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, and Marilyn Wyatt.
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, and Marilyn Wyatt.
National History:
In the early 70's, as the Latin migration to the United States increased, colleges and universities experienced an influx of Latin female enrollment. 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 institutions. 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 English language. Although this enabled and facilitated the educational advancement of the Latina woman, there was something missing.
Change would come to Kean University in 1975. What started as a vision-- an idea of an organization and a sisterhood that would cater to the needs of Latinas and the universal woman-- became a reality. This sorority's main purpose was to create a support group for women of color in a predominantly white society. Its 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. Thanks to the tremendous strides made by our seventeen illustrious Founding Mothers of Latin, Caribbean, and European descent, this dream was actualized, and took form as the entity Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. Lambda Theta Alpha was recognized at Kean University as the FIRST Latina Sorority founded in the United States. 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 educational goals and vision in hopes of great success.
By embracing the Latino culture, a love of all cultures emerged. Today, we have seen how Lambda Theta Alpha has contributed to the advancement of all people by helping to produce educated women of many races, ethnicities, and creeds. These women are political leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants- professionals paving the way for other women like themselves. Lambda Theta Alpha has also paved the way for many other Latina organizations, which would later pursue the empowering movement that we set the trend for.
From 1975 to date, Lambda Theta Alpha has upheld its purpose and mission, each day realizing our Founding Mothers' dreams that it may serve as a quintessential trailblazer for all women. They believed in womanhood and in minority rights. They believed in the sisterhood of Lambda Theta Alpha and its principles of Unity, Love, and Respect.
In the early 70's, as the Latin migration to the United States increased, colleges and universities experienced an influx of Latin female enrollment. 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 institutions. 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 English language. Although this enabled and facilitated the educational advancement of the Latina woman, there was something missing.
Change would come to Kean University in 1975. What started as a vision-- an idea of an organization and a sisterhood that would cater to the needs of Latinas and the universal woman-- became a reality. This sorority's main purpose was to create a support group for women of color in a predominantly white society. Its 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. Thanks to the tremendous strides made by our seventeen illustrious Founding Mothers of Latin, Caribbean, and European descent, this dream was actualized, and took form as the entity Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. Lambda Theta Alpha was recognized at Kean University as the FIRST Latina Sorority founded in the United States. 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 educational goals and vision in hopes of great success.
By embracing the Latino culture, a love of all cultures emerged. Today, we have seen how Lambda Theta Alpha has contributed to the advancement of all people by helping to produce educated women of many races, ethnicities, and creeds. These women are political leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants- professionals paving the way for other women like themselves. Lambda Theta Alpha has also paved the way for many other Latina organizations, which would later pursue the empowering movement that we set the trend for.
From 1975 to date, Lambda Theta Alpha has upheld its purpose and mission, each day realizing our Founding Mothers' dreams that it may serve as a quintessential trailblazer for all women. They believed in womanhood and in minority rights. They believed in the sisterhood of Lambda Theta Alpha and its principles of Unity, Love, and Respect.
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.
Important Facts:
Orientation: Women of all ethnicities.
Tradition: Lambda Theta Alpha members have a hand sign and traditional call. LTA's do not step, but they do salute and stroll.
Saluting: Saluting is a tradition unique to Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Saluting is a means by which members of an organization can praise a particular member within their organization or to honor the organization's past and current accomplishments. Members write a salute, and tend to include words of modern-day songs. Once they have the text, they proceed to add motions to the salute. Typically, if there is more than one person performing a salute, the members will synchronize their movements. Saluting symbolizes Unity and Respect.
Strolling or Party Walking: Strolling is a tradition that traces back to the inception of historically African American Greek organizations and is practiced by many organizations to this day. Members of a Greek organization line up one after another. Similar to saluting, they move forward in a line performing the same dance. Strolling exhibits Unity and pride.
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.
Regional Academic Incentives: The Board of Directors award a free entrance to a nationally sponsored event to the sisters with the highest grade point average within their region. Incentives are awarded each semester.
Educational Programs: Our chapters host seminars and bring speakers to present education programs for the benefit of the entire campus community.
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.
Important Facts:
- Founded at Kean University, in NJ in December of 1975.
- Lambda Theta Alpha was the first sorority ever created to cater towards the needs of Latinas in the nation.
- The purpose of the organization is to create a support group for women in higher education and unite the community on campus.
- Lambda Theta Alpha was established as an academic sorority.
- Lambda Theta Alpha is not an exclusionary organization.
- Lambda Theta Alpha's National Philanthropy is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
- Lambda Theta Alpha has a unique call, a hand-sign, and performs traditional salutes, chants, and strolls (party walks).
- Lambda Theta Alpha is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).
- Lambda Theta Alpha is a fully insured organization which covers all of its chapters.
- Lambda Theta Alpha has established Alumnae Chapters.
- Lambda Theta Alpha has established chapters throughout Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Lambda Theta Alpha is proud to be recognized as the 2000-2001, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 recipient of the Sorority of the Year award from NALFO.
Orientation: Women of all ethnicities.
Tradition: Lambda Theta Alpha members have a hand sign and traditional call. LTA's do not step, but they do salute and stroll.
Saluting: Saluting is a tradition unique to Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Saluting is a means by which members of an organization can praise a particular member within their organization or to honor the organization's past and current accomplishments. Members write a salute, and tend to include words of modern-day songs. Once they have the text, they proceed to add motions to the salute. Typically, if there is more than one person performing a salute, the members will synchronize their movements. Saluting symbolizes Unity and Respect.
Strolling or Party Walking: Strolling is a tradition that traces back to the inception of historically African American Greek organizations and is practiced by many organizations to this day. Members of a Greek organization line up one after another. Similar to saluting, they move forward in a line performing the same dance. Strolling exhibits Unity and pride.
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.
Regional Academic Incentives: The Board of Directors award a free entrance to a nationally sponsored event to the sisters with the highest grade point average within their region. Incentives are awarded each semester.
Educational Programs: Our chapters host seminars and bring speakers to present education programs for the benefit of the entire campus community.