[NutBrnHair]

As a collegian, it meant being a part of something successful -- something bigger than myself. It meant leadership opportunities for me. I was never a leader in high school, but my sisters in Chi Omega saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself. When I was given the chance -- I loved it. I soared! It was amazing. That's the reason I'm still involved today. It made a difference in my life. When I attended my first National Convention in 1982, I told the Chapter Visitor who came to my campus that I wanted to come to the next one too. I haven't missed one since. Many sororities are similar; however, since I've been involved on the national level, I'm convinced -- no one has the people that we do -- that's the difference. No one had/has a Mary Love Collins, a Kirk Bell Cocke, a Roselyn Dabbs, a Melanie Shain, a Mary Evelyn White, a Jan Blackwell, a Mary Ann Fruge, a Shelley Potter, a Lissa Morgan, a Laura Miller -- that's the difference! The people. They are unique and very, very special. When I joined as a collegian, I didn't care two hoots (pun intended) that I had joined a strong National organization. It was much later that I realized what a difference it makes.