FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 18, 2026
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.’s National Political Education Initiative Committee hosted a virtual series called Leading Locally: Electing Our Future, a series dedicated to better understanding and acquiring resources on running for public office with over 100 registrants. At the start of the 119th Congress (2025–2026), the average age was approximately 57.5 years for the House of Representatives and around 64.7 years for the Senate, with 61 new House members elected for the first time in 2024. Many communities across the nation are mobilizing to support one another, and the Political Education Initiative Committee (PEI) aimed to empower all attendees to move from the sidelines to the front lines of government leadership with this initiative.
Through this programming, the PEI committee encouraged members to learn about local politics and the importance of getting involved in public office at all levels. Attendees were able to engage in meaningful conversations that the Leading Locally series provided over several days at the start of February, with four virtual events for members and non-members to attend. The theme of Leading Locally stems from the sorority’s history of grassroots efforts to mobilize and advocate for our communities since its inception.
“Our young people are taking full charge of their future by ensuring that they control the narrative.”
– Carmen Theresa Morales
The Universal Woman Runs for Office
Amanda Pardo Eagan, Patty Garcia, and Alicia Contreras-Donello
The series kicked off on Sunday, February 1st, with our first event being The Universal Woman Runs for Office, featuring Lambda Theta Alpha members Patty Garcia and Alicia Contreras-Donello. Patty is currently running for Congress as a Democratic candidate for Illinois district four, and Alicia is currently running for the Maryland State Assembly. This event set the tone for the series, as themes of the Universal Woman, first-generation politicians, and true community support in trying to mobilize ahead of the campaign season.
The presentation focused on the call to elect more universal women. Electing women to political office is critical because it ensures governance better reflects, represents, and addresses the unique needs of more than half the population. Latina women are underrepresented in elected office, despite being a growing share of the U.S. population. Latinas make up over 9% of the U.S. population but only a small fraction of state and federal officeholders. This means our communities’ voices — especially around immigration, education, healthcare, and gender equity — are not fully reflected in decision-making spaces.
Amanda provided general guidelines on running for office at all levels of government, including two pages of resources listing non-partisan organizations that provide training for those seeking to run for office at any level.
Patty and Alicia reflected on their journeys as daughters of immigrants to candidates for office. Patty encouraged sisters to take the lead, with personalized reflections on her path from volunteering on campaigns to ultimately managing them. She spoke of her transition to Chief of Staff for Rep. Chuy Garcia and how that inspired her to ultimately run for his former office.
Alicia gave a passionate and inspiring talk about what fueled her run for Maryland Delegate.She detailed her transition from living abroad with her children and working as a senior leader in for USAID only to lose her job almost overnight with the decision to get rid of USAID and most of its programs. She was inspired to action and called upon by local peers to run because she had solutions to offer and ways to better represent her community, which is majority Latino and Hispanic but not represented as such.
Ultimately, sisters and members were left with inspiring food for thought. Participants were told to “ask yourself”:
- What issues am I passionate about enough to act?
- Who benefits if I stay silent?
- What would change if someone like me ran?
Alicia and Patty closed with this directive: “Leadership is not about waiting to be chosen.
It is about choosing yourself—and bringing your community with you.”
“Lambda Theta Alpha was built by women who refused to wait for permission. Running for office is not a departure from sisterhood—it is a continuation of it. If not now, when? If not us, who?”
– Amanda Pardo Eagan
Day in the Life of a Campaign Manger
Martha Revelo, Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs, DeKalb County
A Day in the Life of a Campaign Manager, featured Martha Revelo, an Atlanta native and proud daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, who has built her career in public service and community advocacy. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Georgia State University and currently serves as the first Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs for DeKalb County, leading collaboration across federal, state, regional, and municipal governments.
Martha provided insight into the critical role of a campaign manager, describing it as the person responsible for overseeing strategy, operations, staffing, and budget — ultimately translating a candidate’s vision into votes. This requires understanding both the candidate’s mission and the needs of voters, then turning that alignment into clear messaging and an actionable strategy.
Revelo highlighted essential skills for success, including leadership, data literacy, cultural intelligence, bilingual communication, and the ability to build trust across diverse communities. Representation matters, she emphasized, particularly encouraging more Latinas to engage in political leadership and civic participation.
A typical day for a campaign manager includes monitoring news and social media, leading staff meetings, setting daily goals, and conducting outreach. Community engagement — through canvassing, partnerships with community leaders, and culturally competent messaging — is central to building trust and mobilizing voters. Fundraising sustains campaign momentum, while strong messaging ensures policies resonate with everyday experiences.
Martha acknowledged the challenges of the role, including long hours, high pressure, and underrepresentation in leadership. Her own journey began as a volunteer, reinforcing that civic leadership starts with involvement.
Ultimately, she reminded attendees that while winning matters, the foundation of a campaign, rooted in access, representation, and trust is what drives lasting change.
Leading the Agenda – Election Trivia Night
Ivy Cortez, Eta Zeta Chapter Spring 2024
At trivia night, sisters took part in election trivia led by committee member Ivy Cortez. This virtual event allowed members to spend the evening with one another to decompress while also learning about the history of elections in America. While at the event, those in attendance were able to meet with Founding Mother Illena Almaguer. The Founding Mother provided sisters with insight about how things used to be surrounding elections. She shared her appreciation for the Leading Locally: Electing our Future series and encouraged sisters to get involved at the local level so that we can continue to be leaders within our community.
This space allowed for sisterhood to blossom while also reaffirming the importance of open dialogue from diverse perspectives and backgrounds. During times of uncertainty and fear it becomes important, now more than ever, for all to lean on our communities for support and guidance.
Era of Impact – Greek Elected Official Panel
Featuring Sade Elhawary (ΛΘA), Hector Gutierrez (ΛΘΦ), Carmen Theresa Morales (ΛΘA), Lammis Vargas (ΣΛY), Torrance Harvey (AΦA), and host Leslie Palomino (ΛΘA)
“Civic participation is active, it’s visible, and it’s transformative. That in itself is a direct impact of the young people that are shaping our society.”
– Lammis Vargas
Lambda Theta Alpha believes that anyone can run for public office—regardless of heritage, upbringing, or background. This panel discussion brought together several Greeks elected in public office serving their communities across the nation. The discussion highlighted the power of representation and the role Greek-letter organizations can play in cultivating future leaders.
Each panelist shared their experience on how they became involved in local politics as well as their motivators to run for office. Something that was highlighted through the panel was that those who are in roles such as your local politicians and representatives are everyday people. Prior to being elected or appointed for their roles they worked in other areas prior to being involved in politics. New York Mayor, Torrance Harvey, and Forrest Park, GA Councilmember, Hector Gutierrez, who were both educators prior, are just one example of this.
Throughout the discussion, panelists answered questions with passion and spiritedness, even learning from one another at times. Responses from our panelist left attendees leaving likes, claps, and other enthusiastic emotes that indicated how pleased they were with what our panelist had to share. Discussion and comments flooded the chat with agreement towards advice and wisdom shared. A common theme through the duration of the event was the reminder for viewers to take that first step to get involved whether that be running for office, registering voters, attending town meetings, helping with a campaign or by giving back to your local community.
Lambda Theta Alpha and its members are no strangers to activism and ensuring our communities across the nation do not go unseen or forgotten. The Leading Locally series strengthened the sorority’s foundation and commitment to empower each member to be active and engaged participants of our democracy.
Contact:
Sabrina-Kahokulani Sergeant, Vice President of External Affairs
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
###
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.