I know how people roll their eyes when they hear a sorority girl say, "joining a sorority was the best choice I ever made!" so I won't go that far, but I WILL say that becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Theta is the best choice I've made so far in college.

Our motto is "Leading Women." Let me tell ya, it's pretty amazing to be part of an organization that believes so much in the leadership potential in each and every one of its members. This summer, I was selected to attend the Emerging Leaders Institute, a four-day long conference that Theta holds each summer at our Alpha Chapter at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. These four days contained some of my favorite memories as a college student so far. It was so cool to get to meet Thetas from all over North America (yes, we have chapters in Canada) and learn about their chapters and what works for them. I have never met a group of girls so encouraging, caring, loving and supportive. We went from being strangers to shedding tears when we were forced to separate, all within 72 hours. I learned so much about myself as a leader, and I just think it's so cool that Theta cares enough about our leadership potential to put on this all expense paid program for around 120 girls each summer. They truly believe in our ability to change the world.

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Back on my campus, Theta has given me a huge selection of friends who are always there for me, whether I'm needing a shoulder to cry on or friends who'll go out to eat to celebrate a big win after a game. My best friends in the world are Thetas. And the best part is this bond goes beyond just the sisters I have on my campus. When I was in Italy this summer, I met a Theta on the train to Pompeii. While I was in Tennessee this week, I met a Theta on my zip-lining adventure, and we immediately clicked and got to talking because of this connection. It's truly something special to be connected to so many girls across the nation because of the bond of what it means to be a Theta.

Theta was founded by Bettie Locke, who was determined to form a group to support other women like herself, who were pursuing education in a time where it was frowned upon for women to gain an education. Bettie was among the first five women admitted to her university, and male students protested their admittance. After being invited to be an honorary member of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), Bettie asked if she could become a member. When she was told no, she founded the first Greek-letter fraternity for women in January of 1870. Our founder was pretty amazing, y'all.

Kappa Alpha Theta is unique because the organization as whole cares about the leadership potential, qualities, and skills in each of its members, but we also are all able to bring out each other's best qualities because of the passion we have for the organization and the love we have for each other. Theta calls us to be the best possible versions of ourselves, through outstanding academics, serving others, and loving each other wholeheartedly.

I asked some of my friends from across the country to share why they chose Theta and what Theta means to them. Theta love goes far beyond your own school and chapter.

"Theta has impacted my life by setting my heart on fire for raising money for the kiddos, in the name of Theta Foundation, Scotty's House and CASA ($128,528.50 at Texas A&M's Theta 5K, to be exact) and by giving me a college environment full of people who love one another and serve others so passionately." - Kathryn Faulk, Delta Omega, Texas A&M University

"All the time at my chapter the older girls talk about how if you open yourself up to Theta, it can give you so much in return. Although it sounds really cheesy, it's so true. I came into Theta with an open heart and I've gained so much from it. I honestly had no idea how loved and valued I could feel until I joined Theta. Sometimes I think about what my life would be like without Theta and it would be awful! I love this sorority and my chapter so much!" - Kate Vana, Epsilon Zeta, Ole Miss

"Theta quickly became a home for me on my campus as I am surrounded by so many amazing and empowered women who consistently encourage me and help me to grow. I know that I always have someone to call and rely on. When it comes down to it, Theta is really just like a second family to me." - Grace Douglass, Eta Sigma, Chapman University

"I chose Theta because from Day 1, the most stressful day of recruitment, Theta felt like home. Looking back, I chose Theta for all the right reasons, and never did I believe it would open up window after window of opportunity whilst giving me 175 sisters, bridesmaids, family, best friends, and a support system for a lifetime. If I could choose again and again it would always be Theta!" - Shanice James-Jones, Eta Xi, Quinnipiac University

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"To me, Theta love is easy. It's something that helps me work up the courage to introduce myself to other Thetas, because I know that they have the same love for Theta that I do." - Emily Taylor, Beta Mu, University of Nevada at Reno

"We realized somehow that we weren’t going to college just for ourselves, but for all the girls who would follow after us, if we could just win out." - Bettie Locke-Hamilton, Founder of Kappa Alpha Theta

"I do think that for mature women who have had more experience and in some cases more education, for them,Theta should mean something more than a college frat and a pin! I've always felt that the Fraternity should get behind new movements for women as they arise and work for them just as the Fraternity worked for coeducation when it was something to be won." - Bettie Locke-Hamilton, Founder of Kappa Alpha Theta