One of the best decisions I have made thus far in my mere 19 years of life was going through formal recruitment my freshman year of college. I had no idea what exactly I was getting myself into. I was nervous and a little fearful of what might happen. What if joining a sisterhood wasn’t for me? For quite some time I really didn’t think it was. But I pushed myself to go through recruitment and see. I told myself that I had to at least try. So I did. And here I am exactly one year later as a sophomore, surrounded by all of my sisters, as a new group of women get to start their journey here, and I am so very excited for each and every one of them to be able to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Reflecting back to myself one year ago, I’ve come to learn that what I am proud to say I am a part of is not just a sorority. I am a part of a group of women who are all so extremely different but fit together so seamlessly. A group of women who all offer different talents. A group of women who cherish each and every members’ individuality and never take it for granted. A group of women who come together with their different sets of skills to make a difference. A group of women who have given enough time and dedication to impact a whole community.

I’ve met some of the most beautifully extraordinary women in this sorority. Some of the most selfless and giving women. Women who are full of passion and dedication and will do whatever it takes to succeed. Women who work hard and don’t give up. Women who are absolutely hilarious and never fail to make me laugh. Women who always take things seriously, but never too seriously. Women who take on way too much and somehow always pull through by a landslide. Women who will always lend a helping hand. Women who I can learn from every day. Women who will drop whatever they are doing, no matter how important, to be there for me when I need it most. Women who are genuine. Women who care. Women who embody love and truth. Women who are powerful and strong. Women that I can say every single day have inspired me. It’s not just a sorority. It’s some of my best friends. Women who I may never have come to meet otherwise. Women who I look up to.

Women who have taught me that you can be someone else's and still be your own.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Today January 21^st 2017, people are gathering all over the nation for the Women’s Marches and I am filled with gratitude to be spending the day surrounded by such an empowering group of women as we welcome our new members.

My thoughts are with everyone out there to make an impact today.

We are diverse, we are unified, we will not give up.