In November 2013, P.E.A.R.L. was established as an interest group by five women. These women felt that Iowa State University was multiculturally underrepresented which resulted in issues of identity, community and cultural awareness for minority groups. In hopes of resolving these issues. P.E.A.R.L. was formed under the guidance of the Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. National Board. The name P.E.A.R.L. stands for Peace, Elegance, Ambition, Respect, and Leadership. Additionally, the pearl gemstone is known to represent sincerity and loyalty to a cause, a description benefiting the group's overarching goal to charter Delta Phi Lambda.

P.E.A.R.L. was later joined by seven new members who also contributed to the interest group's success. From the twelve total members, only seven, including Xinyi (Glory), Lydia, and Jasmine, attempted to charter during Fall 2014. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the group failed to charter. This lack of success left Glory, Lydia, and Jasmine to, once again, rebuild the interest group. Throughout the next several months, P.E.A.R.L. experienced a series of successes and failures that taught members valuable lessons and strengthened their bonds to last a lifetime.

 

In October 2014, Mariah Johnson, Linh Phan, Houa Vang, and Jackie Khamma joined, followed by Hana Kim in November 2014. Although these ladies joined just months prior to chartering, their social and leaderships skills allowed the interest group to progress towards Everlasting Sisterhood and creating a home for the culturally displaced. After what felt like a lifetime of struggles, P.E.A.R.L. finally chartered at Iowa State University under the guidance of Jaleesa Reed and Jennifer Albesa. P.E.A.R.L. became the first Asian-interest sorority on campus and the first, successful, nationally led expansion of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. The Iowa State Chapter of Delta Phi Lambda was established on March 1, 2015 by the Empowering Eight: Mariah Johnson, Lydia Tsui, Glory Xinyi Peng, Hana Kim, Jasmine Au, Linh Phan, Houa Vang, and Jackie Khamma.