What is Ceres?

Ceres (pronounced "Series") is the Roman goddess of agricultural fertility, particularly that of grains. Her name stems from the word, creare, which means "to create." She is associated with the ground from which crops spring, the bread produced from the grain, and the work necessary to raise crops. She presided over the distribution of grain to the urban poor and over the administration of the Roman grain supply.

Her festival was known as the Cerealia and was held in mid-April. The festival celebrated the growth of grain and other agricultural products. Rituals included the lighting of torches; these torches were associated with the magic that protected cropland.

Ceres is also representative of the historical involvement and importance of women in agriculture. The word, "cereal," originates from her name.

The number of women entering the agriculture industry has increased over time and, while FarmHouse chapters had “little sister” programs, a demand for a women’s version of the agriculture fraternity was evident. At the 1984 Conclave, a proposal for the establishment of an agriculture sorority was passed unanimously. On October 12, 1985, Ceres International Women’s Fraternity became a reality when nineteen women were initiated as the first members of the agriculture-related women’s fraternity at Colorado State University. The University of Alberta and California Poly – Pomona followed suit.

Ceres Fraternity is founded on five major attributes:

1. Commitment – Our fraternity stresses commitment to the organization and to its members. This is represented as the “C” on the pledge pin.

2. Agriculture – While involvement with agriculture is not a requirement for membership, we stress that our members respect this growing industry. This is represented by wheat stalks on the pledge pin.

3. Leadership – Our fraternity stresses that our members learn to be effective and inspirational leaders. This attribute is represented as pearls on the active pin.

4. Fellowship – Our fraternity stresses commitment to sisterhood beyond our university years. Sisterhood is lifelong. This is represented by the sterling silver rose on the active pin.

5. Scholarship – Our desire for scholastic achievement brought us to university and to each other. We strive to meet our maximum academic potential every semester. This is represented by the scroll on the active pin.

Ceres Alberta

Ceres Alberta has approximately twenty active members. Our members are actively involved around the U of A campus and frequently volunteer in such events as Sorrentino’s Compassion House Fashion with Compassion, and intra-fraternity blood drives. As a fraternity, our fundraising efforts benefit those affected by breast cancer. A portion of our fundraising efforts are donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

We also host an annual event in March called Women in Agriculture which provides a chance for the agriculture community to come together and celebrate the industry. The evening includes speakers, dinner, a silent auction, and networking opportunities, and a portion of the proceeds are donated to the featured charity.

Our members are registered in a wide array of faculties including the Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Sciences Faculty, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Science, the School of Business, the Faculty of Education, and Campus Saint-Jean. Our members also belong to many clubs and organizations across the U of A campus and hail from all across Canada.