For the Love of Sisterhood

My travels as NPC chairman take me to different campuses, conferences and celebrations. Recently, I attended the 100th anniversary celebration for the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic Association. This special event attracted more than 120 women who came together to share stories and celebrate friendship beyond badges. This is the beauty of sisterhood when we reach beyond the confines of our own member organizations and embrace the fact that we all share common values and ideals as women that inspire us to lead lives of high purpose. We can accomplish so much more when we pool our resources, our talent and our time as a unified coalition of sorority women.

In 1915, the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic was the first organization in Florida to raise funds for scholarships that would benefit women. To put things into perspective, the Alumnae Panhellenic was fully functioning as a women’s-only organization before the 19th amendment was passed. These ambitious women sold tickets to literary plays and hosted rummage sales to raise money to give other women educational opportunities. Sorority alumnae in Jacksonville were driven to make a difference in the lives of others.

The efforts of the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic continue today. At the anniversary event, a $3,500 scholarship was presented to a deserving young woman at a nearby university. The recipient thanked those in attendance, acknowledging how inspired she was to be in a room with such an impressive group of sorority women who supported her academic pursuits. This young woman’s life was enriched because of the shared commitment demonstrated by sorority women in the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic.

Indeed our own lives are enriched by other women who serve as mentors or offer support in times of need. For the love of sisterhood, reach out to another sorority woman and tell her how she has enriched your life. 

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my Panhellenic friends!