On February 28, 1998, a group of women got together to form an organization, which they called "Sisters Dedicated to the Latino Community". The group wanted to promote academics, community service, and cultural awareness for Latina women and women of all cultures. 

 

The group consisted of (10) young ladies whose names were, Selina Aguilar, Karina Bravo, Nadia De La Garza, Sarah Guillen, Patricia Hinojosa, Laurie Mendoza, Carina Medrano, Vianey Peña, Lupita Rodriguez, and Idalia Zuñiga. These ladies volunteered with various events and organizations such as Special Olympics, McAllen Museum, Rio Grande Valley Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Beach Clean Up, Mujeres Unidas, Fiesta for Kids, Omega Delta Phi Toys for Tots, local Softball Tournaments and at several Nursing Homes in the Valley.

 

Interested in transforming the organization into a sorority, Karina Bravo and Carina Medrano began searching for information on Latina Sororities and came upon Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Incorporated. They immediately contacted SLG's national office to inquire on how to establish a chapter at the University of Texas-Pan American.

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On October 20, 2001, (10) ladies were inducted into Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. in Austin, Texas by neighboring chapters thus completing the 2nd step in establishing a chapter at UTPA. The ladies inducted into the Colony Status were, Laurie Gonzalez, Sandra Anastacia Alcocer, Mabel Garza, Carina Medrano, Samantha Medrano, Laura Lozano, Sandra Hinojosa, Nadia De La Garza, Melissa Cristina Ruiz, and Michelle Leigh Lara. In Spring 2002, Norma Elaine Perez, Jessica Marlette Rios, and Mirella Roman became members of Sigma Lambda Gamma Colony. In Fall 2002, Jeannie Rodriguez, Cynthia Venegas, and Maria Del Sagrario Zuviri were inducted into Sigma Lambda Gamma Colony. The members served the community by volunteering at various locations within the Rio Grande Valley including Special Olympics, South Padre Island Beach Clean Up, and with projects such as Breast Cancer Awareness and Annual Fiesta for Kids.

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On June 19, 2003, (7) ladies were inducted as Associate Members. They were Maurice Kristina Caceres, Jannet Lucio, Marisol Mena, Dora Verania Olivares, Karina Silva, Nora Ramirez, and Christie Diane Renaud.

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By the end of Spring 2003, (8) ladies remained. These ladies were Sandra Anastacia Alcocer, Michelle  Leigh Lara, Laura Lozano, Norma Elaine Perez, Jessica Marlette Rios, Mirella Roman, Melissa Cristina Ruiz, and Maria del Sagrario Zuviri, which are today known as the (8) founders of the Chi Beta Chapter at the University of Texas-Pan American. This could not have been accomplished without the help of their Member Educator and Gamma Mother, Annabelle Torres-Jaime.

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On October 17, 2003, National Headquarters recognized the Colony at the University of Texas-Pan American as the Chi Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.