National History
Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. began with Veronica Montemayor who, in the fall of 1989, first thought of the idea for a local Latino-oriented sorority. After considering Indiana University's traditional Greek system, Veronica felt that the Greek community did not offer enough for Latina women. She decided that it was time to create a new option, one that celebrated the diversity of the Latino culture. Veronica, joined by Monica Guzman and Cristina Rodela, began a nationwide search to find a Latino-oriented sorority that wanted to expand to Indiana University. They were looking for a sorority that strived for the goals and objectives they felt were important for a Latino-oriented organization: academic excellence, cultural awareness, community service, and sisterhood. The search was not easy and lasted a full year. The following semester Margaret Escabalzeta, Laura Garcia, and Barbara Graves joined the three women. After continued research, few sororities fit the desired sorority that the women were looking for.

At that point, the women decided the best option remaining was to start a new sorority. The women were granted permission to work on an Alpha Chapter, on the Indiana University campus. On April 17, 1991, the 6 women, Veronica, Monica, Cristina, Margaret, Laura, and Barbara founded Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. Veronica Montemayor graduated that spring of 1991 and was unable to accompany her new sisters to present their final proposal for Gamma Phi Omega to the University's Expansion Committee. Nevertheless, her dream became a reality when on January 22, 1992, the core group received an acceptance letter recognizing Gamma Phi Omega as an official sorority on the Indiana University campus.
Chapter History
It was in the Spring of 2004 that eight women came together with the common interest of forming a sisterhood at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Although they had researched the other sororities the university had to offer, it was Gamma Phi Omega that stood out the most to them fulfilling all aspects of the sisterhood they sought. After attending an informational in April of 2003 given by Veronica Rangel, the expansion director at the time, and two Zeta chapter sisters, these eight women were certain of their choice. On July 21, 2004, Jessica Velez, Daisy Partida, Carmin Aguirre, Krystal Rios, Gabriela Brizuela, Lynae Maciel, Vanessa Martinez, and Maritza Torres began their journey to sisterhood. On December 19, 2004, after 151 days of hard work and dedication, these eight lovely women completed their process becoming the noble founders of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. Lambda Chapter at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is to these eight women that we at Lambda Chapter give our utmost appreciation for the sisterhood we have in existence today.