Sisters, Daughters and DGs

New member Kelly Kundinger and her mom
Lari Bowman Kundinger, Beta Sigma-Maryland.

This past fall, Alpha Psi-Mississippi pledged 123 new members. That in itself is newsworthy. But, what's really extraordinary is that they pledged 35 legacies.



This year's recruitment was extra special for Cassie Bryant, Alpha Psi-Mississippi, not only because she was serving her chapter as president but also because her younger sister Becca was going through recruitment.

"On Bid Day, I was extremely excited to welcome my sister as a Delta Gamma new member," said Cassie. "I am looking forward to initiating my sister and sharing the lifelong bonds of sisterhood in Delta Gamma."

Sisters Anne Lauren and Elissa Roybal
with sisters Becca and Cassie Bryant.

Younger sister Becca Bryant told us, "Although I promised myself to be open minded while going through recruitment, my previous visits to Ole Miss during high school allowed me to meet many Delta Gammas since my sister was very involved with the sorority. My impressions of the young ladies I met and their involvement to be the best in the activities in which they participated made a lasting impression on me. I was thrilled when recruitment week finally arrived, and I was met with such genuine warmth from so many Delta Gammas. I have to admit... when your sister is president of the sorority, there is added pressure to pledge her sorority; however, when it came down to choosing a group where I felt I would fit in the best, it was easy - Delta Gamma!"


Elissa Roybal, followed in her sister Anne Lauren's footsteps. "I chose DG because I felt at home there. While going through recruitment and meeting the girls, I saw the image of exactly the kind of person I strive to be. My sister is my biggest role model, and at DG I feel like every girl I meet has the same morals and attitude she has."

Older sister Carly, mom Sheri and
new member Mary Van Haynes.

New member Mary Van Haynes joined her mother and sister when she pledged. Mary Van explains, "Dee Gee has always been a part of my life because of my mother and older sister, Carley. I have always wanted to share the DG sisterhood with them, and hopefully I will be able to share it with my younger sister. DG feels like home, because at home we are DG."  

Mary Van's mother Sheri Haynes, Delta Lambda-Mississippi State, who served as president of her collegiate chapter, said, "It means a lot to share all that Delta Gamma is with my oldest two daughters. Two down. One to go!" 

Older sister Carly Haynes, Alpha Psi-Mississippi, said, "When Mary Van was born she wasn't given the option of which family to join. This was her opportunity to choose me as her sister."

Granddaughters, daughters, sisters or the same step-relations of Delta Gamma members are considered Delta Gamma legacies. To learn more about the tradition of Delta Gamma legacies, visit the Delta Gamma Web site here.

My Two Cents...

Periodically, DG Anchors will ask some of our esteemed members these ponderous questions. Today's responses come from current Fraternity President Elizabeth (Beth) Bell Searcy, Epsilon Gamma-Virginia.

Q: What is your all time favorite Dee Gee memory?
A:  There are too many. Running into my best friend's arms when accepting my bid? Saying the Oath of Friendship around the marker at the site of the Lewis School? Being installed as Fraternity President? Having sisters from across the country be my champion at my mother's funeral? Presenting the charter to a newly-minted Delta Gamma chapter?  Applauding a young leader who found her voice and stood up to behavior contrary to our values? Singing Dream Girl to my newborn baby daughter, full of the hope that the Fraternity will impact her life as it has mine. I cannot choose, and I am thankful. 

Q: Which Delta Gamma convention was your favorite and why?
A: Palm Dessert, both 1992 and 2008. The 1992 Convention was the only one (so far) I have attended as a visitor, and it was so relaxing and fun. Plus, the earthquake was just unforgettable. At the 2008 Convention, I was installed as President, an honor that was, and is, overwhelming. 

Q: If you have one piece of advice for a new member of Delta Gamma, what would that be?
A: Do Good. If you focus on what you have to give, what you get will be remarkable. Serve, and you will be served immeasurably in return. Lead, and you will be led to grow and develop to your personal best. Live our values, and you will enjoy the pride and richness of a virtuous reputation. Open your heart to hope, and you will be bathed in the beauty of a glorious sisterhood.

Q: What have you learned from being on Council?
A:  That it's absolutely true that people may not remember what you did, but they remember how you made them feel. That we can impact women in significant ways if we don't care who gets the credit and we don't keep score. That doing what's best for the Fraternity is always, always the right path to take. That spending time with members and listening well is more valuable than a dozen conference calls. 

Q: What is your hope for the future of Delta Gamma?
A:  My hope for Delta Gamma is that we find the right balance of holding on to our heritage while embracing the opportunities of the future. The college landscape is very different than it was in 1873, but our mission is still exceedingly relevant to women today. Blending the two is essential to offering a relevant, meaningful membership experience to today's college students and alumnae by focusing on how to reach a broader demographic of women, how to offer a less structured but still impactful membership experience, and how to encourage women to lead authentic lives, have healthy relationships, and take action in a global community rooted in our core values. It will mean superimposing a timeless, treasured frame over a modern, changing picture.  We can do it; we are doing it. 

I Recall...

Periodically, DG Anchors will ask some of our esteemed members these ponderous questions. Today's responses come from long-time ANCHORA editor and current archives committee member Frances Lewis Stevenson, Zeta-Albion, who now resides in Florida.

Q: What is your all-time favorite Dee Gee memory?
A: Shortly after I was initiated, I was home for the weekend and ran out of gas. I coasted to a stop, and another car pulled up to offer help. Out jumped a person I had admired very much in high school, and she, too, was wearing a Delta Gamma pin. My immediate problem was solved, and I had found a new lifelong friend.

Q: Which Delta Gamma convention is a favorite and why? A: I am neither brave enough nor foolish enough to compare the qualities of 26 conventions in a period of 58 years! The first few were at some of North America's notable resort hotels--how can one forget the hotel dining rooms, open choices on the menu, and a permanent orchestra which could respond to any request and knew every college song ever written.  However, in 1948 my first convention also included the overwhelming sadness of the editor's death in a plane crash en route and a flu virus which not only circulated speedily but would result in a day of absenteeism for each victim. I attended most conventions as a staff member, usually with some special duty which could prove to be a knotty and tangled problem or involved a lot of "special duty" time. For example, at Portland (1966) I was to do an historical pageant for which we had shipped around 50 costumes. I spent a good part of that convention in my room at an ironing board readying the clothing to be worn and bagging accessories for each one. One comment on that convention: It must have been memorable, for we noticed that those who attended were through the years more generous than others in their gifts to the Foundation and that 1966 attendees were also most likely to agree to holding province offices or chairmanships.

Q: If you have one piece of advice for a new member of Delta Gamma, what would that be? A: Never forget that Delta Gamma is a lifetime membership. There will be new friends wherever you go--my best friends today are people I didn't know before we moved here, Delta Gammas from all parts of the country. Wherever you go, find an alumnae group--and don't give up after one visit. Become part of whatever is happening.

Q: What have you learned from being a Delta Gamma leader A: I have had a special advantage being so many years on the Executive Offices staff--knowing each generation as young women come and go, understanding that change is inevitable but not all bad.

Q: What is your hope for the future of Delta Gamma? A:  My hope and trust is that we will continue to add people like you who will accept responsibility for things they are really good at--as you are doing. My immediate hope is that a Delta Gamma will appear on the scene who will be a top notch executive director.

__________________________________________

The Frances Lewis Stevenson Archives at Executive Offices are aptly named after our beloved Fran. As a member of the EO staff for nearly 40 years and a loyal volunteer ever since, Fran is known for her remarkable ability to remember the most miniscule details. She can often recall in which ANCHORA issue a historical fact appears. She would be thrilled if you would make plans to visit the archives in Columbus, Ohio, to learn about DG's treasured past and view some treasured artifacts.

Providing Hope through Art

For Jasmine LaCoursiere, it's more than just a cup, it represents creative expression, hope and "the power of a wish made together."

Jasmine LaCoursiere, Chi-Cornell, is a busy collegian and founder of Wishing Cup. After the 2010 Haitian earthquake, while still in high school, Jasmine was inspired to take action; she founded a non-profit organization to create a “living work of hope." Wishing Cup involves high school and college students across America, focused on bringing donations, hands-on help and goods to orphanages in Haiti, Brazil and struggling regions throughout the world. In turn, children in these regions have the opportunity to create works of art, typically ceramic cups from donated supplies, which are then distributed to donors as keepsakes.

Referring to the Haitian earthquake, Jasmine explains, "The tragedy changed my own life inspiring me to focus my dedication to helping children in need by launching a mission to carry with me throughout my journey known as 'Wishing Cup'. Art played an instrumental role in my personal growth; and, throughout my college years and graduate studies, I hope to discover therapeutic ways to heal children suffering from life-struggles, and bring awareness to the human development needs and policy reform needs to aid orphans, homeless children, children living in foster care and teens at-risk."

Visit the organization's Web site for details and opportunities: http://www.wishingcup.org/.

Jasmine LaCoursiere

With 200,000 members strong, Delta Gamma Fraternity has so many people we can highlight. We are using this blog to share news and stories from some of our shiniest anchors. For consideration, please email blog@deltagamma.org.

Getting into the Spirit

They make some cute elves, don't they? Delta Gamma collegians from Zeta Psi chapter at Salisbury University recently got into the holiday spirit. The chapter gathered to make get-well cards for injured soldiers receiving care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

With 200,000 members strong, Delta Gamma Fraternity has a few people we can highlight and stories to tell. Do you have a story to share? Write to us at blog@deltagamma.org.  Are you a DG blogger? If so, tell us about your blog so we can follow you!

Zeta Psi chapter was installed in March 1996 and is located in Salisbury, Maryland.

The Purdue Class Ring

Many of our members demonstrate great loyalty to Delta Gamma and continued allegiance to their alma maters. Purdue graduate Helen Gordon is one of those members.

Several years ago, at the Atlanta Delta Gamma alumnae chapter’s Christmas brunch, the group was looking for a way to recognize one of their outstanding members, Helen Young Gordon, Beta Iota-Purdue. Since Helen was moving to Washington, DC, the chapter wanted to do something special for her. Mary Alice Braudwell Phinney, Beta Theta-Duke, knew of the perfect gesture and presented Helen with an antique Purdue class ring.

The ring was originally given to Mary Alice by her mother Mary Jenkins Braudwell. As a teen, Mary Alice had worn the ring on a chain around her neck. The ring, engraved with Mary Jenkins’ name and 1921, the year she graduated from Purdue, is made of 18-carat gold. It features an unusual garnet stone, carved with the letters P, U, R, D, U and E. On the side, it displays the Purdue seal, and the words science and *technology.

Mary Jenkins was born in 1898 and grew up on an Indiana farm. Upon high school graduation, she taught in a one-room school and then enrolled at Purdue, where she majored in home economics concentrating on the chemistry of foods. She always told of how her world expanded when she first studied chemistry. Mary Jenkins became a life-long member of the Purdue Alumni Association and contributed to the old student union building fund. Her name appears on a plaque, to this day, along with the names of three sisters and a brother, who were also Purdue graduates.

Helen’s family tree reads like a Purdue alumni roster. Her husband John is a Purdue graduate and 1965 DG Anchor Man. Helen’s sister, two uncles, two aunts, three cousins and their spouses all are Purdue graduates. Prestigious Purdue University awards have been presented to several of Helen’s relatives over the years.

“Going to a Purdue event is like going home,” says Helen. “There are so many wonderful memories from my student days there. Since chairing the successful Delta Gamma Ethics and Values Lectureship campaign at Purdue in 2001, I have made even more friends at all levels of the University administration as well as being reacquainted with my fellow Beta Iota sisters. I look forward annually to meeting the current outstanding Beta Iota collegians. I have attended the **Purdue Lectureships since their inception.”

Helen attends the Boiler Ball each year and sits with several Beta Iota alumnae. A life member of the Purdue President’s Council as well as the Purdue Alumni Association (PAA), Helen participates in several Purdue activities annually. When the Boilermakers football team went to the Rose Bowl in 2000, Helen and John were there to cheer them on. When the band was a part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2010, Helen and John were there to show support. Additionally, they regularly attend dinners and receptions when Purdue folks come to Washington DC.

When Mary Alice met Helen in the 1990s, she told her about her mother. Over the years, wondering what to do with the class ring was a puzzle to Mary Alice. No member of Mary Alice’s family had attended Purdue in recent generations. Learning about Helen’s love for Purdue, Mary Alice thought that the ring would be a treasured possession in Helen’s home. Mary Alice was correct. Helen wears this beautiful 1921 antique class ring with pride whenever she goes to Purdue. The class ring will always provide a special bond between DGs Helen and Mary Alice.


*It is fitting that the word “technology” bestows the special ring, as Helen continues to greatly contribute to Delta Gamma’s technological efforts such as e-Ops and local Web sites.
**Purdue Lectureship speakers have included Erik Alexander, Herman Boone, Joan Brock, Steve Ford, Bill Rancic, Robin Roberts and Amy Tan. (Pictured is speaker Robin Roberts (center) with Helen Gordon, two people to her left.) For more about Delta Gamma lectureships, visit: http://www.deltagamma.org/media/resources/foundation/history_lectureships.pdf.

Thankfulness

On our Fraternity Facebook page (over 30,000 fans and growing!) this week, we posed the question, “For what are you thankful?” And, wow, we were flooded with responses. The overwhelming sentiment was simply, “sisterhood.” We stopped to read each one, and it made our day to hear what members shared.

We think Misty Byrd Foster, Delta Pi-Southern Mississippi, says it well, “I am thankful for all the wonderful friendships I made throughout school. Delta Gamma gave me the opportunity to make lifelong friends.”
Isn’t that the truth?
We love to hear members thankful for their sisterhood and we want to keep it going. During this holiday season, we challenge you to make it a priority to connect or possibly re-connect with a pledge sister, adviser who inspired you or a DG relative. Catch up, talk about Delta Gamma or make a commitment to get together. Or even easier, make a difference in someone else’s day by telling them what they mean to you.
And to prove Delta Gamma sisterhood really is for a lifetime, Marty Wynne, Beta Eta-Texas, shares, “I am thankful for DG sisters who, although they have never met you and don't know you, will do a kindness for you for no other reason than you are a DG sister.”
And for THAT we are thankful. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Note: If you wish to contribute a blog story idea, write to blog@deltagamma.org. We look forward to hearing from you. The photo above is our Facebook featured photo and features joyful collegians from Eta Delta chapter at the University of North Florida on Bid Day.