Washington, D.C. – On Feb. 28 and March 1, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. hosted its second annual event on Capitol Hill called Lambda Hill Days. As the March 5 deadline approached for Congress to pass a permanent solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the two-day advocacy initiative came at a critical time. Sorority members met with over 25 congressional offices to push for comprehensive immigration reform.
Prior to the meetings, FWD.us staff briefed the 21 participants on recent updates concerning immigration and shared best practices on lobbying. While meeting with policymakers, sorority members shared personal experiences and stories from their respective communities in hopes of igniting change and making immigration reform a priority for the 115th Congress.
“This event provided me an opportunity to civically engage in my government on a federal level,” said Jennifer Rincones, one participant from Michigan. “The experience only further proves that our elected officials must be held accountable, and it is our duty to hold them accountable on all levels.”

The sorority’s deep roots in political activism stems from its inception in 1975. Founded amidst political tension of the 1970s, the sorority’s Founding Mothers served as a voice for all students and members of their community. To present day, members continue to raise awareness on social issues and advocate for marginalized groups.

In an effort to invoke action and strengthen their voice, Lambda Theta Alpha created the Political Education Initiative (PEI) Committee in 2012. The inaugural Lambda Hill Days program was held in 2017 along with Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. The sorority looks forward to continue growing and improving it for the future.

“We are immensely proud to train our second cohort of sisters who can act as catalysts for change in their respective communities, ” said Monica Cevallos, Chair of the PEI committee. “Advocacy is necessary both at the federal and local level, and now this group is more empowered to return to their areas and apply their experience and knowledge from this program.”

For photos of the two-day program, check out the hashtag #LambdaHillDays on Instagram. The following sisters attended meetings with members of Congress:

Angelica Avila
Zeta Omicron Chapter
Fall 2017
Carbondale, IL

Jovana Becerra
Epsilon Kappa Chapter
Spring 2017
Los Angeles, CA

Thelma Carrera
Gamma Chapter
Fall 2016
Trenton, NJ

Tiffany Contreras
Zeta Gamma Chapter
Spring 2017
Des Moines, IA

Arely Guerrero
Gamma Kappa Chapter
Fall 2015
Albuquerque, NM

Jazmin Hernandez
Epsilon Gamma Chapter
Fall 2017
Chicago, IL

Guadalupe Hinojo
Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter
Fall 2017
Dallas, TX

Andrea Javier
Delta Sigma Chapter
Spring 2014
Fort Worth Texas

Paulina Gómez Legarreta
Gamma Kappa Chapter
Fall 2017
Albuquerque, NM

Bianey Mercado
Delta Theta Chapter
Spring 2017
Wilmington, CA

Carmen Morales
Nu Chapter
Fall 1997
Newark, NJ

Sandra Puebla
Zeta Upsilon Chapter
Spring 2017
Chicago, IL

Amy Quichiz
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
Fall 2014
New York, NY

Jennifer Rincones
Beta Omega Chapter
Spring 2001
Brownstown, MI

Maria Robayo
Epsilon Lambda Chapter
Spring 2010
Wesley Chapel, FL

Luisa Ruiz
Alpha Epsilon Alumnae Chapter
Spring 2015
Middle Village, NY

Lisandra Sanchez (BOD)
Beta Epsilon Chapter
Fall 2001
Bronx, NY

Dulce Segura (PEI)
Alpha Xi Alumnae Chapter
Spring 2014
Denton, TX

Candice Torres
Alpha Upsilon Alumnae Chapter
Fall 2007
Orlando, FL

Nayelie Valenzuela
Zeta Gamma Chapter
Spring 2017
Ames, IA

Melanie Vazquez
Epsilon Gamma Chapter
Spring 2015
Chicago, IL

Contact:
Abena Osei-Mensah [email protected]

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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.