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ABOUT US

National History

On October 22, 1989, a group of women gathered at the Chicano Native American Cultural Center to form an organization of Latina women at the University of Iowa. Their goal was to form a group that would provide social and academic support to Latinas and women of all cultures. Under the guidance of Founding Grandmother, Esther Materon Arum and Mary Peterson, their vision came to life. After a lot of hard work and dedication, the Panhellenic Council at the University of Iowa recognized Sigma Lambda Gamma as a sorority on April 9, 1990. Through the continued commitment and leadership of the founding mothers, Gloria Cuevas, Julieta Maria Miller, Maria Esther Pineda, Danell Marie Riojas and Guadalupe Cruz Temiquel, Sigma Lambda Gamma has thrived on many college campuses and provides an avenue for educational excellence and success of women in a global environment.

Chapter History

On November 3, 1993 a letter was sent to the National Board of Sigma Lambda Gamma by Harida Femandez indicating interest in the formation of a sorority that would represent Latina women on the Bowling Green State University campus. On February 19 1994, the National Board issued the group of 5 women colony status. The women recruited the necessary amount of members, worked hard to achieve the requirements for chapter status and finished their new member education, with the help of the Kappa Chapter at the University of Toledo. On October 22, 1995, the women received a letter declaring them the Omicron Chapter.  We recognize Harida Fernandez, Marta Romero, Elisette Lopez, Julia Figueroa, Rosamaria Sanchez as the Omicron Chapter Founders. After many trials and loss of chapter status, on December 17, 2000, 20 women jointly assisted in the reinstatement of the Omicron Chapter. These women are known as our Phoenix Founders.
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