Dear Stella,

When I joined Alpha Omicron Pi last semester, I was terrified. Terrified I wouldn’t fit in or make friends, terrified I’d screw it up by being an awkward dweeb. I was quite literally shaking in my boots on the first night of informal recruitment. Little did I know that it was going to change my life, more specifically, those women inside that house were about to change my life.

And now here I am, four months later, already psyched about recruitment and meeting PNMs this fall. My family and non-Greek friends often poke fun at me when I talk about my sorority things and friends, or when I gush about my Big and my Twin. But to be honest, Alpha Omicron Pi has shaped me within the past few months more than I could have ever anticipated. The more I learned about the values held dearest in AOII, the more I learned about what it means to be kind, humble, accepting. I was welcomed in with open arms into a family of women from all different places, experiences, backgrounds. They encourage the younger members to represent our letters with grace and warmth.

You were one of the founders of AOII, the first ever president, too. You based this fraternity off acceptance and friendship. You were a badass with the biggest heart and a real knack for writing and literature. (And I’m sure I’m not the only one who aspires to name their future corgi puppy Stella).

I guess what I’m trying to get at with my unorganized babbling is that you’ve inspired thousands of women all over to come together within their college campuses and not only plant the roots of lifelong friendships, but also to spread kindness and acceptance within their communities. Alpha Omicron Pi is a place where women can be as they are, flourish as they are and be celebrated as they are, and then celebrate others right in return. It’s where you have the backs of every single sister in your chapter and vice versa. And just like you, Stella, that’s badass.

If you could see what has become of what you started, I hope that you’d be overwhelmed with pride, satisfaction and maybe relief because, after all, we haven’t screwed it all up (we won't jinx it just yet, though). You and the other founders have given us the sisterhood and values we’ve fallen in love with, and for that, we’re so grateful.

ALAM,

Lindsey