Our Herstory
A sisterhood that pushed boundaries and paved the way as the first Latina sorority in the nation.
Traditionally, the role of the Latina woman was that of maintaining the family institution and falling into the realm of the machismo stigma. However, as the Latino migration to the United States increased, so did the emergence of independent Latina women who were eager to be at the forefront of an era of a new educational, political and social consciousness. College and university enrollment mirrored this influx. With this growth, the need for support groups and outreach programs were at an all time high, primarily for the low percentage of Latina women in higher education.
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In 1975, Kean University introduced bilingual and Latino/Caribbean studies. Although this enabled the educational advancement of the Latina woman, still missing was the support needed to bridge the equality gap. It was during this time that 17 women convened to discuss the formation of a sorority for Latina women. Its focus would be to actively integrate itself into the social, political and community service arena that other students had been involved with. Together, they could collaborate and assist with any student-run programs, thus making their voices as loud as the majority voice and their concerns equally as important.
Our Founding Mothers
Ileana Almaguer
Cecilia Alvarez
Carmen Baez
Karen Capra
Doris Cruz
Arlene Fernandez
Eneida Figueroa
Maria Gautier
Teresa Gonzalez
Thomasa Gonzalez
Diana Ibarria
Lillian Marrero - Lambda Angel
Ofelia Oviedo
Linda Perez
Aurora "Dory" Rodriguez
Maria del Carmen Vega
Marilyn Wyatt
Quick Facts
Mission: The purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha shall be to provide a sisterhood based on unity, love, and respect. To develop strong leaders who will then provide and practice political, social and cultural activities. Promote unity through charitable and educational programs. Maintain a higher standard of learning and serve as a voice for all students.
Colors: Burgundy and Grey
Principles: Unity, Love and Respect
Goals: Scholarly excellence, empowerment of Latinas and the universal woman, cultural and political awareness, and community activism.
Orientation: Women of all ethnicities
Academic Support: Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. was incorporated as an Academic Sorority in 1979. Scholarly excellence is our strongest mission. Each chapter has an Academic Chair to oversee the members' academic progress. The chapters host study skills workshops, time management workshops, study sessions and many other educational programs not only for the members but for the campus community as a whole.
Academic Incentives: Several chapters and areas within the sorority offer academic incentives for sisters who earn the highest grade point average and the sister who raises her GPA the most each semester. On a national level, the sorority provides several scholarships each year for outstanding academic achievement.
Educational Programs: Our chapters host seminars and bring speakers to present education programs for the benefit of the entire campus community.
"Lambda Theta Alpha is a way of life."
Founding Mother, Dr. Thomasa Gonzalez