History Sigma_Lambda_Gamma

in fall of 1989, group of women met form organization provide empowerment latina women. beginnings @ university of iowa, vision create network of academic , social support. although first meeting had 19 women, membership fluctuated during planning process. under guidance of esther materon arum , mary peterson, retreat held establish constitution , purpose of organization. participated in volunteer projects such national association of chicano studies (nacs), on-campus programs such leadership conference.

eventually, 5 women remained: gloria cuevas, julieta maria miller, maria ester pineda, danell marie riojas, , guadalupe temiquel. on april 9, 1990, university of iowa panhellenic council officially recognized organization sorority. sigma lambda gamma celebrates founding date. 5 women became known 5 founding mothers. first inductees sorority in spring 1991 term helped first wave of expansion university of michigan, iowa state university , university of illinois urbana-champaign. expanded outside of midwest chartering of chapters @ university of south florida in tampa, florida; california state university-dominguez hills in carson, california; , university of texas @ austin @ austin, texas.

a national headquarter established @ 900 west penn street, north liberty, iowa. later move current address @ 125 e. zeller street suites d & e, north liberty, iowa. along housing national records , staff, home sorority s national biannual publication, la mensajera. omega chapter later established recognize , pay respect deceased sisters.

development of national programming , drive 25 : 2000–present

as sorority grew, sigma lambda gamma s membership became more multicultural. in acknowledging this, organization, part of national association of latino fraternal organizations january 2001 may 2010, left due desire autonomy , due increasing multicultural membership. sorority celebrated 100th , 101st chapter simultaneously addition of theta delta chapter @ columbia university , iota delta chapter @ millikin university in 2010, having expanding more 100 chapters in 20 years.

while chapters have organized local programmings on respective campuses, sigma lambda gamma created education foundation, national programs birthed. young women’s leadership program designed promote confidence , leadership skills middle-school aged girls. in encouraging members grow , assess themselves, started emotional intelligence education program. scholarships added support members in higher education.

in 2012, panther dash education developed generate funds support scholastic achievement , leadership training. virtual race, sisters encouraged participate in run/walk event of choice , later upload media sites. sorority has been active in bringing social changes in community well. in hopes of encouraging members , youth of color promote positive change in community, began partnership voto latino in 2012, nonpartisan organization empowers latino millennials claim better future , community voting , learning how make difference. in 2014 voto latino s repurletters challenge, in historically latino greek-lettered organizations competed register voters on campuses , in communities, sigma lambda gamma s voter registration efforts accounted 36% of total number of voters registered, highest number of voters registered.

for 2013 national sisterhood retreat, sigma lambda gamma honored diosa nail & polish company colors commemorate educate. engage. empower. theme. sisters suggested names , voted on it. 2 colors are: “women of dis-pink-tion” reflect color shocking pink , “on prowl” reflect color majestic purple stone, amethyst. made available exclusively sisters , has since been sold out. commemorate 25th anniversary, sorority launched philanthropic campaign, “drive 25,” focusing on empowering women , spreading cultural awareness. sisters across nation took part in hosting , participating in community-based events, whether coordinating book drive or volunteering in local women s shelter.