TRIANGLE spring 2017
Walking the road from victim to survivor a brave sister shares her story
State of our Sisterhood
Character Essay Contest Winners
Housing Highlight
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 1
The Triangle | Spring 2017
Volume 17, Number 1
Editor Mallory Borino, Eta Omicron Design/Editing Shelle Design, Inc. Member Experience Editor Katie Bevan, Eta Chi Features Editors Samantha Green, Eta Chi Amanda Marchegiani, Beta Xi Copy Editors Josey Herrera, Eta Chi Joie Montgomery, Beta Gamma Sigma Sigma Sigma National Headquarters 225 North Muhlenberg St. Woodstock, VA 22664-1424 p 540.459.4212 // f 540.459.2361 sigma@trisigma.org // www.trisigma.org Executive Council 2016-2019 National President Natalie Averette, Gamma Beta National Treasurer Ann Rutkowski, Epsilon Delta National Vice President Linda Manley-Kuitu, Epsilon Rho National Vice President Kara Miller, Epsilon Delta National Vice President Joyce O’Daniel, Alpha Chi National Vice President Courtney Stone, Alpha Psi Ex-Officio Laura Sweet, Alpha Sigma Changes of names, addresses, and death notices should be sent to National Headquarters. Postmaster: Please send notices of undeliverable copies on Form 3579 to Sigma Sigma Sigma, 225 North Muhlenberg Street, Woodstock, VA 22664-1424. The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma is published two times a year by Sigma Sigma Sigma, 225 North Muhlenberg Street, Woodstock, VA 22664-1424. Payment of membership dues includes $2 toward the cost of The Triangle subscription. Articles are invited for publication in this magazine. Manuscripts should be submitted to the Editor for consideration. Acceptances are on a contributing basis only and are subject to editorial review. All copies and photos become the property of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Member of National Panhellenic Conference and Fraternity Communications Association. © 2017 Sigma Sigma Sigma Follow us Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority
from the
president Believe in tomorrow… As springtime unfurls and the world around us awakens, I am reminded of something Audrey Hepburn once said: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” She is one of my favorite iconic women and this time of year I find myself thinking about some of Tri Sigma’s icons—our Founders. I often ponder how these women and our earliest members managed to
NATALIE AVERETTE Gamma Beta National President
expand Tri Sigma to places as far away as Texas and Tennessee within just a few years of our founding without the aid of technology and instant forms of communication or the accessibility of a large national network of members. How did young women at other small schools learn about
the Sigmas in rural Virginia? How did Tri Sigma manage to spread the seeds of our sisterhood given the limitations of technology and communication in the early 20th century?
There are very few surviving historical records of those early years that tell us how Tri Sigma
established itself at schools throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southern states. Personal connections and relationships with friends and family were undoubtedly essential elements of our growth. I imagine letters written to cousins and childhood neighbors who were seeking higher education in places far from home spread the word about a band of women united by bonds of sisterhood…how much fun they had together…how supportive they were of each other. I do not know exactly what was said back then that enticed women to come together and petition Tri Sigma to start chapters at their own schools, but surely expansion began with talking up Sigma!
It all started with friends and acquaintances telling them why being a Sigma was such a great
thing which sparked the thought that it could be a great thing for them too. Sound familiar? Regardless of the many technological and cultural changes through the decades, recruiting isn’t really all that different now than it was a hundred years ago when Sigma was expanding its chapter roll at an almost dizzying pace. The method of delivery may have changed, and the details of the message may be a little bit different but we still depend on you to always put your best foot forward, entice and invite your friends, and seize every opportunity to make new friends who could one day become your sisters.
Collegiate members are the primary force driving Sigma’s future growth as a national organization.
We especially count on our collegiate women to ensure the sustainability of Tri Sigma for at least another century or so. Potential sisters are around every corner! Are you prepared to meet them? Do you always represent Tri Sigma in a positive manner? Do you know what it is that makes being a Sigma so fantastic? Can you convey your sentiments in such a way so others will realize that they too must make Tri Sigma a part of their lives?
As alumnae, we must ask ourselves these same questions, for it is our influence which guides
and assists our collegiate members and chapters to ensure their strength and success. Are we upholding the values and principles of our illustrious sisterhood? Are we always presenting the best side of ourselves and of Tri Sigma, and are we promoting all that Sigma has to offer?
No one is perfect of course. We cannot always be on our “A game,” but we can always be
confident in what we’re “selling” and thoughtful in how we “sell” it. That’s standard advice for success in business, and it applies equally to growing our sisterhood. Remember, recruiting new members isn’t complicated. If it feels like a complex, tortuous exercise go back to the basics that have worked for over a century - make new friends and show them how awesome it is to be a Tri Sigma.
We must plant seeds of greatness and nurture our sorority. Let us tend to our Sigma garden,
Follow us @trisigma
for we all believe in tomorrow and in the future of Tri Sigma.
Follow us @trisigma
Happy gardening!
Follow us @TriSigmaNational
2 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
~ Natalie
contents
26 features:
departments:
6 Wellbeing Series
4 Editor’s Corner
10 State of our Sisterhood
5 Empowered Women
16 Presidents Academy
13 Leadership
18 Character Essay Contest Winners
29 Member News
23 NPC Annual Meeting Recap 24 Housing Highlight
36 Foundation 38 Archives 39 Omega Listing
26 Victim to Survivor
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 3
the editor’s corner
you? how are
“How are you?”
We all ask and receive this question
countless times throughout our day and
week. From the waitress taking your lunch order to the clerk at the gas station, we
all hear it, but do we all mean it? Do we MALLORY BORINO Eta Omicron Director of Marketing and Communications
use this simple phrase when it is needed the most?
I found myself on a Thursday evening
grocery shopping for dinner and trying to
rush home before my husband so I could surprise him with one of his favorite meals. Traffic was horrible during rush hour, the store
was packed, and the checkout line was long enough to consider dropping my cart and opting for a few Wendy’s combo meals.
When it was finally my turn to make my purchase the clerk behind the counter asked, much like everyone else I had spoken to that day, “How are you?”
Instead of rambling off the generic “I’m fine; how are you?”
I stopped. I stopped unloading my cart. I stopped rummaging through my purse for my wallet. I stopped and looked at the kind clerk staring back at me with that simple question.
4 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
How many of us genuinely ask this question? How many of
us respond in truth? I took a few moments to chat with the clerk about my day; the highs and the lows. Ultimately, I found myself
in a conversation about her recent loss. You see, Mary’s husband
had passed three weeks earlier. Today seemed particularly hard for her but she still put on a smile and continued through her day. We shared stories about her husband’s favorite sweets and their dog
Cookie (who just so happened to be named after his favorite sweet). When it was time to gather my bags and leave, Mary stopped again and took time to speak genuinely. She thanked me for the brief
conversation. Today was her anniversary and she was just trying
to get through the day. Taking a moment to share some memories was exactly what she needed and I felt it.
This issue features the story of a sister who survived sexual
assault. She walked through life for a year holding guilt and just
getting by. At one simple lunch a sister took the time to stop and ask how she was. That changed her life.
When was the last time you reached out to someone you saw
hurting or in need? When was the last time you genuinely answered the clerk asking how you are? Take the time to be present this year. It may have a life changing effect on someone that needs it most.
empowered women
Celebrating 75 Years with Tri Sigma! Chapter Name Alpha Sigma Margaret Hardy Abbott Alpha Rho Rose Probst Akeley Alpha Lambda Doris Raymer Albers Alpha Dora Jones Anfin Alpha Nu Nadine Spurrier Aunt Nu Betty Stewart Baile Alpha Nu Betty Randle Baldridge Alpha Phi Pauline DeMott Ballou Alpha Chi Frances Nelson Barclay Alpha Mu Maveh Rosser Barker Alpha Nu Frances Blanckertz Bass Sigma Mary Belle DeVivier Beach Alpha Iota Wanda Bell Beane Alpha Phi Gertrude Shearer Beck Alpha Psi Esther Pinkstaff Bethune Alpha Ida Sykes Billups Alpha Tau Alice Sudenga Bliss Alpha Iota Marjorie Mills Bliss Alpha Pi Ilene Ross Bovaird Alpha Delta Sarah Ross Brig Alpha Sigma Isabelle McCoy Brown Alpha Nu Dorris Reidelberger Campbell Alpha Nu Teddy Hess Carlton Alpha Nu Allynn Wright Carter Alpha Upsilon Frances Matthews Clark Mu Lois Drennan Cloyd Alpha Mu Ruth Blanchet Colomb Mu Jean Janney Coon Alpha Helen Wilson Cover Alpha Iota Agnes Lazenby Cowan Alpha Omicron Ouida Hutto Cox Alpha Psi Mary Jones Cramer Alpha Beta Jane Mueller Cropley Alpha Theta Mary Peters Cunningham Alpha Upsilon Ann Nowlin Dechert Alpha Phi Mary Wilson Delano Alpha Pi Donagene McDowell DeLong Alpha Phi Louise Gundry Devendorf Alpha Phi Phyllis Johnson Ditlevsen Alpha Upsilon Emma Eley Dubose Alpha Psi Betty Lewis Ebe Alpha Gamma Loraine Hickey Ehrhard Alpha Chi Dollye McAlister Elliott Sigma Betty McCormick Emberton Alpha Psi Margaret Rademaker Ferris Alpha Psi Charlotte Greene Fisher Alpha Delta Eleanor Stevenson Flood Alpha Epsilon Margie Chapman Foley Alpha Psi Elizabeth King Ford Alpha Beta Norma Heflinger Foreman Alpha Alpha Eleanor Mann Freeman Alpha Lambda Kathryn Doss Frei Mu Bonnie Salisbury Funk Alpha Psi Jean Gossett Gaines Alpha Epsilon Martha Polsley Gamble Alpha Zeta Opal Madden Gaspard Alpha Delta Dorothy Mather Glasebrook Psi Eunice Parry Gleason Pi Maudene Messmer Goebel
Chapter Name Alpha Sigma Annie Walker Grim Pi Ila Soderstrom Grossardt Alpha Chi Betty Overbey Hale Xi Mary Stahl Halverson Psi Eleanor Beckner Hand Alpha Psi Bessie Mae Townsend Hanks Psi Jane Turner Hansen Alpha Psi Martha Rademaker Haugh Mu Betty Green Hayes Pi Gertrude Foster Hayes Alpha Chi Leah Williamson Hays Lambda Arlene Hoffman Hazlewood Alpha Phi Patricia Hendrick Psi Bess Broaddus Herndon Alpha Psi Martha Jack Hobbs Alpha Alpha Ethel Wall Holland* Alpha Alpha Belvia Reid Honaker Alpha Chi Martha Hays Hoskins Upsilon Virginia Mayfield Hughey Alpha Upsilon Ann Brown Hutchinson Alpha Psi Bette Bails Johnson Alpha Tau Phyllis Walker Johnson Mu Betty Mesmer Jones Alpha Omicron Marilyn Farish Jones Zeta Thelma Popp Jones Alpha Xi Joyce Yeager Kaiser Alpha Alpha Dolores Snuffer Karr Alpha Xi Jeanette Ludtke Krumheurer Xi Lorene Boucher Laird Alpha Omicron Margaret Hardgrave Laster Alpha Upsilon Mary Sherman Lawler Omicron Joan Schrepper Leininger Alpha Theta Helen Kemp Lepchitz Alpha Upsilon Margaret Latham Lesner Alpha Zeta Eloise Richmond Lloyd Alpha Tau Edith Smith Ludwick Nu Grace Warren Luther Pi Sophie Fearl Majewski Psi Eleanor Porter Mallard Alpha Psi Mary Pinkstaff Marohn Alpha Psi Martha Moore Mason Munn Alpha Upsilon Elizabeth Overton McAlpine Psi Berkeley Lyon McCraw Alpha Psi Jean Camp McCumber Alpha Lambda Dorothy Vahrenkamp McHale Alpha Psi Helen Thomas Mellin Alpha Mu Mazie Mestayer Xi Dorothea Plisek Millward Xi Dixie Irene Molz Alpha Epsilon Magaret Palm Morrow Chi Elizabeth Stryker Munson Alpha Iota Mary Cherry Munson Nu Sarah John Murray Alpha Rho Marian Clark Myers Alpha Phi Ora-Evelyn Nimms Alpha Upsilon Margaret Wright Odell Alpha Mary Butterworth Parson Alpha Upsilon Sarah Overton Partridge Alpha Psi Ida McNutt Patchett
Chapter Name Chi Mary Heckert Paull Alpha Upsilon Margaret Winfield Payne Alpha Chi Martha Pride Pryor Alpha Psi Fae Maness Reynolds Alpha Upsilon Jane Monroe Reynolds Alpha Omicron Norma Crigler Ring Tau Zuella Bowe Roberts Pi Wanda Rector Rose Alpha Elizabeth Agnew Rosenberg Alpha Alpha Charlotte A. Samples Alpha Upsilon Clara Nissen Satchell Psi Betty Riggs Senter Alpha Chi Martha Hood Sisterhen Alpha Omicron Ethel Johnson Smith Alpha Delta Norma Jean Smith Alpha Alpha Irma Fink Stafford Alpha Xi Doris Klitzkie Strehlow Pi Marjorie Jones Swope Alpha Lambda Margery Ramspott Theiss Alpha Iota Wilma West Theimer Alpha Iota Martha Bliss True Alpha Chi Grace West Underwood Omicron Marion Coward Vander Veen* Iota Dorothy Braun Vicklund Sigma Martha Freeman Wacholtz Alpha Tau Florence Walleigh Walleigh Alpha Epsilon Elizabeth Lippman Watson Alpha Upsilon Ruth Whittington Alpha Marilyn Johnson Williams Alpha Upsilon Margaret Brock Wilson Alpha Nancy Bondurant Wilson Alpha Epsilon Mary Hartness Wise Alpha Iota Robbie Lee Baker Woodruff Pi Dorothy Jackson Wooton* * Indicates Golden Violet
State Days April 8, 2017, Wisconsin State Day, Madison, WI, Contact Kim Katz, kimdkatz@yahoo.com
Fall 2017, North Carolina State
Day. Contact Kristen Wisbaum at kristen2122@gmail.com
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 5
empowered women
WELLBEING SERIES: PHYSICAL WELLBEING By Amanda Marchegiani, Beta Xi, Features Editor
As part of Tri Sigma’s current strategic plan, wellbeing is a key component as part of our member enrichment plan. In the next few issues of The Triangle, we’ll dive into each area of wellbeing and provide ideas on how you can improve your overall wellbeing.
Physical wellness relates to fitness and energy for you to complete all of the things you want to achieve. According to Gallup-
Healthways Well-Being Index survey taken between May 2008 and April 2009, only 27% of Americans get the recommended amount of exercise each week. Physical wellbeing includes mental health too. Here are some ways you can incorporate physical wellbeing into your life:
Keep a journal
Rest
This can include workouts and information about health
Getting enough sleep and time to yourself is part of your
appointments you’ve had. You can write down questions you
physical and mental wellbeing.
appointments.
mind: talk to a counselor, listen to podcasts or Ted Talks, seek
have for each of your doctors and record the items discussed at
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Cook at home or eat out in moderation, get regular
exercise, try a new activity, and find balance.
spiritual or religious guidance, or work on meditation.
Stay hydrated
way
Drink water throughout the day–at work, the gym, at home,
and while studying.
Find some resources to hold you accountable
Find a friend with the same goal in mind, find a running
or cooking group, try local yoga classes, or find a walking or hiking club. Check out your local library for programs, take a meditation
Mental strength Find mental avenues to maintain your positive state of
Find tools or resources that help you along the Get a new water bottle, purchase a new outfit, treat
yourself for completing your goal, find an app that helps track your fitness, or read motivational magazines or quotes.
Start your own wellbeing group Find ways to incorporate wellbeing into your meetings
and daily life.
class, or host an activity each month for you to try.
There are so many ways to think about your physical wellbeing and the list we’ve provided is just the tip of the iceberg. Find what
In the end, no matter how you maintain your physical wellbeing, make it fun and get your family, friends and Sigma sisters involved.
works for you personally and for your chapter.
We all want to be part of a group and share experiences, so make it something you look forward to and have a great time with it.
Share your photos and ideas of how you exhibit physical wellbeing with us on social media using #TriSigma and #Wellbeing.
Are you interested in learning more about wellbeing? Check out the book, Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements by Tom Rath and Jim Harter. the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 7
empowered women
2017 Chapter Anniversaries Chater Date
Chater Date
Anniversary
Collegiate Chapter
1917 100 Omicron and Pi
Anniversary
Collegiate Chapter
1992
25
Zeta Eta
1927 90 Alpha Epsilon
1992
25
Zeta Kappa
1922
95
Chi and Psi
1932
85
Alpha Xi
1942
75
Alpha Chi
1942 1942 1952 1967
75 75 65 50
Gamma Rho
1982
45 35
Delta Eta
Delta Chi
1987 30 Epsilon Theta
Zeta Gamma The Ladies of Zeta Gamma at Southeastern
Oklahoma State University hosted their 25th Anniversary Celebration on October 15,
in Durant, Oklahoma. Chapter President,
Madelyn Schneider, emceed the event, which had 98 collegians, alumnae, and guests in
attendance. Dean of Students Liz McCraw
presented a look back at Tri Sigma over the
past 25 years, and the chapter members and alumnae honored retiring Vice President of
Student Services, Sharon Berish Robinson.
Alumnae traveled from all over the country— Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Illinois. The alumnae hosted a silent
auction for the local chapter, and a special
alumnae gathering was hosted immediately following the banquet. 18 of our charter
members were able to attend the evening’s celebration. The event was lovely, and the bonds of sisterhood remain strong for the women of the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Tri Sigma.
8 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
Zeta Theta
1997 20 Zeta Psi
Alpha Psi Beta Pi
25
1997 20 Zeta Chi
Alpha Phi
Gamma Pi 1972
1992
1997 20 Eta Alpha 1997 20 Eta Beta 1997 20 Eta Zeta 2002
15
Eta Xi
2007
10
Eta Upsilon
2002 2012
15 5
Eta Omicron Theta Delta
Celebrates 25 Years!
Dear Sigma Sisters, In the late 1890s, our Founders were preparing to be teachers at the State Normal School of Farmville, Virginia. Our history indicates that while they were good students, they still made time to “indulge in the lighter side of college life.” That meant making friends, sharing time together, and being of help to one another. It is these friendships that led to the establishment of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Friendships that would last a lifetime! As we celebrate Founders Day this year, I am reminded of the Tri Sigma friendships that I have made in both my collegiate chapter, and in our national sisterhood. Perpetual bonds of friendship are like no other. As a result, I have been empowered by many of our members to be more than I thought I could be—to be a leader, and a person that empowers others.
One of the definitions of empowering is helping someone realize their abilities and potential, sometimes for the first time. As Tri Sigmas, we have been empowered by the women that came before us to help make a difference in the world. In this year’s Founders Day program, “Exceptional Experiences. Empowered Women.,” written by Su-Lin Hammond Banks, Gamma Psi and National Ritual Coordinator, we are asked to ponder well our responsibility and what the measure of our influence will be. In reading our history, it is noted that as early as 1912 Tri Sigma members were concerned with the needs of others. They wanted to “alleviate if only a little of the suffering” of those around them. Upon reading this, I couldn’t help but relate it to our new partnership with the March of Dimes and our continued philanthropic initiative, Sigma Serves Children. Like the early Sigmas, we feel a sense of responsibility to help make a difference to those around us. What will you do to empower others? How will you change the world? As we enter our 119th year, let us ponder well our responsibility, as we are Tri Sigma Empowered! I extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Executive Council.
In Our Bonds,
Ann (Annie) C. Rutkowski Epsilon Delta National Treasurer
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 9
sisterhood
empowered women
2016 State of our
MEMBERSHIP 9,502 Collegiate Members
201
Active Collegiate and Alumnae Chapters
91,782 Alumnae Members
New Chapters Oakland, MI – Theta Theta
Charlottesville, VA – Delta Chi
Auburn, AL – Theta Iota
Amherst, MA – Gamma Iota
Foundation $304,000 raised by Collegiate Chapters for the Foundation. Over $27,000 raised benefitting March of Dimes in the first 6 months of our partnership.
$100,000 in Foundation grants for programming efforts.
ENGAGEMENT 646 National Volunteers 13,449 Twitter Interactions 204,300 Facebook Post Likes 19,000 Instagram Likes and Comments
10 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
25,174 issues of The Triangle mailed
Revenue Collegiate Support: 66% Conference: 16% Investments/Grants/Other: 7% Royalties/Chapter Supplies: 7% Alumnae Support: 4%
Programming
66%
4%
7% 7%
16%
307 Prevention Institute Attendees
91%
of chapters participated in
CHARACTER COUNTS! Week
226 Alumnae participated in Alumnae Engage
Average GPA –
3.15
Expenses Member Support/Programs: 62% Management/General: 24% Professional Investment/ Other: 10% Technology: 3% Walton House: 1%
1% 3%
PILLAR 4 CHAPTERS: • Nu
• Gamma Xi
• Omicron
• Gamma Pi
• Pi
• Delta Pi
• Chi
• Epsilon Rho
• Alpha Zeta
• Zeta Alpha
• Alpha Iota
• Zeta Kappa
• Alpha Chi
• Eta Kappa
• Alpha Pi
• Eta Theta
• Beta Delta
• Eta Xi
• Beta Xi
• Theta Gamma
• Gamma Beta
10% 62%
24%
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 11
empowered women
Congratulations Alumnae Initiates Initiation date, Name, Chapter
10/09/16 Vicki Rae Duplantier, Gamma Mu
10/24/16 Teresa Slagter Luyet, Nu
10/09/16 Lisa M. Collins, Gamma Mu
11/01/16 Teena Henry Harlin, Zeta Gamma
10/15/16 Annette Altamirano Lusko, Iota Alpha
11/06/16 Carolyn Margaret Littlefield, Iota Alpha
10/16/16 Wendy Nesoff Naimaister, Zeta Kappa
11/10/16 Caroline Bushkowski Cipressi, Alpha Pi
10/16/16 Nicole Kelley Mezzina, Zeta Kappa
11/13/16 Susan Mare Botelho, Zeta Alpha
10/17/16 Kaitlyn Josee Hamilton, Alpha Iota
11/20/16 Courtney Rufh, Epsilon Nu
10/20/16 Debora Early Price, Chi
11/20/16 Doris Layman Booton, Epsilon Nu
10/20/16 Kathleen Walsh Richardson, Chi
12/08/16 Sarah Jones Seawell, Epsilon Nu
10/20/16 Molly Jane Howgill, Chi
01/29/17 Ashley Boynton Thom, Iota Alpha
10/23/16 Ginger Cuzzort DeHaan, Delta Pi
01/29/17 Elizabeth Pyle, Pi
10/23/16 Kaitlyn Cronin Chavez, Beta Epsilon
12 the TRIANGLE | fall 2016
By Danielle Kloap, Epsilon Beta
leadership
Prevention Institute Recap When Delta Delta Chapter Advisor Karen Boardman attended
Council specialists facilitated curriculum covering topics ranging
reduction and Honor Council, but what she didn’t expect was to
Council meetings to learning more about GreekLifeEdu statistics.
the Prevention Institute, she expected to learn more about harm realize just how connected Tri Sigma
from women and hazing to motivational interviewing in Honor
The Prevention Institute, funded
sisters really are.
in part by the Tri Sigma Foundation,
on the first day, Karen chatted with her
opportunity to attend a national
After a long evening of programming
roommate, Zeta Kappa alumna Ariel Frechtman, who serves as Eta Nu’s
Chapter Advisor. As the two alumnae
from different areas of the country got
gave a wide range of members the program and develop the skills
and partnerships necessary to be successful chapter leaders.
Nadia Serna, Epsilon Iota’s Risk
to know one another, they realized they
Manager, attended the Nashville
being Chapter Advisors.
program prepared her for her new role.
had much more in common than just
Ariel and Karen’s husbands both
location and praised how well the
“I really needed the training and
grew up within miles of each other in
I would have been completely lost
Nadia said. “Now that I know what’s
the same small town in New Jersey. “It’s such a small world,” Karen
said. “I think (Tri Sigmas) are all
connected in ways we probably wouldn’t realize. It’s good to dig
deep and find those commonalities.”
The theme of the weekend for
advisors and collegians alike was learning
this semester without going to PI,”
expected of me, it’s made me want to
be more involved and take things more seriously, especially the topics we
dealt with like hazing, transportation, and events with alcohol.”
Mikaela Berthiaume, Zeta
that no matter where your chapter is
Upsilon’s Risk Manager, said she
same issues when working to keep sisters
and learning new ideas to take back
located, they all confront many of the
safe and hold members accountable.
“We really do all struggle with
the same issues,” said Julia Hilliard,
enjoyed connecting with other sisters to her chapter at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts.
Natalie Vasquez, the Risk Manager
a Gamma Zeta alumna and advisor.
for Epsilon Tau Chapter at St. Leo
when we come to programs like this
part of the Prevention Institute was
“It’s nice to know that we’re not alone and bounce ideas off each other.”
Risk Managers, Honor Council
members, Advisors, Vice Presidents
University in Florida, said her favorite connecting with different sisters from across the country.
“I learned so many new things
of Operations, and even a few Chapter
from their chapter, as they did ours,”
January to attend the second annual
“This was a great experience that I
Presidents had an opportunity in
Prevention Institute in Chicago, Dulles, and Nashville. SAFE Team and Honor
Natalie said of the sisters she met. wish I could do all over again!”
the TRIANGLE | fall 2016 13
leadership
By Katie Bevan, Eta Chi
Theta Iota Chapter Installed at Auburn University
With help from members of the Executive Council, staff, volunteers, and collegiate members from Epsilon Theta, Tri Sigma officially installed the Theta Iota Chapter at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, last fall.
After months of planning and preparation, Installation
Weekend began on Friday, November 18, 2016, with a pre-
initiation meeting. The evening also included a campus tour for
Executive Council and the initiation of the new Chapter’s officers.
On Saturday, November 19, 121 collegiate members were
initiated into the Theta Iota Chapter, concluding with the honor
initiate, Courtlyn Harcrow. Many Auburn CAB members helped make the day a success.
“What a joy—an absolute joy—to be a part of something so
rich in tradition and so rewarding!” said Catherine Hudson, Delta
Beta and Auburn CAB member. “The Installation weekend was so very well planned and executed that all I had to do was show up with a smile and an open heart. The rest came back to me, even after 25 years! I am so blessed that I am able to be a part of this awesome adventure.”
All of the newly initiated sisters were incredibly honored
to have the entire Executive Council in attendance, in addition
to hearing stories of what Tri Sigma meant to all of the alumnae present at the Installation Banquet on Saturday evening.
14 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
“Initiation was a beautiful and wonderful experience,” said
Courtlyn Harcrow, Theta Iota Honor Initiate. “As the Honor Initiate, I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I was going to remember it forever. Having each of my sisters and the National President at
my initiation was the best part! The banquet was a great time with sisters and their families. I loved hearing so many women speak
about what great things Sigma Sigma Sigma has to offer. I cannot wait to dive into this sisterhood and experience even greater things to come.”
During their first semester, Theta Iota begun creating
traditions of their own that the sisters will enjoy for many years.
Between Bid Day, semi-formal and other social events with Greek members on campus, Parent’s Tailgate, and completing over
1,000 service hours, the sisters of Theta Iota are just beginning their Tri Sigma journey.
Follow the chapter’s journey on social media
@TriSigmaAuburn for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
By Katie Bevan and Josey Herrera, Eta Chi
Gamma Iota Chapter
Installed at University of Massachusetts Amherst
This spring, Tri Sigma was proud to install their newest chapter, Gamma Iota, at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts. It could not have been done without the help of collegiate members from nearby Epsilon Chi and Zeta Upsilon, additional volunteers, staff and National Vice President Kara Miller.
While preparing for their installation, members completed a
cumulative total of over 800 hours of service within Amherst and surrounding communities. The new chapter was very active on
the UMass campus, and participated in Panhellenic Pride week to support other campus sororities in their philanthropic endeavors.
On the evening of January 27th, the chapter had an
installation team dinner and then held a pre-initiation meeting
for all of the members; they then initiated Gamma Iota’s elected
officers directly following that in the Campus Center Auditorium.
On Saturday, January 28th, 84 collegiate members were
initiated into the Gamma Iota Chapter, concluding with the honor
initiate, Molly King. The Installation Banquet was held that evening
On Sunday morning, the officer team held the post-initiation
meeting during which they demonstrated a CBM and led a brief ritual study for the newly initiated members.
The new chapter was also honored to have alumnae from the
Central CT Alumnae Chapter attending, many of whom traveled from the Northeast to share stories and memorabilia with their new Sisters.
“I loved getting to play a role in helping initiate everyone.
I look forward to our chapter gaining even more empowered
women in the years to come,” says Faye McGuire, Gamma Iota Chapter President.
at Hadley Farms.
Follow the chapter’s journey on social media
be going through it with all of my sisters and having their love and
Instagram @TriSigmaUmass
“I would have to say my favorite part of the weekend would
support while we all worked towards initiation,” says Molly King, Gamma Iota Honor Initiate.
Facebook @TriSigmaUMass Twitter @TriSigmaUmass
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 15
leadership
We, the women of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, throughout our lives, strive to steadfastly uphold our vows and cherish our bonds of sisterhood Chapter leaders and volunteer coaches from across the nation joined in Dulles, Virginia, from January 5-8, for the inaugural
Presidents Academy. With a new opportunity to network with
each of these organizations have made a positive impact on the lives of individuals and our greater society. Our leaders heard
both testimonies and opportunities of how our vision provides exceptional experiences that empower women to change the world continues to be fulfilled through these partnerships.
sisters in similar roles, participants formed a deeper commitment
To seek wisdom and joy
our beloved Sorority.
to have fun! The keys to learning from and with each other was
To become inspired leaders
the wisdom of their peers while remaining pledged to share the
not only to the responsibilities of leadership, but to each other and
Beginning the weekend by recognizing the light that shines
from within, chapter leaders learned to name and claim their
top talents and develop strategies for putting them to work to
achieve greatness in their chapter, the classroom, and beyond.
The concept of strengths spotting was also explored to learn how
Participants delighted in the opportunity to not only learn but being committed to a new experience and willing to listen to
value of their own perspective. The mutual respect and trust that was established between peers and coaches developed into
partnerships that will continue to grow into friendship through shared experiences.
to identify and develop the talents of others, ultimately harnessing
And to live purposeful lives of integrity, faith, empathy,
Once participants had a stronger grasp on the potential within
The weekend culminated with an update of the State of our
while relevant as chapter leaders, will also be necessary for their
on how each participant will commit to apply the knowledge, skills,
on prioritizing wellbeing, learning effective decision making,
journey.
social justice by better understanding identity.
program, we expect to represent a certain chapter or particular
To support causes greater than ourselves
ourselves by understanding that our devotion to this sisterhood
each person’s individual talents for the benefit of the sisterhood.
understanding and love.
and around them, they continued to examine concepts that,
Sisterhood from National President Natalie Averette and reflection
continued growth as empowered women. This included a focus
and perspective gained through the Academy on their leadership
developing and inspiring confidence, and answering the call for
In addition to the dynamic and developmental exploration of
leadership, participants connected with the Tri Sigma Foundation and the March of Dimes by hearing the personal stories of how
16 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
When we travel to take part in a Tri Sigma collegiate leadership
role. Once we depart, we realize our true calling is to represent comes from being who we already are.
We are empowered. We are Tri Sigma.
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 17
leadership
Character Essay Contest Winners In recognition and support of National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, Tri Sigma once again sponsored a Character Essay Contest. The contest was open to all women affiliated with a National Sorority and enrolled full-time at a College or University as well as alumnae of Tri Sigma. The essay theme for 2016 was: Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate and how will compassion change our world?
1
st
kept bringing us weird concoctions of tater-tots and cooked vegetables that could be reheated the next day.
I was told that there is no proper way to grieve and that each
person has his or her own way of coping with loss. It wasn’t until
Maggie Squyer
I received a terrified look from my coach that I realized maybe
University of South Dakota
hearing my dad had died. There was no stopping me though—I
Alpha Phi Sorority
Maggie Squyer is a junior who is double majoring in biology
it wasn’t normal for me to play in a soccer game 36 hours after
ached for a way to get my life back in motion. After one day off
of school, I showed up to my fifth grade classroom expecting a
conservation and sustainability with a minor in political science.
normal day beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and ending
Alpha Phi, a Morale Captain for Dakotathon (the school’s Dance
by a hug from my teacher and a bouquet of flowers addressed to
assistant for the University’s Biology Department. After graduation
work for an environmental nonprofit or in local government.
11-year-olds. There was a genuine feeling of empathy and
Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate
As a child, I learned that being compassionate didn’t mean
She is currently the Director of New Member Education for
with math problems or spelling words. I was greeted instead
Marathon), a teacher’s aid at an elementary school, and a research
me from my 25 classmates. You guessed it—I bawled like a baby.
she hopes to get her master’s degree in public policy and either
experiencing in my life, and it was given to me by 25 10-and
and how will compassion change the world?
This was the first true act of compassion I can remember
kindness in that classroom that I try to carry with me still today. sending sympathy cards; it meant other children letting you
take the good jump rope out of the closet for once and parents
As a little girl, I remember gathering in the guidance
volunteering their time to carpool you home after school.
counselor’s office at my elementary school for our monthly student
Compassion looks like an extension on a homework assignment,
that stated The Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect,
tastes like the Krispy Kreme doughnuts your friend’s mom brings
of each meeting we would chant “TRRFCC! That’s what character
about compassion, let alone what the word even meant. In the fall
microcosm that was Mark Twain Elementary School speaks
to my four brothers and sisters when my mom delivered the news
filled with truthful politicians, respect for mental health issues,
In movies, depictions of characters receiving “bad news” are
system, care for struggling nations, and a sense of citizenship that
of adults toting casseroles, tight hugs, and a never-ending wave of
compassion that brought a struggling fifth grader back to her feet
Hallmark aisle of Walgreens, and I couldn’t figure out why people
can permanently change the lives of people around the world.
council meetings and studying the colorful poster on the wall
feels like the warm spot on the couch you share with a dog, and
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. At the beginning
home the morning after a sleepover.
means to me!” But as an 11-year-old, I don’t think I knew much
has the ability to evoke large-scale change in our world. The
of 2006, that changed. I was seated on the living room floor next
volumes to the world I want to live in today: a global community
that my father had died of a heart attack earlier that afternoon.
responsible interactions with the environment, a fair judicial
actually incredibly accurate — my world slowed to a sluggish blur
encourages individuals to be better community members. It was
sympathy cards. Our dining room table practically turned into the
after the unexpected loss of a parent, and it is compassion that
18 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
Compassion is a powerful and frankly underrated tool that
in my daily interactions with others. Compassion starts with the
2nd Brenna Smith
Beta Epsilon Chapter
Western Illinois University
Brenna is a senior at Western Illinois University double
majoring in communication and economics. She is the President of the Beta Epsilon Chapter, a mentor to students in the First
Year Experience Program, and the Vice President of Rho Lambda Honor Society. She has recently served as the Chief of Staff
for the Student Government Association and as a Recruitment Counselor for Formal Recruitment.
Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate and how will compassion change the world?
If you search “define: compassionate” on Google, you
will find a definition that states, quite simply, that the word
“compassionate” means “feeling or showing sympathy and
concern for others.” However, as someone who prides herself on being a compassionate person, I believe that this definition is a
disservice to all that it means to be compassionate. This definition oversimplifies what it means to be compassionate.
To be compassionate is more than to just feel sympathy
or show concern. To be compassionate is more than simply
telling someone that you care. To be compassionate is to feel
deeply for another person as they experience the ups and downs associated with life. To be compassionate is to not just tell
someone that you care, but also to show them that you care by
being there before they even ask for it. Compassion is a complex, beautiful phenomenon which allows us to empathetically relate
to another human being and provide support for them in whatever way we can.
For me, compassion and empathy go hand in hand. I
challenge myself to be compassionate each and every day,
understanding that everyone you meet is fighting their own battle of which you know nothing. That frame of mind makes it easy to
treat others with love, compassion, empathy, and understanding. We are all humans facing great challenges, and when you realize that, compassion becomes easy.
I believe that compassion will change our world one person
and one compassionate act at a time. Gandhi once advised that we must be the change we wish to see in the world, and I
believe that if we wish to see a compassionate revolution, we
need to start by being compassionate to others in every aspect of our lives.
So many of the problems in our world stem from a lack of
compassion. Violence and hatred could be solved with a little
compassion or a little understanding that we are all humans with strengths and weaknesses. How often do we think about the
struggles facing the person in our class with whom we do not get
along? When was the last time you thought about what the person who cut you off on the highway was dealing with before getting angry at them? Do we consider people’s reasons for having a certain opinion before writing them off and disagreeing with them?
While these may seem like simple scenarios, I believe that
compassion can truly make a difference when applied to any
kind of scenario like this. So often major tragedies result when someone reaches their tipping point or their last straw. Could those situations be changed if individuals were shown a little
compassion along the way? I am no psychic and I cannot see
the future, but something tells me that compassion would make a big difference.
If we want to change the world by being compassionate, we
need to start with ourselves and the small things in life. We need
to embody compassion each day in our lives to each person that
we encounter. Little by little, we will change the world. After all, life isn’t all about the big things; life is made up of the little things. A
little compassion, a little love, and a little understanding can leave a significant mark.
whether in my student leadership roles, at my place of work, or
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 19
leadership
3rd Erin Stein
her day. She lives alone and doesn’t get to talk as much as she
Beta Tau Chapter
University of Detroit Mercy
Erin is a senior in the Secondary English Education program
with a minor in political science. She joined Tri Sigma as a
sophomore and fell in love with it from the beginning. She went to
Officer Academy last winter and currently serves as the Education Director for Beta Tau. She is a Presidential Ambassador for the
University of Detroit Mercy, Editor of the Student Arts Journal, and a board member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. She also works at the campus library as a student assistant
and assists with RX for Reading, an outreach program to help distribute books to children in Detroit.
Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate and how will compassion change the world?
Imagine you’re driving down 8 mile, the notorious road that
splits poverty from suburbia, and you see a man holding a sign
that says, “Will Work for Food.” You then see someone at the red light roll their window down and hand the homeless person what
looks to be parts of their lunch and a few dollars. Although this is charity, this is also compassion.
Imagine you’re at the grocery store and you hold the door
open for an elderly woman who wants to start up a conversation
Imagine you’re out to lunch with some friends and you realize
that you only have three dollars because you had to pay rent and
tuition for the month and you’re struggling more than you thought you were. Your friend slyly hands you a five dollar bill and you
flash them a “thank-you-so-much-you’re-the-best” look while
anxiously paying your bill. Although this is just friendship, this is also compassion.
20 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
with you. After casually bantering back and forth a few times, the
woman tells you that the conversation she just had with you made used to. Although this is just being kind, this is also compassion.
Compassion can be doing works of charity, such as feeding
a homeless man; it can be spotting a struggling friend, and it can be chatting with a stranger. It can be relatively anything. Compassion can wear many hats and can be manifested in
many ways; the most important thing is just that compassion is
happening. Sometimes in bleak places, such as 8 mile, the light of compassion shines a little brighter than normal. All of the people in the cars behind the civil servant may stop and think and put their lives in perspective for just a moment before zooming off
after the light turns green. Maybe that friend who got spotted at lunch will pay it forward and help another friend in deed or pay
the customer’s bill behind them the next time they are in the drive
thru. Maybe that person who had the conversation with the elderly woman will volunteer at a nursing home or simply call their own
grandparents. The key to compassion is having it spark and light a fire of other acts of compassion.
Little acts of compassion will spark and set the world in a
blaze of love and kindness. Compassion is in every classroom,
every hospital, and every supermarket. We just need to make it
happen more often. Compassion will only change the world when we let it change ourselves. Once we let compassion into our
hearts, we can let it in our jobs, our politics, and our daily lives.
Compassion just makes us more human, and lately with all that
has been going on in the world and our country, I think we all need to be reminded that after all, we are all just humans who need a little love and compassion.
Opie felt sorry for the boy and intentionally got himself fired so the
alumnae winner Arlene Ball
Alpha Phi Chapter, Metro Detroit, Central Michigan and Florida Gulf Coast
Arlene joined Tri Sigma in 1975 at Central Michigan University (Alpha Phi) as a second semester junior. Her sister, Gail Reid
Vettraino, joined Tri Sigma the following year! Arlene is a member of three alumnae chapters: Metro Detroit, Central Michigan, and
Florida Gulf Coast. She is the Alumnae Advisor for Beta Tau and Theta Theta Chapters in Michigan. She and her husband Jim
are proud of their two daughters, Jenni (Beta Tau) and Teresa. A retired elementary teacher, Arlene now enjoys playing with and
“teaching” her grandson Jacob, age 2. She also loves time spent
with her mom, 90, and takes care of Jim’s mom, 88, who lives with them and has dementia. She has been to every Convention since her first one in Washington DC, 1998, and hopes to make it to
many more! As a 2014 Labyrinth participant, Arlene is grateful to
the Foundation and urges sisters to join her in supporting it and to apply for Labyrinth 2017.
Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate and how will compassion change the world?
On an old episode of The Andy Griffith Show, 12-year-old
Opie and another young lad were trying out for a week to be the best and fastest delivery boy in order to get the job at the local market. The owner of the store was so tired of them racing so
much that he decided a day early to give Opie the job but would
pay both boys to work the next day. Opie and the boys were both good sports and Opie was talking about how he was going to
save his money to get a new bike. Opie asked the other boy what he would have saved his money for and the boy told him how his dad had been sick and there were lots of bills to pay at home.
other boy could have the job. Although I thought it would have been better to just tell the owner to hire the other boy instead, young Opie showed COMPASSION by taking ACTION on his feelings of EMPATHY.
Recently in my state of Michigan, a football team along with
the cooperation of the opposing team, let the team water boy with Down Syndrome run the field for a touchdown. That really made
the boy’s day. It was in the news and touched the hearts of many. Those coaches and team demonstrated that Empathy in Action = Compassion!
Remember that song, “What the World Needs Now is Love
Sweet Love” sung by Dionne Warwick or Jackie DeShannon? What we need is love in action. Can compassion be taught? Possibly, but it is more effective when it is modeled. When
others witness acts of compassion, they are more apt to be
compassionate as well. While we can wish that world leaders,
terrorists, and fighting countries would just show compassion, it actually starts at home with every one of us. We can make a
difference in our own little circles of friends and family by choosing TO DO compassion! It is not always easy to do. Even those of us who feel that they are basically compassionate people, get overwhelmed and stressed.
Think of the difference you could make in your life and the
lives of those around you if instead of snapping back with a retort
or letting your frustration burst out, you just took a minute, exhaled and replied kindly. Anger begets anger. Compassion begets
compassion. How about waving someone in or not responding when someone makes a driving error or cuts you off in traffic?
How about baking or cooking something for the new or needy
neighbor? Offer to watch a neighbor’s children. Try looking around you and filling a need. You don’t have to win an award or get a
million likes on Facebook for your good deeds. Just look around and you will see many ways to show compassion. Just like a
stone cast into the water will make circles of ripples that reach the shore; doing acts of compassion will have a domino effect in the world around you. Try it today!
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 21
leadership
caring and citizenship. All of these pillars fall within the realm of what it means to be compassionate and to spread our
alumnae winner Emily Whiteman Gamma Zeta
Emily joined the Gamma Zeta chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma
at Slippery Rock University in the fall of 2012 with her best friend Charlene Klinger. It’s an experience she will never forget. She
studied K-12 physical/health education and served as the Vice
President of Operations when the position was established during 2014. She graduated in 2015 and has since moved to Kansas where she currently attends Kansas State University pursuing another degree in Criminology as well as an active cadet in Army ROTC.
Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate and how will compassion change the world?
Compassion is a sense of wanting to help, wanting to give
back, being a true sister and a friend to all without judgment. To be compassionate means to help, to understand, to care and to love. To be compassionate also means to live up to
our Sisterhood’s mission statement: “To establish among its
members a perpetual bond of friendship, to develop in them strong womanly character, and to impress upon them high standards of conduct”.
Two years ago, I attended Sigma Sigma Sigma Officer’s
Academy when I was Vice President of Operations. One of
the many aspects that I took away with me were the Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
22 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
compassion to change the world. Trustworthiness means to be
able to be dependable, keep my promises and follow through with them. How can I expect someone in unfortunate circumstances
to trust me, when I’m not showing them the compassion that they so deserve? Respect all that you come across, we have no prior
intellect on their pasts; thus, it is important to treat everyone with dignity and how we would expect to be treated. Trustworthiness
also goes hand-in-hand with responsibility, because it’s essential to be a dependable person and keep the promises that I make. Respect and Fairness are also in the same realm to spread
compassion amongst the world, because we must treat everyone with dignity and respect and also we must not discriminate
against other. To be caring means to show love and compassion, it’s also important to remember that Love is one of our core
values. Citizenship is being a good sister and giving back to
the community. Each pillar carries some meaning as to what it means to be compassionate.
How will compassion change the world? Even if it’s through
the spreading of love, showing understanding and simply being a friend for someone, one person at a time can make a difference. The end results of many small differences will make a grander impact. A simple act of compassion such as standing up for someone when they aren’t able to stand up for themselves
just yet will make a larger difference in the world than what we
realize. When we spread love, kindness and generosity through
our compassion, the better our world will be. When we place our minds into a more compassionate state, the world around us will profoundly change for the better.
By Jules Schenk, Kappa Kappa Gamma, NPC Director of Marketing
2016 Annual Meeting Recap The 2016 National Panhellenic Conference annual meeting offered delegation members, inter/national presidents and executive directors an opportunity to reflect on and discuss how the 26 member organizations are advancing sorority together. The leaders met Oct. 20-23 at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. For the first time, in an effort to build relationships among the executive leadership, the delegate, inter/national president and executive director for each member organization attended an off-site event. The group visited the Missouri History Museum—home of the first Thomas Jefferson memorial—to tour the Route 66 exhibit and have dinner Thursday, Oct. 20. Ginny Carroll, Alpha Xi Delta, InGiNuity, guided lively conversation on NPC memories and what NPC does best. NPC platinum partners also joined the excursion: Billhighway, CrowdChange, Herff Jones Greek Division, MJ Insurance Sorority Division and OmegaFi. Friday, Oct. 21, began with the executive leadership gathering for a facilitated conversation led by Carroll, including breakouts into their specific designations as board members, inter/national presidents and executive directors. Lunch offered a learning opportunity on the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation and further networking. The annual meeting then opened for all alternate delegates, NPC Foundation trustees and guests, including nondelegation area advisors. The afternoon included training for new area advisors and those who serve on the Alumnae Panhellenics and College Panhellenics committees. That evening, attendees gathered to discuss the proposed legislation, hear an update from the Government RelationsCommittee and learn how the inter/national presidents of the organizations represented at Harvard University are responding to Harvard’s ban on campus participation for members of single-sex organizations. During dinner, sponsored by gold partner CSL Management, delegations had time to catch up and discuss the proposed legislation. Friday continued with the official opening of the business meeting. Delegations introduced members and guests, legislation was proposed and adopted, and the chairman gave the state of NPC presentation. This year, the address took on a new twist as a video complementing the annual report displayed the accomplishments of the past year. Chairman Donna C. King, Sigma Kappa, closed the presentation saying, “Thank you to each of you for working together to ensure the achievements of 2015-16 send a strong message to our publics that the sorority experience is alive, well and growing.”After the business meeting, first-time attendees adjourned to a reception hosted by King, and others gathered at a reception to celebrate the retirement of long-time delegation member Patty Disque, Chi Omega. Early morning committee meetings kicked off Saturday, Oct. 22, followed by inter/national presidents and executive directors visiting the 37 NPC partners in the exhibit hall to learn about the valuable services they can provide member organizations. During the exhibit hall hours, College Panhellenic and Alumnae Panhellenic area advisors met by region and then attended breakout sessions to delve into specific areas, such as finance and recruitment. All attendees then enjoyed a networking lunch with the partners. The afternoon featured campus meetings where member organizations met to discuss specific concerns identified on certain campuses. The closing business meeting included additional proposed legislation and special presentations from member organizations. Then, for the first time at an even-year meeting, NPC held the memorial service. Said Malaea Seleski,
Zeta Tau Alpha, “Open your hearts and reflect on these amazing women who touched us. We know they are smiling down at us from somewhere over the rainbow.” She then sang a touching rendition of “Over the Rainbow” while a video shared the panhellenic spirit of 10 women who served NPC and had passed away during the year. After the business meeting, that night’s dinner celebrated the accomplishments of the NPC Foundation. Before and throughout the annual meeting delegation members, inter/national presidents, executive directors, College Panhellenics, Alumnae Panhellenics and Panhellenic friends purchased sunflower stickers for $5 each. These stickers were given to attendees—or emailed to them if they weren’t in attendance—to say thank you for advancing the sorority experience. Janet Brown, Alpha Omicron Pi, NPC Foundation board of trustees president, announced during dinner that this year’s sales raised more than $8,000 for the spirit fund. She also noted that 17 member organizations met the 100 percent delegation donation challenge. The annual meeting concluded with a town hall gathering Saturday night. Jon Coffin, VOX Global, moderated a panel discussion on the evolution of gender identity. The conversation presented an educational opportunity to listen and learn about a topic that intersects with the unique position NPC organizations have as all-women’s groups. Panelists were Tim Burke, president of Manley Burke and its Fraternal Law Partners division; Jessica Pettitt, Delta Gamma, diversity consultant for Good Enough Now; Dr. Lori Reesor, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students at Indiana University–Bloomington; and Beth Stathos, general counsel for and member of Chi Omega. After this thoughtful discussion, attendees enjoyed each other’s company at a dessert reception. On Sunday, Oct. 23, NPC hosted a special educational summit for communications decision makers. In opening the summit, Donna Chereck, Alpha Chi Omega, NPC Advocacy chairman, explained that “I like that phrase ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’…and I hope we can keep that in mind as we tell the stories of our own member organizations and promote the broader sorority experience at the same time.” In total, 35 member organization representatives learned about internal communications, brand ambassadorship, how to talk to the media and how to leverage social media. Participants wrapped up the day by breaking into small groups to apply the concepts to case studies.
Top row L to R: Kelly Jo Karnes, Pi; Linda Henderson, Delta Psi; Emily Ellis, Gamma Beta; Marcia Cutter, Beta Gamma; Nancy Mancuso, Zeta Alpha; Laura Sweet, Alpha Sigma. Bottom row L to R: Caitlyn Westfall, Theta Gamma; Paige Hirtz, Theta Delta; Natalie Averette, Gamma Beta; Emily Saulnier, Theta Delta.
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 23
housing
Housing Highlight: Theta Iota at Auburn University The Theta Iota Chapter
room was established in the summer of 2016 in
preparation for the new
chapter joining the Auburn
Panhellenic community. The room is in a dorm area on
campus referred to as The
Village which houses the 17 other Panhellenic chapters along with Tri Sigma.
Barbara Bonapfel, Rho, was key in the planning and
execution of the chapter room and helped to find the best
resources and decorator. Patty Disque of Disque Designs, was able to create an elegant space with hints of Tri Sigma colors
throughout the room. Barbara and Patty also collaborated with
other Panhellenic Advisors and students at Auburn to ensure the chapter room would be something that was not only functional but also something that the members would enjoy through creating a warm and welcoming environment that would foster sisterhood within the new chapter.
Some unique aspects to the room include benches along
the sides that are used to display chapter t-shirts, a state of
the art sound system allowing the members to connect their
devices and creating an instant dance party as well as a long counter space with a power strip wall perfect for plugging in their devices while studying in the chapter room.
The chapter room has been well received by both the
members and the Auburn community. During formal recruitment in the fall semester, the chapter will host new members for the first time and prepare to welcome their new members.
24 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 25
victim to survivor
Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.1
26 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
Walking the road from victim to survivor
I made it all the way to Halloween. All the new member education in the world couldn’t have changed what happened that night. It wasn’t because I didn’t use the buddy system, and I wasn’t too drunk. I did everything I was “supposed” to do and it still happened to me.
I
t was my first semester of college and I was visiting my
boyfriend of six months and some of our friends on a different
campus. I didn’t drink, but I wanted to dance, so we made our
way to a big costume party downtown. I ran into another woman wearing my costume, and we became fast friends. I wish I could tell you what happened next, but the next eight hours were completely wiped from my memory.
It’s strange to experience a hangover when you’ve never
been drunk before. My head only hurt for a moment… until my
chest caved in when I realized I was lying naked in a room I didn’t recognize with no recollection of the night before. My boyfriend was playing Xbox at the foot of the bed. He was never able to meet my gaze after that.
When I look back at my college experience, the six months
that followed simply don’t exist. I have no memories of the winter or spring, and there was certainly no photographic evidence I
existed, as I rarely left my dorm. I fell out of touch with friends
and used academic stress as an excuse to abandon my social life. I didn’t want to be around people anymore, and I was
downright afraid of parties. I dove headfirst into school and Sigma commitments, working odd hours to disguise the fact I couldn’t
sleep. I threw out old clothes I couldn’t bear to wear and picked up a part-time job to fund a few trips to Old Navy for replacements. I was cramming my schedule full of obligations so I wouldn’t have
time to go dancing with friends… or really think about the reason I didn’t want to anymore.
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 27
victim to survivor
“It’s always easier to breathe when there’s not a weight on your chest, and you know I’d help you carry it.”
I thought that, maybe, if I was busy enough, I’d stop blaming
here.” She said this so casually, as if her words weren’t turning my
“You should have worn tights with your dress. That would
there’s not a weight on your chest, and you know I’d help you carry
myself for what happened:
have attracted less attention.” “You shouldn’t have talked to
strangers.” “You were sharing a bed with your boyfriend for the
weekend—after months of explaining your religious abstinence. What did you expect?”
I’ll never know who slipped ketamine in my Diet Coke. Maybe
it was my boyfriend. Perhaps it was the guy behind the bar. But I do know this: a dozen people stood between that party and the
bed I ended up in, and most of them were my friends. They knew I didn’t drink, but remained silent when my boyfriend called a taxi and hauled me away in a stupor. A man that told me he loved me hours before taking advantage of the rare state I was in.
For a year, I split the guilt evenly between my boyfriend
and myself in my mind. Our crimes? Sexual assault and naïvety,
respectively. I didn’t tell a soul. I doubted anyone would believe me.
At the time, my campus wasn’t proactively discussing
bystander intervention and sexual violence. I knew resources
existed on my campus and in my community, but as a young
campus leader, I was terrified of how the label of “victim” might
change my future. My friendships. I couldn’t bear to think about
what it would do to my family. I didn’t want to think what the label might do to my own psyche.
My life changed when a sister I was working with asked
me to lunch. After, while we were working through mountains of Sigma-related paperwork together she causally asked how my
semester was going. When I blew off her question with calculated vagueness, she closed her laptop and looked at me: “Listen. You haven’t been yourself lately, and I don’t need to know what, if
anything is going on. But if you want to talk, I want you to know I’m
world upside down on the spot. “It’s always easier to breathe when it.” She made a self-depreciating joke about upper body strength and went right back to her work.
That conversation was the start of a bond that changed me.
That saved me, in many ways. I didn’t open up to her immediately, and I’ve never shared the details of what exactly happened that
Halloween weekend. I didn’t need to, because I don’t carry them with me anymore.
You don’t have to make an eloquent speech—you don’t have
to know precisely what to say. Imperfect words are so much better than silence. When your gut tells you a sister is hurting, chances
are you’re probably right. Reach out. Working through a moment of tension and awkwardness for you could change everything
for someone you love. She was one of the people that started
that process of healing for me, but I knew that was too big a task for just me or her alone. I got a counselor and, in time, began to
unpack all the heartache I’d managed to bottle up. I truly believe that I found myself in the process. It has certainly made me a kinder sister and a better friend.
What happened to me was not more or less awful than what
has happened to countless other women. My abstinence or
sobriety doesn’t make this more tragic because I was some kind of “perfect victim,” every instance is horrifying.
Sadly, this is a conversation we must all be prepared to have.
Statistically, we all know someone who will walk the road from
“victim” to “survivor.” Tri Sigmas are mothers, daughters, siblings, mentors and teachers. It’s crucial that we teach boys and girls about consent from a young age so that the campuses of the future will be safer.
One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives.2 1 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014 (2015). 2 National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Info and Stats for Journalists, Statistics About Sexual Violence (2012, 2013, 2015).
28 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
member news
Collegiate News ALPHA DELTA, DREXEL UNIVERSITY
GAMMA MU, SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
This past October, for CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, Tri Sigma
The week of August 8, started as recruitment week typically does.
“have a treat on Tri Sigma” baggies with change on the vending
until they woke up and realized there would not be Preference.
decided to pay it forward to the students of Drexel. Sisters put up machines around campus so students could have a nice pick-meup. They also posted pictures holding up the pillars of the sorority, which are a huge part of who Tri Sigmas are. Alpha Delta wanted
to share their character values with their peers. Members also went around campus and put up motivational sticky notes to help get students through the week.
ALPHA IOTA, NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY On October 4, 2016 the Alpha Iota Chapter at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, held their annual Fall Brawl
Fundraiser. Caitlin Andrews and Kaydee Hutchinson, Alpha Iota’s fundraising chairs, spent weeks planning and preparing for this event. They invited the six fraternities on campus to come out
and compete. The fraternities competed against each other to earn points, and the fraternity with the highest number of points at the end of the event won a bucket of Halloween candy and bragging rights. There were six events including a Slip n’ Slide, a pumpkin
pie-eating contest, and an obstacle course. This fundraiser was a fun-filled way for the Alpha Iota Chapter to raise over $600 for the Foundation.
The ladies of Gamma Mu made it through each day successfully,
On the morning of Friday, August 12, mother nature decided
that south Louisiana needed some rain. Cars had to be moved to higher ground to prevent them from being filled with water, and
homes began filling with water. Because the rain didn’t stop for
about two days, the university decided to postpone recruitment, giving everyone time to somewhat recover from the flood. In the
spirit of sisterhood and giving much, sisters set out to help each other, other members of Greek life, and the community affected by the flood. Groups of Sigmas piled into cars and drove to
various homes of those in need, assisting with demolishing walls, sorting through debris, and helping out in any way they could.
Most people wouldn’t think sorority women could wield hammers and crowbars, but they haven’t seen Sigmas take on demolition.
Those that could not help with tearing things down donated food,
toiletries, clothes, and school supplies to people and schools in the area that had lost so much due to this disaster.
After the week of sweat and tears ended, the chapter was
able to refocus our attention on recruiting new women into
our chapter. We finished strongly, gaining 30 new sisters in the process. Through all of this, not only did we help to rebuild (or begin to rebuild) homes, but we grew our sisterhood.
Above left: Alpha Delta Chapter celebrates CHARACTER COUNTS! Week with the students at Drexel University. Above right: Destiny Blossom, Haley Schuler, and Charys Galdamez Alpha Iota.
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 29
member news
Collegiate News
Left: Epsilon Tau volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House: Jennifer Connel, Kari Rafferty, and Rosemary Luycx. Middle: Gamma Pi sisters attending a JOTS birthday party at Cornerstone. Right: Gamma Pi Chapter sisters visiting Lady of the Lake Hospital; from left to right: Larissa Valero, Alisa Plaisance, Kelsey Savoie, Natalie Dufrene, Jessica Arceneaux, Lynda Boylan, Allison LaRose, Shelby Rousse, and Rebecca Grabert
GAMMA PI, NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY The Gamma Pi Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma is proud of the things they have accomplished over the fall semester of 2016.
This semester the chapter participated in multiple service events
for both the national and local philanthropies. In October, Gamma Pi held their 7th annual Running for Robbie 5K race benefiting the Robbie Page Memorial Fund and the Sigma Sigma Sigma
Foundation. They raised over $16,800 with the help of sponsors
and the Nicholls community. Throughout the semester, sisters have fully immersed themselves in a local organization in Thibodaux, the Cornerstone Children’s Center. Along with the help of JOTS, our sisters are able to help throw birthday parties for these children, involve them in campus events, and provide them a support
system. The chapter was also very proud this semester to receive a second grant from the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation to help
support the children’s department at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital
located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With this grant, Our Lady of the Lake was able to purchase equipment to assist in play therapy for special needs children in their children’s department. Along with the multiple service events, the chapter of Gamma Pi also built
upon sisterhood with retreats, movie nights, intramural sports, and weekly meetings. From service to sisterhood, Gamma Pi is very
proud of the things accomplished this semester and look forward to the spring.
EPSILON TAU, NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY A great success for the chapter was CHARACTER COUNTS!
week, where Sister Rafferty and many others encouraged the
student body of Saint Leo University to say what character means to them, and then had them write a letter to a person they admire.
30 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
Epsilon Tau also hosted their annual Shake, Rattle, and Stroll
event, and raised over $100 for the Robbie Page Memorial Fund. A number of sisters were also able to volunteer with alumnae at the
Ronald McDonald House, where they had the opportunity to serve dinner to the children there.
The chapter had the opportunity to compete in the Kappa
Sigma Splashdown, an event which raised money for troops
currently overseas. The sisters came in second place, which was very exciting!
ZETA UPSILON, FITCHBURG STATE COLLEGE During the month of October, the Zeta Upsilon Chapter at
Fitchburg State University raised money for the Making Strides
walk for breast cancer and participated in the walk on October 2nd. The chapter held a fundraiser at the end of September that involved many other clubs and organizations on campus to raise money
for the cause, and raised over $1,000 in donations for the walk.
Some men and women from other Greek organizations on campus walked with the team in Boston and had a great time supporting an amazing cause.
ETA NU, RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY On October 22nd, the ladies of Eta Nu hosted their annual Senior Citizen Prom, which raised money for Tackle Kids Cancer. The sisters of Tri Sigma danced the day away with other Ramapo College fraternities and sororities, senior citizens from local
communities, and Rebecca “Becca Boo” Salmins. Becca is a
strong little girl who recently reached her “Rainbow Day” (last day of chemotherapy), and kicked cancer’s butt!
This amazing event raised over $300 for Tackle Kids Cancer. All of the sisters had a great time at the event and cannot wait to hold it again next year!
ETA CHI, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI This past fall, the ladies of Eta Chi hosted their annual
Kindergarten Dinner raising $7,335 for the Sigma Sigma
Sigma Foundation. In the week leading up to the dinner,
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Eta Chi organized their semi-annual Week of Kindness.
The women of Eta Chi passed out candy and motivational
messages to students around campus, including snow cones
on the final day of their campaign. The women also made baby blankets for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of
Missouri Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The week completed with the news that Eta Chi had been awarded the Most Raised by Collegiate Chapter for Mile of Dimes, a school-focused initiative run through March of Dimes.
To learn more about our partnership, call 1-888-231-4870 or visit nationwide.com/TriSigma
Above top: Members of the Eta Nu Chapter at Ramapo College pose for a picture at their annual Senior Citizen Prom with Becca Salmins who recently reached her last day of chemotherapy. Above bottom: Zeta Upsilon along with members of other Greek organizations at Fitchburg State University.
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the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 31
member news
Alumnae News ATLANTA ALUMNAE CHAPTER The Atlanta Alumnae Chapter has been passionately focused
on making sure graduating seniors are able to effortlessly make the transition into the Alumnae Chapter. In addition to providing meals and donations during recruitment, the Epsilon Theta and
the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter enjoy several joint events throughout
the year including a potluck Thanksgiving lunch, winter Jingle Ball, and a summer pool party. We try to live by and instill in others
the reminder that Tri Sigma isn’t just for four years, it’s a lifetime commitment.
we walked in and [the look on their faces] has stayed with me
ever since.” Stacey Gutridge relayed that the best time she had
volunteering at the hospital was “dressing up and trick-or-treating
with the patients because it was an opportunity to help them forget about the illnesses and feel like normal kids for the day.”
As Chapter President, Jessica Dowches-Wheeler, notes “Serving Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai is one of our most
meaningful contributions to the Baltimore community.” The chapter
BALTIMORE SUBURBAN S.W. ALUMNAE CHAPTER Over the past three years, the Baltimore Area Alumnae Chapter
has maintained a strong partnership with The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai located in Baltimore, Maryland. The chapter became involved with the hospital
through sister Kristen Mylotte, who works as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Sinai. Sisters have volunteered at various activities such as the hospital’s annual 5K Race for our Kids, trick-or-
treating in the hospital, the Remembrance Ceremony to honor the families who have lost a child, organizing toy donations around
the Christmas holiday, and the NICU reunion. While volunteering at these events, sisters are able to make genuine connections
with the patients and build strong memories. Erin Magee said her favorite memory with the children was at the first 5K. “After the
5K we were able to deliver balloons and leftover favors to the sick children, who were not able to leave their rooms. They lit up when
hopes to maintain this partnership for many years to come. DENVER ALUMNAE CHAPTER
The Denver Area Alumnae Chapter is excited to introduce area
Sigmas to Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation by supporting their RPM grant and a potential Tri Sigma Child Activity Room in
the future Colorado Springs hospital. The alumnae also assisted
the Eta Pi Chapter with its application for an RPM grant for a Vecta Distraction Station, and were thrilled when they held their own check presentation at the main hospital.
Volunteerism is a huge component of the chapter’s mission.
The most recent endeavor by 10 Sigmas was sorting clothing
for “A Precious Child,” which provides clothing and other items to families referred by local agencies, schools, churches, and teachers. All goods are provided free of charge. Sisters were
absolutely amazed at the volume of goods and at the fact that
Pictured left: Atlanta Alumnae Chapter; top row left to right: Chelsea Corona, Liz Weber, LaDonna Barnes, Alma Kadri Next Row: Jess Lill, Karen Perez, Destiney Gary, Brooke Toluba, Lindsey Boutin Middle Row: Jessica Leandro, Maryajose Zubillaga, Rebecca Corder, Stephanie Everett Front Row: Rebecca Waltrip, Stephanie Moore and son Finlay, Sarah Carter and son Charlie, Elena Weiss
32 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
The relationship has been just as rewarding and impactful
for the sisters as it has been for the patients and their families.
Top left: Baltimore Suburban S.W. Alumnae Chapter; left to right: Stacey Gutridge, Joann Feustle, Stacey Taylor, Alexis Barone, Kristen Mylotte Bottom left: Denver Alumnae Chapter arrange clothing at a Precious Child shopping area. Pictured bottom row left to right: Phyllis Tollefson Kempkes and Videll Alme Nordmark, Beta Iota, and Michelle Pollard Hektor, Beta Delta. In back are Desiree Paulhamus, Foundation Staff and Bobbi Walker Smith, Alpha Epsilon.
this organization is run almost entirely by volunteers. Additionally,
NEW ORLEANS ALUMNAE CHAPTER
docents, tour guides, volunteers for dog rescues, foreign exchange
a 2016 Tri Sigma Foundation RPM grant has been awarded to
walking for March of Dimes in 2017.
Orleans area. The grant will enable the hospital to purchase an
Sigma, and Michelle Pollard Hektor, Beta Delta, reached out last
for an outdoor balcony area. The hospital will be enhancing the
State Colorado University in Gunnison, CO. They entered a float in
space to read or study outside or simply relax with a view of the
made a special Sigma Foundation presentation.
GREATER CLEVELAND ALUMNAE CHAPTER
and filled with age appropriate games and toys. Sister Christy
Denver Alumnae members are very active in the community as
The New Orleans Alumnae Chapter is proud to announce that
students, and Meals on Wheels volunteers. The chapter will be
the Child Life Center at Ochsner Hospital for Children in the New
outdoor glider bench, two chairs, two end tables and a deck box
Kay Curtis Hunsaker, Jennifer Fowler, and Janice Brown Reed,
fall by hosting a Sigma Chapter Homecoming Reunion at Western
space with an awning to provide shade. This area gives patients
the parade, designated a section of bleachers for attendees, and
Mississippi River.
Members of our chapter toured the Child Life Center at the
main campus where play therapy and activity rooms were bright
The Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter has had a very busy and
Gomez Gardes, Gamma Mu, volunteers weekly in the Child Life
the Theta Zeta Chapter at Case Western Reserve University kick
used for play. She also assists the specialists in sitting with a
Potluck Dinner,” where attendees dished up amazing entrees
outdoor furnishings will provide for the patients at the Ochsner
sisters young and old enjoyed an afternoon of apple picking at
for granting this request.
historic Medina, Ohio, members of our Alumnae Chapter met to
NORTH JERSEY ALUMNAE CHAPTER
ornament exchange, and a warming of the spirits with tea at Miss
expected to be a year of fun and service on October 8th. In addition
fantastic March of Dimes event. The Signature Chefs Auction was
annual tradition: stuffing Halloween treat bags for the children at
Cleveland’s finest chefs served their signature dishes to raise funds
violence prevention agency that offers emergency services to
honor for the sisters to contribute their time and energy towards
exciting semester. Alumnae sisters helped the collegiate sisters of
area. One of her duties is to clean the toys that the patients have
off the school year by joining them for the “Celebrate Your Heritage
patient from time to time. She certainly knows what benefits the
indicative of each sister’s ethnicity. Once the leaves started to fall,
Hospital for Children. Our members are grateful to the Foundation
Patterson Fruit Farms in the scenic town of Chesterland, Ohio. In ring in the season of giving with a tour of Castle Noel, our annual
The women of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter kicked off what’s
Molly’s tea room. To wrap up the year, the chapter volunteered at a
to reconnecting and planning events, they took part in a beloved
held at the Hilton in downtown Cleveland, and as many as 40 of
Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS), a non-profit domestic
to fight against premature births and infant mortality. It was truly an
women and children.
such a significant cause.
adopting a family for the holidays! Every December, the chapter
The ladies also planned for another cherished tradition:
adopts a family in need to help make their days a little more merry
and bright. The family is given not only some bare necessities, but special gifts for parents and kids.
Pictured far left: Child Life Staff members Suzanne Blanchard McGlone, Gamma Mu; Susan Conner Massey, Gamma Pi, New Orleans Alumnae Chapter President; Christy Gomez Gardes, Gamma Mu; Ann Hammond Seymour, Gamma Mu; Child Life Specialist. Pictured from left to right: Lynnette Medeiros, Epsilon Epsilon and Amy Skinner, Eta Nu of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter, fill Halloween treat bags for children living in a New Jersey shelter.
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 33
member news
Alumnae News
Pictured left: Northshore Louisiana Alumnae members and Gamma Mu’s Karena Surla Anderson, Christine Boudreaux Stanley and Alison Thompson Hopper bring supplies to fellow Gamma Mu Jaime Sommers Hall after her home flooded. Pictured right: Members of the Southern West Virginia Alumnae Chapter (left to right): Cassidi Hall, Sarah Lively Turner, Jordan Manning, Lauren Manning and Sara Seabolt Duncan. Pictured middle (left to right): Michelle (VanderVeen) Harbin, (Alpha Gamma); Brandi Holt, (Pi); Stephanie (Bronston) Rozendal, (Pi).
NORTHSHORE LOUISIANA ALUMNAE CHAPTER In August 2016, storms flooded parts of south Louisiana that
left much of the area in shock and devastation. The Northshore Louisiana Alumnae Chapter wanted to reach out to sisters that tragically lost their homes and possessions. The Purple Violet
Flood Relief (headed by member and Gamma Mu, Karena Surla Anderson) was formed as a tangible way for the small alumnae chapter to help others. And, sisters answered the call to help. Word of the efforts spread and donations were received from
sisters across the country. More than $1,500 was collected and
distributed to 15 families. The hope was that this gift would bless these families and act as reminders of Tri Sigma bonds. The
Northshore Alumnae are so proud and humbled to be able to give back to sisters and Tri Sigma. “To receive much, you must give much,” has never been more true.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA ALUMNAE CHAPTER After the flooding in West Virginia in June of 2016, members of the Southern West Virginia Alumnae Chapter knew they needed to do whatever they could to help their communities recover from such
a devastating event. Chapter members donated various items and money to local efforts in their areas. Some of the chapter women traveled to hard-hit Greenbrier County to help staff a distribution
34 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
center for flood victims. While the rebuilding process is far from
over, the support from all over the state has been outstanding and the affected communities are doing all they can to move forward. TUCSON SUNSHINE ALUMNAE CHAPTER Sharon (Shari) Parsons Stewart, Beta Kappa, was presented with her Golden Violet award by Henrietta Zinn Hallaq, Beta
Xi, President of the Tucson Sunshine Alumnae Chapter at the
chapter’s “Get Acquainted” breakfast meeting in September 2016. Shari lives the true spirit of Sigma sisterhood through her years of
service and devotion to Tri Sigma. She has held many offices in the chapter and is currently Vice President and Panhellenic delegate. WICHITA ALUMNAE CHAPTER The Wichita Alumnae Chapter participated in a Walk to Defeat ALS where they walked around the Water Front in Wichita, Kansas, in support of a fellow sister’s mother who passed away due to the condition. As a team, Wichita Alumnae were able to raise $775 to go towards research to find treatment and a cure for ALS.
There is an upcoming philanthropy project for a brand new
children’s hospital in the area—the chapter’s “Bears for Kids” will provide teddy bears for children who are staying in the hospital to cuddle.
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 35
foundation
The Gift of Leadership Leadership is ingrained in who I am today
because of Tri Sigma. I am passionate about
women empowering women—especially in the
areas of building leadership skills and providing experiences to build upon those skills.
During my collegiate years at Winthrop
University, I served as secretary on the Panhellenic Council,
and in various chapter chair positions. One of the most valuable
lessons I learned about the power of sisterhood is the power we have in helping others excel. While I was coaching at Presidents Academy this January, I was reminded of those years as a leader in my Greek community when I looked to my alumnae mentors and advisors to guide me in leading my peers.
Fast forward to my professional career, which focuses on the
onboarding of new employees and organizational and leadership development at Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston,
South Carolina. While at Presidents Academy, I realized that so
many of the alumnae in that room had given me career advice, coached me through life’s challenges, and led me to personal successes. The leadership skills from my Sigma experiences are what prepared me to be the professional I am today, and
for those experiences and those women, I’m forever grateful.
My leadership skills are a gift that keep giving as my Sigma
journey continues and a gift I never had to go without because of the generosity and support of my Sigma sisters. One of my mentors, Emily Lee, reminded me often that to receive much
you must give much. She would tell me that there will be times in life I will only be able to give a little financial support, but to do it because every penny matters.
miss the money and I honestly felt good about contributing to our sisterhood.
We all have our “story” about why we give to the Foundation.
I continue to give so that I can ensure our leadership programs, like Presidents Academy, continue to expand and fit the needs
of Tri Sigma. My hope is that our sisters have access to valuable resources and have successful leadership experiences before and after they leave college.
While my “story” may not be your reason for giving, I ask that
you give a gift that is significant and meaningful to you. When you can give, I ask that you empower a sister to give the same. Most
importantly, never forget the sisters that came before us. With my Foundation gifts, I will continue to honor my mentors, like Emily Lee, for empowering me.
For Sigma,
Jennifer Avenel, Delta Pi
Let me pay forward Emily’s advice and lead by example.
No gift is too small when you begin giving. I started giving by
setting up recurring gifts. Once I made the arrangement, I didn’t
Chair, Foundation Board of Directors
With each $5 gift, you can pay tribute to a special sister, friend or loved
one who has touched your life. With each gift, you can make a difference. Give a Violet Tribute at violettributes.com
36 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
Pillars of Sigma The Pillars of Sigma are a community of our most generous and engaged sisters who invest $1,000 or more each year in unrestricted support for Sigma Sigma Sigma. Deliver on your promise to empower our sisters by giving today.
Join me as a Pillar of Sigma at trisigma.org/donate. “I give to the Tri Sigma Foundation because I believe in empowering women and leadership development.” – JeanMarie Komyathy
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 37
archives
By Liz Johns, Delta Omicron, National Archivist
Heart Home Transformed:
New Convention Exhibition Room in the Mabel Lee Walton House Tri Sigma staff has enjoyed the new National Headquarters
Even with all the business that goes on at a Convention, Tri Sigma
Archives have enjoyed the empty rooms in the house even more!
certificates, indicating the sisters who “have suffered through more
office building next door to the Mabel Lee Walton House, but the Freeing up space in the house allowed the Archives to transform former offices into new exhibit spaces featuring treasured historical materials.
The newest exhibit is the permanent Convention Collection
Room on the second floor. The full Convention collection begins
with materials from the very first Convention in Farmville, Virginia, in 1903 and spans to the most recent Convention in 2016. Paper
made it fun. For many years, women were given Boomerang
than one Convention of Sigma Sigma Sigma, and probably being
sound neither in mind nor body, are absolutely fitten to be a hastily initiated member of the broiled hors d’oeuvres of Boomerang.” A few tell-tale signs of a Boomerang Sigma were, “right arm
overdeveloped from taking notes, eating, waving;” “eyes big, half
asleep, but see all;” and “ears overdeveloped for hearing all details.”
materials are stored in the Archives; most materials are reports,
minutes, planning documents, and handwritten letters between
staff, Executive Council, and volunteers organizing the event. But the physical objects tucked in between the stacks of reports give
a more tangible look into the Conventions of the past. In 2016,
Convention attendees wore printed name tags around their necks, adorned with ribbons or violet stickers showing their commitment to the sorority and the Foundation. But in 1953, Sigmas wore
hand-crafted name badges, such as the one worn by Marie Santee Dunham when she was Executive Secretary. The collection also includes favors, Sigma Shop items, programs, personal notes,
and letters. Favors today are often pendants, but as shown in the
exhibit, Sigma sisters went home with many different trinkets over
the years such as a sterling silver bookmark with the crest, jewelry,
The new exhibit room features Convention favors, copies of songs,
in 1933, even a tape measure.
newsletter, scrapbooks, and group photos. The best part is that
badge boxes, a violet shaped desk clock, a leather key holder, and
a Boomerang certificate, examples of The Angle Convention every three years, there will be something new to add to the
collection. A trip to Walton House to see this fun memorabilia might not be easy for everyone so we’ve brought a bit of the
exhibit to you through the Archives’ new online photo gallery at
flickr.com/photos/trisigmaarchives/. See a panoramic view of the
new exhibit room and snaps of displays to get a taste of what you missed at past Conventions.
For questions about the Archives and its collections,
or submitting materials to the Archives, contact Liz Johns,
National Archivist at archives@trisigma.org. Visit the Archives
Flickr Gallery at flickr.com/photos/trisigmaarchives/ to see more of the Archives Collection.
38 the TRIANGLE | spring 2017
omega listing
Omega Listing
The following Tri Sigmas were reported to have entered the Omega Chapter. We offer our sympathy to their friends and families and honor them for their lifelong commitment to Tri Sigma. ALPHA Frances Parham Mallory KAPPA Kathleen Ann McMillan Marilyn Calsacy Moran* NU Julia Atkins Consalus OMICRON Camille Carlson Sanders PI Helen Fearl Shadwick* SIGMA Bonnie Boger Wilcox CHI Barbara Runkle Foresman Jane Baldridge Wiswall ALPHA ALPHA Rosaclaire Kirby Anthony Helen Hurst Bailey Kimberly Harrah Becker Fay Robison Shearer Claudia Blankenship Wender ALPHA DELTA Helen Lintern Harris ALPHA EPSILON Mary Garrett Dieterich Patricia Lyon Reineke Leason Wilson Strong* ALPHA ETA Dorothy Yagerline Oliver Minnie Walls Parsons Jane Kaylor Wright
ALPHA IOTA Kara Muskrat Standifird
GAMMA BETA Linda Bullard Jennings
ALPHA NU Jean Mossman Heaton
GAMMA DELTA Janice Beck Durbin
ALPHA OMICRON Deborah Apple Fulmer
GAMMA ETA Renee Jane Glindmeyer
ALPHA UPSILON Carolyn Swank Kline Shirley Pembroke Wilkins
GAMMA PI Sherry Legendre Ourso
ALPHA PHI Karen Lynn Dolecki Anne Dalton Dukin Vernice Dalton Dukin Michelle Weyh Griffin Janet Marie King Margaret Outcalt Planchard Kathleen Carroll Ryan Jodi Annette Wharram ALPHA CHI Brenda Smith Boor Thelma Combs Newberry BETA GAMMA Janet K. Federspill Rose O’Connor Harper Pamela Bowen Hauser BETA DELTA Carol Bugg Gardner
GAMMA RHO Beth Vargo Watson GAMMA PSI Madeleine Desnea Brockman Jean Kathryn Snyder DELTA PI Elizabeth Shetterly Loquist EPSILON ALPHA Annie Lin Shotts EPSILON DELTA Sonja Elizabeth Becker EPSILON LAMBDA Jennifer Lindsey Collins EPSILON PSI Abigail Cara Spring * Indicates Golden Violet
BETA KAPPA Barbara Kocen Sweebe BETA TAU Marilyn Kelly Schoenherr
the TRIANGLE | spring 2017 39
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