Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975, at
Kean College in
Union Township, New Jersey, by seventeen women who sought to create a sisterhood that would provide support for Latina students in higher education. Kean College introduced bilingual studies, as well as a Latino and Caribbean Studies Department in 1975, allowing women of Latin descent whose first language was not English to attended the college. Recognizing the need for an organization that represented their cultural background and addressed the specific challenges faced by Latina students, the founders established the sorority that was "committed to empowering women, fostering leadership, and advocating for cultural awareness and social justice". It also emphasized keeping its members in college.Lambda Theta Alpha was the first Latina-based sorority in the United States. It was established by seventeen women who are recognized as the Founding Mothers of the organization, including Ileana Almaguer, Cecilia Alvarez, Carmen Baez, Karen Capra, Doris Cruz, Arlene Fernandez, Eneida Figueroa, Maria Gautier, Teresa Gonzalez, Dra. Thomasa Gonzalez, Diana Ibarria, Lillian Marrero, Ofelia Oviedo, Linda Perez, Aurora "Dory" Rodriguez, Maria del Carmen Vega, and Marilyn Wyatt. Lambda Theta Alpha established a board of directors in 1987. The sorority joined the
National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations in January 2001, although it rescinded its membership in 2014. The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations recognized Lambda Theta Alpha as its Sorority of the Year for 2013–2014. In August 2017, members of the
Gamma Alpha chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha at the
University of Virginia participated in counter-protest efforts during the
Unite the Right rally in
Charlottesville, Virginia. In response to the events that took place, the sorority issued a statement supporting racial justice and condemning racism, hate, and intolerance. As of 2025, Lambda Theta Alpha has 539 active undergraduate members and 1,609 alumnae members, or 2,148 total initiates. Its national headquarters is in
Ithaca, New York. ==Symbols==