Alumnae Newsletter March 2023: The Universal Woman

MARCH 2023

#LTAALUMNAE #LTA1975

THIS NEWSLETTERS

LEARN HOW YOU CAN SERVE IN LEADERSHIP ON PAGE 6 MEET THE YOUNG ALUMNAE HOLDING IT DOWN IN TXA1 ON PAGE 10

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH ON PAGE 14

LEARN HOW TO BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER ON PAGE 10

READ MORE ABOUT ALPHA DELTA'S ALUMNAE ENAGEMENT ON PAGE 7

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National Alumnae Affairs Committee serves to develop initiatives to improve the sorority alumnae experience and recommend strategies for alumnae retention. Our engaged committee has established work-groups or subcommittees to focus on the various National Alumnae Affairs initiatives.

FROM THE DESK OF THE

Hello Alumnae!

2023 is the year of commUNITY. As we cross off the days until we see each other at this year's convention in Baltimore, MD, it's important to think about the days in between. How will you engage with your community?

The membership experience of this organization varies from person to person nevertheless each one of us equally contributes to the very fabric of LTA. Take a few moments out of the day to reflect on your contributions to the LTA community and it's contribution to you. In light of this year's Alumnae Appreciation Month theme, reach out to that one alumna that you believe is truly making a difference in the community.

Send a shout-out to someone you admire from afar; someone who is always around, who you haven't seen in a while, and whose contributions you miss.

We often say that sisterhood is for a lifetime and LTA will always be here. Well, no matter where you may be in life, know this is the place where you can learn, grow, and, if needed, cry. May this be the year that you lean into the true power of commUNITY. With Unity, Love & Respect

Naja L. Muhammad ALPHA EPSILON, FA11

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SAVE THE DATES COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS & EVENTS

Leadership Roundtable

Leadership Roundtable

Quarterly National Meeting

Voting Delegate Training Sunday, April 23, 2023 | 8 - 9:30pm ET

Sunday, April 26, 2023 | 8 - 9:30pm ET

Sunday, May 7, 2023 | 12 – 2 pm ET Leadership Team RSVP Link

Leadership Team RSVP Link Leadership Team RSVP Link Excuse letters due: Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Excuse letters due: Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET

Excuse letters due: Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Registration is on CampusGroups and you must be logged in to your account to view and register.

To apply you must have a CampusGroups account, if you do not have one, click here to request one. ______________________________________

Attendees: Open to all active members.

Required Attendance varies per event. Please check CampusGroups for this information.

GET EXCITED FOR...

Share what you’re most excited about doing - tag us! ______________________________

Use #LTAConvention on social media platforms for the chance to be featured in a future Convention communication!

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THIS MONTH FROM THE COMMITTEE

BLITZ WEEK This year, the National Philanthropy Committee collaborated with the National Alumnae Affairs Committee and the Director of Alumnae Affairs, providing a special prize to members who participate during a fundraising challenge called Blitz Week!

The first 30 members who raised $75 or more during Blitz Week will win an LTA bar necklace!

The 30 lucky winners will be announced after March 12.

For more information on setting up a fundraising page, please utilize this tool or email us at philanthropy@lambdalady.org

Did you miss the informational about our National Philanthropy, the LTA Foundation?

To find the recording click on the link here.

Password: LT@F_2023!

For more information on the Foundation check out their website at ltafoundation.org.

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FROM THE

COMMITTEE

ARE YOU READY TO SERVE IN LEADERSHIP? BOARD OF DIRECTORS AREA • ALUMNAE CHAPTER

TIMELINES: Area Elections Timeline: Applications Open: February 25, 2023 Applications Close: March 24, 2023 Candidates Announced: April 2, 2023 Voting: April 10th thru April 12, 2023

National Elections Timeline: Applications Open: February 25, 2023 Applications Close: March 24, 2023 National Candidates Announced: April 2, 2023 Live Q&A Webinars: April 4, 2023 Voting: April 10th thru April 12, 2023

Alumnae Chapter Election Timeline: Nomination Period: April 11 - 18, 2023 Applications Open: April 19, 2023 Applications Close: May 10, 2023 Application Eligibility Review: May 11 - 16, 2023 Candidate Q&A Forum and Applications Available (Q&A forum on CampusGroups): May 17 - May 23, 2023 Alumnae Chapter Voting: May 24 & May 25, 2023

The Board of Directors is the driving force in making sure our sisterhood keeps true to our mission and principles through their vision. We will be hosting an Informational Session on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. ET to explain the roles, responsibilities, support teams, and answer questions potential applicants may have about these roles and service on the Board of Directors.

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HAPPENING THIS MONTH

In this workshop we will go over best practices that you can utilize to make your LTA resume shine and help showcase your LTA specific experience. We hope that this workshop will benefit members applying for any level of leadership.

Register Here on CampusGroups

This year's National Book Club series will consist of an "Un-Booked" format, which all members can join to participate in the conversation regarding the curated book list. No need to have read the book. This is an opportunity for discussion to learn more and connect with members across the nation.

Register Here on CampusGroups For more information on all of our National Book Club Discussions - check out our Campus Group Description Here

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ALPHA PHI ALUMNAE CHAPTER Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter was established on August 16, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. This chapter has successfully crossed four lines with the most recent being in Fall 2021 into Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. The members of this chapter dedicate their time and support to their own communities and local undergraduate chapters in Texas Area 1, such as Beta Mu, Beta Nu, Epsilon Rho, Gamma Rho, and Delta Sigma.

The current Chapter Board has the unique experience of being relatively new in the organization and the majority being the recent inducted line of Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter. With this leadership role they have the opportunity to bring fresh ideas on how to interact with Alumnae and each one of them carries an abundance of love and respect for their chapter, area, and the sorority.

Lets here from the current Alumnae Chapter Board about their experiences as the serve in leadership:

As a newer sister that crossed Fall 2021, taking on the position of Alpha Phi Chapter President was a decision I'm glad I made. To be completely transparent, I was afraid that my lack of LTA experience was going to get in the way of connecting with my chapter; however, with the support of Texas Area 1, my chapter board, and Alpha Phi Alumnae, I have learned a lot about what it's like to be a Lambda Lady in leadership.

My chapter board and I aim to adjust in time that change and flexibility is prevalent in all aspects of our lives. We've seen instances where members needed to take the time to collect themselves because of challenges that arise as we navigate through life. We have adjusted our programming and socials to be focused on supporting one another. We've decided to make our programming accessible in different areas around Dallas Fort Worth and offer virtual options. With this we can meet our members where they are and when they can.

With creating supportive and accessible programming, I believe this emphasizes the importance of staying united through a time where love and respect is needed the most!

Alpha Phi's Line 1 Analisa Gabriel, Soraya Ronco, & Silvia Clemko née Bustos

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Jennifer Uriega, AΦ FA21 2022 - 2023 President

ALPHA PHI ALUMNAE CHAPTER I first want to say I am so honored to have been elected and chosen to serve as 2022-2023 Chapter Orientation Advisor for Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter. Having recently crossed in Fall 2021, I was excited and nervous to serve in a leadership role. It has been a unique and rewarding experience to learn how to navigate various communication styles, thought processes, etc. and growing together as a board and chapter.

As an alumna, I am dedicated to seeing BIPOC women get connected and succeed. I have been able to do this through my role by sharing job opportunities, supporting sisters professionally and personally, and extending mentorship to TXA1 undergraduate sisters.

The Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter Board takes advantage of offering

Alpha Phi's Summer Alumnae Conference 2022

virtual event options as our Alumnae individuals and event attendance was affected by the pandemic. Sisters as a whole have been encouraging whether through event attendance, advice, feedback etc.

I look forward to continuing to grow, serve, and learn as a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority Inc.!

Martha Jackson, BM FA20 2022 - 2023 Secretary

Shelese Moaning, AΦ FA21 2022 - 2023 COA

My experience is different from my fellow alumnae chapter board members as I crossed into Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated as an undergraduate at Beta Mu chapter, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Fall 2020.

I had the opportunity to build connections with our sisters & siblinghood in my chapter, but with graduating the following semester, I felt groundless with the unknown of this next chapter of my life.

Nonetheless, I am resilient so I leaned into my nervousness and discomfort and decided to run as Alpha Phi's Secretary. Although I only had limited leadership experience, I wanted to continue to serve in leadership and do more for our sister & siblinghood and TXA1.

We as the Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter Board are dedicated to assist and support our fellow alumnae and undergraduates. To achieve connection, we strive to host events that allow for in-person and virtual attendance. These types of events are aimed to be inclusive and compliant against COVID-19 and other diseases circulating. We aim to

Alpha Phi's Thanksgiving Potluck

continue to provide opportunities and experiences with Unity, Love, and Respect to our alumnae and undergraduate members near and far.

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ALPHA PHI ALUMNAE CHAPTER

Jasmine Romero, AΦ FA21 2022 - 2023 AEO After graduation, life led me back to LTA. As an undergraduate, my initial interest was to become part of a community in a new environment. As an Alumnae, it is to surround myself with strong, hard-working women. After being initiated through the Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter in the fall of 2021, I was excited to immerse myself in our sisterhood and lend a helping hand where it was needed. I joined committees, attended undergraduate events and eventually ran for a leadership role within the chapter.

The undergraduate chapters in our area need alumnae support but for that to happen we needed more alumnae members to be excited to be active within our chapter. As Alumnae Engagement Officer, I focus on creating social events that both active and inactive sisters can attend to help get everyone excited and back in the groove of things. My goal this semester is to help sisters transition into being active at an alumnae level, those that need help transitioning back, and those that are just starting their alumnae journey.

As someone that joined the sisterhood post-pandemic; it has been easy to navigate virtual and in-person events because I have done it since day one. I use this to my advantage by creating virtual events that are easy for working women and moms to attend, and in-person events for those that want to get back out there! I hope that any interested professional lady reaches out and that if and when they are ready, LTA is ready for them!

Becoming an alumnae inducted sister has been an experience of its own kind. All the feelings, challenges and opportunities that traveled along with the process sum up to growth and the mastering of critical thinking, quick problem solving and a lifetime bond with wonderful sisters and siblings Since Spring 2018, I have been eager to take part of this beautiful sorority - unfortunately, I was not able to pursue membership before I graduated in Spring 2021. When I got invited to proceed with the process and culminate it as an alumnae, I thought of it as the perfect opportunity to join and keep advocating for future Interested Members.

The Unity, Love and Respect this sorority embodies is to be spread, as it is the perfect design that fits all of those with the intentions to learn, grow, network and become the best version of themselves, pushing to achieve the most and the best. In this world, the connections we attain are extremely valuable and each interaction contributes to our ideas, values and overall sense of belonging.

In these changing times we all change, evolve and adapt and my chapter board members and I lean into this learning experience.

We collaborate and support one another. I am thankful for the journey, the growth and the love that comes with it.

Jokabeth Castañeda, AΦ FA21 2022 - 2023 Treasurer

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Natasha Ortiz-Scretchen FIRST LIFETIME MEMBER - SPRING 2023 Natasha Ortiz-Scretchen has become the first member of our organization to apply to become a Lifetime Member for Spring 2023. Natasha joined Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated in Fall 2012 at Alpha Beta Alumnae Chapter in Hartford, Connecticut. She along with her line sisters at Alpha Beta were the first line, The QUINTessential Awakening.

“It is an outstanding achievement to make it this far. Nevertheless, that is the

Brenda Becerra

goal, is it not? Making it a part of my surroundings. Paying it forward has always been a motto of mine. Being able to include this in my purpose of

FIRST ALUMNA ACTIVE - SPRING 2023

what our sisterhood means to me. It will always be connected to my legacy. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by lifetime members. Seeing the impact, they have made me a blueprint to be able to contribute in my own way from this point on. It gives me the opportunity to still be present, and supportive of new members in the sisterhood without limits. Of course, I am looking forward to the benefits that come along with being a lifetimer. It continues to show how Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated is a

After crossing into our siblinghood in Fall 2014 at the Epsilon Delta Chapter, Brenda Becerra has still decided to give her time and support. As the first member to become an Active Alumnae member for Spring 2023 as Alumnae-At-Large.

way of life and not just a task to be completed.”

“I choose to be active because I want to continue to help our undergraduate members build a strong support system, so they have what they need to thrive personally, academically, and professionally. When we come together as a community, there is so much we can learn from each other.”

Andreina Williams ALPHA DELTA ALUMNAE CHAPTER ALUMNAE ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

Andreina became a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated in Fall 2021 at the Alpha Delta Alumnae Chapter in Silver Spring, MD. She currently is the Alumnae Engagement Officer for Alpha Delta, a role she is excited to hold as she further develops her leadership skills.

Andreina believes that the AEO position could be a great role for neophytes as it can introduce a member into chapter dynamics and allow one to strengthening their leadership development. During this year her role has given her the opportunity to interact with multigenerational alumnae active in Alpha Delta as she currently oversees Alpha Delta's Sister Relations Committee. Guiding this team of sisters who volunteer their time to put on personal & professional opportunities and activities such as Alpha Delta's traditional events like their ornament exchange, Founders Month celebration and prior to the holiday's the Sala Survival Guide.

Currently the Sister Relations Committee is planning an Instagram take over campaign, launching March 8th on International Women's Day and other events this semester - All tying together their goal to create more engagement and support system for their chapter.

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Be a member for 10 years+ or completed a full term as a Board of Director

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L i f et i

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Be in good standing

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HOW TO BECOME A

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Fill out an application via the Lifetime Active Membership Form. Accepted year-round.

Taking this next step in your MEMBERSHIP experience is a declaration of your LIFETIME COMMITMENT to the PROGRESS and GROWTH of Lambda Theta Alpha!

Not an active member?

LEARN HOW TO BECOME ACTIVE HERE VISIT OUR

On this website, you will be able to find: Valuable resources and recorded webinars done through our Professional Alumnae Webinar Series.

Access to all of our previous alumnae newsletters so you can keep up with what’s happening with alumnae across the nation.

Information on remaining involved within LTA (Lifetime Active Membership, Latest updates, etc) An alumnae-owned business directory Q&A with the Director of Alumnae Affairs about new initiatives SCAN QR CODE FOR VIDEO WALKTHROUGH OR VISIT THIS LINK:

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CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

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A WOMAN SPEAKS

BY AUDRE LORDE

Moon marked and touched by sun my magic is unwritten but when the sea turns back it will leave my shape behind.

I seek no favor untouched by blood unrelenting as the curse of love permanent as my errors or my pride I do not mix love with pity nor hate with scorn and if you would know me look into the entrails of Uranus where the restless oceans pound.

I do not dwell within my birth nor my divinities who am ageless and half-grown and still seeking my sisters witches in Dahomey wear me inside their coiled cloths as our mother did mourning.

I have been woman for a long time beware my smile I am treacherous with old magic and the noon's new fury with all your wide futures promised I am woman and not white.

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Audre Lorde, “A Woman Speaks” from The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde.

Copyright © 1997

We can all truly embrace equity.

It's not just something we say.

It's not just something we write about.

It's something we need to think about, know, value and embrace.

It's what we believe in, unconditionally.

Equity means creating an inclusive world.

Being included, and a sense of belonging, feels right.

When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion. We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all.

Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there.

Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.

EQUAL PAY DAY

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- Alex Elle

Instagram

@ALEX

Podcast

HTTPS://ALEXELLE.SUBSTACK.COM

Instagram Resources

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@CASSIESCURE HTTPS://CASSIESCURE.COM/LINKS

@CASSIESCURE

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WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS ALUMNAE NEWSLETTER AND HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US.

C A NA

Damaris Garcia, Assistant to DAA, NAAC Outreach SubCommittee & NAAC Communications SubCommittee

Yessenia Z. García, NAAC Chair & NAAC Communications SubCommittee

Martha Jackson, Alpha Phi Alumnae Chapter, Secretary NAAC Communications SubCommittee

SPECIAL ARTWORK FEATURE BY

Marina Corona, Epsilon Delta Chapter, Spring 2018

Questions?

Contact us at NAAC@lambdalady.org READ PREVIOUS

LOG INTO CAMPUSGROUPS AND VISIT THIS LINK:

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