In the Fall of 1997, a group of young women at California State University, Long Beach, sought an organization that could offer the support they needed to excel academically while fostering leadership through community service, education, and cultural activities. After exploring several options, they recognized the need for a Latina-based sorority on the West Coast. In that same year, 23 extraordinary students formed an official interest group for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated—marking a historic milestone as the first chapter outside the East Coast.
In April 1998, 11 women—Lizbeth Rivas, Jennifer Sidhom, Patricia Prieto, Rosa Zubiate, Susanna Murillo-Kish, Adriana Garcia, Leticia Valencia, Maribel Contreras-Ramirez, Alexandria Rosales, Veronica Herrera, and Araseli Velez—founded the Beta Delta Chapter, the first on the West Coast, paving the way for future chapters in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Since its founding, Beta Delta Chapter has continued to grow, welcoming dedicated members who embody the sorority's ideals of Unity, Love, and Respect. Many alumnae are now pursuing higher education while staying actively involved in the sorority’s alumnae chapters and leadership roles. The Beta Delta Chapter remains committed to the mission of Lambda Theta Alpha, inspiring future generations of women to lead with purpose and pride.
In 1975, a vision became reality when Lambda Theta Alpha was founded as the first Latina sorority in the United States at Kean University. Born from the determination of 17 founding mothers, the organization was created to support Latinas and all women, empowering them to achieve their fullest potential. Lambda Theta Alpha recognized the need for a community where Latinas could thrive beyond traditional roles, in education, leadership, and society. As Latine enrollment grew in U.S. colleges in the early '70s, so did the need for such a support system, especially for Latinas in higher education.
Nearly five decades later, Lambda Theta Alpha stands as a testament to its founders' vision. The sorority has fostered generations of leaders in fields such as law, politics, medicine, and education, while also inspiring countless other Latina organizations. Through unwavering commitment to its mission, Lambda Theta Alpha continues to blaze a trail for all women, fulfilling the dream of its founders.
