, the National Sorority Leadership Recognition Society, was founded at the University of Miami as a local group in 1962 under the direction of Dean Louise P. Mills. In 1974, Rho Lambda received permission from the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) to become a national organization. Rho Lambda subsequently applied to the Federal Government for a Title IX exemption to maintain its single sex status. In 2007, the Iota Theta Chapter was founded at the Johns Hopkins University and is currently celebrating its first year. Over 218 chapters have been chartered throughout North America, each sharing the common goal of recognizing sorority women for their outstanding leadership. The Greek letters RHO LAMBDA stand for PANHELLENIC LEADERSHIP, respectively. "Those who are leaders light a torch in the darkness for others to follow, and the flame is the symbol of Rho Lambda." Although membership was originally intended for women whose organizations belonged to campus Panhellenics, any sorority woman is now eligible for membership as long as she meets the membership selection criteria. The purpose of Rho Lambda is to honor those women within the sorority community who have exhibited the highest qualities of leadership and service to their Greek community and their sorority. They are women who have furthered the ideals and principles of the Greek community throughout their years of sorority affiliation. To be considered for membership, one must display outstanding leadership, ability, and loyalty throughout her years of sorority affiliation. In addition, one must be an active sorority member in her junior or senior years and must be initiated, active members of her sorority for at least two full academic terms or semesters. Further, one must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0, and must be a regularly enrolled, full-time undergraduate student in the university. | 
