FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 27, 2026
Washington, D.C. – On April 19-22nd, 2026 Lambda Theta Alpha hosted its tenth and largest annual Lambda Hill Days cohort. The initiative was created as a result of the political climate after the general election in 2016, and this year’s mobilization reiterated how the organization continues to prioritize holding elected officials accountable. The 2026 cohort, the largest since the program’s inception, consisted of 29 members that traveled from across the country to speak with elected officials on 5 key priority topics. Their advocacy would center on issues such as immigration, mental health, education reform, reproductive rights, and other urgent priorities -matters that impact not only their local communities, but are also being felt across the nation.
Lambda Theta Alpha welcomed external partners from Voto Latino, the League of Women Voters, and FWD.US, who provided training sessions and tips on effective civic engagement. These sessions offered guidance on connecting with House Representatives and Senators, contacting elected officials, strengthening communication strategies, and understanding proper meeting etiquette.
Additionally, members participated in two mock practice sessions hosted by the PEI Committee and Lambda Hill Days alumnae. Leading the presentations was María Elena Ornelas (Gamma Beta, Spring 2005) and she was assisted by Hannah Storch (Epsilon, Fall 2023). An in-person mock session, supported by Voto Latino, was also held Monday morning in the Canon Building with the assistance of Sister Xylene Rodriguez (Zeta Chi, Spring 2019), who now works on the Hill as a Legislative Assistant. Rodriguez credits her experience as a member of Lambda Hill Days Cohort 4 with inspiring her to pursue a career on Capitol Hill.
Lambda Theta Alpha would like to recognize alumna Katherine Olivera (Zeta Alpha, Spring 2013) of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, who graciously hosted the Cohort for dinner on Sunday evening after members arrived. This gathering provided an opportunity for the Cohort to connect with one another, build community, and hear directly from Olivera about her work. Her advocacy with the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice closely aligned with the broader conversations surrounding immigration, healthcare, and reproductive justice.
Each cohort member is tasked with reaching out to their respective elected official to schedule their meeting at least 3 months in advance. This resulted in 83% of meetings confirmed before traveling, for a total of 77 meetings with Senators and U.S. Representatives. Members who had not confirmed appointments with their officials were tasked with going to the office directly and requesting a time to meet, and this provided several additional meetings to take place.
Cohort members were prepared to speak on their priority topic and often accompanied sisters on meetings outside of their own congressional meetings. The cohort left 177 one pagers with legislative staff to supplement their testimony and conversations held on the Hill. All one pagers were created and peer reviewed by the cohort. One pagers provide a tangible resource that reiterates credibility and impact, often highlighting statistics, relevant legislation to watch, and calls to actions for elected officials.
Members of the Cohort are often asked to reflect on their experiences both before and after arriving on the Hill. Below, two members of Cohort 10 share the importance of this initiative and how it shaped their advocacy, strengthened their civic engagement, and deepened their understanding of what it means to use their voices in service of their communities.
Cohort member and Political Education Initiative Committee Member, Launa Castañeda, (Alpha Alpha Alpha, Spring 2025) expressed her thoughts by saying,
“ Lambda Hill Days was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to put myself out there and demand real change. Though it can be scary to talk and interact with government officials, it’s important to remember that we as constituents put them in these roles.
When the people they represent are not being represented properly, we must speak out and voice our concerns.”
Cohort member, Rosario “Rosy” Ramos, (Beta Mu, Spring 2011) shared her experience by stating,
”Lambda Hill Days creates a space where Sisters not only learn how to navigate policy conversations, but also see themselves as capable and deserving participants in those spaces. Being physically present in those rooms reinforces that we belong wherever we choose to be, regardless of how we may look or be perceived.
Experiences like this are both empowering and transformative, and they have a lasting ripple effect far beyond the Hill.”
Lambda Hill Days Cohort 10 Members
| Adelina Aponte-Figueroa Eta Nu, Spring 2025 | Alexandria Vega Epsilon Kappa, Spring 2023 |
| Alicia Olguin-Macedo Epsilon Alpha, Spring 2023 | Alison Rocha Eta Iota, Fall 2024 |
| Allison Santos-Rodriguez Gamma Omicron, Spring 2022 | Darling Jimenez Alpha Rho, Spring 2016 |
| Elizabeth Lora Delta Alpha, Spring 2024 | Emily Molina Beta Nu, Spring 2017 |
| Isa Montejano Zeta Upsilon, Fall 2024 | Isabel Fraire Delta Beta, Spring 2025 |
| Janet Hernandez Alpha Zeta, Spring 2024 | Julia Martinez Delta Alpha, Spring 2024 |
| Karen Perez Phi, Fall 2024 | Kelly Sanchez Kappa, Spring 2013 |
| Launa Castañeda Alpha Alpha Alpha, Spring 2025 | Legna Soto Gamma Gamma, Fall 2021 |
| Lorena Guerrero Beta Omicron, Fall 2025 | Mariela Sida Gamma Mu, Spring 2023 |
| Miranda Rivera Zeta Sigma, Spring 2025 | Rosario (Rosy) Ramos Beta Mu, Spring 2011 |
| Roscelia Perez Gamma Mu, Fall 2024 | Sabrina Aguirre Zeta Tau, Spring 2019 |
| Stacy Justo Beta Lambda, Spring 2019 | Sylvia Rodriguez Cid Beta Omicron, Fall 2025 |
| Dr. Valerie Richmond Beta Rho, Fall 2000 | Victoria Avila Kappa, Spring 2025 |
| Vivian Sanchez Rojas Delta Omicron, Spring 2024 | Yahaira Pamela Nunez Castro Gamma Chi, Fall 2015 |
| Zitlali Huerta Beta Delta, Fall 2021 |
Admin and Cohort Support:
Shalymar Cruz
Kappa, Spring 2010
Nya Brooks
Epsilon Delta, Fall 2012
Vanessa Benitez
Epsilon Alpha, Fall 2020
Sabrina-Kahokulani Sergeant
Sigma, Spring 2007
The conversations and testimonies that the cohort shares and that future cohort members will share are a reiteration that the journey of true advocacy must be handled with care and intention.
From the beginning to the end of Lambda Hill Days, our sisters represented our organization, their communities, and themselves with strength, passion, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy. We are truly proud of each sister for taking on this role and advocating for the issues that matter most to them. From immigration and healthcare to education and beyond, the 10th LHD Cohort demonstrated that advocacy does not have to fit a single mold. Every voice, story, and experience has the power to create change.
This year, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. proudly recognizes the key partners who contributed to the success of our 10th Cohort. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Voto Latino, The League of Women Voters, and FWD.US for their unwavering support before, during, and after Lambda Hill Days. Your partnership helped empower our Cohort every step of the way. Thank you for supporting our sisterhood and the PEI committee’s initiatives towards advocacy and civic engagement.
To learn more about supporting future cohorts or Political Education Initiatives, please reach out to the Vice President of External Affairs directly.
Contact:
Sabrina-Kahokulani Sergeant, Vice President of External Affairs
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
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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. The Sorority 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 founded as Latin by tradition, the Sorority is inclusive to all women regardless of race, color, creed, sexual identity, gender expression, or religious beliefs.