Confessions of a Sorority President: On the Out

This is where I talk about the secret passage that leads from my third floor suite to the chapter room in the basement. Or maybe the secret cult all Greek presidents join and plot to turn the world into one giant Greek system. Never mind. You didn’t hear that from me.

Looking back on this past year spent as president, I decided the best way to sum up my experience was through a few confessions.

Alpha Chi : The Strongest Support System

This is not the story when I tell you about bid-night, the big little reveal, or Alpha Chi Christmas. This is not the story where I gush about the sorority clichés, or tell you secrets about sisterhood. This is a story about how my sisters were there through it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s an untold, not so typical Alpha Chi Omega story.

On April 2nd 2015 I was sitting in my political economy of education class dryly listening to my professor ramble about some evil within our corrupt world when I got a phone call from my best friend. She rarely called, so I automatically assumed the worst. Frantically, I grabbed my phone, got up ran out of class and answered it. What was on the other end of the line was something I could have never expected. It was a standstill moment that everything changed.

She had informed me, that her little brother (who might has well been my own), was in the hospital and unconscious. Listening to her sobs through the phone two hours away, my heart shattered. The world of my best friend, my person, and my Alpha Chi sister from the Gamma Mu chapter was crashing to a halt. I ran back into class grabbed my things and drove an hour to the hospital. Unfortunately, almost 24 hours later we would be saying see you later to our dear friend, and brother.

As much as I miss him dearly, and think of him often, I’m not telling this story today because of him. Although that day itself seems to be a blur, I remember a few things very vividly. After receiving that phone call I came back to my sorority house to find my roommate Kate, and three of my dear friends ready to embrace me with hugs. I will never forget the tight squeeze, and people playing with my hair as I sat on my bed in disbelief and uncontrollable sobs. I will never forget a lovely sister trying to help me breathe long enough to pack a bag. I will never forget the love those sisters had for me on that day.

It’s so much more than April 2nd though. It was the text I received from Hope on the day of the funeral saying that she was praying with 40+ people for his family. It was the ten girls from the Gamma Mu chapter that showed up for my best friend at the hospital, and at the funeral. It’s the text messages that followed from so many different sisters every day, almost every hour. It’s the constant check ups when I missed the following week of school. It was gathering homework, taking notes, and offering any support they could. It’s the two letters that my entire chapter sent me AND my best friend in the mail. It’s the chocolate surprises, and heartfelt notes left on my desk when I finally did return and had a hard time adjusting. It’s the big warm welcome back, constant cheering me up, and support that these sisters poured into me. It’s the sisters that distracted me with laughter. It’s the sister that convinced me to share this article.

I am so beyond grateful to have a network of support and love. I’m even more grateful that that team is my Alpha Chi Omega sisters. You always know who is going to be there for you during the good times, but it’s different when the good times turn to bad and then ugly real fast. It’s the people who lay down with you or pick you up off the ground when things get too hard. It’s Alpha Chi Omega that taught me what it means to be a true friend, and a real strong woman.

Initiating Real. Strong. Women.

Something we pride ourselves in, as Alphas of Alpha Chi Omega, is the authenticity and genuine compassion we have for each other. I realize how cliché that sounds, but hear me out.

Real Strong Women of The “Real” World

In the spirit of this Old Gold Weekend, Sophomore Rachel Higson reflected on her own experiences and connected with Alpha Alumnae Alison Barnes ’09, Shay Laws ’08 and Emma Brown  ’07 to discuss the sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega outside the comfort of 403 East Seminary.

Finding Home at Harvard

A special guest blog from Alpha Chapter Alumna Rachel Hanebutt ‘15

Abby, Kara, and I have a lot in common. We are all three from Indiana; we all graduated from DePauw University; we all are pursuing graduate degrees at Harvard; and we all are Real. Strong. Women. from the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.

Like Mother, Like Daughter | how my family supported my Alpha Chi journey

I knew that Greek life was a pretty big thing at DePauw when I enrolled, but that was about it. 

From Sneakers to Stilettos: My Transition into Sorority Life

“When I was younger, I was a complete tomboy. Then in college I started emerging out of the tomboy stage and dressing differently” -Hope Solo

If you are expecting to read a story about how joining a sorority helped me “become the best version of myself” and “expand my network” stop reading. While all these things are true and I won’t deny them, in my Alpha Chi Omega experience these benefits aren’t as important as the fact that joining a sorority gave me the opportunity I’ve always wanted, to have a sister…. or about 100.

I grew up in New Castle, Indiana and spent most of my childhood on a farm with my older brother Jake. My brother and I are about two years apart and growing up in the country didn’t give ample opportunities to interact with other kids unless at the babysitter’s house. Our babysitter looked after eight kids, seven of which were boys. Basically I spent most of my time around with boys, so there weren’t too many Barbies in my past. Instead it was G.I Joes, playing in the mud, bailing hay and cleaning horse stalls.

What being a Real Strong Woman means to me

Being a Real Strong Woman of Alpha Chi Omega means something different to all of us. To me, being a Real Strong Woman is not about being better than everyone else, or always knowing what is best, but about believing in yourself.  

The Moment I Knew Alpha Chi Was Home

Between smiling to look friendly and avoiding any sharp objects in fear of ripping my pantyhose, third round of recruitment came in no time at all. In fact, it came so fast that I questioned how I could possibly know which chapter was for me in the span of 4 days. I sat in Meharry Hall that morning waiting to receive my nametag that would show which two houses I would visit that round. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) enough, I was called back to both houses that I had prefed the previous night.