Lambda Theta Alpha

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Lambda Theta Alpha
ΛΘΑ
FoundedDecember 1, 1975; 48 years ago (December 1, 1975)
Kean University
TypeSocial
AffiliationNALFO (former)
EmphasisLatina
ScopeUnited States
Mottos"Latin By Tradition Not by Definition"

"Universal Women. Redefining Sisterhood"

"Women there are Many, Ladies there are Few"
Colors  Burgundy and
     Grey
SymbolLa Perla (pearl), La Concha (shell), La Luna (moon), y La Palma (Palm Tree)[1]
PhilanthropySt. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Chapters150 Undergraduate Chapters and 30 Alumnae Chapters
NicknameLTA, Lambda Ladies
PrinciplesUnity, Love, and Respect
HeadquartersUnion, NJ
USA
Websitewww.lambdalady.org

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (ΛΘΑ) is the first and largest Latina-based sorority, established in 1975 at Kean University by seventeen women of Latin, Caribbean, and European descent as a support system for women in higher education.[2] According to their website, Lambda Theta Alpha states that its focus would be to "actively integrate itself into the social, political and community service arena that other students had been involved with."[3]

The sorority was a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, and won recognition as Sorority of the Year from 2000–2001, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, 2012–2013 and 2013– 2014.[4][5]

History[edit]

Seventeen women came together to form the sorority and are recognized as the 17 Founding Mothers. According to the Sorority's website, Lambda Theta Alpha is recognized as the first Latina sorority in the United States.[3] Lambda Theta Alpha partakes in traditions such as having hand signs and calls, as well as saluting and strolling; but not stepping, out of respect to the "Divine Nine" or the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Symbolically, saluting demonstrates unity and respect, while strolling demonstrates unity and pride.[3]

Founding Mothers[edit]

Picture of Lambda Theta Alpha Founding Mothers and Line 1
  • Ileana Almaguer
  • Cecilia Alvarez
  • Carmen Baez
  • Karen Capra
  • Doris Cruz
  • Arlene Fernandez
  • Eneida Figueroa
  • Maria Gautier
  • Teresa Gonzalez
  • Dra. Thomasa Gonzalez
  • Diana Ibarria
  • Lillian Marrero
  • Ofelia Oviedo
  • Linda Perez
  • Aurora "Dory" Rodriguez
  • Maria del Carmen Vega
  • Marilyn Wyatt

National philanthropy[edit]

LTA and the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital[edit]

Lambda Theta Alpha members serve thousands of hours each year to a variety of philanthropic causes and needs. In the effort to create a more united and bigger impact nationally, Lambda Theta Alpha selected a national philanthropy. In January 2010, LTA became an official collegiate partner to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, becoming the first individual Latino Greek organization to commit fully to the hospital's efforts.[6] LTA has pledged to bring awareness to childhood cancer, life-threatening diseases and St. Jude within the Latino community and to fundraise for the hospital through a variety of events and programs. In 2014, the sorority expanded its partnership with St. Jude by becoming an official partner of the annual St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer, which brings communities together across the nation during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise funds for the hospital. The sorority has repeatedly exceeded its sponsorship commitments and looks forward to this event every year. [7]

Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation[edit]

The Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2015, based on the desires and needs identified by the National Board and Founding Mothers of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. They identified the need to create a foundation where members and the community could contribute and benefit from its support. The mission is to promote the enrichment of our communities by providing funding for educational programming, collegiate scholarships, and spearheading humanitarian relief efforts.

Carolina Sodre and Beatriz Barragan came together and on November 24, 2015, the Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation, Inc. (“the Foundation”) became a recognized corporation of the State of Oklahoma and was officially recognized as a 501c3 public charity by the IRS on July 14, 2016. Once established, the Foundation took time to develop its strategic planning and active board members. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey occurred, which ignited the need for support from the Foundation to support its community through its humanitarian relief pillar.

Since then, the Foundation has been upholding the mission of advancing the community through education, humanitarian relief and scholarship. [8]

Chapter Philanthropies[edit]

Most chapters of the organization have a chapter philanthropy in addition to the national philanthropy. Completing a set number of community service hours at any organization for a good cause are required to join.[citation needed]

Chapters[edit]

Chapters and their founding years. The Alpha Alpha and Alpha Alpha Alpha series chapter names are designated for alumnae clubs. Where known, the year when a chapter went dormant is noted. Active chapters noted in bold, inactive chapters noted in italics. [9][10]

Collegiate chapters
Designation Charter date and range School Location Status Notes
Alpha (Α) December 1, 1975 Kean University Union Township, NJ Active
Beta (Β) 1980 Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ Active
Gamma (Γ) 1981 The College of New Jersey Ewing Township, NJ Active
Delta (Δ) 1986 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Active
Epsilon (Ε) 1987 Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ Active
Zeta (Ζ) 1987 Stockton University Galloway Township, NJ Active
Eta (Η) 1990 Fairleigh Dickinson University
Caldwell College
Madison, NJ
Caldwell, NJ
Active
Theta (Θ) 1991 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Active
Iota (Ι) November 3, 1991 Rider University Lawrence Township, NJ Active
Kappa (Κ) 1992 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Active
Lambda (Λ) 1992 Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico Ponce, PR Active
Mu (Μ) 1992 Ramapo College Mahwah, NJ Active
Nu (Ν) 1992 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Active
Xi (Ξ) 1992 Manhattan College[a]
College of New Rochelle[b]
Iona University
The Bronx, NY
New Rochelle, NY
New Rochelle, NY
Active [a][b]
Omicron (Ο) 19922001 Upsala College East Orange, NJ Inactive
Pi (Π) 1993 West Chester University Chester County, PA Active
Rho (Ρ) 1993 Rutgers University–Camden Camden, NJ Active
Sigma (Σ) 1993 William Paterson University Wayne, NJ Active
Tau (Τ) 1994 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ Active
Upsilon (Υ) 1995 University of Maryland, College Park College Park, MD Active
Phi (Φ) 1995 New Jersey Institute of Technology
Rutgers University–Newark
Newark, NJ
Newark, NJ
Active
Chi (Χ) 1996 University of Florida Gainesville, FL Active
Psi (Ψ) 1996 Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT Active
Omega (Ω) (reserved)
Beta Alpha (ΒΑ) 1996 University of Hartford
Trinity College
West Hartford, CT
Hartford, CT
Active
Beta Beta (ΒΒ) 1998 Le Moyne College DeWitt, NY Active
Beta Gamma (ΒΓ) 1998 University of South Florida Tampa, FL Active
Beta Delta (ΒΔ) 1998 California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, CA Active
Beta Epsilon (ΒΕ) 1998 University of Pennsylvania
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Active
Beta Zeta (ΒΖ) 1998 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA Active
Beta Eta (ΒΗ) 1998 Texas A&M University College Station, TX Active
Beta Theta (ΒΘ) 1999 University of Central Florida Orange County, FL Active
Beta Iota (ΒΙ) 1999 Arizona State University Phoenix, AZ Active
Beta Kappa (ΒΚ) 1999 University of Maryland, Baltimore County Baltimore County, MD Active
Beta Lambda (ΒΛ) 1999 Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Active
Beta Mu (ΒΜ) 2000 University of North Texas Denton, TX Active
Beta Nu (ΒΝ) 2000 University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Active
Beta Xi (ΒΞ) 2000 San Jose State University San Jose, CA Active
Beta Omicron (ΒΟ) 2000 University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI Active
Beta Pi (ΒΠ) 2000 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI Active
Beta Rho (ΒΡ) 2000 New Jersey City University
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
Active
Beta Sigma (ΒΣ) 2000 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Active
Beta Tau (ΒΤ) 2000 University at Buffalo
Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
Active
Beta Upsilon (ΒΥ) 2001 Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT Active
Beta Phi (ΒΦ) 2001 University of Illinois Champaign, IL Active
Beta Chi (ΒΧ) 2001 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Active
Beta Psi (ΒΨ) 2001 Northwestern University Evanston, IL Active
Beta Omega (ΒΩ) 2001 Wayne State University Detroit, MI Active
Gamma Alpha (ΓΑ) 2001 University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Active
Gamma Beta (ΓΒ) 2001 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Active
Gamma Gamma (ΓΓ) 2001 University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN Active
Gamma Delta (ΓΔ) 2001 Nova Southeastern University Davie, FL Active
Gamma Epsilon (ΓΕ) 2001 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Active
Gamma Zeta (ΓΖ) 2001 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA Active
Gamma Eta (ΓΗ) 2001 University of Houston Houston, TX Active
Gamma Theta (ΓΘ) 2002 Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX Active
Gamma Iota (ΓΙ) 2002 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Active
Gamma Kappa (ΓΚ) 2002 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Active
Gamma Lambda (ΓΛ) 2002 California State University, Fullerton Fullerton, CA Active
Gamma Mu (ΓΜ) 2003 University of Wisconsin Madison, WI Active
Gamma Nu (ΓΝ) 2003 Emory University Atlanta, GA Active
Gamma Xi (ΓΞ) 2003 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Active
Gamma Omicron (ΓΟ) August 23, 2003 University of Washington Seattle, WA Active
Gamma Pi (ΓΠ) 2003 Florida International University Miami-Dade County, FL Active
Gamma Rho (ΓΡ) 2003 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Active
Gamma Sigma (ΓΣ) 2004 California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA Active
Gamma Tau (ΓΤ) 2004 California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Active
Gamma Upsilon (ΓΥ) 2004 Cal Poly Pomona Pomona, CA Active
Gamma Phi (ΓΦ) 2004 Cornell University Ithaca, NY Active
Gamma Chi (ΓΧ) 2004 University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Active
Gamma Psi (ΓΨ) 2004 San Diego State University San Diego, CA Active
Gamma Omega (ΓΩ) 2005 Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA Active
Delta Alpha (ΔΑ) 2005 University of Georgia Athens, GA Active
Delta Beta (ΔΒ) 2005 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Active
Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) 2005 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Active
Delta Delta (ΔΔ) 2005 University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Active
Delta Epsilon (ΔΕ) 2005 George Mason University Fairfax County, VA Active
Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) 2006 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Active
Delta Eta (ΔΗ) 2006 University of Idaho Moscow, ID Active
Delta Theta (ΔΘ) 2006 University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Active
Delta Iota (ΔΙ) 2006 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Active
Delta Kappa (ΔΚ) 2007 St. John’s University Queens, NY Active
Delta Lambda (ΔΛ) 2007 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Active
Delta Mu (ΔΜ) 2007 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Active
Delta Nu (ΔΝ) 2007 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Active
Delta Xi (ΔΞ) 2007 Lewis–Clark State College Lewiston, ID Active
Delta Omicron (ΔΟ) 2007 University of California Berkeley, CA Active
Delta Pi (ΔΠ) 2007 University of Delaware Newark, DE Active
Delta Rho (ΔΡ) 2008 University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Active
Delta Sigma (ΔΣ) 2009 Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, TX Active
Delta Tau (ΔΤ) 2008 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Active
Delta Upsilon (ΔΥ) 2008 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Active
Delta Phi (ΔΦ) 2008 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Active
Delta Chi (ΔΧ) 2008 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Active
Delta Psi (ΔΨ) 2009 Towson University Towson, MD Active
Delta Omega (ΔΩ) 2009 California State University, Northridge Northridge (LA), CA Active
Epsilon Alpha (ΕΑ) 2009 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Active
Epsilon Beta (ΕΒ) 2009 University of Chicago Chicago, IL Active
Epsilon Gamma (ΕΓ) 2009 University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Active
Epsilon Delta (ΕΔ) 2009 DePaul University Chicago, IL Active
Epsilon Epsilon (ΕΕ) 2009 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Active
Epsilon Zeta (ΕΖ) 2009 University of Vermont Burlington, VT Active
Epsilon Eta (ΕΗ) 2009 Villanova University Villanova, PA Active
Epsilon Theta (ΕΘ) 2010 East Carolina University Greenville, NC Active
Epsilon Iota (ΕΙ) 2010 Cal Poly Humboldt Arcata, CA Active
Epsilon Kappa (ΕΚ) 2010 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Active
Epsilon Lambda (ΕΛ) 2010 Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, FL Active
Epsilon Mu (ΕΜ) 2010 SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Active
Epsilon Nu (ΕΝ) 2011 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Active
Epsilon Xi (ΕΞ) 2011 California State University, Fresno Fresno, CA Active
Epsilon Omicron (ΕΟ) 2011 Binghamton University – SUNY Binghamton, NY Active
Epsilon Pi (ΕΠ) 2011 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Active
Epsilon Rho (ΕΡ) 2011 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Active
Epsilon Sigma (ΕΣ) 2012 University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA Active
Epsilon Tau (ΕΤ) 2012 Lewis University Romeoville, IL Active
Epsilon Upsilon (ΕΥ) 2012 University of California, Davis Davis, CA Active
Epsilon Phi (ΕΦ) 2012 University of North Carolina Charlotte, NC Active
Epsilon Chi (ΕΧ) 2012 University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Active
Epsilon Psi (ΕΨ) 2012 University at Albany, SUNY Albany, NY Active
Epsilon Omega (ΕΩ) 2013 University of Memphis Memphis, TN Active
Zeta Alpha (ΖΑ) 2013 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Active
Zeta Beta (ΖΒ) 2013 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA Active
Zeta Gamma (ΖΓ) 2014 Iowa State University Ames, IA Active
Zeta Delta (ΖΔ) 2014 Boise State University Boise, ID Active
Zeta Epsilon (ΖΕ) 2014 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Active
Zeta Zeta (ΖΖ) 2014 California State University, East Bay Hayward, CA Active
Zeta Eta (ΖΗ) 2015 Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Active
Zeta Theta (ΖΘ) 2015 Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, NC Active
Zeta Iota (ΖΙ) 2015 Heritage University Toppenish, WA Active
Zeta Kappa (ΖΚ) 2015 SUNY Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY Active
Zeta Lambda (ΖΛ) 2015 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI Active
Zeta Mu (ΖΜ) 2015 Duke University Durham, NC Active
Zeta Nu (ΖΝ) 2015 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY Active
Zeta Xi (ΖΞ) 2016 University of Missouri Columbia, MO Active
Zeta Omicron (ΖΟ) 2016 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL Active
Zeta Pi (ΖΠ) 2016 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD Active
Zeta Rho (ΖΡ) 2016 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX Active
Zeta Sigma (ΖΣ) 2016 Washington State University Pullman, WA Active
Zeta Tau (ΖΤ) 2017 Aurora University Aurora, IL Active
Zeta Upsilon (ΖΥ) 2017 Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL Active
Zeta Phi (ΖΦ) 2017 Denison University Granville, OH Active
Zeta Chi (ΖΧ) 2017 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO Active
Zeta Psi (ΖΨ) April 29, 2017 California State University, Dominguez Hills ? Carson, CA Active
Zeta Omega (ΖΩ) April 7, 2018 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Active
Eta Alpha (ΗΑ) 2018 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA Active
Eta Beta (ΗΒ) 2018 SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY Active
Eta Gamma (ΗΓ) May 11, 2019 University of California, San Diego San Diego, CA Active
Eta Delta (ΗΔ) 201x ? California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, CA Active
Eta Epsilon (ΗΕ) October 31, 2020 California State University, Chico Chico, CA Active
Eta Zeta (ΗΖ) November 13, 2020 Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Active
Eta Eta (ΗΗ) November 28, 2021 George Washington University Washington, D.C. Active
  1. ^ a b In 1922 Manhattan College was relocated from its original location in Manhattan, to the nearby borough of the Bronx, without being renamed.
  2. ^ a b The College of New Rochelle was closed in 2019, after bankruptcy of the school.

Alumnae chapters[edit]

Alumnae chapters
Designation City
Alpha Alpha (ΑΑ) New Brunswick, New Jersey
Alpha Beta (ΑΒ) Hartford, Connecticut
Alpha Gamma (ΑΓ) Austin, Texas
Alpha Delta (ΑΔ) Silver Spring, Maryland
Alpha Epsilon (ΑΕ) New York City, New York
Alpha Zeta (ΑΖ) Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Alpha Eta (ΑΗ) Los Angeles, California
Alpha Theta (ΑΘ) Seattle, Washington
Alpha Iota (ΑΙ) Nashville, Tennessee
Alpha Kappa (ΑΚ) Madison, Wisconsin
Alpha Lambda (ΑΛ) Chicago, Illinois
Alpha Mu (ΑΜ) Detroit, Michigan
Alpha Nu (ΑΝ) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Alpha Xi (ΑΞ) Alexandria, Virginia
Alpha Omicron (ΑΟ) Phoenix, Arizona
Alpha Pi (ΑΠ) Boston, Massachusetts
Alpha Rho (ΑΡ) Raleigh, North Carolina
Alpha Sigma (ΑΣ) Atlanta, Georgia
Alpha Tau (ΑΤ) Albuquerque, New Mexico
Alpha Upsilon (ΑΥ) Orlando, Florida
Alpha Phi (ΑΦ) Dallas, Texas
Alpha Chi (ΑΧ) San Francisco, California
Alpha Psi (ΑΨ) Denver, Colorado
Alpha Omega (ΑΩ) Paterson, New Jersey
Alpha Alpha Alpha (ΑΑΑ) Houston, Texas
Alpha Alpha Beta (ΑΑΒ) San Diego, California
Alpha Alpha Gamma (ΑΑΓ) Atlantic City, New Jersey
Alpha Alpha Delta (ΑΑΔ) Charlotte, North Carolina
Alpha Alpha Epsilon (ΑΑΕ) Tri-Cities, Washington
Alpha Alpha Zeta (ΑΑΖ) Richmond, Virginia

Omega chapter (Ω)[edit]

Omega chapter is dedicated to members of the sorority who are deceased. Historically, the sorority has honored these members with the title "Lambda Angels". During each national banquet a moment of silence is taken, and information about each member is incorporated into the program that reflects on each Lambda Angel’s accomplishments and the great loss that the Sisterhood has experienced, in their passing. In recent years a ceremony has been conducted at the national annual convention.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Lambda Theta Alpha". Uwgreek.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Home page". Lambdalady.org. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "History". Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  4. ^ "NALFO - Official Website". Nalfo.org. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  5. ^ "NALFO ANNOUNCES 2014 NATIONAL AWARDS". Myemail.constantcontact.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  6. ^ "LTA becomes First and Only Latino Greek Member to Nationally Partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital". Campaign.r20.constantcontact.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  7. ^ "LambdaThetaAlphaPhilanthropy". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  8. ^ "LTAFoundation". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  9. ^ William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 21 September 2022. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  10. ^ National website chapter list, accessed 22 September, 2022.

External links[edit]