I am a new member of Chi Omega. My chapter allows us to wear letters from bid day on, but encourages us to wait until our new member retreat. We used it as a bonding activity. Our "Owl Pals" (an older girl who left us letters every day for a week, and a gift at the end) gave us a tee shirt and a fabric they thought we would like the night before the new member retreat. Then we made iron on letters. This upcoming Monday is big/little and I will get my first stitched on letters.
I know a lot of other organizations on campus don't let the girls wear letters until initiation. For "All greek letter day" on my campus, some of the older Chi O's lended shirts and sweatshirts to the younger girls so we could feel like we were a part of the group, and because there was a picture. None of us new girls really have stitched letters of our own despite the fact that we can own them, unless they are hiding them in the closet until it is appropriate to wear them. We are all waiting to see what our big gives us!
I understand the reasoning behind waiting for initiation. We don't wear a pin or ribbon at all during our new member period, while others make their new members wear one. We are small (the ceiling for sororities on my campus is 35) so we know everyone, and every girl understands what an honor it was to get a bid. I like that I can wear my letters. I have wanted to be in a strong sisterhood like Chi Omega since second grade, when I saw my older cousin join her sorority. To me, even if I don't know what the letters may mean or anything, it already has its own personal meaning. I know that Chi Omegas are strong, successful women, and all the Chi Omegas I have met are sweet, caring, beautiful, intelligent, and to be invited to be a part of that makes me feel great. I will wear my letters with great pride for the rest of my life. Knowing the meaning will only add to what makes them special.
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