I went through Rush twice. The first time I really liked the Zetas but had been promised that I would be a member of another group. (I was so naive that I didn't know what dirty rushing was.) I agonized but decided to go with what I thought was a sure thing. I picked with my head instead of my heart. Of course, those other girls lied and, to this day, I still get mad about wasting a year that I could have been a Zeta. I went through Rush again a year later, with my eyes and heart wide open. I thought the Zetas were still the best and they were so honest when I had questions about making the right decision for me. (They were the only ones who told me that it was impossible for 100 women to all get along all the time but that we would love each other because of our bond in Zeta.) Looking around at Pref, seeing the smiles on the other girls' faces was like looking in a mirror. I knew that was where I belonged. I also "suicided" Zeta, knowing that I would rather be there than anywhere else. I am so grateful that I got a second chance to make the right decision. (BTW...those other girls got busted for having drugs at a formal, their president had to resign and their campus panhel rep, who was the panhel pres., had to step down. They were just dirty all around. I really feel like I "dodged a bullet.")
I think Zeta has changed my life by providing support and encouragement at different times in my life. I am an only child and the whole "sister" thing was new to me, too, but even though I may not always get along with someone, we still have our ZTA bond. I also have been able to get amazing leadership development and training. Zeta has given me the confidence to challenge myself in new ways. For years I was more of a background person, "tell me what to do and I'll do it." But I've stretched and grown, taking on leadership roles that I never thought I could do. Being a part of a group that provides so much philanthropic support, locally and nationally, to others is also incredible. As I get older, I appreciate this more and more. My grandmother recently lost her second battle with breast cancer so our support of breast cancer awareness and prevention is really hitting a lot closer to home.
There are so many amazing memories so far...my wedding with Zetas singing to me, the baptism of my first child with my pledge sister as his godmother, receiving a standing ovation as I accepted my Certificate of Merit, crying as a friend's mother put on a survivor cap at Race for the Cure, being in friendship circle of almost 1000 women at Convention and looking around knowing that these diverse, amazing ladies are all connected by our sisterhood. I really don't know that I've had my best memory of Zeta yet, but I'm looking forward to finding it.
I graduated in December 1989, have been attending alumna events since 1990 and officially joined the Dallas Night chapter in 1991. I'm still very active as an alumna...currently I'm alternate panehellenic delegate for the Dallas Area Night alumnae chapter and historian for the brand new Collin County alumnae. For Dallas Night, I've been alumnae/collegiate relations, secretary, vp/membership, vp/programs, vp/ZTAF fundraising, president, parliamentarian, keywoman (twice for two cities), ZTA Mother's Club founder/advisor and more. I've received the Zeta Lady award for my chapter and the Certificate of Merit. I've been to 4 Conventions and 16 Texas Zeta Days. I'm a member of the Heritage Society and am now, for the FIRST time, a major donor. (I've given a lot of time but realized that I really needed to give more money directly to ZTAF as well as to my local chapters.)
Probably much more than you ever wanted to know but I really believe that Zeta has helped make me a better person and I want to continue giving back in hopes that she will do the same for others.
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