What does it mean to be a leading woman? If you ask anyone, they’re sure to have a different definition of what this means. Being a Theta, I’ve learned a lot of what it means to be a leading woman through my officers, advisers, alumnae, and fellow members. Leading women is Theta’s tag line. It’s one of the most important things we try to teach our new members.

Theta values girls who want to lead not only in our sorority but outside it as well. To be strong, independent women. To me, being a leading woman is doing the work even if it’s hard and you might not get any credit for it. It’s stepping back to let others have the spotlight sometimes, but it’s also leading by example. A leading woman isn’t all talk. She doesn’t try to make things hard for other people. Her job is to make things easier and to take the burden off others. A leading woman is independent, but she knows to ask for help when she needs it.

Because I’m a Theta and I’m surrounded by so many wonderful, strong women, I decided to ask them what they thought being a leading woman means. I asked them to each answer the question “what does being a leading woman mean to you?” I was surprised and pleased to get a wide variety of answers from them. Here’s what they had to say:

“I think being a leading woman means to lead by example. There are plenty of people who will tell you what to do and why but very few people who will show you how.” – Jamie

“To me being a leading woman means working to be the best you can, regardless of circumstances. It doesn’t matter if you want to be a rocket scientist, a poet, or a stay-at-home mother. A leading woman gives 100% of herself to her passions and works through any challenge that’s thrown at her.” – Laurel

“Being a leading woman means making the right choices and following through with it, to the best of your abilities, no matter if you’re the only one doing it. It’s also the courage to lead by example, instead, of just words.” – Liz

“I’d say it is being the best version of yourself so that you can help others become the best versions of themselves, and I think that’s why sororities are so effective at helping people become leading women because you can’t be a leading woman without the support of others.” – Bradley

“Being a leading woman isn’t about being better than anyone else, it’s about being better than I once was.” – Morgan

“It means I’m a part of a community of strong, independent women who are there to support each other and help others. It means I have an unbreakable bond with women of different backgrounds and lifestyles. It means I am surrounding myself with inspiring and powerful women and that I have the opportunity to inspire them.” – Leila

“To me, it means making a difference. To not follow the crowd and to not be afraid to be yourself. And [true] friendship, being there for others when they need you.” – Laura

“Being a leading woman means living by example. You don’t have to be the president of thirteen clubs, make an A on every exam, or have an extraordinarily large social circle to be a leading woman; rather, lead through your actions. Showing kindness and fairness to everyone you encounter and being a good friend to those you care about makes a good role model and a leading woman.” – Alston

“To me, it means being my own person and using the qualities that make me my own person to make an impact on others and on the world.” – Raylea

“To me, being a leading woman means that you make a conscious effort to be the best version of yourself every day. Leading women follow through on commitments. Leading women help those who are less fortunate. Leading women live their lives giving back. And leading women recognize their own blessing and use those blessings, along with their many talents, to serve others.” – Cecelia