Delta Gamma was founded for hope, for strength, for life. When I pledged Delta Gamma 2 years ago my life changed forever. My college experience has been built around this sisterhood and the bonds I’ve made with past and present members.

As Delta Gamma chapters across the United States and Canada embrace their new members and begin to teach them the values of this amazing sisterhood I try to imagine what my life would be like without Delta Gamma. So far this is what I could imagine: 

Without Delta Gamma…

I would only have one sister

I would have never met some of the wisest adult women I've known

My relationship with God would not be nearly as strong 

I would not have had dance parties in pajamas with 100 girls 

I would not have 300 people I could call at any time, day or night, to ask for help 

I would not have met the girls who will be my bridesmaids 

I would have had to go to the hospital alone when I had an allergic reaction 

I would have a more simplistic definition of the phrase “Do Good” 

I never would have known how strong visually impaired individuals truly are 

I would not have become as involved in the community surrounding my college 

I would not have discovered that I am a leader 

I would not have learned that when you are part of something bigger than yourself, doing what you want as an individual is no longer the most important thing 

I would not have gained an older sister to be my role model 

I would not have had 30 closets to borrow clothes from sophomore year 

I would not have the best wing-women in the world 

I would not have had girls to bake cookies with me at 3 in the morning 

I would not have had a friend that would sit with me in the hallway as I cried for 2 hours 

I would not have found a family in a town 1,000 miles away from the only one I had known for 18 years 

I would not have met my best friends 

But most importantly without Delta Gamma I would be short 200,000 sisters.

Delta Gamma has made me more than the girl I was when I first opened my bid day card in 2012 and I know that Delta Gamma is still transforming me. When I pledged myself as a member of this amazing sorority I promised to be an excellent woman. While there are days that I fail to live up to this promise, the fact that I have something great to strive for and sisters supporting me in this goal keeps me accountable to myself. 

My college experience is shaped around Delta Gamma, but more than that my life will be. After I graduate I do not stop wearing the letters of Delta Gamma. I can become one of the women that I admire so much now. I am so grateful for the individuals I have met, the lessons I have learned, and the sisters I have gained and I would not trade Delta Gamma for anything in the world.