The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: News

Media Credit: JULIA NORMAN Iyali Ruiz takes notes during a Lamda Theta Alpha chapter meeting. Ruiz is the fundraising chair for the sorority. [Click to enlarge]

Not only is Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority the first Latina sorority at the University, it also is considered the first Latina sorority in the country.

Natalia Suarez, the sorority's president, said the organization was founded nationally in 1975.

She said the 30 year difference between the national founding and the founding at the University was due to a smaller number of Latina students at the time.

The group began at the University in 2005, according their Web site.

Daniela Gonzales, Lambda Theta Alpha's chapter orientation advisor, said at the sorority's founding it consisted of nine sisters.

"A lot more people know who we are now, especially in the Latina community," Gonzales said. "For Latinas, Greek life is unknown, it is a new concept."

As for gaining new members, Suarez said the sorority is more concerned with quality than quantity and also looks to grow nationally.

However, the sorority does not only consist of Latinas. Suarez said the group is not exclusive and that their main goal is to "empower women as a whole."

Sophomore Jessica Ochoa, who became a Lambda Theta Alpha sister in the spring of 2007, said

"My sisters are always there for me if I ever need anything. They are like a second family."

Founded as an academic sorority, Gonzales said the sorority's goals include community and political activism.

She said this year the sorority plans to host the second annual Mr. and Ms. Latino UGA as a big fundraiser for the group.

They also plan to host events with different campus organizations for Latin Heritage Month.

According to the Office of Institutional Research, in 2006, there were 528 Hispanic undergraduates at the University.

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