I had the honor of attending Norma Minch Annual Leadership Conference for Delta Zeta this past week. For those who don’t know what it is, seriously try and go before you graduate! It will definitely be a highlight of my sorority experience. I learned so much about leadership, confidence, ideas from other chapters, and my love for DZ grew. During the first day, in a room filled with hundreds of women, we all were from different parts of the country; however all had one thing in common: our love for Delta Zeta.

Sometimes you take sororities for granted, you attend the events and wear the letters but forget what you represent. I know I do, but this weekend really reminded me of why those two Greek letters are so important to me. They are not only letters; what stands behind them that means the most. Those two letters represent 113 years of sisterhood, leadership, and service. They represent what six women fought hard to make possible back in 1902. They represent 113 years of continuous hard work to continue this sorority and make it grow into something even bigger than before. There are so many reasons why to love being a part of Delta Zeta; however here are ten to remind yourself of how important it is.

1. Delta Zeta pledged to raise $5 million dollars over the next 5 years to donate for speech and hearing which will go towards the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Every chapter across the country is working hard over the next few years to go above this pledge and raise awareness for speech and hearing. On Sunday night, was the Starkey Gala and there were many special guests, like President Bill Clinton. President George W. Bush was also there and recognized Delta Zeta for their dedication towards speech and hearing.
2. We have some amazing alumnae who give back whether by coming back to events to help out, donating, or being on the National Council. During the conference there was an alumnae panel and I am so proud that we have so many alumnae who give back in any way they can. That quote you hear so much, “not four years, but for life,” is really true!
3. Speaking of alumnae, Mercedes Bates was a Delta Zeta. She was the head of Betty Crocker division. This explains why we all love food so much!
4. Pink and Green are normally weird colors together, but once you are in Delta Zeta it becomes the main color in your closet.
5. We love our turtles, it’s our mascot, and more importantly one of our philanthropies, The Painted Turtle Camp.
6. There are over 254,700 initiated members. That means you have 254,700 sisters to always lean on and share a bond over.
7. You get the chance to have a big sister that will change your life and hopefully you’ll get the chance to become a big to amazing littles, like me.
8. In 1902, Miami University was a male dominated campus until our six founders took the chance and founded Delta Zeta. Girl Power!
9. “May I give graciously, Of what is mine,” stands true. From 2012-2014 Delta Zeta had 2,498,052 service hours and raised $2,849,714 dollars towards philanthropies. That is something to be proud of!
10. Lastly, you will find your bridesmaids but you’ll also find your lifelong friends, the friends that will help you experience all the big life changes and challenges in college and ahead of you. The women in my chapter have all touched my life in some way or another. I know for a fact I can count on each of them if I ever need help. Most importantly, it is because of the members in Delta Zeta that makes the experience great and the sorority grow more and more for many years to come.