July 16. 2018
Lambda Theta Alpha Concludes 2018 Annual Leadership Summit and National Convention
Miami, FL – Nearly 600 sisters of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. convened at the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel July 5-8 for its annual Leadership Summit and National Convention. The four days included the opportunity for sisters from all over to engage in sisterhood bonding, educational and motivational seminars, and celebrate each other and the sorority’s accomplishments.
The sorority’s leadership team arrived on Thursday ahead of the general membership to receive training, network, collaborate on plans for the upcoming sorority year, and engage in community service. This year’s National Convention community service initiative was to create 1,975 kits that included hygiene items for Camillus House of Miami, FL, a non-profit agency that provides direct care services for homeless individuals as well as job training and healthcare for the local community. Members were asked to donate at least five hygiene items including a pair of socks. Over 14,000 items were collected and those in attendance exceeded their goal by making 2,000 kits.
This year’s theme, “Bajo la Misma Luna: Strengthening Our Roots,” inspired members to reconnect with the sisterhood and focus on our principles of unity, love and respect. 300 Alumnae members came together at our inaugural Alumnae Reception, which included a special auction that raised over $1,000 benefitting the Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation.
On Saturday, the day started with a Herstory session led by Founding Mothers and Alumnae, followed by a range of workshops on topics including leadership, philanthropy, civic engagement, finance, self-care, mental health, and relationships. Keynote speaker, Nely Galan, a self-made media mogul, Emmy-Award winning producer and first ever Latina President of a U.S. television network (Telemundo), provided the sisters with an impactful keynote; sharing her inspiring story on how she overcame obstacles as a child of immigrant parents and founded The Adelante Movement to empower and train Latina entrepreneurs.
On Sunday, Evelyn Homs Medero, the Vice President of Multicultural Marketing & Business Development at American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital along with former St. Jude patient, Haley, joined members for a special presentation, highlighting the sorority’s commitment to its national philanthropy and to ending childhood cancer. The sorority announced that they had exceeded their 2017-18 fundraising goal of $50,000, with member contributions totaling $57,412 to the hospital, bringing total donations to nearly $407,355 since the partnership began in 2010.
During the awards ceremony, outstanding chapters and sisters who have exceeded expectations through scholarship, service, political activism, and sisterhood were recognized. The Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation also awarded 17 high school and college students on all degree levels, with scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The recipients of the 2018 National Awards were:
Philanthropic Sister of the Year
Stephanie Carillo Higlesia
Epsilon Chi Chapter
Political Activist Sister of the Year
Gabriela Batista-Vargas
Delta Beta Chapter
Undergraduate Sister of the Year
Rachel Mitchell
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
New Sister of the Year
Joami Arias
Epsilon Psi Chapter
Alumna Sister of the Year
Régine Daniels
Beta Kappa Chapter
Campus Leader of the Year
Leticia Herrera Mendez
Gamma Sigma Chapter
Rising Professional of the Year
Vanessa Gonzalez
Epsilon Chi Chapter
Professional of the Year
Carmen Moreno Rivera
Gamma Gamma Chapter
Lourdes Cortes Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Jomarys Morales
Kappa Chapter
Universal Mother Award
Denise Vidot
Beta Sigma Chapter
Alumna Entrepreneur Award
Darling Jimenez
Alpha Rho Alumnae Chapter
Principles Award
Jazzi-Blue Baker
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
Philanthropic Chapter of the Year
Delta Rho Chapter
University of California, Los Angeles
Political Activist Chapter of the Year
Epsilon Omicron Chapter
Binghamton University
Undergraduate Chapter of the Year
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
Syracuse University
New Chapter of the Year
Zeta Chi Chapter
University of Northern Colorado
Region of the Year
Northeast Region
Area of the Year
California Area Three
Outstanding Service to St. Jude Award
Zeta Kappa Chapter
State University of New York – Plattsburgh
Greek Advisor of the Year Award
Eboni Turnbow
Wayne State University
To conclude, the Board of Directors praised the outgoing 2017-2018 Leadership Team for their hard work and dedication through the year and welcomed the incoming 2018-2019 leadership at all levels. The incoming national officers to the Board of Directors include:
National President
Elisa A. Oliver, Florida alumna
Vice President of Internal Affairs
Alexis L. Richbourg, Georgia alumna
Vice President of External Affairs
Jennifer L. Rincones, Michigan alumna
Vice President of Administration
Eva Alvarenga, Florida alumna
Director of Risk Management
Aleyda Cantu-Olivarez, Texas alumna
Director of Undergraduate Affairs
Julia Maestas, New Mexico alumna
Director of Orientation
Veronica Herrera, California alumna
The Board of Directors would like to thank all who helped make this event a success, including the Convention Committee, photographer, speakers, sponsors, volunteers and the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel. We look forward to our 2019 National Convention, which will be held in Denver, CO!
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About Lambda Theta Alpha
Lambda Theta Alpha was founded at Kean University in 1975 as the first Latina sorority in the nation. Lambda Theta Alpha strives to develop strong leaders that produce and engage in political, social, and cultural activities. Based on the principles of Unity, Love and Respect, the Sorority was established for the unification of women through charitable and educational programs. Although Lambda Theta Alpha is Latin by tradition, the Sorority is inclusive to all women regardless of race, color, creed, sexual identity, gender expression, or religious beliefs.