Forty years and going strong

Whether they are hosting a local bake sale or taking a leadership role in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer, the members of Lambda Theta Alpha have a strong passion for supporting St. Jude.

The sorority’s dedication was showcased July 10 - 12 when nearly 400 members came to Memphis to celebrate the sorority’s 40^th anniversary at their national convention.

Founded in 1975, Lambda Theta Alpha is the first Latina sorority in the country, and St. Jude has been the sorority’s national philanthropy since 2010. “We knew it would be something special if we came to Memphis to celebrate our 40^th year and visit St. Jude,” said Beatriz Barragan, Lambda Theta Alpha national president.

Lambda Theta Alpha raised more than $87,000 for St. Jude during its 2014 fiscal year. Since 2011, the sorority has raised more than $208,000 for St. Jude, including doubling their commitment to the 2015 national walk event. The sorority is the first and only Latino Greek organization to serve as a national volunteer partner.

During their convention, sorority members toured St. Jude and took part in leadership workshops and a presentation on participating in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer this September. The sorority became a national partner for this signature event in 2014.

In addition to raising funds, Lambda Theta Alpha seeks to increase awareness for St. Jude throughout the Latino community with community-based events like softball tournaments, Zumba^® classes, banquet dinners, and by placing a focus on family outreach.

“It reiterates to our membership that there is a need in our communities,” said Barragan, who had leukemia as a child, but was not a St. Jude patient. “A need to help. And to fill in the gaps when it comes to the Latino community.”