In 1975, Kean University introduced bilingual and Latino/Caribbean studies. Although this enabled the educational advancement of the Latina woman, still missing was the support needed to bridge the equality gap. It was during this time that 17 women convened to discuss the formation of a sorority for Latina women. Its focus would be to actively integrate itself into the social, political and community service arena that other students had been involved with. Our 17 founding mothers came together when the voice of Latin womxn needed to be heard. They sought the need to create an organization that would cater to Latinas in higher education amidst the social movements of the 1970s. Furthermore, the purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha shall be to provide a sisterhood based on unity, love, and respect and to develop strong leaders who will then provide and practice political, social and cultural activities.

We follow the motto, "Latin by Tradition, not by definition", with sisters representing over 120 different cultural identities across the nation. Today, we have over 175 chapters in the United States and in Puerto Rico, making us the largest, and one of the most respected, Latina-based organizations in the nation.