In the fall semester of 1989, a group of nineteen women began gathering at the Chicano Native American Cultural Center in order to form an organization for Latina/Hispanic women on the University of Iowa campus. They sought to bring together a group that would provide social and academic support to Latinas/Hispanics and women of all cultures.

With the help of their advisor, Esther Materón-Arum, after months of work, the women were recognized as a sorority by the University of Iowa Panhellenic Council on April 9, 1990. The women moved forward , brainstorming and putting together ideas. By the end of fall 1990, there were five women remaining: Gloria Cuevas, Julieta Miller, Maria Pineda, Danell Riojas, and Guadalupe Temiquel. These are the women that we honor as the founders of Sigma Lambda Gamma. Together they worked to further the progression of the sorority.

On February 15, 1991, the first associate members of the sorority, Patricia Arroyo, Noemí Diaz, Angel Martinez, Seema Singh, and Gabriela Villafuerte, were inducted.

On March 13, 1991, four of the five founders, Gloria Cuevas, Julieta Miller, Danell Riojas, and Guadalupe Temiquel, were initiated in a ceremony written and performed by Esther Materón-Arum and Mary Peterson.

And on April 9, 1991, the first group of associate members was initiated as active members of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority.

Since then, the sorority has grown to include 87 Chapters and 17 Alumnae Associations, representing over 100 different nationalities in its membership.