Sigma Delta Tau: Where Women Can Change Everything

For over nine decades, Sigma Delta Tau has steadfastly fought for the rights of women.  The Founders, being the visionary women that they were (& always will be), overcame discrimination against religious minorities by fearlessly & boldly creating SDT.  In addition, they foresaw Sigma Delta Tau inspiring its members to act “worthy of the highest precepts of true womanhood, democracy and humanity.”  Even today, the Sorority continues to believe the following:  One woman can change anything; likewise, many women can change everything.  And what better way for the Sorority to spark & effect change for the better than through philanthropy!!

SDT supports the mission of Jewish Women International by making certain that all girls & women have the fundamental right to live in a safe home, thrive in healthy relationships & realize the full potential of their personal strength.  Through such efforts as LifeSavings financial literacy workshops, National Library Initiative & Mother’s Day Flower Project, Sigma Delta Tau is doing their part to fulfill JWI’s mission by empowering women to make a difference & change where it matters most!!

For over a quarter of a century, the Sorority has been empowering families through Prevent Child Abuse America.  Each undergraduate chapter holds a yearly service project, educational program & major fundraising event to benefit the prevention of child abuse.  Also, over $100,000 is donated each year to PCAA to prevent the abuse & neglect of children nationwide – proof that SDT is raising awareness, inspiring & giving hope in its efforts to stop the abuse & neglect of children across the nation.

The Sorority is proud to partner with Women for Women International, an organization which supports women in war-torn regions with the following:  financial & emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education & small-business assistance so these women can rebuild their lives.  WFWI empowers as much as it mobilizes women to change their lives for the better by bringing a truly holistic approach to address the special needs they face in both conflict & post-conflict environments.  Sigma Delta Tau’s contributions to WFWI can’t be underestimated as the Sorority is helping female survivors of war achieve economic self-sufficiency & helping them rebuild their lives for the better; moreover, SDT alumnae support women in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo & Rwanda. 

Truly, one woman change anything.  Many women can change everything.  And that’s exactly what Sigma Delta Tau is doing through its efforts with Jewish Women International, Prevent Child Abuse America & Women for Women International:  bringing on change for the better, making a lasting impact & inspiring its members into actions which truly show why the Sorority has been a proud fighter for womens’ rights since 1917!!

Alpha Phi: Heart To Heart

For over five decades, Alpha Phi has focused on women’s heart health as its philanthropic priority.  By way of its yearly Heart To Heart Grant, the Alpha Phi Foundation is doing its part to fund research & educational programs which help advance women’s heart health.  Through the efforts of the Fraternity & the Alpha Phi Foundation, health care professionals & women everywhere are learning more about the following:  not only the causes of heart disease but also what they can do to prevent it from happening, as well as treatment for heart disease!!  (As we speak, heart disease is a big deal for Alpha Phi.)

Each February, Alpha Phi sponsors a Cardiac Care Month to raise public awareness about this extremely important issue:  cardiovascular disease is the top killer of women in North America.  Both c0llegiate & alumnae chapters across the nation hold events to help their communities learn more about the causes, prevention & treatment of heart disease. 

In addition, Alpha Phi holds a National Wear Red Day – on NWRD, Americans nationwide wear red to show their support for  women’s heart disease awareness.  And in honor of NWRD, the Fraternity asks all A-Phis to wear their Alpha Phi dress pins proudly & wear red for A-Phi!!  (This year, National Wear Red Day is on February 4.)

For more than fifty years, Alpha Phi has put first priority on women’s heart health.  Not only has the Fraternity made it a point to promote & raise awareness about this pressing health issue – A-Phi has also helped health care professionals & women know more about heart disease’s causes & what they can do to treat as well as prevent it.

Sorority Life: Weathering The Storm

There are two sides to every story & the same can be said about life in a sorority/women’s fraternity.

One side’s more glowing & superlative:  you get a chance to have fun & good times with your sisters.  Also, you have opportunities to make plenty of timeless & precious memories whether it’s during Homecoming Week, mixers, formals, sisterhood retreats & events like Mom’s Day/Dad’s Day.

The second side’s more serious & certainly doesn’t deserve to be overlooked or brushed aside.  In fact, it’s just as important – without it, we wouldn’t be able to share the full, multifaceted story which is our lives in a sorority/fraternity.  The big picture of sisterhood would be incomplete & not quite the same – period.

Life in a sorority/fraternity is about fun & good times.  But it’s also being there for our sisters when they’re going through a bad day, a bad week, a small crisis or worse yet, they’ve lost someone close to them (e.g. family members, friends, friends of friends).  It’s being there to encourage our sisters, to share not only their laughter but also share their tears.  It’s standing by their side to weather the storms they’re facing in life.  It’s sharing in their struggles & hardships.  It’s letting our sisters know that we’ll always be there for them, no matter what.

Sororities/fraternities are about having the time of our lives.  But we shouldn’t forget that sororities/fraternities also build character & are a support system we can turn to when the going gets tough or when we’re coping with the loss of someone close to us.  Sororities/fraternities are about weathering the storm together.

Sorority Life: At The Beginning Of All Great Things

“There is a woman at the beginning of all great things.”

Beginning in the middle of the nineteenth century, women would slowly but surely be given the opportunities for higher education which were up to then were exclusively the domain of their male counterparts.  This isn’t to say that a majority of these men were exactly thrilled – to be honest, who knows how many of them weren’t.

Some women were looked down upon.  Some of these women were given the obvious cold shoulders.  Some of these ladies had to face outright hostility & resentment from male students & professors on campus.  Others were treated with indifference, along with reluctance – it’s as if their male counterparts were saying, “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

Finding their place in a man’s world – as well as keeping their place secure – would be a daunting task.  Seriously, it wouldn’t be an easy job to take on – who knows how many women in those days had a major chip on their shoulder.  But despite the adversity they faced, these women soldiered on.  These women kept believing.  These women would keep pressing to make their place in a man’s world.  Pioneers, visionaries, trailblazers, originals all:  some of these amazing & wonderful ladies would be at the beginning of some truly great things:  the founding of who knows how many women’s Greek organizations!!

Not only did these ladies create premier, one-of-a-kind sisterhood. These ladies also provided a support system, a close circle of friends, perpetual bonds of friendship, as well as a second home away from home through the founding of their Sororities/Fraternities.  Above all, these women had a singleness of purpose about them:  to make their place in a man’s world & did they ever!!

The Founders of Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, Kappa Alpha Theta & so many others weren’t content just to make history – they wanted to ensure that their organizations’ histories grew more steadfast & stronger over the years!!  (Even now, women wearing Greek letters are doing just that & adding new chapters to the rich heritage & history of their organizations.)

 The Founders of women’s Greek organizations were truly at the beginning of something much greater, something which can be seen in strong evidence in the lives of today’s Panhellenic undergraduates & alumnae:  empowerment to make an impact, empowerment to be an inspiration to others, empowerment to make a difference in great & small ways, empowerment to bring change for the better on campus & in the greater community.  Indeed, these ladies found their place in a man’s world, inspiring other women to do the same & it must be said that they still do!!

Delta Zeta: Chapter Spotlight – Gamma Kappa

For over six decades, the DeeZees at Kent State University (Gamma Kappa Chapter) have been enriching KSU as well as the greater community of Kent & beyond.  Not only are the women of Gamma Kappa Chapter enriching the world – they’re also inspiring, making an impact & a heartfelt difference, showing others why DZ has had so much staying power at KSU since 1948!!

The amazing ladies of Gamma Kappa Chapter leave no doubt as to why DZ is among the best of the best on campus as well as in the state.  Last semester, DZ was first in grades.  But academics isn’t the only area where Delta Zeta truly shines at KSU:  the various awards & recognition Gamma Kappa Chapter has received during State Day, from Kent State & from the National Sorority over the past few years are proof of the impact DZ is making on campus & statewide!!

Even in philanthropy, Delta Zeta confirms not only why it’s among the best of the best Sororities around, but also how steadfast the women of Gamma Kappa Chapter are in living the following lines of the Delta Zeta Creed:  “To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, may I give graciously of what is mine…”  Each year, Gamma Kappa Chapter hosts Lip Sync: not only is Lip Sync the biggest philanthropy on campus annually but it’s also a heartfelt testimony of Delta Zeta doing great things for a worthy cause (raising money to benefit for those who are speech & hearing impaired).  The proceeds from Lip Sync support the following:  Gallaudet University, Sound Beginnings Program, House Ear Institute, The Starkey Hearing Foundation & The Painted Turtle Camp.  (Last year, Gamma Kappa Chapter raised over $15,700, showing how committed DZ is to making a hearfelt & lasting difference in the lives of those who have speech & hearing impairments.)

The women of Gamma Kappa Chapter are showing why they’re enriching KSU, the community of Kent & the world for over six decades:  their strong commitment to academics, leadership, service, philanthropy & personal development!!

Delta Zeta: Chapter Spotlight – Gamma Alpha

Delta Zeta’s purpose is to enrich its members’ college years, their campuses, their communities & beyond. Whether at a small school or at a larger university, DZ is truly an enriching experience as well as a Sorority dedicated to enriching the lives of others on campus & in the local community – & that’s truly saying something!!

The DeeZees at Baldwin-Wallace College (Gamma Alpha Chapter) are enriching Baldwin-Wallace & the greater community of Berea in so many ways.  Not only do these women strive to excel academically but they also excel in campus involvement, philanthropy, service & leadership development.  No doubt, the amazing ladies of Gamma Alpha Chapter both live their lives with the highest of values & live the Delta Zeta Creed in the great & little things that they do at Baldwin-Wallace & the surrounding community!!

In addition, Delta Zeta takes pride in being among the best of the best Sororities on campus.  Besides being Chapter of the Year, Gamma Alpha Chapter also has the Chapter President of the Year, New Member Educator of the Year, is Lip Sync Champions & donates countless hours to the Sorority’s official philanthropies!!  Truly, DZ finds ways to make a difference, make an impact & inspire – the DeeZees at Baldwin-Wallace College are doing all of these things & so much more.

Enriching their campus.  Enriching the community of Berea & beyond.  Enriching the world.  The women of Gamma Alpha Chapter are doing all of the above through their steadfast commitment to academics, service, philanthropy along with leadership & membership development!!

Delta Zeta: Chapter Spotlight – Alpha

As the old saying goes, “There’s no place like home.”

For Delta Zeta, the state of Ohio is & will always be home.  The city of Oxford, OH is & will always be home.  Miami University is & will always be home to DZ – this is where the Sorority began making its mark thanks be to six truly visionary women. 

For the DeeZees of Alpha Chapter, there’s no place quite like home.  Even today, the Sorority continues to show its staying power both on campus & in the community of Oxford!!

The women of Alpha Chapter strive to excel in the following areas which have made Delta Zeta such an amazing Sorority ever since its inception: academic achievement, philanthropy, community service, campus involvement, spiritual growth, leadership development & social success. 

And do these ladies ever excel, inspire, make an impact & make a difference on campus!!  Alpha Chapter takes great pride in sisterhood & philanthropy.  Delta Zeta’s annual philanthropy at Miami University, Puttin’ On The Hits, is the highest yielding philanthropy on Miami’s campus as much as it is proof that the Sorority enriches the world.  (Last year, Alpha Chapter raised more than $15,000 for St. Rita’s School for the Deaf in Cincinnati, OH.)

For 108 years, Delta Zeta has enriched campuses, communities & the world like none other.  The ladies of Alpha Chapter are doing all of the above & much more:  they’re empowered women living their lives with the highest of values & are living the words of the Delta Zeta Creed in all that they do!!

Over 108 years of sisterhood & made in Ohio:  Truly, Alpha Chapter continues to make an impact at Miami University & the community of Oxford through its steadfast commitment to sisterhood, service, philanthropy, academics & leadership!!

Sorority Life: Standing Out In Our Own Way & On Our Own Terms

For some of us out there wearing Greek letters, just because our Greek scene isn’t all the rage doesn’t mean that we can’t make a difference for the better on our campuses & in our communities.  Likewise, just because our Greek scene isn’t exactly the greatest doesn’t mean that we can’t stand out in our own way & on our own terms. 

We can do both & so much more.

Just think of the impact our sororities/fraternities can make on campus, even if there are just a few women’s Greek organizations around.  The awards we bring home from our Conventions & the recognition that our chapters receive during Greek Week are proof of the good that we’re doing on campus & for our organizations per se.  Whether it’s having some of our sisters getting into Golden Key, Order of Omega, or earning New Member of The Year Awards, our sororities/fraternities can always find ways to stand out in a truly genuine & heartfelt way.  (The same can be said in areas like academics, philanthropy, community service & membership programming!!)

True, some of us have Greek scenes that aren’t exactly the greatest or anything to get excited about.  But we can still make heads turn when it comes to receiving awards & recongnition from our colleges/universities for amazing success in scholarship, membership programming, service on campus & in our communities & philanthropy (among other things).  We can still stand out in our own unique way.  We can still make an impact & serve as an inspiration to others.

Above all, we can make a world of difference where it matters most.

Kappa Alpha Theta: Still Exercising The Widest Influence For Good

Tomorrow marks another important milestone in the history of Kappa Alpha Theta’s rich & steadfast history. Not only is Theta celebrating its 141st anniversary as the first Greek-letter Fraternity for women – the Fraternity’s also celebrating 141 years of promoting academic excellence & exercising the widest influence for good.

Theta’s Founders were truly pioneers & visionaries.  And that pioneering spirit can be seen at work today in the lives of the Fraternity’s undergraduate & alumnae members.  To the tune of 125 undergraduate chapters, 2 colonies, roughly 200 alumnae chapters & over 250,000 initiated members, Kappa Alpha Theta continues to provide women opportunities for social, intellectual & moral growth.  At the same time. the Fraternity is staying true to its original purpose:  the attainment of highest scholarship, exercising the widest influence for good (through CASA & the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation) & carrying the standard of love as its highest moral aim.

Even today, Theta continues to provide its members love, support, as well as various chances to learn, grow & excel.  Here’s to 141 years of a women’s Fraternity dedicated to living the core values of personal excellence, friendship/sisterhood, scholarship, service & leadership!!

Sorority Life: The Five Pillars Of Greek Life

As members of our Panhellenic communities, our sororities/fraternities may each have their own distinct standards & principles.  But we all share the same common ground when it comes to the values we believe in & strive to achieve each day:  the five pillars of Greek life.

The first pillar is sisterhood.  Joining a sorority/women’s fraternity also means becoming part of a family, discovering a home away from home which offers plenty of support, encouragement & guidance.

The second pillar is leadership.  By going Greek, women not only discover their fullest potential & become all that they can be.  They also are offered a variety of opportunities to refine & build on their leadership skills, to help them grow personally & as leaders in their college’s/university’s Greek system.

The third pillar is scholarship.  Sororities/fraternities aren’t content to just place first priority on academics – they’re also steadfastly committed to academic excellence every step of the way through such vehicles as academic resources, study tables, scholarship awards & other incentives. 

The fourth pillar is philanthropy/service.  Through philanthropy & service, we’re serving as an inspiration to others around us as well as making a lasting impact for our campuses & communities.  Also, we’re making a heartfelt difference for the better, for true good!!

The fifth pillar is social.  True, sororities/fraternities may be about working hard & being serious but they’re also about having fun as well!!  Besides having good times galore, women in sororities/fraternities create plenty of lasting & precious memories at mixers, formals, retreats & gatherings!!