Lambda Theta Alpha
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (ΛΘΑ) is a 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]
| Lambda Theta Alpha | |
|---|---|
| ΛΘΑ | |
 | |
| Founded | December 1, 1975 Kean University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | NALFO (former) |
| Emphasis | Latina |
| Scope | United States |
| Mottos | "Latin By Tradition Not by Definition"
"Universal Women. Redefining Sisterhood" "Women there are Many, Ladies there are Few" |
| Colors | Burgundy and Grey |
| Symbol | La Perla (pearl), La Concha (shell), La Luna (moon), y La Palma (Palm Tree)[1] |
| Philanthropy | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital |
| Chapters | 150 Undergraduate Chapters and 30 Alumnae Chapters |
| Nickname | LTA, Lambda Ladies |
| Principles | Unity, Love, and Respect |
| Headquarters | Union, NJ USA |
| Website | www |
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
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
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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, 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
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
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. [9][10]
- In 1922 Manhattan College was relocated from its original location in Manhattan, to the nearby borough of the Bronx, without being renamed.
- The College of New Rochelle was closed in 2019, after bankruptcy of the school.
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)
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
- "Lambda Theta Alpha". Uwgreek.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- "Home page". Lambdalady.org. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- "History". Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
- "NALFO - Official Website". Nalfo.org. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- "NALFO ANNOUNCES 2014 NATIONAL AWARDS". Myemail.constantcontact.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- "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.
- "LambdaThetaAlphaPhilanthropy". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- "LTAFoundation". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- 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.
- National website chapter list, accessed 22 September, 2022.