Lambda Theta Nu () is a Latina-based Greek letter intercollegiate sorority founded in 1986 at California State University, Chico.
History Formation Eighteen Latina students at California State University, Chico banded together during what they termed "a time of social struggles for Latinos, particularly those seeking higher education",As noted on the website in a brief summary of formation, accessed 5 Jul 2021. forming a new sorority on which they named Lambda Theta Nu.
The sorority explains that the Founders surpassed the status quo for Latinas of the day by attending college; finding strength in numbers they realized that by coming together they could create a support system of helpful, friendly faces and hone a united voice to be heard, respected and recognized on its merits.
Founding Mothers Leticia Campos Mary Helen Coronado Pamela Daña Abigail Estrada Cecilia Fabian Guadalupe FavelaMaria Gonzalez Josephine Hernandez Theresa Jauregui Patricia Lozano Luz Amelia Martinez Rosa MezaImelda Michel Rosana Michel Teresa Reyes Camille Rugama Lisa Saldano Rosabelia Sanchez
Early advocacy for the advancement of Latino and other minority communities remains a central part of the motivation of the sorority.
Purpose The purpose of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. was set forth at its founding. "[Our purpose] shall be to open doors of opportunity to the Latinas in our community. The primary focus is academic excellence and meeting the needs of Latina women in higher education. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. also promotes the advancement of Latinas through various campus activities and community services, and provides an environment for personal growth within a unit of sisterhood. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc.'s priorities, however, will be placed on academic excellence and community service."
Ongoing growth Lambda Theta Nu has established 44 chapters since it began. Members are chosen on the basis of academic achievement (a 2.6 GPA is required to remain a member in good standing, and academic workshops are required by each chapter.) Along with academics, philanthropy and service are woven into its programming.
Lambda Theta Nu members regularly perform step dances with machetes. "Strolling" or "Party Walking" is another widely enjoyed event, performed in unison to rhythmic beats; the sorority competes for the best step and stroll performances in competitions nationally. The sorority claims it was first introduced to step dancing by Delta Sigma Theta, an historically African-American sorority, in 1987.
The sorority maintains a national alumnae association, the National Association of Lambda Alumnae.
In 1998 the sorority was a founding member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).
Symbols The sorority's colors are silver, burgundy, and white. Its symbol is the rose.
Philanthropy The sorority's Tijeras National Community Service Program has been a focus of philanthropy since Lambda Theta Nu was formed. Tijeras addresses the Latino communities educational needs by focusing in the areas of Latino leadership and Latino literacy. The National community service program has two components, academic excellence and community service represented by Latina Youth Leadership Conference and Latino Literacy Fund.
Lambda Scholarship One of the main goals of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. is to encourage and assist Latinas in the advancement of higher education, dedication to community service, and to provide an environment for personal growth within a unit of sisterhood. The organization does not only focus on its active members, but in the overall Latino community. In order to further their interest in helping out the Latino community, as a national organization Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc., has established a National Latina Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is designed with the goal of assisting young high school women pursue their own educational goals. Annually, every chapter awards a scholarship to applicants in their respective community.
In 2020 the sorority announced it was offering $40,000 in scholarship grants to support ten Latina applicants, regardless of membership status in the sorority.Noted in a 27 Jul 2020 press release, accessed 5 Jul 2021.
Chapters Following is a list of Lambda Theta Nu chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive or dormant chapters are in italics.
ChapterCharter date and rangeInstitutionLocationStatusAlphaCalifornia State University, Chico Chico, CaliforniaActiveBetaColorado State UniversityFort Collins, ColoradoActiveGammaCalifornia State University, Fresno Fresno, CaliforniaActiveDeltaUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CaliforniaActiveEpsilonUniversity of California, Davis Davis, CaliforniaActiveZetaCalifornia State University, Sacramento Sacramento, CaliforniaActiveEta Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, ColoradoActiveThetaCalifornia State University, Northridge Los Angeles, California,ActiveIotaUniversity of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CaliforniaActiveKappaUniversity of Northern ColoradoGreeley, ColoradoActiveLambdaReservedMemorialMuUniversity of California, RiversideRiverside, CaliforniaActiveNuUniversity of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CaliforniaActiveXi University of California, San Diego San Diego, CaliforniaActiveOmicronUniversity of Nebraska OmahaOmaha, NebraskaActivePiCalifornia State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CaliforniaActiveRhoOur Lady of the Lake UniversitySan Antonio, TexasDormantSigmaUniversity of California, Irvine Irvine, CaliforniaActiveTauUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaActiveUpsilonSonoma State University Rohnert Park, CaliforniaActivePhi University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TexasActiveChiStanford UniversityStanford, CaliforniaActivePsi Creighton University Omaha, NebraskaActiveOmega California State University, Monterey Bay Monterey County, CaliforniaActiveAlpha BetaUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NebraskaActiveAlpha GammaUniversity of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln, NebraskaActiveAlpha DeltaLoyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CaliforniaActiveAlpha EpsilonIowa State University Ames, IowaActiveAlpha ZetaUniversity of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CaliforniaActiveAlpha Eta San Francisco State University San Francisco, CaliforniaActiveAlpha ThetaSan Jose State University San Jose, CaliforniaActiveAlpha Iota University of Nevada, Las Vegas Paradise, NevadaActiveAlpha KappaCalifornia State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino, CaliforniaActiveAlpha LambdaArizona State University Tempe, ArizonaActiveAlpha MuWestern Illinois University Macomb, IllinoisActiveAlpha NuSt. John's UniversityQueens, New York City, New YorkActiveAlpha XiKansas State University Manhattan, KansasActiveAlpha OmicronColorado State University PuebloPueblo, ColoradoActiveAlpha Pi University of California, Merced Merced, CaliforniaActiveAlpha RhoCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills Carson, CaliforniaActiveAlpha SigmaUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulder, ColoradoActiveAlpha TauCalifornia State University, East Bay Hayward, CaliforniaActiveAlpha UpsilonUniversity of Iowa Iowa City, IowaActiveAlpha Phi California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaActiveAlpha Chi Kent State UniversityKent, OhioActiveAlpha PsiPepperdine UniversityMalibu, CaliforniaActive
See also
List of social sororities and women's fraternities
References