On Nov. 16, the Theta Pi chapter of Tri Delta at UCLA had the pleasure of welcoming its national sorority president over for Monday night dinner. It was an incredible opportunity, and I’m extremely grateful that Phyllis Durbin Grissom decided to visit our chapter, one of 138 other chapters.
When I first heard that our president was coming over for Monday night dinner, I was quite intimidated. I wasn't sure why she was coming in the first place. Were we in trouble, or did she just want to experience our chapter for herself? I had a brief moment of questioning when I wondered if my chapter was accurately representing the fraternity’s ideals, values, and purpose to the best of its abilities. If someone were to visit our chapter, would they have a positive impression of what Tri Delta as a whole really stands for? It was with this uncertainty, and the desire to make the best possible impression, that I welcomed Phyllis Durbin Grissom into our house.
Before dinner, we had the opportunity to meet and talk to Phyllis. Our advisor introduced me to Phyllis and told her about my new position within the house. Our chapter had just announced its new slate of officers for 2016 a few days before, and I was given the position of Academic Development Chairman. Talking to Phyllis, suddenly I felt the pressure of my new position. Looking at me, did Phyllis see a woman who could help everyone within the chapter uphold Tri Delta’s high academic standards?
Soon we filed in for dinner and went about our routine Monday night activities. Throughout it all, I would frequently glance at Phyllis to gauge whether or not she was gaining a positive impression of our house. I was relieved to always see a smile on her face. Gradually, my confidence was increasing.
At the end of the evening, Phyllis stood in front of us and gave a short speech. In the speech, she expressed how much fun she was having at our chapter, and how much she believed in us. She viewed us as being an ideal representation of Tri Delta as a group. Her speech filled me up with hope and confidence, in myself and in the chapter as a whole. She saw in our chapter what I believed to be there, and gave me the validation to know it to be true.
One thing Phyllis said stuck with me personally. She told us that she tends to be more of an introverted person. I was shocked that someone in such a large leadership role, being the president of an organization with 139 chapters and over 200,000 initiated women, would consider herself an introverted person. She said that Tri Delta has really helped her explore different aspects of herself, and grow as a person.
Being an introverted person myself, suddenly I had the inspiration to succeed within my new leadership role. Phyllis reminded me of the bigger reason I chose to be in a sorority. It may seem like nothing but fun and games, but at the end of the day, it truly shapes you as a person.
