Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. () is a Latina-based

sorority Fraternities and sororities are social organizations at colleges and universities in North America. Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student, but continues thereafter for life. Some accept gradua ...

, established in 1975 at

Kean University Kean University () is a public university in Union and Hillside, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. Kean University was founded in 1855 in Newark, New Jersey, as the Newark Normal School. Initially establi ...

by seventeen women of Latin, Caribbean, and European descent as a support system for women in higher education. 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." 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.

History

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. 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 The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities also referred to as Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs). The NPHC was formed as a permanent ...

. Symbolically, saluting demonstrates unity and respect, while strolling demonstrates unity and pride.

Founding Mothers

National philanthropy

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility located in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1962, it is a 501(c)(3) designated nonprofit medical corporation which focuses on children's catastrophic diseases, par ...

, becoming the first individual Latino Greek organization to commit fully to the hospital's efforts. 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.

Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation

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. Merlix Reynolds, 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.

Chapter Philanthropies

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.

Chapters

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''. The main archive URL i
The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage
National website chapter list
accessed 22 September, 2022.

Alumnae chapters

Omega chapter ()

''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

External links

* {{National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations Latino fraternities and sororities Student societies in the United States Hispanic and Latino organizations 1975 establishments in New Jersey Student organizations established in 1975