Alumnae Spotlight

Alumnae Spotlight Samantha Perri

Kappa Alpha Gamma Chapter, Spring 2009

I first discovered Kappa when I was a freshman in the fall of 2008. I knew I had an interest in joining a sorority but was nervous about putting myself out there. One of the sisters handed me a flyer at a club event, and after my first general interest meeting I knew I found my people. Since I wasn’t able to affiliate as a first semester freshman, the girls stayed in touch with me and I pledged with the Upsilon class of the Kappa Alpha Gamma chapter in spring 2009.

I love being Kappa, and my time as an active gave me so many great memories. Some of my favorite being alumnae weekends, when I got to know more of my sisters Which is probably why one of my favorite positions that I ever held was alumnae secretary, where I got to email my sisters every week with updates and news. I always loved getting to know my older sisters and learning more about our similarities that bonded us.

The only thing I enjoyed more than the large events were the small ones. One of my best memories from being active happened the month after I crossed, on my birthday. My big, Jen, and other sisters showed up to my dorm room with a cookie cake and cards. This small act of kindness meant a lot to me, just knowing that they took the time out of their day to celebrate me. These small acts of kindness between me and my sisters are what has helped keep our bonds throughout the past 12 years. My little, Brie, loves telling the story about when she was affiliating and was texting me that she couldn’t wait to finish her library hours so she could go eat. Maybe 15 minutes later I showed up at the library with a PB&J sandwich, some fruit snacks, and water for her. Again, a small act of kindness that has become a favorite memory for someone.

This past summer, I decided to start up an alumnae association for my chapter, Kappa Alpha Gamma. One of my hopes for it is to help bring back those small acts of kindness, which sometimes fall to the wayside when we

are separated by distance and busy lives. Some things I suggested at our first few meetings is sending out birthday cards to our members, and to have a newsletter where we celebrate the successes of our sisters. What bonds us together should be more than our letters and colors, and the time we spend together at alumnae weekends. It should also be supporting each other through new jobs, educations, milestones and new adventures like a move to a new city or home. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I had sisters reach out to me that I hadn’t seen in ages. And it made me feel so supported. I want to help bring that support to all my Kappa sisters. And that is my hope for our new alumnae association.

I always loved participating in philanthropic events. When I was young it was through Girl Scouts, but in college I did it through Kappa. It’s easy for philanthropy to fall to the side when we get caught up in our busy lives, but I’ve noticed that when my sisters are given the option to participate in events, a lot of them do. Earlier this summer

we helped reach out to voters that are more likely to be victims of voter suppression, by hand-writing about 700 postcards while video chatting with one another. We also participated in a social media campaign on World Suicide Prevention Day, in support of the national philanthropy. And as I write this, we have a virtual yoga event planned for October as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Philanthropy is a way that we can be kind to people beyond our own communities and our own personal bubbles. And I think that is why my sisters and I love participating in them so much. There is a reason our

national philanthropy award is called the Kindness Award.

Being Kappa has helped shape me in so many ways, and has given me friends for life. It has helped me become a better person by getting me to participate in the world and communities around me. I know that it will forever be a part of my life, and for that I’m so grateful for it. It’s beyond just the parties and college, it’s a support system that will always be there for you, for the big and small events. MTSND, Samantha Perri