A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have the experience to attend Lewis Institute, Delta Gamma’s leadership Program! Lewis was held at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, only about 2 two hour drive from Kent. Lewis Institute was not only about building leadership skills to improve our chapters, but also about meeting new sisters from across the country. Delta Gamma has 152 chapters that span all over America and even in Canada! The first night, I was able to meet the sisters in my small group who were from schools all over. Little did we know that night that over the next few days we would instantly grow so close to each other. Lewis not only gave us all the opportunity to share our experiences in our individual chapters, but to grow over our mutual experiences as Delta Gammas. All of us Delta Gammas got the chance to learn through alumnae members and members of other greek organizations. I personally was able to identify my highest values and strengths, and figure out ways to help DG grow through what I know. The second to last day, we all got the opportunity to tour Delta Gamma’s executive offices. We were able to see so much of Delta Gamma’s rich history, including years of Delta Gamma pins, letters between our founders, and a quilt made of customized patches from every chapter’s founding. I felt connected to DG in a way I never had before by learning and seeing for myself so much of what has gone into creating this amazing, lasting organization.
My main takeaways from Lewis:
-No one person is dictated by a single story. Everyone in our chapter, Panhellenic community, and beyond has an entire history and life that can’t be assumed.
⁃Our sorority is not only a sisterhood, but a team. Each with our individual strengths, we can accomplish amazing things through teamwork.
⁃Our values are all we have at the end of the day. Stay true to them, stick up for what you believe in, and be the change that you want to see.
The last day at the institute was weirdly hard, you don’t expect to grow super close with people in less than a week but somehow at the end of those 4 days it was like we were leaving all of our best friends. All of my sisters that I grew close with have kept talking over the past few weeks, and hopefully one day we will be able to reconnect. After attending Lewis, I am so excited for the future of Delta Gamma, Gamma Epsilon. Our chapter is full of amazing unique women who can all bring something to the table when we bring our full selves. I can’t wait to return to my favorite people after recruitment and kick off the best year yet for our chapter! Love you guys.
LITB
