FOR THOSE WHO WENT AHEAD OF US – OUR THANKS

March 3 – it was a date when thousands of women marched arm in arm in Washington, D.C., and filled the streets. They were assaulted, brutalized and spat upon. It was a march of immense proportion and one that lit the fire from a burning decades-long movement started by women for women.

According to the Chicago Tribune, ambulances “came and went constantly for six hours, always impeded and at times actually opposed, so that doctor and driver literally had to fight their way to give succor to the injured.”

One hundred marchers were taken to the local hospital. Before the afternoon was over, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, responding to a request from the chief of police, authorized the use of a troop of cavalry to help control the crowd.

Every woman who is an American citizen earned the right to vote because of those who braved the public streets and public forums to battle hostility and ignorance.

The Parade for Women’s Suffrage in 1913 laid the groundwork for passage of the 19^th Amendment to the United States Constitution – giving each of us today the right to vote in a process that so many now take for granted or simply ignore.

The march was a pivotal moment, but the actual debate over female citizens sharing the same rights as their male counterparts lasted 70 long years before culminating in ratification in 1920. 

In the same tumultuous period for women, sororities were created and founded. No surprise that women needed a place of respite and camaraderie to band together. And it should also come as no surprise that the parade was organized by a 28-year-old woman who was exposed to the movement while working on her graduate studies in social work.

How far have we come? CNN called last year’s election “the year of the woman” as we voted to send more women to office to represent us. A record 20 women now hold U.S. Senate seats.

We are not likely to forget our measure of achievement and what it took to get to this moment in 2013.

The history of the Suffragette Movement is one we should revisit and we’re glad our member groups such as Alpha Gamma Delta have been sharing the story.

Kappa Kappa Gamma not only created an online exhibit sharing details from the late 1800s, but has also produced a traveling exhibit that has been on display at Harvard University. The exhibit can also be rented for conventions and other special historical moments to keep the story alive and memorable. 

From time to time, let’s not forget that we need to dust off the grainy and creased photos of the women who marched for us – and ahead of us.

#PostGradLife

For the 2013 Northeast Greek Leadership Conference, fraternity men and women focused on "putting it all together.” I couldn't have phrased it any better. This meeting allowed me and other NPC volunteers the opportunity to run a new presentation called #PostGradLife. This program shared information about alumnae opportunities for sorority women whether professional or volunteer and how it all translates from the college experience.

A look at the Northeast Greek Leadership Conference.

I shared my unique story. I did not participate in recruitment and receive my bid until my junior year. I also never held any officer positions. Some would have called me just an average, dues-paying member. However, your collegiate experience does not define your alumna experience, in fact, it is only the beginning of the lifelong journey. When I started graduate school I wasn’t aware of the many volunteer opportunities, so I knocked on the Alpha Xi Delta chapter’s door and asked if there was anything I could do to help. This simple gesture started me down a path that eventually led to me being National President.

In a twist of fate, I got started on Alpha Xi Delta's delegation because I lived in the right place at the right time. The NPC annual meeting was in Orlando, where I reside, and one of the alternate delegates for Alpha Xi Delta was not able to make the meeting. I got the call to come sub in and began my NPC journey.

The NPC Executive Committee at the Northeast Greek Leadership Conference.

So, there is no perfect road map to follow to become the NPC chairman or your organization’s president. It simply starts with getting involved. There are many opportunities as an alumna, including being active in your local alumnae chapter, becoming an advisor to the nearest collegiate chapter, working as a professional within fraternity and sorority life or getting involved in your local Alumnae Panhellenic chapter. You can share your talents in whatever way you see fit, whether that is your time, knowledge, education or professional experience. And it’s okay to take a break from volunteering. You will always be welcomed back.

The key to finding opportunities is to network with both men and women within and outside of your organization. All fraternity and sorority members that cross your path today could provide an opportunity tomorrow. Be open to new ideas and collaborations. You are the driver of your sorority experience, especially as an alumna. There is lots of potential for you to get involved and make new friends, you just have to make a move.

Advancing Sorority Together

collaborate: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

NPC Long-Range Planning Committee Meeting

Not everyone believes in true collaboration but NPC and I know that the only way we are going to preserve and improve sorority is if everyone does their part and does it well. I had the opportunity to work with the NPC Long-Range Planning Committee this past weekend and the strategic thinking that took place was inspiring. Thoughtful discussion on what NPC can “own” and how we go about collaborating with others to achieve our mission were just a few of the conversations around the table.

 I have recently been questioned about the need for NPC and umbrella groups, in general, and my instant reaction is always "of course we are needed and relevant" and my thoughts were reaffirmed this weekend. NPC has no agenda that doesn't further the constituents we serve - NPC member sororities, College Panhellenics and Alumnae Panhellenics. We are a nonprofit organization, so we don't have a hidden agenda of making money or pushing our own initiatives. Our agenda is your agenda. We are in it with the belief that a rising tide raises all boats and that we can assist in raising that tide. We are a service-oriented organization with the best interests of our members at heart, and we believe that can best be achieved through collaboration with the member groups and Panhellenics. Interesting things are on the horizon for NPC, and I hope that when you are called on to help you will answer the call. I said it in October of 2011 when I took on the chairmanship and it still rings true – it’s our potential, but it's your move.

Tri-City Panhellenic Luncheon

I was delighted to be the guest speaker at the Tri-City Panhellenic luncheon on Saturday, February 9. I joined about 115 Panhellenic women from the Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater areas in Florida. These three Alumnae Panhellenics join together each year to celebrate sorority. This year, the Tampa Alumnae Panhellenic hosted the event, and I had the pleasure of seeing past NPC delegation member Karly Burns from Delta Zeta. Thanks to everyone who made the event at success!

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR HEART HEALTH?

It’s February – time to think of past loves, new loves and your own heart.

Heart disease is the number one killer for women in the United States – a stark fact and that could lead one to avoid checking on heart health. While there are risk factors you cannot change, such as family history, there are many you can control.

How many times have we skipped a walk outside and around the office because we feel 15 more minutes at the desk will get us home sooner? Being sedentary is something we can change in short order.

February, for our network of sorority women, is a good time to take stock. While we’re often busy taking care of others, we can easily neglect ourselves. Take a heartbeat second to please check in during American Heart Month and see what you might need to know.

Why do we need to remain vigilant about our hearts?

According to the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, this is a disease that is less understood in women, leading to misdiagnoses and delayed treatment. Roughly, only a quarter of the research published in major U.S. internal medicine and cardiology journals report gender-specific outcomes – leaving women at a loss for reliable medical information.

Women frequently ignore symptoms or believe that nothing is critically wrong when they suffer general issues of “fatigue,” for example.

Some warning signs that should be on your radar screen (and shared with sorority sisters, friends, colleagues and family members):

• Discomfort, tightness, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes
• Crushing chest pain
• Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms.
• Dizziness or nausea
• Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness
• Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness - especially with exertion
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Celebrate the month with a heart assessment as you send out your special Valentine’s to loved ones near and far. And here’s a free banner you can use on your website or blog from The Heart Truth, a project of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

You won’t regret taking the moment to be better informed.