core Values of Gamma Phi Beta at UC Berkeley?

Gamma Phi Beta at UC Berkeley (the Eta Chapter) names four core values: Love, Labor, Learning, and Loyalty. According to the chapter, these values guide how members care for one another, contribute to their community, pursue personal growth, and stay committed to the sisterhood. The chapter frames its identity around a "true and constant sisterhood"—friendships it describes as built on trust, respect, and shared values, and meant to last through college and beyond.

The four values and what the chapter says they mean

The chapter presents these not as abstract slogans but as the operating principles behind how members treat each other and what they expect of themselves.

"True and constant": the sisterhood claim

The chapter's central phrase is "A True and Constant Sisterhood," which it has used to describe itself for more than 131 years at UC Berkeley. The wording carries two distinct claims:

• True — friendships grounded in trust, respect, and shared values
• Constant — support and connection that continue through college and well beyond graduation

This framing matters if you're evaluating the chapter: it positions the value of membership as extending past the undergraduate years rather than ending at commencement.

How the values show up in practice

In a letter from Chapter President Samantha Perez-Mendez, the values are tied to specific outcomes:

• Individuality within unity — she highlights that each member brings her own passions, strengths, and goals, while the sisterhood encourages members to support one another and "be authentically ourselves."
• Leadership and character — the chapter describes its aim as building "confident women of character" who lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact.
• Belonging — the president describes the chapter as a "home away from home" and a place where members feel valued and supported.

The stated goal is that every member feels "valued, supported, and inspired to become the best version of herself."

What this means if you're considering the chapter

If you're a prospective member or parent trying to understand what Gamma Phi Beta at UC Berkeley stands for, the values framework gives you a concrete way to evaluate fit:

• If you want a defined value system — Love, Labor, Learning, and Loyalty provide an explicit standard the chapter says it holds itself to.
• If longevity matters to you — the "true and constant" framing signals that the chapter presents membership as a long-term relationship, not a four-year activity.
• If individuality is a priority — the president's letter specifically emphasizes that members are encouraged to bring their own goals and strengths rather than conform to a single mold.

The chapter's own summary of its purpose: a sisterhood that encourages members to support one another, contribute to their community, pursue growth, and remain steadfast—guided by Love, Labor, Learning, and Loyalty.