President's Message
It is my esteemed honor, as the 24th National President, to welcome each of you to the National website of lota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. lota Phi Lambda is the first African American Business and Professional Greek lettered sorority organized in Chicago, IL in 1929. The sorority was founded by Lola M. Parker and formed with six other women - Ethel T. Edwards, Mildred G. Hardin, Harriet M. Robinson, Ophelia Harrison, Birdette Trigg, and Marjorie Tyndall.
The founding principles established over 94 years ago, to improve the lives of African American women learning new skills sets, gaining financial sustainability for themselves and their families, providing and elevating educational opportunities through scholarships for women and girls is still relevant more than any time in our culture and history.
I invite you to explore the National website with an array of the information about our great sorority. There is a Members Only section that will guide you to our Programs and Projects, forms for all operational needs, archived events, sections on Past National Presidents, National Sorors of the Year, National Women of the Year and of course lots of pictorial captured activities and events with much
more to know.
lota Phi Lambda has five regions with chapters throughout the U.S. and U.S. Virgin Islands. The National Executive Board is comprised of the National President, National President Elect, National Recording Secretary, National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, National Journalist, and Regional Directors from the Central, Eastern, Far Western, Southern, and Southwestern Regions. The Board is supported by an Executive Director. Be sure to review the leadership section with more detailed information.
As a member of this illustrious sorority, you are exactly where you are supposed to be. By virtue of you bringing your intentional ingenuity and purposeful desire to move lota Phi Lambda Upward and Onward through outstanding execution of our Programs and Projects to the next level, will ready us for 100 years and beyond!
Charlotte D. Berry, M.Ed.
24th National President
lota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
About Us
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., founded in 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, is a national business and professional women’s organization which strives to:
Unite in sisterhood qualified business and professional women in order to enhance and improve the status of women in our highly complex, competitive business and professional world;
Promote increased interest in the broad field of business education among high school and college young women through planned programs and scholarships;
Encourage the development of personal goals and leadership potential; and
Establish and promote civic and social service activities for youth and adults.
The Sorority’s national theme: Professional Business Women Propelled by Ingenuity: Intentional Purpose #Designed1929 #Driven2023-2027 #Distinction2029
The Lola M. Parker Foundation for Economic Empowerment of Business and Professional Women further supports the mission of Iota.
Business Month, celebrated in April each year, is dedicated to fostering and promoting business awareness, education, and economic empowerment within the community. This annual observance aligns with our mission to enhance the business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit of its members and the community at large.
Our national youth auxiliary, Future Iota Leaders (FIL), are pre-teen and teenage young women and men age 10-20 who benefit from the guidance and inspiration of positive role models- Iota women, the Men of Iota and Pelatis auxiliaries, and the broader community. The FIL program is designed to develop potential, character, and personal development. Our signature program, TOYS U CAN’T RETURN™, helps local communities learn more about teenage pregnancy and develop effective action agendas for preventing children from having children.
The Iota Mothers Assistance Program is an outreach program to meet the needs of teen and disadvantaged mothers by providing resources and referrals for health, employment, scholarships and leadership development. Iota Phi Lambda Sorority proudly awards scholarships of more than $75,000 annually to deserving youth at the national, regional and local levels.