“The Fab Five Founders”

This summer, our Olympic Games featured the “Fab Five.” Five young, vibrant and dedicated young women who spent countless hours training, dreaming and moving away from home to achieve their ultimate goal—to become an Olympian. On one summer day in London, they achieved the US Gymnastics’ team goal and brought home a gold medal for the USA. But closer to home, 138 long years ago there was another “fab five.” Sigma Kappa’s very own “fabulous five founders” were a dedicated, passionate and vibrant group of young women determined to find their place on a college campus. While life was very different in 1874 than 2012, if you think about it, their desires and passions are the very reason many of us chose to go through sorority recruitment. We too desired a place to belong, give back, find a home, and have some fun along the way.

Reflections:

Looking back, sorority life was not something I thought I would become a part of.  But sometimes when you are least looking, life hands you an opportunity and, thankfully, you run with it. The decision I made has paved the way for countless opportunities to network, volunteer, give back to my community, build friendships, and so much more. The opportunity did not stop on my graduation, but continued as an alumnae volunteer and alumnae chapter member.

Thankful

This month, in honor of both Sigma Kappa’s Founders’ Day and Thanksgiving, I thought I would take the opportunity to say thank you. These two words hold so much meaning behind them that too often we don’t say them enough.

Dear Sigma Kappa,

Thank you for giving me a chosen family both near and far.

Thank you for teaching me the value of teamwork both as a collegian and alumna.

Thank you for providing so many opportunities to learn, grow and share.

Thank you for showing me lifelong commitment by the examples in countless alumnae I have had the privilege and honor of calling a sister.

Thank you for giving me the chance to serve.

Thank you for the opportunity I have had to work with a diverse group of women from all age groups and geographical locations.

Thank you for allowing me to prove that the stereotypical sorority woman is not what is portrayed in the movies but what is demonstrated day in and day out across the nation.

Thank you for a foundation that provides assistance, education, and so much more to collegians and alumnae.

Thank you for giving me some of the best friends and sisters I could have never dreamed walking in to my life.

Thank you for all the laughs, nights spent in a chapter house basement counting endless recruitment scores with women you just met but feel like you have always known and eating the worst food for you!

Thank you for the chance to be a part of a flash mob to Call Me Maybe making my sons think they have the coolest mom for all of 4 minutes.

Thank you for giving me Chick-fil-A for the first time.

But, most of all, thank you for giving me sisterhood, friendship, loyalty, service, and a chance to live my values through my organization and membership. Thank you to Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, Frances Elliott Mann Hall and Louise Helen Coburn for your vision, determination, dedication and leadership.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”
― A.A. Milne