I don’t think I realized what I was getting myself into when
I went out to that first rush event in college. I was actually a sophomore and
looking for something to do and I ended up as an Alpha Chi Omega. I had this
idea in my head of what sororities were and what they did for individuals. Not
all my ideas were wrong but there were a few things I didn’t expect. The
sisterhood was and still is amazing; the support on those late nights, having
someone to call whenever you wanted to get food, or get off campus, or needed
help with something, the fun and parties, the lifelong friendships. Those were
the things I expected and received. But there was this other…thing… that didn’t
have a word or phrase but AXO has decided to call it Real. Strong. Women.
In order to explain what that means to me I need to back up
a bit. I was raised in a house with 3 adventurous girls, went to a progressive
all girls’ high school, and as the oldest commonly is, determined to pave my
own path in life. I was raised with the understanding that I can do anything
the boys can (better than them sometimes), standards set by generations before
me should be questioned, and that women could and should be independent
thinkers and do’ers. I was also taught that giving back is the right thing to
do, what if I need help someday? Using your talents to create progress is
something you should strive for in your life. Even though I was raised with
these ideals, it wasn’t until later in life that I started to understand what
they really meant and what that meant for my future.
The first form of volunteerism I can remember doing is
helping my mom cook a meal for a local shelter. We did it once a month and then
would deliver it and help serve the meal. I don’t think I understood what I was
doing or that I was even helping. Luckily doing things like this was a common
staple in my vacation time growing up. Summers were spent helping haul boxes
and stuff sacks at the local food bank, on weekends we helped out at the
Special Olympics skiing and there was a giving tree at Christmas time that we
always bought presents for. My middle school required regular community service
hours and I remember being embarrassed by classmate who was complaining about
having to do work. If my mom was there that would NOT have been allowed. You
did what you were asked to help to get things done and it wasn’t about you.
Going off to college I no longer had those opportunities, or
forced by my mother to find them, to give back. I think that might have been what I was
searching for when I found Alpha Chi.
My sisters in Alpha Chi not only encouraged my volunteerism
but it was a requirement, and it felt good to give back. Before I joined Alpha
Chi I had walked in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk. In April of 2004 I received
a call from my mother that devastated me, my Aunt Sue was diagnosed with Breast
Cancer. She is a strong woman but there was nothing I could do for her in Ohio
while I was in Florida. The next week I signed up for the 3Day walk because I
needed to do something powerful for her. The 2nd year I walked I was
lucky enough to be joined by a few sisters, including my Little, the daughter
of an amazing survivor. Over the next 3 walks the team grew and the sisterhood
strengthened. Joining Alpha Chi was, among other things, the reminder that I
needed to get back to the ideals I was raised on.
After graduation I was lucky enough that the ideals that my
parents taught, me and AXO reinforced, stuck with me. My commitment to the
fight against breast cancer grew stronger and took on a whole new meaning. It
was no longer about just doing something for my Aunt. It was about women, the
many women in my life and the women I would never get the chance to meet. Over
the next few years, I participated in 5 3Day walks, helped on planning
committees for 2 Race for the Cures, and had the amazing opportunity to make
these events a part of my career. Helping to plan, organize and execute these
events was a dream come true that I would never change. Knowing that I helped make a difference in
even one life is something that can never be taken away from me.
During that time I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the
world of working dogs and the quality of life they bring to individuals. My
mother had a mid life crisis and brought home a service dog in training.
Together, we raised little Rowena, late night walks, mid day accidents and lots
of puppy exposures later, she graduated as a working dog for a woman in a
wheelchair. This woman is what we would refer to as a real strong woman. After
a car accident paralyzed her at the age of 16, she has gone on to follow her
passion and become a teacher, be a basketball coach, and is the mother of three
small children. My Rowena goes to an elementary school everyday, helps turn on
lights, open drawers, pick up keys, and in general gives her new human Shannon,
the dignity to do everything on her own. The puppies are cute and I couldn’t
stay away. As a result I convinced my husband that we would be great puppy
raisers. In June of 2012 we drove down to Southeastern Guide Dogs and picked up
our first pup, Maggie Moose. This little black lab changed our lives and our
hearts more that I thought possible. She went everywhere with us. She went to
my 3Day meetings, my husband’s office, our dinner dates, and even on a plane to
Colorado to visit my family.
While raising Maggie, we met a graduate, Lt. Col Kathy
Champion. She is an Army Veteran who served multiple tours in the Middle East
and has lost her vision and severe PTSD. She has a guide dog. We began spending
time with her, with the idea that the dogs could play. During these puppy play dates,
Kathy expressed her desire to be active and become a runner again. Somehow I
ended up agreeing to serve as her guide for a local triathlon. That first run
wasn’t pretty, or fast but with practice we became more comfortable with each
other and developed a friendship that most don’t understand and I can’t really
explain. I learned about PTSD and her experiences and she learned how to handle
crowds and unknown situations. Less than 2 years later we have completed
multiple triathlons and various running races.
Next came Westen, another black lab, who completely stole my
heart being a complete momma’s boy and snuggle baby. When we learned that
Westen was not destined to be a Guide Dog but rather a Veteran Service Dog we
began learning about this country’s Veterans, more about PTSD, and how a
service dog can help these heros. Learning about our country’s heroes opened a
whole new world.
My most recent endeavor was raising money to support
veterans and their families. Last weekend I completed a half ironman in
Augusta. but that wasn’t the best part of the weekend. Meeting Veterans, who
had nearly lost their lives, lost limbs, have traumatic brain injuries, and so
much more was the real highlight. I had the honor to compete on a team with
them, raise money for them and others like them, so that they and their
families have the opportunity to heal, and then I got to shake their hand. The
most ironic part about the whole thing is that a month ago one of my close
friends became an amputee after a car hit him while he was running. In the wake
of this I have used my experience in fundraising to help set up a fundraiser
for him, we’ve raised almost $25,000 so far. And I’ve been able to call upon my
network of people whom I just raced with and introduced him to other amputees.
None of this was about me, or my race.
I’ve had some amazing opportunities so far in life. Many of
them are a result of a connection I made while giving back. I was fortunate
enough to turn my passion for giving back into a career but you don’t have to
do that to lend a hand.
“It's impossible to be involved in all situations,
but there's no excuse not to be involved in something, somewhere, somehow, with
someone. Make an ounce of difference.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich,
― Richelle E. Goodrich,
You don’t have to do something for everything. I have
followed my passions and taken myself on a journey through difference causes,
all which have been worthy of more than I could ever give. There are so many
reasons to care in this world and each of us has to choose the one that’s right
for us, or maybe for that moment.
Being a member of Alpha Chi Omega I have learned many
things. I have learned that sisterhood is something that can’t be explained;
only experienced. I have learned that holding yourself to high standards can
only lead to wonderful outcomes. I have learned that the world is much larger
than just my world.
“You have not lived today until you have
done something for someone who can never repay you.”
― John Bunyan
― John Bunyan
Choose the purpose in life that drives you to do more, that
drives you to do good. I promise that you will not regret it because we are
all:
Real. Strong. Women
