In continuation of National Ritual Celebration Week, Gamma Zeta will be exploring our public declaration of values: Article II. The first object of the statement calls us to “foster high ideals of friendship among women.”
Our founders Mary Comfort Leonard, Eva Webb Dodd, and Anna Boyd Ellington were very intentional with this point of Article II. They wanted Delta Gamma to be a place where friendship is both highly esteemed and also enriched through a community aiming for the best. They had set a rather high standard for future generations. Although all at different times fall short of this standard, friendship and sisterhood give us the strength to recommit and remain faithful and loyal to each other even through tough times.
We are thankful that we strive for what may seem impossible—the ideal. But we would want nothing less when it comes to friendship.
Delta Gamma has completely changed my life in a matter of a few short months. I am truly honored and proud to be able to say that I am apart of an organization that has the power to change lives. Every single girl I have met has touched my life and has shaped me into the person I am today. I can honestly say that choosing Delta Gamma, as my home was the best decision I have ever made! College can be extremely tough and overwhelming sometimes but knowing that I have a safety net of over 300 sisters that truly love and support me makes college much easier. The women of the Gamma Zeta chapter at LSU welcomed me with open arms and showed me that Delta Gamma is more than just a friendship, but a sisterhood. These women accepted me for who I am and for that I am eternally grateful.
-Emily Aucoin, New Intiate
Over the past two years, I have made more friends than I could have ever imagined. Since day one, I have gone to the DG house every day – before class, lunch, after class, study nights – it is my second home. In the process, the friends I have made and the bonds that I have formed have made my college experience more rewarding than I could have ever expected. Delta Gamma is nationally recognized for its sisterhood, as well as having the best down-to-earth girls and the best sisterhood; the main reason I chose to become DG. The connections I have made with the hundreds of DGs are incredible, and I will continue to make more as long as I am a Delta Gamma. The first day of classes, I was nervous, but because I knew that DGs were in all of my classes, I felt a sense of comfort. Through the semesters, I have always had at least one DG in my classes, helping each other in our efforts to do our best. It is through these friendships that I have gained a better understanding of what it means to truly be someone’s sister. We always have each other’s back no matter what and there’s always someone to go to in times of trouble. It’s because of actions such as these that DG fosters high ideals of friendship as stated in Article II.
-Amanda Duke, Sophomore
Delta Gamma’s Article II states our core values, and it has taught me how to be a better woman each and every day. One part that always stands out to me is “to foster high ideals of friendship among women” because that is exactly what DG has shown me since day one. My sisters inspire me everyday by living out Article II and showing me how to be the best friend and sister possible in countless ways. Being a friend sounds like a simple task that any person strives for every day, but DG challenges us to be the best friend to all of our 340+ sisters. I can rely on these women to comfort me on my bad days and celebrate me on my good days. My friends have impressed me with their sincere friendship on numerous occasions with a sweet note or a small surprise “just because.” Delta Gamma pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves, and I have witnessed DGs transform into the kindest women with the biggest hearts!
My favorite part about Delta Gamma is that it has connected me to other sisters all around the country. This past summer, I was able to attend the Lewis Institute with fellow Delta Gamma’s to learn about values-based leadership. I was surrounded by outstanding women who are going to make incredible changes in their chapters, but I also made friends for life. My Lewis friends have been my greatest support system and my best advice givers! Knowing that my sisters in Alabama, Texas, New York, Kentucky, and so many other places are a text/phone call away at all times is a huge testament of the high ideals of friendship Delta Gamma upholds! I appreciate each and every one of my long-distance DG friends so much, and they embody Article II in all that they do.
Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for Delta Gamma and our values! DG has transformed me into the passionate and serving woman I am today, and I am constantly being challenged to foster high ideals of friendship among women. I am so lucky and proud to be surround by 340+ women who embody a strong sisterhood and love for DG that will last for life!
-Gianna Liantonio, President, Junior
As a senior, my time as a colligate Delta Gamma is coming to a close. Reciting Article 2 with the chapter at almost every meeting has become as engrained in my head as saying the National Anthem was in elementary school at the start of every day. The goals of this organization are stated in Article 2:
1. Foster high ideals of friendship
2. Promote educational and cultural interests
3. True sense of social responsibility
4. Develop the best qualities of character
This pledge we say may seem trivial, but it calls for each of us to strive for greatness; to be better people every day God gives us. With each day comes new challenges and hardships. Life throws you into things that you think you aren’t ready for, but because of the relationships I’ve gained through this organization I am not expected to face them alone. Being a friend, in the true sense of the word, is being there for someone when they need you. Simple statement. Difficult task. I have valued the friends that have stuck by my side, and remembered this oath I took when my friends needed me in return. We have also learned to not only stand by each other during just the difficult times, but the fun times too. I have learned that to be a good friend means you experience the good and the bad because both are equally as important. A friend takes the good, bad and the ugly and never questions. They know each other’s weaknesses and their strengths and work everyday to make each other better people. Delta Gamma pushes me everyday to be a better version of myself. But the cool thing is, Delta Gamma is 300+ women I can count on. It’s so much more than a name or Greek letters on a jersey. They challenge me everyday, and I wouldn’t be the person I am without them.
-Cat Pettus, Senior
