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The year was 1975 and it was the year we were born at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Soon, thanks to the tremendous strides made by our 17 Founding Mothers, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. would grow to become the FIRST Latin sorority ever created to cater towards the needs of Latinas in the nation. It became incorporated as an Academic Sorority in March 1979.
Traditionally, the role of the Latina woman was that of maintaining the family institution and falling into the realm of the Machismo stigma. As the Latin migration to the United States increased, so did the emergence of independent Latina women. In the early 70's colleges and universities experienced an influx of female enrollment. With this growth, the need for support groups and outreach programs were at an all time high. This was true for all women and especially for the low percentage of Latina women in higher education.
In 1975, Kean University began to introduce and implement bilingual studies, as well as, a Latino and Caribbean studies department. With these new programs, women of Latin descent were able to embark in Higher Education even if they did not speak the English language. Although this enabled and facilitated the educational advancement of the Latina woman, there was something missing.
In 1975, thirty women convened to discuss the formation of a sorority for Latina women. This sorority's main purpose was to create a support group for women of color in a predominantly white society. It's focus was to integrate into the social, political, and community service arena that other students had been involved with. Together, as a united front they could compete, collaborate and assist with any student run programs.
Lambda Theta Alpha was recognized at Kean University as the FIRST Latina Sorority founded in the United States, as researched by Dr. Jose A. Quiles, Dean of Students at Kean University. This organization was the first to recognize the need for a support system and therefore, created one. It was the desire to progress and the dedication to their community, as well as the advancement of Latina women, that marked the beginning of Lambda Theta Alpha. This allowed the independent Latina woman of a new era to have a sense of belonging and with that, achieve her highest potential. It would define a new role for the Latina woman; one with education, goals and vision in hopes of great success.
Now, over 20 years later, we have seen the outcome of such an organization. Lambda Theta Alpha has contributed to the advancement of the Latino people by helping produce educated women, who are now, political leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, etc. It has also paved the way for many other Latina organizations who would then follow. Lambda Theta Alpha has continued its purpose and mission from 1975 to date, and will continue living the Founder's dream through the chapters established across the country.
Today, we maintain very close ties to our Mothers. Without their strength, courage, womanly intuition, and knowledge we would not exist. Our Founding Mothers are all of our mothers, for they are the voice of the struggle within us and around us all. They were largely Latina, but among them were women of African and Indian descent.
By embracing the Latino culture, a love of all cultures emerged. They believed and fought for the rights of all women and would grow to include women of many different ethnicities within only a few years. They believed in womanhood and in minority rights...and they believed in Lambda Theta Alpha. For their never ending support and love, we pay them great homage.
Founding Mothers
Ileana Almaguer
Cecilia Alvarez
Carmen Baez
Karen Capra
Doris Cruz
Arlene Fernandez
Eneida Figueroa
Maria Gautier
Teresa Gonzalez
Thomasa Gonzalez
Diana Ibarria
Liliana Marrero
Ofelia Oviedo
Linda Perez
Aurora “Dory” Rodriguez
Maria del Carmen Vega
Marilyn Wyatt
Our quest to bring a second Latina Sorority to the University of Washington—Seattle campus began in the summer of 2001. We had a desire to establish an organization that would fit the needs, wants, and goals of Latina Students and other minority students on our campus. After several hours, days, and weeks of research, we came across a sorority named Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and it was everything that we were looking for in a sisterhood. It was similar to us in style, belief, and goals. As the FIRST Latina Sorority ever established in the United States we were able to see the respect they had earned through their outstanding commitment to the sisterhood, academic excellence, community service, cultural and political awareness, and the empowerment of All women.
Thus, in the fall of 2001 our journey to establish a chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. began. We started as a small interest group, but as time passed our numbers grew and grew. We were an interest group for two years and during that time we dedicated ourselves and worked hard to earn the respect that any affiliate of Lambda Theta Alpha deserves. We reached out to our campus as well as communities across the state, while all the while creating a 2nd family among ourselves and a network of support. With each day that passed we came closer to realizing our dreams of becoming sisters. Later, during the summer of 2003 our dream became a reality and on August 23, 2003 the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. was established with 17 strong, beautiful women.
In Spring 2005, we welcomed eight beautiful, proud and confident ladies to our sisterhood. This addition made us more diverse and ready to continue the illustrious legacy of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority, Inc.
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In Spring 2006 Gamma Omicron welcomed the 13 unique and unified ladies of Line 2 into the sisterhood.
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