When Founding Sister Rekha Muddaraj came to Arizona State University in the Fall of 2001, she looked to join an extra-curricular organization that promoted leadership, community service, and her own personal interests. However, being at a school whose population rivaled a small country, she found that the organizations lacked the close-knit environment she was hoping to find.

Interested in Greek life, Rekha found that ASU housed over 25 sororities, but none of them offered the diversity she longed for in a sisterhood. After hearing about Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. from some friends at the University of Arizona, she requested an interest packet from Nationals. At that time, Founding Sister Sharon Candappa had also been looking to join a group that promoted unity through multiculturalism, and along with Rekha and four other girls, began the arduous journey of establishing Theta Nu Xi at ASU.

The group did not go without its share of resistance, struggle, and disappointment. The Greek Life director did not believe that such a small sorority would survive on a large campus. In addition to that, four out of the six women in the initial interest group decided they could no longer be a part of the process. Since a minimum number of five members were required to establish a student organization, Rekha and Sharon had to put their dreams on hold.

In the Spring of 2003, Founding Sister Onika Patel felt that Theta Nu Xi was a sisterhood that catered to her passions, goals, and beliefs so she soon joined Rekha and Sharon in their efforts.

Later that semester, in attempts to recruit more women who shared the same vision, sisters from the Epsilon and Mu chapters hosted an informal interest meeting. The response was ONEderful. Founding Sister Poonam Patel saw that Theta Nu Xi embodied and nurtured the ideals of a strong and capable woman and Founding Sister Lori Dennehy was ecstatic to find a sisterhood that worked so closely with National Conference for Community and Justice.

The five women composed the “Holla Back as ONE” line and the Tau Colony was founded on November 8, 2003. It attained chapter status in February 2004.