Role Models Lift Us

Sen. Smith (left) was a role model for Sen. Collins (right).

When attending a White House forum last year on Girls Leadership and Civic Education, I heard story after story about the need for mentorship and role models for young women. As one panelist said, "You can't be what you can't see." The message was clear that women need to do a better job of helping other women. We have opportunities to serve as role models for younger women -- in our chapters and in our communities.  

Sen. Susan Collins recounted her visit in 1971 with Margaret Chase Smith, Sigma Kappa, who was the U.S. Senator from Maine. She said Sen. Smith told her how she was careful not to limit herself to "women's issues," instead asserting herself on committees in foreign policy and military affairs. Smith was the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress. In addition, she was the first woman to run for president on a major party ticket in 1964. She retired in 1973.

Collins said that time with Smith in her office shaped her thoughts with possibilities as a future civic leader. She also shared that she was raised by a mother who was chair of any board. These were positive role models in Collins' life who helped lift her up so she could see who she could be.

As we continue to mark women's history this month, look around and see who the role models are in your life. And think about how you can mentor other women.

Ban "Bossy"

In the March 9 issue of Parade magazine, three influential women talk about how to change the conversation about girls and leadership. The article features Condoleeza Rice, Sheryl Sandberg and Anna Maria Chavez. Their message is powerful, as they launch their public service campaign to ban the word “bossy,” a negative label often assigned to women who are assertive and speak up. A recent study of girls ages 8-17 conducted by the Girl Scouts of the USA reports that one-third of the respondents are reluctant to be leaders because of their fear of being disliked by peers. There is more work to be done to encourage young women to be bold and strive for leadership positions.

As you know, March is Women’s History Month, so when I read this article, I could not help but think about the benefits associated with the sorority membership experience. We offer leadership training for collegians and alumnae in our own organizations. We empower sorority women to pursue opportunities on their campuses and in their communities. We support one another through our networks. We add value.

This is a great time as a sorority woman to make a difference in the lives of others. Let our voices be heard.  

For more information, visit Parade.com. Join the public service campaign by posting "I will #banbossy" on Facebook and Twitter.

Let Our Voices Be Heard

"We shall someday be heeded, and ... everybody will think it was always so, just exactly as many young people think that all the privileges, all the freedom and the enjoyments which woman now possesses always were hers. They have no idea of how every single inch of ground that she stands upon today has been gained by the hard work of some little handful of women of the past." -- Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton worked together for more than half a century to achieve basic civil rights for women. Upon hearing that her colleague passed away, Anthony wrote that it seemed impossible Stanton's voice was hushed -- the voice that she had known and trusted to help guide her own stance on issues.

The month of March is dedicated to women's history. This month, let us pay tribute to those who came before us and worked for the rights and privileges that we enjoy today.

• We salute suffragists, such as Anthony and Stanton, who worked tirelessly to achieve voting rights for women.
• We recognize founders of our organizations who stepped up to establish women's fraternities and sororities at universities during a time when very few women attended college and engaged in academic pursuits. Their courage amid adversity still inspires us today.
• We honor our early leaders who navigated the way to expand the reach of the sorority movement by chartering new chapters on campuses from coast to coast. Their footsteps paved the way for generations to follow.
• We applaud strong female leaders -- in business, education, medicine, civic affairs, the armed forces and cultural arts -- who model the way and continue pressing forward. Their accomplishments raise us higher.

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) proudly partnered with the recent Take The Lead Challenge Launch event, which featured a powerhouse women's panel designed to inspire women to own their power and close income and leadership gaps. Take The Lead shifts the focus from problems to solutions. As one panelist noted: "Your voice is at the heart of your power."

Indeed, the power of Panhellenic is unstoppable when we acknowledge that we are a unified coalition of women that can do great things together. We offer a world of support through friendships. We transform lives. We add value. Click here for a video about how NPC has added value to women's lives for 112 years.

The NPC tagline is "The voice for sorority advancement." We are charged to speak openly and loudly about our benefits so that others will hear our message.

It is important that the contributions made by generations of sorority women be shared as part of our remarkable story. As we press onward, we must not forget the voices from our past.

Stand tall. Wear your badge with pride. And let our voices be heard.