Founders Day Message

Dear Tri Sigma Sisters,

As April 20th approaches we celebrate 113 years of Tri Sigma Sisterhood. So much has changed since April 20, 1898, but many traditions and beliefs remain the same today. During this time we have stayed true to our core values of wisdom, power, faith, hope and love. At this time, we also stop to reflect on our eight founding sisters who met in Farmville, Virginia at Longwood University. As we honor Tri Sigma, ponder well your responsibilities in the sorority, your community and within your career path. Consider your responsibility and privilege to create and keep strong the bonds of the Tri Sigma Sisterhood. You have the ability to make history on your campus, in the community and throughout your career.

Reflecting on my own personal path, I joined Tri Sigma in the fall of 1988 at East Carolina University (ECU) at our Gamma Beta chapter. Little would I know or understand the impact Tri Sigma would have on my life. The friendships, leadership opportunities, and networking that I established from Tri Sigma are invaluable. Being an active member of Tri Sigma provided me with the opportunity to feel connected at my university and become involved within my local chapter and Greek community. After my graduation from ECU, I remained close to several of my Tri Sigma sisters. It was about seven years later that I randomly met Sherry Curtis (Epsilon Nu) at a co-workers home. Sherry was proudly displaying her Tri Sigma letters. We became fast friends and she encouraged me to volunteer for our Eta Delta chapter at North Carolina Wesleyan College. As I look back today, I cannot imagine all the friendships and memories that I would have missed had I not volunteered with Tri Sigma. I became reengaged in the sorority life because a sister presented me with the opportunity to get involved. Just as Sherry invited me to get involved, I compel you to get involved at any level in our sorority and your community.

I am excited about our 2011 Founder’s Day program titled “Lighting Our Path” written by Reatha Cox (Alpha Zeta) and Bethany Deines (Beta Kappa). They remind us that each of us has the ability to leave a legacy with our actions. I challenge you to light your own path to make a difference in your world. Each year on April 20th, we as Tri Sigmas, should stop and remember our Founders, chapter and sisters. What would you want for Tri Sigma for tomorrow? I invite you to continue lighting our path for our future. Below I have listed a few suggestions to assist you in making this happen:

• Treasure our history: Without a strong rich history where would we be today? Read theCentury of Sisterhood or your chapter’s permanent minutes.

• Alumnae involvement: Get involved! Join an Alumnae chapter or Chapter AdvisoryBoard. We have opportunities available for various talents and time constraints. Pay your Alumnae dues; the support of your dues provide membership benefits such as The Triangle magazine, website, leadership workshops and training, and staff support for collegiate and alumnae chapters.

• Collegiate Involvement: Take advantage of leadership opportunities that are offered on campus and continue to advance membership growth and development.

• Foundation: Apply for a RPM grant for a local hospital for play therapy. Apply for an educational Foundation scholarship. Volunteer in your community. Make a donation in honor of a sister who has experienced her defining moment.

• Mabel Lee Walton National Memorial Headquarters: Take a trip to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and visit our headquarters. Purchase a brick or make a donation to help restore the Walton House.

As you celebrate Founders Day 2011, ask yourselves, how will you blaze new trails for Tri Sigma? I challenge you to light your path brightly, that you set an example for our sisterhood, that we continue to shine brightly in our communities, and develop strong womanly character. I encourage you to remain involved with Tri Sigma and to carry on the strong bonds of Sisterhood. Remember we are not Tri Sigma’s only for today, but for our lifetime. The future of Tri Sigma lies in our hands.

In Our Bonds,