THE TRANSITION

JANET CROOK CONROY, BΠ

In 1984 I started my junior year at Concord College (now Concord University), and the following spring I decided to go through continuous open bidding and Alpha Sigma Alpha won me over. They were a small group of wellrounded sisters, involved in school government, sports and had high GPA’s. At that point we were called a pledge class, my pledge class had 6 members. Things have changed but I remember having my pledge book and you had to have each member sign off on two visits. This was a great way to meet everyone, I still have my pledge book today. All of this was before email and social media so we really didn’t know about the opportunities with the national organization, at least I thought it was just four years and you received the Phoenix.

After graduation I became a flight attendant and moved to New York City for a few years then moved to Boston and saw that there was an alumnae chapter. They were meeting for lunch in Copley Square. As I walk in I see a table with ladies many years older than me, they happen to be mostly from the Boston University, Theta Theta Chapter. I showed up to a few more meetings and each time they had fewer ladies, until it was just a few active alumnae left. The one member that will always stand out is Mary McGuire, as most of the members moved out of state or into nursing homes, we were left to keep the chapter going. We worked hard to recruit sisters who were in the Boston area, or just moving there to attend grad school. Finally, we started growing and for 30 years I was part of the sisters that brought us into our 100th Anniversary Celebration.

A few months before the Boston Alumnae 100th, I moved back to my hometown in West Virginia. At that point, Beta Pi at Concord University was on financial probation and membership was down. They were on the verge of closure, we couldn’t let that happen. I volunteered to become their advisor and we jumped into action and got the word out to Beta Pi alumnae and they came to the rescue. We pulled it together and celebrated Beta Pi’s 75th Anniversary during 2022 homecoming. The chapter now has a full panel of advisors and membership is growing. They are thriving and I can’t wait until the 100th anniversary.

However, I missed my Boston alumnae chapter so I decided to start an alumnae Chapter in Beckley, WV. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but as it turned out there was more interest then I could have imagined. Instead of just Beckley, it became a chapter for all of Southern West Virginia. We started AΣA Country Roads West Virginia Alumnae Chapter with 30 dues paying members our first year and have events throughout the southern part of West Virginia. It has been so fun meeting sisters in the area and supporting Beta Pi, we have so many cool connections.

On a national level, I went to my first National Convention in 1984, I think I have only missed one and that was due to the birth of my son. Attending convention, I met the most amazing women across the nation and have become lifelong friends. As a volunteer for AΣA, I have learned so many things that spill over into my professional life. Things such as leadership skills, being diplomatic and just showing up. I have volunteered in a number of positions and didn’t think it was noticed until this past summer when I became the recipient of the Helen L. Corey Award. That has been the highlight of my sorority life and lifetime membership. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Alpha Sigma Alpha.