View source for Lambda Theta Nu

{{Refimprove|date=February 2023}} 
{{Short description|American Latina-based collegiate sorority}}
{{Infobox Fraternity
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΛΘΝ}}
| name = Lambda Theta Nu
| nickname = Lambdas and Sexy Silver Roses
| crest = The_Crest_of_Lambda_Theta_Nu.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| founded = {{start date and age|March 11, 1986}}
| status = Active
| type = Social sorority <!--only social GLOs can be single sex-->
| emphasis = Academic - Latin culture
| scope = National
| birthplace = [[California State University, Chico]]
| affiliation = NALFO
| mission = 
| pillars = Academic Excellence, Community Service, and Sisterhood
| philanthropy = Tijeras
| symbol = Rose
| chapters = 45
| colors = {{color box|#CCCCCC}} [[Silver (color)|Silver]], {{color box|#660000}} [[Burgundy (color)|Burgundy]], and {{color box|#FFFFFF}} [[White]]
| address = 1220 Rosecrans #543
| city = [[San Diego, California|San Diego]]
| state = [[California]]
| ZIP code = 92106
| country = United States
| homepage = {{url|http://www.lambdathetanu.org/}}
}}

'''Lambda Theta Nu''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΛΘΝ}}''') is a [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latina]]-based [[Greek alphabet|Greek letter]] intercollegiate [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|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",<ref name="FoundersPage">As noted on the [https://lambdathetanu.org/about-lambda-theta-nu-sorority/our-founding-mothers/National website in a brief summary of formation], accessed 5 Jul 2021.</ref> forming a new sorority on {{dts|1986|03|11}} which they named Lambda Theta Nu.<ref name="iowastatedaily">{{cite web|url=https://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/student_life/lambda-theta-nu-sorority-inc-the-sexy-silver-roses-on/article_d4654f2a-f6c7-11e6-bec9-5f263557f292.html|title=Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc.: The Sexy Silver Roses on campus &#124; Student Life|website=iowastatedaily.com|accessdate=2021-02-24}}</ref><ref name="Baird's Manual Online">{{cite web|editor1=William Raimond Baird |editor2=Carroll Lurding |title=Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive) |url=https://uofi.app.box.com/v/womens-pdf-folder/file/459818136200 |website=Student Life and Culture Archives |publisher=University of Illinois Archives |access-date=5 Jul 2021 |location=University of Illinois |language=English}} The main archive URL is [https://www.library.illinois.edu/slc/welcome/fraternity-sorority-almanac/ The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage].</ref>

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.<ref name="FoundersPage" />

=== Founding Mothers ===
{|border="0" cellpadding="5"
|-valign="top"
|
*Leticia Campos
*Mary Helen Coronado
*Pamela Daña
*Abigail Estrada
*Cecilia Fabian
*Guadalupe Favela
|
*Maria Gonzalez
*Josephine Hernandez
*Theresa Jauregui
*Patricia Lozano
*Luz Amelia Martinez
*Rosa Meza
|
*Imelda 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."'' <ref name="About" />

=== 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.

Perhaps surprising, and in a nod to the organizations' Hispanic roots, Lambda Theta Nu members regularly perform step dances with machetes to symbolize their culture and the strength of Latina Women. "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 nationally competition. The sorority explains it was first introduced to step dancing by [[Delta Sigma Theta]], an historically African-American sorority, in 1987.<ref name="About">{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://lambdathetanu.org/about-lambda-theta-nu-sorority/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Tijeras">{{Cite web |title=Service |url=https://lambdathetanu.org/community-service/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. |language=en}}</ref>

== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academics |url=https://lambdathetanu.org/academic-excellence/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>Noted in a [https://lambdathetanu.org/news-and-updates/press-releases/ 27 Jul 2020 press release], accessed 5 Jul 2021.</ref>

== Chapters ==
Following is a list of Lambda Theta Nu chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter Finder |url=https://lambdathetanu.org/sisterhood-living-lambda/chapter-finder/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. |language=en}}</ref><ref>Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) "[https://uofi.app.box.com/v/womens-pdf-folder/file/459818136200 Lambda Theta Nu]". ''[https://www.library.illinois.edu/slc/welcome/fraternity-sorority-almanac/ Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities]''. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed October 14, 2023.</ref> Active chapters are indicated in '''bold'''. Inactive chapters are in ''italics''.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Chapter
!Charter date and range
!Institution
!Location
!Status
!References
|-
|'''Alpha'''
|March 11, 1986
|[[California State University, Chico]] 
|[[Chico, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Beta'''
|October 27, 1990
|[[Colorado State University]]
|[[Fort Collins, Colorado]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Gamma'''
|December 9, 1990
|[[California State University, Fresno]] 
|[[Fresno, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Delta'''
|April 6, 1991
|[[University of California, Berkeley]]
|[[Berkeley, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Epsilon'''
|December 5, 1992
|[[University of California, Davis]] 
|[[Davis, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Zeta'''
|April 22, 1994
|[[California State University, Sacramento]] 
|[[Sacramento, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Eta''' 
|October 22, 1994
|[[Metropolitan State University of Denver]]
|[[Denver, Colorado]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Theta'''
|January 23, 1995
|[[California State University, Northridge]] 
|[[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]],
|Active
|
|-
|'''Iota'''
|September 22, 1996
|[[University of California, Los Angeles]] 
|[[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Kappa'''
|April 19, 1997
|[[University of Northern Colorado]]
|[[Greeley, Colorado]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Lambda'''
|
|Reserved
|
|Memorial
|
|-
|'''Mu'''
|November 22, 1998
|[[University of California, Riverside]]
|[[Riverside, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Nu'''
|September 26, 1999
|[[University of California, Santa Barbara]] 
|[[Santa Barbara, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Xi''' 
|September 23, 2000
|[[University of California, San Diego]] 
|[[San Diego, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Omicron'''
|November 18, 2000 
|[[University of Nebraska Omaha]]
|[[Omaha, Nebraska]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Pi'''
|November 18, 2000
|[[California State University, Los Angeles]]
|[[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Rho'''
|December 19, 2000
|[[Our Lady of the Lake University]]
|[[San Antonio, Texas]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Sigma'''
|April 1, 2001
|[[University of California, Irvine]] 
|[[Irvine, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Tau'''
|November 10, 2001
|[[University of Southern California]]
|[[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Upsilon'''
|November 3, 2002
|[[Sonoma State University]] 
|[[Rohnert Park, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Phi''' 
|March 22, 2003
|[[University of Texas at El Paso]]
|[[El Paso, Texas]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Chi'''
|October 12, 2003
|[[Stanford University]]
|[[Stanford, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Psi''' 
|December 6, 2003
|[[Creighton University]] 
|[[Omaha, Nebraska]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Omega''' 
|October 30, 2005
|[[California State University, Monterey Bay]] 
|[[Monterey County, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Beta'''
|October 15, 2005
|[[University of Nebraska at Kearney]] 
|[[Kearney, Nebraska]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Gamma'''
|July 22, 2006
|[[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]]
|[[Lincoln, Nebraska]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Delta'''
|September 23, 2006
|[[Loyola Marymount University]] 
|[[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Epsilon'''
|April 14, 2007
|[[Iowa State University]] 
|[[Ames, Iowa]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Zeta'''
|June 21, 2007
|[[University of San Francisco]]
|[[San Francisco, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Eta''' 
|June 30, 2007
|[[San Francisco State University]] 
|[[San Francisco, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Theta'''
|November 13, 2007
|[[San Jose State University]] 
|[[San Jose, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Iota''' 
|March 14, 2008
|[[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] 
|[[Paradise, Nevada]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Kappa'''
|November 2, 2008
|[[California State University, San Bernardino]] 
|[[San Bernardino, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Lambda'''
|March 28, 2009
|[[Arizona State University]] 
|[[Tempe, Arizona]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Mu'''
|July 11, 2009
|[[Western Illinois University]] 
|[[Macomb, Illinois]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Nu'''
|July 11, 2009
|[[St. John's University (New York City)|St. John's University]]
|[[Queens]], [[New York City, New York]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Xi'''
|December 11, 2010
|[[Kansas State University]]  
|[[Manhattan, Kansas]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Omicron'''
|September 11, 2011
|[[Colorado State University Pueblo]]
|[[Pueblo, Colorado]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Pi''' 
|January 22, 2012
|[[University of California, Merced]] 
|[[Merced, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Rho'''
|April 7, 2012
|[[California State University, Dominguez Hills]] 
|[[Carson, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Sigma'''
|June 22, 2013
|[[University of Colorado Boulder]]
|[[Boulder, Colorado]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Tau'''
|July 29, 2014
|[[California State University, East Bay]] 
|[[Hayward, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Upsilon'''
|November 23, 2014
|[[University of Iowa]] 
|[[Iowa City, Iowa]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Phi''' 
|December 13, 2014
|[[California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo]] 
|[[San Luis Obispo, California]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Chi''' 
|January 11, 2015
|[[Kent State University]]
|[[Kent, Ohio]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha Psi'''
|April 9, 2023
|[[Pepperdine University]]
|[[Malibu, California]]
|Active
|
|}

==See also==

* [[List of social sororities and women's fraternities]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{California State University, Chico}}
{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}
{{National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations}}

[[Category:Latino fraternities and sororities]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1986]]
[[Category:National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations]]
[[Category:Student societies in the United States]]
[[Category:California State University, Chico]]
[[Category:Women's organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States]]
[[Category:Sororities]]