Chapter History

The atmosphere at Cornell University brought about a concern for social change and action. There were concerns within the student body regarding discrimination, affirmative action, and racial tensions that needed attention. Three ladies began searching for an organization that would recognize their concerns as educated women while providing an outlet for the development of their community. In October 2003, three ladies came together to set forth an unforgettable experience of hard work, determination, and motivation to establish Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated at Cornell University. Two of these ladies would become founding sisters, Marlene Camacho and Stacey Guillen.

The three ladies were met with the challenge of preparing to become recognized through the Multicultural Greek Letter Council at Cornell University. Fortunately, these ladies were guided by an incredible sister serving on the National Board of Directors, Director of Public Relations Suhey Nevarez, who oversaw their development and recognition at Cornell University. On November 2003, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated was recognized as a provisionary member of the Multicultural Greek Letter Council at Cornell University. This allowed the organization to partake in council meetings and organize community service and educational programs. The interested ladies knew that in order for their group to succeed, they would need to expand the interest group. On December 2003, Astrid Baez, whom will also become founding sister, became a part of the interest group. During that time the interested ladies hosted educational programs and participated in various community service projects in Ithaca.

February 2004 would prove to be the turning point for these ladies when the first Lambda Theta Alpha informational was held at Cornell University. Under the guidance of Suhey Nevarez, the interest group expanded tremendously; five more interests; Yrenilsa Lopez, Stephanie Medina, Violeta Reza, Yenifer Romero, and Debby Yanes, would become founding sisters. Through various social events, Mahima Kaur and Angelica Manzur also became interests and contributed to the establishment of Lambda Theta Alpha at Cornell University. These ten ladies continued providing charitable and educational programs such as volunteering at the Cayuga Nature Center, the Big Brother and Big Sister Bike Race and holding a Resume Critique Workshop. In addition to this, they also made donations to the Salvation Army and fundraised for The Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance.

In spring 2004, these ten ladies fought to become part of the incredible sisterhood that is Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. These ladies represent a mosaic of diversity. With Lambda Theta Alpha’s principles of Unity, Love, and Respect, these ladies built an impenetrable fortress of sisterhood and fortitude. During their journey they became one; one voice, one mind, one body, one soul, one line and one chapter, GAMMA PHI chapter, The Ivy Fortress.

Once the chapter foundation was established, and in the midst of an unknown Greek climate, the “Transcendental Ten” would have to prove the sisterhood eminent once again at Cornell University. The beginning of a long arduous journey to transcend trough time would test the Ivy Fortress. The Founding Sisters would be guided by their dream to continue the legacy of academic achievement and community development within a competitive Ivy League institution while holding various leadership roles.

Their work paid off through tremendous effort and dedication in their programming of events and community service such as volunteering with the Lansing Rehabilitation for Women Center, doing a blood drive for the Ithaca Red Cross, Aids Ride for Life, fundraising for Amnesty International—an advocacy group for women against domestic violence, holding a cultural carnival, etc. Gamma Phi began receiving recognition both from other Greek letter organizations on campus as well as members of the faculty and staff. After one year and a half of internal growth, the chapter was ready for membership expansion. Diana Carolina Ruano would emerge in the fall of 2005 as a strong “Pillar of Resilience” with the guidance of Marlene Camacho and Yenifer Romero. She was welcomed into the sisterhood as part of Line One at Gamma Phi Chapter.

Newly invigorated with energy, the chapter would also refocus its mission to reaching out to a more diverse community and to addressing important political and social issues through programs such as “Ricanstruction,” “The Art of Expression and Revolutionary Art,” holding sexual and mental health panels and discussions, and increasing awareness about sexual and transgendered minorities within the community. That same year in the spring of 2006, Quynh Nguyen joined the destiny of the Sisterhood and established Gamma Phi’s Line Two “The Oracle of Destiny” under the guidance of Yenifer Romero.

With the addition of two new sisters in the chapter in one year, Gamma Phi again became internally focused in terms of developing chapter relations within the Cornell Community. A new challenge arose particularly for Yenifer Romero as the Chapter Orientation Advisor, to find and select self-driven female leaders that would go further in proving their dedication for the Sisterhood, while maintaining the mark of academic excellence. In the spring of 2007, ten enlightened and diverse ladies—Maria Diaz, Iris Michelle Delgado, Nina Coutihno, Christine Aguilera, Veronica Chavez, Gabriella Rocha, Ana Monge, Meredith Santana, Elena Zelaya, and Aisha Farraj sought after the footsteps of the Founding Sisters and under the guidance of Founding Sisters Marlene Camacho and Yenifer Romero instituted Line Three at Gamma Phi Chapter known as “The EnlighTENment.”

Four years after the legacy of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated at Gamma Phi Chapter remains alive, confirming truly that no hardship can penetrate The IVY FORTRESS!