HELP US END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Sigma Psi Zeta hosts an annual non-profit domestic violence awareness step, stroll, and dance showcase called Step Out. Our very own sister, Thu-Thi Nguyen, introduced Step Out to the University of Washington in 2010 and have been a key part of our philanthropic efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence.
The greater purpose of this event is to empower the audience members through a show that utilizes dance. In this showcase, Step dance symbolizes empowerment and strength as we encourage our community to find courage to "step out" against domestic violence.
Each year, 100% of our ticket proceeds and money raised through a miracle minute during the show will go towards a local domestic violence shelter!
Our 16th Annual Step Out Domestic Violence event will be held on May 1st, 2026, in Kane 130 at the University of Washington. More information can be found by following our Instagram, @uwsyz, and contacting us via DMs if you have any questions or concerns.
What is Step and Stroll?
Stepping and strolling is a form of percussive dance originating from African traditions and popularized in the early 1900s by the National Panhellenic Council, also known as the Divine Nine (D9), as a way to express love and pride for their organizations.
In stepping, the body becomes an instrument, using footsteps, claps and spoken word to produce complex poly-rhythms. Strolling, on the other hand, emerged as a synchronous line dance to show unity, and both traditions are used for social and ceremonial purposes, especially within Greek life.
We want to emphasize that it is crucial to learn the history of stepping and strolling before taking part in it because there is a rich history behind it, we want to avoid cultural appropriation, and so we do not use any moves exclusive to a Divine Nine organization.
Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. participates nationally in step and stroll, and is the first Asian-interest sorority to participate in step at the University of Washington. We acknowledge and are grateful for the Divine Nine organizations that paved the way not only for Step and Stroll at the University of Washington, but for the Multicultural Greek Council and its organizations.
Our sorority embraces all of our sisters' talents and we are able to express our creativity and showcase our skills through stepping and strolling. We encourage all members of the community to take action in the education of combating domestic violence against women.
We hope to reach out to the Seattle community and generate financial support for organizations stepping out against domestic violence!
