Alumnae Spotlight: FSU Alpha Chi Med students

We are excited to share photos of Katie Wright, and Sarah Schmidt both Beta Eta, Alpha Chi Omegas, who will be attending Florida State University Medical School, class of 2015. You can click on their names above to read their full profile.

 

We are so proud of Katie and Sarah, and wish them both the best!

The photos above are from the official White Coat ceremony. The blurb below is from FSU College of Medicene

The official wardrobe of the Class of 2015 now includes 119 white coats. At an inspiring ceremony Aug. 19, the first-year College of Medicine students pledged to dedicate their lives to serving humanity and slipped on their new coats, symbols of the medical profession.

Students Robyn Rachesky, Saritha Tirumalasetty and James Zorn were each helped into their coats by one of their parents, members of the College of Medicine’s clerkship faculty.

Watching and cheering this rite of passage were relatives and friends so numerous that they filled Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. Afterward, a sea of white coats and proud parents encircled the fountain in front of the Westcott Building for the ultimate family photo op.

Also honored at the ceremony were 12 members of the Class of 2012. Based on nominations from faculty, staff and fellow students, they were inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and saluted for having the ideal blend of knowledge and compassion. Those students were Kate (Cleary) Alonso, Natasha Demehri, Laura Diamond, Aaron Hilton, Brett Howard, Demetrios Konstas, Brandon Mauldin, Diana Mauldin, Ricardo Sequeira, Michael Silverstein, Elise Switzer and Helen Travis.

Speaking to the first-year students, fourth-year student Demehri passed along hard-won wisdom from a time during clinical rotations when her private and professional lives collided. “I never thought that the first patient I would lose would be my friend,” she told them. It was a moving story. (Read it on Pages 30-31 of the summer issue of FSU MED magazine.)

Among her other messages to the new students were these: “You have little to lose, and everything to gain, by letting a sick person into your heart…. What is humanism in medicine? It’s simple: It’s a relationship between two human beings, one of whom – you – happens to be a doctor.”

The evening’s featured speaker was Dr. Paul McLeod, senior associate dean for regional campuses, and dean of the Pensacola campus. He urged the new students to be willing to laugh at themselves – then invited them to laugh at him by telling tales of his own rookie shortcomings.

On one occasion, he said, “I encountered a young lady in the emergency department with a complaint of a swollen jaw. Having just finished studying diseases of the oral cavity, I thrust myself into a barrage of questions intended to uncover her occult dental abscess or her salivary gland tumor…. I gave a comprehensive presentation to my supervising resident. Appearing totally unimpressed by my efforts, he accompanied me back to the patient’s room…. He flung open the door, glanced in her direction and asked one question: ‘Someone hit you, ma’am?’ ‘Yes.’”

He also told a poignant story about a patient who was much too sick much too early in life – and how he wrestled with the questions of “Why her?” and “What if…?” and “Why didn’t I do something sooner?” (For the surprise ending to that story, watch the White Coat Ceremony video, starting shortly after the 1:05 mark.)

College of Medicine Dean John Fogarty thanked all who attended for supporting their favorite students – and jokingly warned the families not to seek medical advice from them just yet. He also encouraged the students to wear their white coats with pride.

“This ceremony serves as a reminder that you are not just going to school – you are joining a profession,” he said. “Ceremonies provide opportunities to commit or recommit to the oaths, vows and traditions of our profession.”

He reminded the first-year students that they have eight semesters of medical school remaining. But they have one completed, and now they have their white coats. It’s been a big summer.

Homecoming 2011- Hotel Block

We have secured a special discounted rate of $139 per night (+ 12.5% taxes) with Quality Inn & Suites for the Homecoming weekend and the 2nd Annual Lucky Stars Reunion Weekend, Friday, November 18- Sunday, November 20.

Quality Inn and Suites boasts that we can rest assured that everything is included in our discounted group rate of $139: “Full Hot 23 Item Breakfast Buffet, Wi-Fi and Internet, Manager’s Reception, and Access to the YMCA are all included!  Our entire hotel has been renovated top to bottom in 2010 and our rooms offer the bedding, décor, and high tech amenities to assure you a comfortable stay. We also have had a facelift last month and are brand new on the exterior as well. We look forward to serving you during your stay in Tallahassee!”

Please call in to make your reservation and receive the discounted rate simply by stating you’re with the “Xi Omega Xi” group to receive this rate on King and Double rooms, based on availability.  They have reported to have 75 rooms available, of every type.

The hotel is situated on Apalachee Parkway, approximately 4 miles from the Beta Eta House.  We have estimated a taxi fare to be approximately $15 one way between the Alpha Chi house and the Hotel.

Quality Inn & Suites

2020 Apalachee Pkwy

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(P) 850-877-4437

(F) 850-878-9964

www.qualityinn.com/hotel/fl808

Executive Committee Spotlight: Amanda DeYoung

We are so excited about to announce

Amanda DeYoung
has volunteered to serve as the
ΞΩΞ Special Event Chair

 

Amanda is a 2003 initiate. She is originally from Belle Isle, Florida, and currently resides in Atlanta, GA.  

Professional, she works in Commercial Real Estate as a Commercial Property Manager. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being on the water, college football, and running (half marathons).

Amanda is also a member of Xi Omega Xi, and has volunteered to serve as the Special Event Committee Chair, for 2011 Homecoming! We look forward to all of the great things Amanda has planned for Homecoming 2011.

Not a member of ΞΩΞ's Facebook page? 
Be sure to click here to join.

A Summer of fun Alpha Chi style!

 

 

 

As the summer comes to a close and we try to make these last few weeks count, we look back on a great summer and wondering how it was able to slip by too quickly. This summer was filled with laughter, sunshine, adventure, memories, and most importantly filled with a common bond we all have with one another, the bond of sisterhood. Here is a look at what some of the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega have been up to this summer. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

*Some sisters enjoyed time studying abroad in Spain, England,

and even Italy while others spent their time hanging out with

friends and enjoying their time together both at home and in

Tallahassee. Sisters traveled near and far to be with one another

to celebrate many birthdays and to enjoy each others company.

Everyone seems to be really excited to get back to school!

LITB

Kendall

Executive Committee Spotlight: Katy Leach

We are so excited about to announce

Katy MacDarmid Leach
has volunteered to serve as the
ΞΩΞ Social Networking Chair

Katy MacDiarmid Leach is a 1998 initiate of the Beta Eta Chapter. She currently resides in Orlando with her husband, Ryan and their two sons, Gavin (5) and Caden (1).

She is active in her sons' schools, is on the steering committee as the Publicity Chair for her MOPS group and is active in a local volunteer group that she co-created with her cousin called The Volunteer Vixens. She also enjoys cooking, reading and laughing with her friends and family.

Katy is also a member of Xi Omega Xi, and has volunteered to serve as the Social Networking Committee Chair. We now have Katy to thank for ensuring our chapter stays socially relevant with frequent updates on Facebook, and other forms of social media!

Not a member of ΞΩΞ's Facebook page? 
Be sure to click here to join.

You can learn more about Katy by clicking here , as she was previous featured in an Alumnae Spotlight!

Alumna celebrates 50 years of marriage!

Lanny, a 1957 initiate and current Xi Omega Xi member,  celebrated her 50th Wedding Anniversary, with husband Art, on June 25 in Key West, FL. They renewed their vows at evening mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church with five of my original bridesmaids (2 of whom are Alpha Chi's) and her flower girl in attendance.  Their 3 sons stood in for Art (as they didn't know where all of the military groomsmen were).  Mass was followed by a luau and lots of laughs. The couples sons took everyone on a Skelly movie and photo history tour.  The couple had such a great time with family, Navy, Alpha Chi sisters, and other friends. Lanny noted "it was over too soon"

 Lanny & Art with their sons!

Lanny & Art with some of those in attendance.. 

 

Congratulations from the ladies of XOX on your anniversary!!

Are you a Beta Eta Alumnae who is celebrating an exciting lift event? Do you blog for fun, or for family & want to link your blog to our site? Would you be interested in serving as a guest blogger, or are interested in being the subject of an Alumnae Spotlight post? Email us at AXOFloridaState {at} gmail {dot} com

What Alpha Chi Means to Me

As mentioned before, I have the privilege of interning this summer in Connecticut with ESPN Inc. I have been here in New England for nearly five weeks, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. There is one very important group however, that has provided me with the means to succeed even further than I anticipated. Alpha Chi Omega has instilled many valuable traits in me, that I don't think many realize until they are truly in the work force. Leaving home, though just several hours away from Tallahassee, and arriving to college would not have been the same without my sisters being there for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The constant sleepovers with sisters, the glorious food at the house, the endless daily chatter, and the amazing nights together are just a few of the easy-to-see perks of being in such great company, such as Alpha Chi. The one thing that might not be as easy to see however, is the work ethic, determination, optimistic thinking, and self-confidence our sorority inspires us to belief in ourselves. I truly believe I would have not been as successful if it were not for my sisters and the bond of Alpha Chi Omega. Everyday, I realize what an impact this sorority has made on my life, just via the simple tasks of creating an extremely long excel spreadsheet that dates back to 1979. That even though, sometimes I want to throw my computer against the wall and give up, I take a deep breath and remember what Alpha Chi has taught me....

P A T I E N C E :)

I cannot wait to be back in Tallahassee to see all of my beautiful sisters, as well as the wonderful alumnae! I thank Alpha Chi Omega for focusing their sisterhood on love, kindness, academic success, determination, patience, and virtue, because it has helped me throughout my entire internship. If you have Alpha Chi in your mind, and in heart....... the possibilities are endless.

LITB LADIES
Julianna Corso
Fall 2011 Blog Chair
Current Intern for ESPN 

Happy 1st Founders' Day, Xi Omega Xi!

Please join me in celebrating the 1st Founders' Day for our Virtual Alumnae Chapter, Xi Omega Xi by making our Founders' Day logo your Facebook Profile picture!!! :)

As many of you know, Xi Omega Xi is a virtual alumnae chapter of Alpha Chi Omega for Beta Eta women. With the advances in technology, we are now capable to reunite all Alpha Chi Omega women from Florida State University regardless of current location. Unlike your local Alpha Chi Omega alum chapters, we all share similar past experiences: we were all initiated in 518 West Park Avenue; we all have Seminole pride and bleed garnet and gold; we have an emotional connection to the beautiful campus that we called home for our college experiences. We stay connected to the current collegiate chapter of Beta Eta for communications of their successes and fun.

The Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter began as a thought and dream of several Beta Eta Alumnae during the planning of the chapters' 80th anniversary during April 2009. The thought was that not only Beta Eta's are some of the most active alumnae in the nation; they are some of the most loyal to Florida State University; their home chapter of Beta Eta. Alumnae travel to Tallahassee for events such a Homecoming, the chapter’s annual charity golf tournament Par-Tee, and reunions. However, during the remainder of the year, they are virtually left "in the dark" about the happenings of the collegiate chapter and fellow alumnae.

After speaking with Amy Zoldak, and members of the first virtual alumnae chapter, Mu Tau Mu, we knew that a virtual chapter was the right decision. We rallied the alumnae during the 80th, filed, and were officially installed July 11th, 2010 at Alpha Chi Omega Convention in Washington DC. You can read original blog post for more details on installation here.

Our Founding Members are: Jessica Beers, Joy Piatek Behan, Margaret Bennett, Jessica Harwood Bouwsma, Dana Brookes, Mitzi Brown, Monica Cepero, Kristina Clarke de Moya, Diane Cutler, Celia Seleya Dubey, Britain Dwyre, Jan Faulkner, Catherine Fly, Sylvia Foster, Patty Garrard, Heather Goodman, Katie Halliday, Brittany Horwitt, Janis K Polk Kennedy, Katy MacDiarmid Leach, Ann Marshall, Nadean McLaughlin, Melissa Palori, Allison Parker, Erin Pauley, Michele M Perry, Aimee Phipps, Tara Reynolds, Stephanie Roy, Linda Stanford, Beth Schmidt, Kristen Snyder, Aggie Steiner, Claudia Thomas, Carolyn C Thorton, Aileen Warshaw Thurber, Susan Wilcox, Bonnie Wilson and Lynn Wittenburg.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Xi Omega Xi as we embark on our second exciting year, please click here.

Thank you for your continued support of our Beta Eta and Xi Omega Xi chapters.

LITB,
Jessica Bouwsma
President
Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter
Alpha Chi Omega

Beta Eta Blogger Spotlight

We love it when we come across fellow Beta Eta bloggers. We try our best to keep up with Beta Eta bloggers by adding their links to our site. We even work to try to distinguish between alumna bloggers who blog for fun, and those who blog about their life, family, etc... Thus readers are able to join us in following blogs, and alumnae can look for sisters to catch up with..

Today we came across recent alumna, and blogger Alexa

 

She recently started a blog, Life Made Simple.The blog notes that it will be "a small step into her life, with an extra emphasis on things that make her smile!" 

Do you have a blog you would like to add to our blog roll??? Be sure to comment on this post with your link, or email AXOFloridaState {at} gmail {dot} com

Social media: What do your accounts say about you?

Great Article below, originally posted by, Alpha Chi Omega Alumna, Audra Meyer on her blog. The article sheds light on the aspects of social media, and what you can do to ensure that social media sites portray your best image.

A Twitter friend, Lauren Gray, recommended Socioclean.com about a month ago. (If you’re not following her, you should be! She always suggests awesome articles!) I just had a chance to use it and was a bit surprised by the results.

According to this article on the Huffington Post, “SocioClean lets you scan all your different online social networks and then delete the offending items. Taking into consideration the landscape of a universe where it’s all too easy to broadcast the dirty minutia of your real life online, SocioClean helps you monitor and maintain your Internet presence.”

Here, I thought I had a fairly sterile Facebook profile. Turns out, I received a D! Most of that was from other people’s posts on my wall, but a few of my posts came up under the various categories, “Racial, Alcohol/Drugs, Sexual (butt does count), Aggression and Profanity.” I used the word pissed a few times and it took all the tennis posts that mentioned ball and misconstrued it. As for friends mentioning wine and beer, I’ll admit I have a few status posts mentioned the Wine Cellar and Bistro or the Hermann Wine and Chocolate trail (two automatic hits).

In all 14 wall posts made the list, one group, 9 photos (the comments on the photos, not the actual photo), 24 status posts (including two about heat stroke and one about strep throat). If that gives you a D, I’m curious about what the average score is and how other people fair. I also hope the search filter will eventually be expanded to go before 2009.

I was surprised at the nostalgia this search brought up and pleased with how easy it was to click on the offending status posts and either delete them or untag myself from the photos.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a job or have to use your personal Facebook profile to manage company pages, it wouldn’t hurt to run this search just to see what’s out there.

Go Greek

It is that time of year again. What time is that?? Recruitment time.  With collegians across the country preparing for recruitment, and thousands of soon to be college freshman preparing to go thru the recruitment process.

  

Image above from here

As  Alumnae it is quite possible we will be asked about recruitment. So here are some tips for alumna!

1. Write letters of recommendation for potential new members, or rushees, and send these to the collegiate chapter of Alpha Chi Omega in a timely manner. You can find the rec form, and the addresses for collegiate chapters at Alpha Chi Omega HQ 

 

2. Visit sites like Sure Sister and Sorority Life and suggest these sites to Potential new members to learn more about the Panhellenic System and recruitment in their area. 

3. Be supportive of the process and of the Panhellenic Community. While Alpha Chi was the right choice for you, it may not be the home for everyone. There are 26 amazing NPC groups, and they all offer a lifetime opportunity for sisterhood!!

More tips, and advice regarding recruitment to come in future posts.

The Clothesline Project

information provided from dvam.vawnet

The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to the violence against women and children. The Clothesline Project comprises T-shirts designed by survivors of abuse and those who have lost loved ones to it. The shirts are hung on a clothesline display to:

• Honor survivors and memorialize victims
• Help with the healing process for survivors and people who have lost a loved one to violence
• Educate, document, and raise society's awareness of about the crimes of violence against women and children

Download Flyer (PDF)

What the Shirts Represent

Shirts that hang on The Clothesline represent a wide spectrum of abuse. Although each shirt is unique, a common color coding is generally used to represent the different dimensions of violence against women and children:

• WHITE for women and children who have died as a result of domestic violence
• YELLOW or BEIGE for women and children who have been battered or assaulted
• RED, PINK or ORANGE for women and children who have been raped or sexually assaulted
• BLUE or GREEN for women and children survivors of incest
• PURPLE or LAVENDER for women and children attacked because of their sexual orientation/identification

The History of the Project
The Clothesline Project originated with 31 shirts in Hyannis, MA, in 1990 through the Cape Cod Women's Agenda. A small group of women - many of whom had experienced violence in their own lives - designed the visual monument to help transform staggering statistics about violence against women and children into a powerful educational and healing tool.

They decided to use a clothesline after discussing how many women in close-knit neighborhoods have traditionally exchanged information over backyard fences while hanging laundry out to dry.

The Clothesline Project breaks the silence about violence against women and children by giving a voice to survivors and victims. Since 1990, hundreds of Clotheline Projects have emerged nationwide and abroad, resulting in tens of thousands of shirt designs.

To find out more information, contact:

The Clothesline Project
P.O. Box 654
Brewster, MA 02631
Email clotheslineproject@verizon.net

Information taken from The Clothesline Project Overview (1994) Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence/National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

Congratulations to 2011 graduating Seniors

A big thank you goes out to the alumnae members and advisors of the Epsilon Tau Epsilon Alumane chapter for hosting hall of commitment at the end of the spring semester for graduating seniors! We are so proud of the seniors on their graduation from Florida State University and from the Beta Eta chapter. As you enter the alumnae phase of your membership we look forward to you joining us as a member of Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter.

April 10th serious photo

funny photo

round two

round 3

 

thank you to Amy Z for photos!

Silent Witness cont...

We shared information on the Silent Witness Project last Thursday. Be sure to visit silentwitness.net for additional information

Silent Witness

The Goal
The Silent Witness National Initiative seeks to promote peace, healing and responsibility in adult relationships. The Initiative's goal is to reach zero domestic murders by 2010 through successful community-based domestic violence reduction efforts.

Download Flyer (PDF)

How The Initiative Began
In 1990, a group of women artists and writers, alarmed by the growing number of women in Minnesota being murdered by their partners or acquaintances, joined together with several other women's organizations to form Arts Action Against Domestic Violence.

They felt an urgency to do something that would speak out against the escalating domestic violence in their state, something that would commemorate the lives of the 26 women whose lives had been lost in 1990 as a result of domestic violence. Tthey decided to create 26 free-standing, life-sized red wooden figures, each one bearing the name of a woman who once lived, worked, had neighbors, friends, family, children--whose life ended violently at the hands of a husband, ex-husband, partner, or acquaintance. A twenty-seventh figure was added to represent those uncounted women whose murders went unsolved or were erroneously ruled accidental. The organizers called the figures the Silent Witnesses. Names of the 26 women can be accessed on the Silent Witness National Initiative WebSite.

The Debut
On February 18, 1991, more than 500 women met at a church across the street from the Minnesota State Capitol with the newly-constructed Witnesses. The women formed a silent procession escorting the figures single file across the street, up the steps, and into the State Capitol Rotunda for public statements and a press conference. The sheer volume of space the figures occupied spoke of their power and the loss. The Silent Witness Exhibit was officially launched.
The National Initiative
1994 saw the formation of a national initiative dedicated to the elimination of domestic murder, starting with the creation of Silent Witness exhibits in communities across the country. Within one year a total of 800 Silent Witnesses had been created to represent women who were killed as a result of domestic violence in seventeen states. By October 1997, exhibits had been established in all 50 states.

To find our how you can become involved, please contact:

The Silent Witness National Initiative
20 Second St., Suite 1101
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Telephone (612) 377-6629
Fax (612) 374-3956
E-mail info@silentwitness.net

Information from the Silent Witness National Initiative web site

Empty Place at the Table

Following a cluster of domestic violence murders in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania in 1993, the community responded by holding a rally and march outside the courthouse. In an effort to continue the community involvement, education and commemoration, rally organizers and the Women's Resource Center, Inc. worked together to create the Empty Place at the Table exhibit.

Download Flyer (PDF)

This exhibit comprises victims' place settings, photographs and personal items, as well as newspaper clippings about the homicides. The exhibit works to:

• Recognize the individuality of each victim
• Establish a way to mourn the loss of their lives
• Raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on our communities
• Ensure these deaths are not forgotten

Domestic violence program advocates and community members can replicate the exhibit to honor the victims of domestic violence homicides. For more information, please contact:

Women's Resource Center, Inc.
Telephone (570) 346-4460 x242
Fax (570) 346-3413
Web http://www.wrcnepa.org/epatt.php

information from here

Collegiate Spotlight- University Of Alabama Greeks

Today I have to share what the Greek Students at University of Alabama have been working on since the Tornadoes hit their community. It is truly amazing, how the entire Greek System rallied together for the good of their community. From each sorority collecting different items, to various fraternity houses cooking, to hundreds of students volunteering. It was truly a labor of love, and one that I am proud to share!

UA Greek Relief!! Together they provided over 52,000 hot meals to the victims and relief workers of Tuscaloosa. Please note the "job" is far from over. It will take years for the city to recover. Please visit www.uagreekrelief.com for more ways to help

 

And for those Alpha Chi's reading All of U of A Alpha Chi staff and members are accounted for and safe. However 2 staff members lost everything. The chapter has set up an account at at Bryant Bank in town called Alpha Chi Omega Relief Fund to assist those staff members. Checks can be mailed to Caroline Fulmer  (one of the advisers) at AXO at PO Box 861448, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486.

National Call for Unity...

To honor the tradition of the National Day of Unity, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project Advisory Group decided to organize a National Call for Unity. The idea was to provide advocates with an opportunity for a collective, shared experience that would not distract from their ongoing support of survivors, their daily work to end violence, or their planned DVAM activities. Further, in observance of DVAM 2010, the NRCDV commissioned a unique and vibrant piece of artwork from Lauren Komarek, a young artist who works as an illustrator, graphic designer and sculptor. Highlighting the traditional themes of DVAM, the artwork features the words "Domestic Violence Awareness Month: mourn celebrate connect" with 3 young people looking forward to a different world, a world free from violence and coercive control.

Download Poem

Download Prayer

Listen to the National Call for Unity
On this free 45-minute call, several national organizations, governmental agencies, local domestic violence programs, advocates, allies, survivors and their family and friends gathered together to connect and refocus our efforts as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) 2010 began. Following welcoming remarks from Kenya Fairley, Program Manager with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), everyone on the call was welcomed by Tina Chen, Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls. Next, Lynn Rosenthal, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, shared her comments about DVAM and introduced the recorded remarks of Vice President Joe Biden, who was unable to be present on the call himself. Maria Luisa O’Neill, with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence continued the call by explaining the history behind the National Day of Unity.
Then, after being introduced by Sue Else, President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), Victor Rivas Rivers, NNEDV National Spokesperson, actor, author, athlete and activist shared his moving story of abuse, survival, and activism. We also heard a dramatic recitation by Kimberly Collins of her nationally renowned poem, Remember My Name. After sharing in a collective moment of silence for all the women, children, and men who have lost their lives to domestic violence, Rev. Dr. Aleese Moore-Orbih of the FaithTrust Institute prayed for all the victims, survivors, their family, friends, advocates, and allies as we continue our work to end violence in our homes, our families, and our communities. To conclude the call, Ambar Hansen of Casa de Esperanza encouraged everyone to join their Pledge of Hope Campaign and Diane Perez of the National Domestic Violence Hotline shared details about being an advocate for women, children, and men that experience domestic violence.

• National Call for Unity 2010, full length recording (38:57 minutes)
• Remarks by Vice President Joseph Biden (1:55 minutes)
• A Survivor’s Story: Victor Rivas Rivers, “Remember My Name” recited by Kimberly Collins, and Universal Prayer by Rev. Dr. Aleese Moor-Orbih (17:41 minutes)

Writings: Poetry and Prayer
As human beings we are blessed with the ability to express ourselves through language and, by extension, the written word. From the beginning of time, words have been used to capture the mundane details of life, identify objects, show the way to hidden places, record history, and foretell the future. There is also power in words where they allow us to share our innermost thoughts, feelings and ideas. Writing allows us to harness our energy, both positive and negative, and our words bear witness to our lives. While we all have the ability to write ourselves into diaries, essays, blogs, journals, articles and poems, there comes a time when an individual will so accurately capture the essence of a movement with their words.
Over a decade ago in 1995, Kimberly A. Collins wrote Remember My Name, a poem that has been used by Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) observances to memorialize victims that have lost their lives to the horrific epidemic of domestic violence. During the 2010 National Call for Unity, as part of the kick-off to DVAM, Ms. Collins recited this poem in the hopes that through spoken words we will never forget the names or the lives of those lost to domestic violence, that we should continue to heal through our shared connections and experiences, and that we shall remain committed in our efforts to end violence in our homes, our families, and communities.

• “Remember My Name” by Kimberly Collins [PDF] (prints on legal sized 11"x14" paper)
• “Prayer for Continued Courage” by Rev. Dr. Aleese Moore-Orbih [PDF] (prints on standard sized 8 1/2" x 11" paper)

Related Domestic Violence Awareness Month Blogs and Campaigns

• Read the Council on Women and Girls White House Blog to learn more about the efforts of the White House to end violence against women and girls. “Ending Violence Against Women,” posted by Lynn Rosenthal on October 5, 2010 to the White House Council on Women and Girls Blog. To join the Council for Women and Girls Listserv, please send your email contact information to public@who.eop.gov.
• Activate your social media network to support the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) DVAM Campaigns and help raise funds for domestic violence programs across the country. NNEDV encourages people to text the word HOPE to 41010 to make a $10 donation; listen to and share a public service announcement from Dr. Phil McGraw about his season-long campaign to “End the Silence on Domestic Violence” through YouTube; and promote the “Tell a Gal Pal” pledge through Facebook.
• In October 1994 the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), in conjunction with Ms. Magazine, created the "Remember My Name" Project, a national registry to increase public awareness of domestic violence related deaths. Since then, NCADV has been collecting information on women who have been killed by an intimate partner and produces a poster each October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, listing the names of those documented in that year.
• Show Your Support: Sign on to the FaithTrust Institute National Declaration by Religious and Spiritual Leaders to Address Violence Against Women.
• Believing that domestic violence will end only when it is no longer acceptable to each of us, Casa de Esperanza has launched the national Hope Campaign to raise awareness and encourage people from across the country to take action to end domestic violence.
  • Pledge of Hope Campaign Flyer (English) [PDF]
  • Esperanza Campaign Flyer (Spanish) [PDF]
• In support of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Shop for a Cause during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. More than 22,000 callers reach out to the Hotline for help each month, and it is vital that each call be answered. Your donations ensure that Hotline Advocates are available around the clock and around the country.

information from here

Summer Internships....

This summer our very own Julianna Corso, will be interning in Birstol, CT for ESPN. I'd like to think she is the next Erin Andrews or Jenn Brown. Only she will support the Seminoles (both Erin and Jenn graduated from the "other" Florida Institution, UF). Follow Julianna on her Blog here.

It’s time to channel your hunger for success.

You’ve been dreaming of this day for years. Finally it’s time to put all that education, knowledge and ambition into the start of a career – and there’s no better place than at ESPN. We should warn you though, – it’s not for the faint of heart.At ESPN, we move at the speed of fiber optics and satellite signals, and televise 24/7 among multiple platforms. You’ll be mentored by the best in the business and relied upon by millions of viewers. You’ll also be put right in the thick of a global icon in multimedia sports entertainment. It’s your opportunity to start a career where you can finally shine.BusinessWeek ranked the Walt Disney Company (parent company of ESPN/ABC) as one of the top companies to start your career, it also ranked Disney #11 on internship opportunities for undergraduates. Disney was ranked No. 7 in Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 Most Desirable MBA Employers. Boston College's Carroll School of Management has Disney topping the list of 50 companies recognized as leaders in corporate social responsibility. DiversityInc named Disney as one of the top 50 companies for diversity.

 And if you are wondering.. Yes, Julianna is related to the loved, Lee Corso. She is a 5th Generation Nole!

 

she writes "I wish I could have seen the Sunshine Scooter break the record for most interceptions in one season..."

 Above is Julianna's dad, Julianna, Lee, fellow BH & Younger sister Annalise, and soon to be Alumna Initiate of BH, mom Kim

Alumna Stoplight- Kat

Kat is a 2006 initiate of the Beta Eta chapter, and 2010 graduate from Florida State University. She is currently attending University of Miami Law School, and will graduate 2013.

Join Kat as she blogs about fashion, fun & the life of a law student at Law Abiding Fashionista.

In her own words:

"I'm just a 23 year old trying to enjoy life while looking fabulous. I'm originally from the beautiful city of Fort Lauderdale. I attended Florida State University to major in Partying, but my degree said Political Science and Psychology. Since I was in Tallahassee, I decided to keep it classy and join the lovely sorority of Alpha Chi Omega. I got to serve them as Recruitment Chair because of my fine abilities: to coordinate napkins, pose in front of doors, walk down stairs in my heels but still smiling, and make you NEED to be an Alpha Chi Omega. I then came to Miami to pursue my delusional dreams of a legal career at the University of Miami Law School. Miami is an amazing city; it reminds me to exercise, tan, and shop... oh yeah and that thing called school as well. I can't tell you why I wanted to be a lawyer except that I have a fetish for the lavish fashion of women's business clothes, and what a way to start then becoming a lawyer. I want to open my own boutique one day, not sure when. You could say my current activities are “technically” a law student, student loan budget fashionista, weekend pre-party DJ Gato, a carb fearing twenty something, and a full time DREAMER."

National Women's Health Week

Sunday is Mother's Day and the start of National Women's Health Week. Check out the resources available for the week, on the NPC website (and through the links below) and be sure to remind all the women in your life to make health a priority.

Check out the links below for materials that will help you plan events, reach out to the media and more.

Women's Health Week Fact Sheet
Women's Health Week Celebration Ideas
Checklist for Women's Health Week Event
Tips for Building an Event Partnership
Registering Your Women's Health Week Event
How-To-Guide for Media Outreach
Issuing and Using a Proclamation

For additional information on National Women's Health Week, visit www.womenshealth.gov/whw. 

Tornado Warning Review

VP Fraternity Relations Advisor recently posted an excellent book review on her blog. She began reading  Tornado Warning: A Memoir of Teen Dating Violence and its Effect on a Woman's Life as soon as it came out earlier this year. The book is the true story of the author, Elin Waldal, how she came to be in a violent relationship as a teen (it's so true that it can happen to anyone), her experience in the relationship, ending it, and the long-term impact it has had on her life.

This is one of the bravest authors you will ever read. Not only does she share her story, she exposes everything she was going through by using excerpts from journals she kept at the time. Here's an example:

"What people don't seem to get is the guy doesn't haul off and hit you on the first date. First there is the falling in love, followed by the extreme need, and then there's this slow erosion of self until without noticing it, the woman becomes unrecognizable even to herself"

The other thing that sets this book apart from other similar memoirs (like Leslie Morgan Steiner's Crazy Love which I recommend here) is the way the author shares the aftermath. What happens to you in a relationship like this stays with you for a long time. Recovery is not easy; it takes time, patience, and determination.

Reading this book could save someone's life.

Alumna Spotlight- Liz Edmunds

Liz is a 2007 initiate of Beta Eta, and served as the chapter president in 2010! She is a 2011 graduate of Florida State University. She currently lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with her boyfriend Scott.

Be sure to follow her blog Le Favorite Things as she chronicles the some of her favorite things: design, DIY, shelter blogs, and finding inspiration in lovely images. Her blog also chronicles her adventures (and misadventures) in finding her first home and filling it with her favorite things.

 

above is an amazing headboard that Liz and her boyfriend created!!!