Jeanette "F" Garcia
Puerto Rican
Health Services Administration
B.A.
What drew me to this organization was the reason why we were founded. This organization was catered to women who had ambition, goals, and aspirations of becoming successful ladies, which was something that I could relate to. In addition, we were founded traditionally for Latinas. The fact that this organization was furnished to mujeres of my culture drew me even more. When I met the young women that I would be working with to help establish this chapter, I became even more inspired to be a part of LTA. These ladies, who later became my linesisters, had the same endurance and determination to thrive. Little by little, the love that I had for Lambda Theta Alpha, cultivated and allowed me to become a founding sister of the FIU chapter to the first national Latina sorority.

Susan "E" Suarez
Colombian
Journalism and Mass Communication, Minor: Psychology
B.A.
I became a sister of LTA for several reasons: to leave a mark at FIU and because I admire and support LTA's history. I wanted to look back to my college career and know I, along with my linesisters, was able to create something beautiful for sisters and the FIU community and watch it grow and develop. I admire and support LTA's history because it was created because there was a need for it, not because it was the cool thing to do. It was for the progress and growth of the educated Latina woman - it was a support group for all women. It was a place where you can enjoy your culture and pass it on to others.

Diana "H" Lovera
Peruvian
Biology

My biological sister was the reason that I was interested in LTA since she became a sister in spring 2001. I really liked what LTA was about and I knew I had found something I could part of. In being one of the founders of Gamma Pi, it gives me great pleasure to leave a mark at FIU that will continue in the generations to come.

Liz "D" De la Cruz
Dominican
Criminal Justice, Minor: Political Science
B.A.
When my now line sister, Susan Suarez, approached me with the idea of bringing a Latin Sorority to our college campus it seemed all but too obvious that this was long overdue in a primarily Hispanic University. I remember going to the library that day and visiting the Lambda Theta Alpha website and knowing at that particular moment that this was something that I had to be a part of. What stood out for me the most was the incredible visibility of this organization, not only in college campuses around the country, but in the Latino community. After having the opportunity to meet sisters and interact with these women I was able to see that this organization was multi-faceted in that, not only did its members place emphasis on academics and community service, but on sisterhood as well. The idea of joining an organization in which I would be surrounded by different types of women with a common goal, which was succeeding and becoming leaders in their respective work industries, also began to appeal to me. I am proud to say that it has now been almost 5 years since my line sisters and I had the honor of laying down the foundation and establishing the legacy of Lambda Theta Alpha at FIU. Seeing our chapter flourish and become what it is today has been one of the best experiences in my college career.

Gaby "I" Ortega
Nicaraguan
Journalism & Mass Communication, Minor: Marketing
B.A.
What really drew me in was the fact that LTA is an organization that empowers women, Latina women at that. Before graduating I knew I wanted to be a part of something big and meaningful, something that is for life. By establishing my chapter I also knew I was giving other young ladies the opportunity to involve themselves in something positive. My college experience would have not have come full circle had I not become a sister. I am extremely proud of being a founding sister of Gamma Pi Chapter of Florida International University.

Georgette "I" Noreiga
Cuban & Italian
Biology
B.A.
As I entered college life, I knew that I wanted to be a part of an organization that was involved in the community. I attended Panhellenic Rush and it just wasn't for me. I wanted to be a part of something closer, like family. So I wrote to the president of the FIU chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. At the time it was founding sister Susan Suarez who contacted me with all of the information and then set me up with another founding sister, Diana Lovera. Diana met with me at a movie theater close to my home in Broward and immediately made me feel like family. From that moment on, I was hooked. LTA is based on the principles of Unity, Love, and Respect. We are thoroughly involved in the community, and we consider ourselves to be a family. No matter where I am or how involved I can be with LTA at that specific time, I know that I have a family of sisters that will always be standing right behind me. That is the reason why I became an LTA.

Monica "R" Alba
Dominican & Puerto Rican
Health Information Management, Minor: Public Administration
B.A.
I never imagined being a part of a sorority, not even at the age of 21 when I joined LTA; However, I wanted to join something that would help me build my inner self and help me flourish as a young lady at FIU. I found that LTA had attributes that helped me decide to become a sister. First, the concept of being part of the first Latina based sorority carries a lot of prestige and honor. Our history dates back to when few Latina women went to college and had to fight against discrimination with no support group. Founding this organization in 1975, and for the dream to still be alive till this day, made it extra special for me to join LTA. Second, I love our principles of UNITY, LOVE and RESPECT. Together, these equal complete harmony in life and have made me live a happier life. The most important reason of all, although I realized after becoming a sister, I joined LTA for the beautiful concept of having LINE SISTERS. I love and cherish my line sisters! Together my line sisters have helped me grow and have taught me soooooo much about friendship, sisterhood, and love. They have been there for me during my ups and downs and we will always have a bond that no one can take away from us. My line sisters are the reason why I am who I am today.

Stephanie "S" Arboleda
Peruvian
International Business, Minor: Asian Studies

I decided to join LTA for two reasons.Firstly, it was founded as a support group for educated Latina Women. They aspired to make a difference in their community and strived to become successful. Secondly, I grew up with a brother and always dreamed of having a sister. I value every experience gained by being a part of this sisterhood. By joining LTA I had the chance to meet my three line sisters that I love and cherish.

Diana "S" Rivero
Argentinan & Venezuelan
Biology

I mainly joined LTA for the sisterhood. Fall semester of my freshman year, I participated in Panhellenic Rush in search for sisterhood; I found that these organizations were not for me. I was then introduced to LTA sisters and felt that I fit in right away. I learned that the sisters were close nationwide and the sisterhood wouldn't end right after graduation. That sisterhood begins with my line sisters, my chapter, and LTA nationwide. I look forward to meeting sisters not only for the networking but because of how real the relationships are. LTA has helped grow in business aspect and to be more confident with myself.

Amanda "S" Oliva
Cuban
Mass Communication

I decided to join LTA because i wanted to be apart of an organization with a true sisterhood. LTA exemplifies the Unity, Love and Respect that any real family consists of, not only in the surrounding area but nationwide.

Andrea "A" Del Pilar Hernandez
Fall 2005
Colombian
Health Services Administration, Minor: Sociology
B.S.
I pledged Lambda Theta Alpha for the diversity within young college women and its ambitions for the empowerment of women. The constant aid to our community is enlightening for a young Latina woman like myself.

Rita Nicole "Coco" "L" Thomas
Fall 2005
German & Cuban
International Business Honors
Business Administration B.A., Latin American and Caribbean Studies C.A.
I came a long way from home to go to FIU and I was looking for a support group, a family, in Miami. I have blood sisters in Texas who I love and adore, I am honored that they call me their sister. I wanted to join a sorority where I could call the ladies my sisters without disrespecting the bond and mutual admiration that is the true essence encompassed in the honorable word, sister.

Stephanie "C" Fyock
Italian
International Relations

"Words were never invented to fully explain the peaceful aura that surrounds us when we are in communion with minds of the same thoughts." After participating in the first day of Panhellenic Rush at FIU (which LTA does not participate in), I found that my expectations were very different from what these organizations were actually about. I decided that a sorority was just not for me. That is, until I "ran into" some LTA's at an event. Something made me gravitate toward them, and I found what I had been looking for. I found myself surrounded by great women, who not only served as a support group, but "kept it real" with each other.

Elena "T" Balsinde
Cuban
Advertising, Minor: Psychology
B.S.
"The most important thing in life is your family...Sometimes it's the family you're born into and sometimes it's the one you make for yourself." LTA offered everything I was looking for: a support group, community service/networking opportunities, and above all else an eternal sisterhood unlike any other.

Tatiana "O" Lara
Colombian & Cuban
Biomedical Science, Minor: Public Health

I chose LTA simply because of the sisterhood. After searching and looking at many other organizations, I felt that none of them had something to offer. Then, I met the sisters of Gamma Pi Chapter. I felt I had met a group of young professional women that had the same goals for their future as I did. I became a sister in fall 2005 and since then I know LTA was the best decision in my life and I wouldn't change it for the world. I love this sisterhood and I love all my sisters. LTA has taught me many things that will help me succeed in the future and it is something that will always be a great part of my life.

Maria "A" Lopez del Castillo
Puerto Rican & Cuban
Health Science, Pre-Physical Therapy

I wanted to join an organization that had the same goals as mine of academic excellence, community involvment and cultural awareness. In this world of mixing cultures, I wanted to stay close to my roots. I also admired the way LTAs that I knew acted, as professional independent women in their community as well as students working towards their future. I also wanted something meaningful that would last longer than college. LTA was the perfect fit! I feel so proud to be an LTA and I don't think that feeling will ever go away.

Veronica "B" Bernace
Cuban
International Relations

I chose Lambda Theta Alpha because it seemed like a perfect fit from the beginning. From its stress on community service, cultural awareness, and social and political service to its nationwide sisterhood, it was everything I ever wanted in a sorority and has proven to be that much more.

Nohora "B" Vanegas
Colombian
Hospitality Management

I'm a strong believer in 'everything happens for a reason.' Over thirty years ago my founding mothers believed in finding a support group to help bring together Latinas while still catering to the universal woman. I loved the fact that LTA was not exclusive and that they focused on issues that were apparent and relevant to everyday life. I knew that when I became a sister I would be informed of my surroundings and get to meet people that perhaps I wouldn't have met before. Today I can say that joining the FIRST AND ONLY Latina sorority in the nation was a blessing, and that luckily I ran into the right people that led me to the sisterhood I know will last me a lifetime.

Valerie "R" Orta
Cuban
Political Science

I mainly chose Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. for the sisterhood. Since I only have an older brother, I never got to experience what it was to have a sister. With LTA, I gained not one, but many. Another reason why I chose LTA is because it is a beautiful organization founded on the principles of Unity, Love and Respect that we still exemplify to this day. We stand today as a symbol of not only the empowerment of Latina women, but of every woman. LTA has helped mold me into the person I am today.

Latricia "T" Santana
African-American, Mexican, & Puerto Rican
English Education

I never thought that I would join a sorority until I came to FIU. Growing up I didn't have a lot of female friends and I have three brothers; In FIU, I noticed a lot of sororities on campus and heard them preach about their sisterhood and the amazing experiences they had in their organization but it didn't fit me. However, I met a sister of LTA in one of my classes and was hooked as soon as I met her. She spent three hours after class talking to me and what I looked for in an organization. It was because of this that I realized I joined LTA because of the sisterhood. LTA offers business, social, and academic advantages but most importantly, it offered me a lifelong sisterhood. LTA is the FIRST and ONLY Latin sorority which allowed me to form relationships with women that have similar cultural beliefs, experiences, and goals that allow me to relate to them on a strong personal basis. LTA has opened up doors for me that I may not have had the chance to experience if I didn't join into the sisterhood and I am forever grateful for my relationships and my sisterhood for a lifetime.

Stephanie Gonzalez

Vanessa Santana

Rayda Rojas

Lisette Medina

Anamercy Martin "S"
Cuban/Salvadorean
Biology
In Progress
Why LTA? I wanted to join an organization that stood for the things that I believed in- like the Universal Woman and knowing that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I liked that that we were founded as the first Latina sorority in the nation because my culture is something that I am very proud of and when I met my sisters at Gamma Pi, I knew that I had found real down to earth women with my same aspirations in life and women to call my sisters. LTA has since then become my home away from home.

Michele Eucebio

Why LTA? What brought me to LTA was the sophistication of the ladies in the organization. They carried themselves how ladies should, and it made me want to be apart of that reputation. As I learned more about the sisterhood, I learned of the lifetime bonds that were formed. At my first informational, I noticed how close they all were and I wanted to form those same bonds. Now that I'm a sister, I can't imagine not having these ladies in my life. Through my good and bad times, they have been there for me. Sisterhood is truly forever in LTA.

Indira Hernandez
Venezuela
Psychology
B.A.
Why LTA: I chose LTA because of its principles Unity, Love, and Respect. When it comes to a sisterhood those are the three most essential ingredients needed to make it last a life time. Never did I thought I would be part of a sorority, but when I saw how sisters of LTA carried themselves with the ultimate respect for themselves and others, how united they were, and how their love for each other went beyond a simple friendship, I knew if any sorority I would want to be a part of, this was it. In addition, LTA stood out to me because of the uniformity and intensity in saluting, which I had never seen before. It intrigued me to see the poetry in motion, and it was that type of eye candy that sparked my interest to learn more about this wonderful and beautiful organization. LTA has truly done more for me than i expected, not only did it provide me with sisters that have always been there for me through thick and thin, all around the country, but it has also opened many doors to opportunities I never though I would come across so easily, which was enriched me with wonderful experiences and lessons learned.

Jessica Lopez



LTA seemed like THE ONLY WAY from the very beginning. I evaluated the quality of the sisters, the respect for tradition and the passion of the sisterhood. I found substance and a balance of humility, courage and hard work. I was ready to become part of the movement and in Fall 2009, I had the opportunity to commit my endeavors to the advancement of a sisterhood that reflects integrity, moral character and the essence of cultural diversity. All in all, I have gained the respect of sisters who work toward enhancing and promoting our sisterhood in a progressive, constructive light.

Johayra Witter

Jessel Medina

Susana Hernandez

Natalie Olan