The fact that you are sitting here reading this letter is extremely exciting to me. I am so glad that I, along with the rest of my Sisters, have another chance to show you what our sisterhood is all about. You are here because we have continued to see something great in you. That something has made us keep looking for your face during every round and now we’re so glad that you have decided to come this far with us. I would like to take this chance to explain to you why I love my sorority and why I think you would make it even better.
I had always been against sororities. I had been taught from a young age that they were not for “smart girls like me." Thankfully, I realized that my fears were wrong. I had begun to see that my preconceived notions were incorrect during my freshmen year, but a medical leave removed me from campus when all of my friends were going through recruitment. When recruitment rolled around my sophomore year I was too afraid to do it alone. Then I saw two sorority women standing on locust handing out hot chocolate and my gut told me to go for it. After all, a new chapter was colonizing and these women had come from other schools, after graduating, to help make it happen. I still was not sold, however. That took me seeing how many older alumnae were willing to come back to run recruitment for their sorority on Penn’s campus. When I saw just how many women were willing to give back to their sorority, so many years after their graduations, I knew I had found the something bigger that I was looking for. I decided to go for it and have never looked back.
Some people tell me I am a bit too obsessed with my sorority. They tell me I wear letters too often, talk about my Sisters too much, and spend too much time working on a variety of events. I think these people just don’t get it. My sorority is family to me. They are there during the best times and the worst times. I don’t ever have to be alone, unless I want to be, which for someone with a history of mental illness is exceedingly important. A Sister was there for me this year when I felt the anxiety and depression getting worse. She noticed I wasn’t eating enough again and called me out on it, then helped me to find a therapist. That is just one of many similar stories. Of course there are many more bright spots than dark ones. For me, my sorority also represents my best memories at Penn so far. Watching movies in our pjs, kicking some serious butt at our philanthropy event, our first date night, and meeting so many amazing women at our alumnae event are just a few of the highlights. Grabbing dinner with Sisters or going sitting next to each other in class are just normal pieces of my life now, making it better every day.
The pride I feel to call these women my Sisters is enormous. Their achievements feel like my achievements and vice versa. All the recruitment planning and parties have shown me just how honored I am to call myself a member of my chapter. I would be even more proud to call you a Sister. My Sisters and I have been impressed with your poise and commitment to what is important to you. For me, I am especially intrigued by your interest in philanthropy. I hope that tonight I can answer any questions you have and that you decide to come home to our chapter. We’ll be waiting with open arms.
