This past week on November the 24th, my beautiful chapter of Alpha Chi Omega turned 105. Writing this, I’m once again blown away at the magnitude of that statement. One hundred and five years! Tau chapter was founded on Brenau’s campus in 1911 as a successor to a fraternity of academically and socially excellent women. These women applied to be an Alpha Chi Omega chapter and thus, Tau chapter was born. So, each year, we celebrate together and reflect on what makes Tau Chapter special and what makes us special to our chapter.
This year, to celebrate, our Vice President of Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation Ashley Childs organized a fancy dinner for the whole chapter. We all sat down together to eat and enjoy the delicious meal. It was a great chance to get away from the house and be completely immersed in each others’ lives and our sisterhood. We got a chance to talk and laugh and just be together.
When asked about Founder’s Day, Ashley Childs said, “Each year we celebrate our local Founder’s Day. I believe it’s so fitting that it is close to Thanksgiving because it makes us reflect on why we are thankful for our sisters. I am thankful for too many reasons to count”.
The best part of the night, though, was getting to hear from alumnae about the lasting impact Tau has had on them. They told us all about their time in the chapter, but also about what happens when it’s all over. They told us about how important vulnerability and compassion are when you’re with your sisters because, as cheesy as it is, these women will be your bridesmaids, your shoulder to cry on, and your biggest confidants throughout your life. Hearing from older members about what Tau meant to them completely opened my heart to what Tau has done for me and made me so excited to reflect back in ten, twenty, or fifty years and be reminded of how much I love Tau Chapter.
For Taylor Mays, a senior, this was her last local Founder’s Day. When asked about how special Tau chapter is to her, she said, “Tau Chapter is so special because my sisters and I just love each other so much. Whether we say happy birthday or wish someone good luck on an exam, we’re just constantly there for each other and push each other higher. Seniority is so bittersweet because I get to see how I’ve been shaped by the chapter and how the chapter has grown as a whole since I became a member, but saying goodbye to Tau will be so hard. However, I’ve seen what we’re capable of and the direction we’re heading in and I feel so good about our growth”.
Tau Chapter has seen many women come and go, and will continue to see extraordinary women as long as it’s on Brenau’s campus. Founder’s Day is the best time to reflect on that, and I’m so glad to have that opportunity.