In 1897, four ambitious women set out to create a goal. Lenora, Mary, Sara, and Julia all wanted one thing-- to show Longwood University how empowering girls can be when they're surrounded with like-minded women. Little did they know that the sorority they were creating would later change hundreds of thousands of lives, raise millions of dollars, and promote confidence around the globe. For that, this letter illustrates why I am so thankful.

Dear Kappa Delta,

My entire life I've struggled with my self-confidence. In my eyes, nothing I ever did was good enough, nothing I ever wore was nice enough, and no matter how much makeup I put on and how many hours I spent on my hair, I was never pretty enough. I struggled with these things all throughout middle and high school and early into my collegiate career. When I considered the fears I had, it would seem that sorority recruitment would be the last thing on my agenda. Regardless of all the fears, I held closely, I hoped that joining a sorority would give me so much more.

I continued through the rounds of formal sorority recruitment and found myself sitting in Kappa Delta's philanthropy round. I began to see and understand why Greek Life is so much more than formals and functions. Rather, it is about organizations like Kappa Delta banding together to understand that a report of child abuse in America is made every 10 seconds and in turn, raising 18 million dollars and counting to donate to "Prevent Child Abuse America", KD's National Philanthropy. It is about realizing that the Girl Scouts of the USA need positive role models in their life. It is about understanding that the creation of the Confidence Coalition in 2009 is a huge milestone in the journey of empowering all women. It is about understanding that people will come to you with preconceived notions about Greek Life and you'll have the information to disband their statements. It is about knowing that you're part of something that is changing the world.

So, because of this, here's to you, Kappa Delta. This is my official thanks.

Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for helping me understand what is really important. Thank you for continually pushing me to become a better leader and in turn, making me so much more confident. Because of Kappa Delta, I now understand that being in a sorority is more than t-shirts and tailgates. Being in a sorority is about service, love, and consistent sisterhood. I'm in awe of the things I've received from Kappa Delta-- newfound best friends, unwavering confidence when I was so lost before, and memories that will last a lifetime. I am so proud to be a Kappa Delta and I couldn't imagine my life without this amazing organization. Forever to thee, my sweet KD.

In our sisterhood,

Hailey