This article is dedicated to Alpha Chi Omega-Beta Omicron.
I never thought that I would join a sorority. I grew up watching movies like "Legally Blonde" and "The House Bunny" on TV. I thought that every sorority girl was like Elle Woods. I pictured them with bleach blonde hair, wearing designer clothes and not being the smartest individuals. I am not Elle Woods and I never will be. I am a tall, average sized, well spoken girl who loves to eat and watch sports. I was convinced that I would never go through recruitment because I could not see myself being surrounded by a collection of perfect individuals. My view of Greek life changed once I got to college. I was introduced to a wide variety of intellectual, confident and driven women. They were nothing like the women that I had seen on TV and in the movies. They were everything that I wanted myself to be during college and after. I saw how they treated each other with respect and valued their relationships with one another. I wanted to be a part of their community. After years of blending in, I wanted to boost my self confidence and challenge myself. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, but that would never let me feel alone. I decided to go through recruitment with an open heart and I found my forever home with the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega. I cried when I got my bid. My sisters are my biggest blessing and the girls that help me be my best everyday.
Here are just a few of the reasons why I love being an Alpha Chi Omega:
1. Our colors:
Our colors are scarlet red and olive green. Why wouldn't you love an organization whose colors remind you of the most joyful time of the year?
2. We honor the fine arts.
In a world where we are constantly surrounded by technology, I love how the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega take time to honor the fine arts and to recognize our founding as a musical fraternity. We have chosen the month of February, which we call MacDowell Month, to honor the tradition of celebrating the fine arts. Sisters around the country take time to venture to museums, go to plays and to support one other in their artistic endeavors.
3. The Symphony:
The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega is a document that sisters from around the country cherish. It is a beautifully written piece that reminds sisters how to present themselves as individuals, what aspects of life to value, how to act amongst others in the greek community and how they can impact the world as individuals.
4. Our philanthropy:
Domestic Violence Education, Awareness and Prevention will be a cause that I will continue to advocate for long after my collegiate career ends. Before I joined my sisterhood, I was not aware of how many individuals are impacted and the lives that are lost because of domestic violence. Once I joined, I learned statistics like, one in three women will be affected by physical violence in an intimate partner relationship during their lifetime. By becoming an Alpha Chi Omega, I have not only learned how to keep myself safe, but I have learned how to keep others safe as well. I am a part of finding the cure for an epidemic that is taking far too many lives. We wear purple because "love shouldn't hurt."
5. Hera Day:
Hera Day is one of my favorite parts about being an Alpha Chi Omega. Hera Day is on March 1st and it is a day when Alpha Chi Omegas from around the country take time to give back to their surrounding communities to promote the happiness and well being of others. Together our sisterhood has helped tutor elementary school students, assisted at a local nursing home and has helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity.
6. We travel the world together.
Alpha Chi Omega has given me sisters to travel the world with and ones to embark on new adventures with. Together we have explored countries and are looking to go new places every day. I would not want to travel with anyone else.
7. Our symbols:
The symbols of Alpha Chi Omega are the red carnation and the golden lyre. The red carnation represents our beloved scarlet red and the golden lyre reminds us of our musical heritage. Both symbols represent beauty and remind us to always cherish our roots.
8. We have sisters all over the country.
Since Alpha Chi Omega is one of the oldest greek organizations in the country, it has grown to be 194 chapters strong. I love being a part of a sisterhood that has spread all over the country and that I count on no matter where the road takes me.
9. It has become my home away from home.
Moving 1,000 miles away from home was certainly not an easy transition. I am grateful to have sisters that welcomed me with open arms on my bid day and that have loved me nonstop ever since. They never let me feel alone and are always there for me to rely on. Alpha Chi is my forever home and I will always carry my letters with me.
10. My best support system:
My sisters are my greatest support system when I am away from home. They are there to cheer me on through every exciting moment and are there to sit with me when I am crying. The hugs and the smiles that they give me, help brighten up all of my days.
11. A second family:
Alpha Chi has given me the greatest Great Grand Big, Grand Big, Big and Little Sister I could have ever asked for. They are my role models, the best advice givers, my closest friends and future bridesmaids. They are the girls that I can count on, not just for four years, but for life.
12. Teammates for life:
Some of my greatest memories that I have made with my sisters are the those that occurred when we were playing sports. We have won and lost together, but no matter what, we always have fun. Every game has brought us closer together and I am so grateful for that.
13. Together Let Us Seek The Heights is more than just our open motto.
I knew that I had found my home when I heard our open motto for the first time. I knew that I would forever be surrounded by sisters who are go-getters, who are driven, who are independent and willing to work hard to get to where they want to be. I knew from that moment on that my sisters would be the girls that would help push me to do my best and to encourage me to take risks. They have helped me develop into a leader and a more confident individual.
14. We are filled with Real Strong Women.
We were built by them, we are surrounded by them and we admire them. "Real Strong Women" is our tag line, but to sisters it represents so much more. It states how Alpha Chi Omega helped us find our voice as women and how with the support of sisterhood we can do anything. Whether it be sisters that kick butt at the gym, sisters who are standing up for what they believe in, or the collective sisterhood who helps inspire other women, Alpha Chi Omegas are more than just "sorority girls", we are Real Strong Women. Thank you to our founders: Bertha Deniston, Estelle Leonard, Amy Dubois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms, Olive Burnett, and Ana Allen for giving me that gift.
15. Memories to last a life time:
Alpha Chi Omega has given me a lifetime a laughter, love and happiness. It has given me small moments and big moments that I will carry with me long after I graduate. When I think of my letters, I cannot help but smile.
16. My sisters always have my back.
My sisters always have my back. Coming from a girl who was bullied throughout school, that statement means more to me than anything. I have sisters that will help me through the hard times and have done more than I could have ever asked for to help make me feel better. I am eternally grateful for them.
17. The opportunities:
The opportunities I have been given to be leader on the Executive board and within my chapter have helped me grow into a better person. Those experiences have show me how to be a well respected leader and to appreciate what others are willing to help you with. Alpha Chi Omega has opened doors for me within my career field and has connected me with successful, professional women. It has given me sisters that I know I can count on to help me get to where I want to be in the future.
18. My sisters:
My sisters are my best friends, my support system, my second home, my comedians, my teammates, my future bridesmaids and the best people I could have ever asked to meet. They are the girls that have accepted me as I am and have never asked me to be anything more. They make me so incredibly happy and proud to be a part of Alpha Chi Omega.
