To My Founding Sisters

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Written By: Alexandria Isais, TLP Social Media Intern

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It was never my intention to join a women’s fraternity.  I had only gone to the informal recruitment event in attempts to silence my mom’s ongoing “you should join a sorority!” calls. I never expected to be invited back to the house for dinner, let alone given a bid to the chapter. 

Before I knew it, I had a handful of t-shirts, 100 new Facebook friends, and a book of material to study. I had three weeks until the big exam that would determine my membership in Alpha Gamma Delta. Three weeks to memorize the founders, the lengthy purpose, and every other fun fact and tidbit about this sisterhood that I had only unofficially and unintentionally joined a few hours prior. 

Sisters offered to share their flashcards and studying tips, sharing their pneumonic devices for our founders. With each flashcard, fun fact, and word game, I grew angry at having to learn the names and faces of women from 1904. I dismissed their knowledge or contributions to society on the sole basis that they weren’t alive anymore; that their influence hadn’t impacted chapters and generations of women. 

But that is far from the truth. The history of these women -- their values, accomplishments, teachings, and rituals-- allowed me to learn, grow, discover and achieve more not only as a sister, but as a woman. 

  • Emily Helen Butterfield taught me to keep building, and that just because it hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean it never will. 

  • Flora Knight Mayer taught me that you do not have to have permission or a dedicated role to make a mark and leave a legacy; people will remember your passions and your voice. 

  • Ethel Evenlyn Brown Distin taught me that teaching opportunities can present themselves at any moment, whether in a classroom, or a chapter house. 

  • Georgia Alberta Dickover taught me the importance and weight of having strong values and morals. 

  • Estelle Shepard Biswick taught me that you can solve any problem with a little laughter, kindness, and dedication. 

  • Edith MacConnell Hickock taught me that you can be an instrument for triumph even in your moments of despair.

  • Georgia Otis Chipman taught me the importance of knowledge, and just how mighty a pen can be.