Alumna Reconnects

It wasn’t cool to be in a sorority when I went off to college in 1967. But I had experience in doing not-cool things. I’d been a Girl Scout all the way through high school and loved every minute of it. So, when it came time for sorority recruitment, I wondered: Would I like being a part of a sorority as much as I had loved the sisterhood I’d experienced in Girl Scouts? I had my doubts. Besides, I told my mother I wasn’t necessarily going to pledge a sorority; I was just going through recruitment to meet people.

I never thought I’d get the opportunity to join Chi Omega. During recruitment, I noted that members were all gorgeous and smart. I remember, too, how impressed I was when I learned about Chi Omega’s six purposes and was truly inspired to see how these women upheld these values. They had great friendships, earned outstanding grades, were selfless when it came to campus and community activities, and held themselves to such high standards of personnel. For a Girl Scout, goody-two-shoes like me, Chi Omega sounded like a great fit.

Even though I hadn’t necessarily planned to join a sorority, it was clear Chi Omega’s values aligned with my own. Of course, the hard part was going through recruitment and just hoping and praying they would want me!

I’d always fancied myself a bit of a leader. But when I was extended a bid to Chi Omega, I became a follower of a long legacy and became part of a team.

A team of women, full of high purpose.

After college I tried to fulfill another one of Chi Omega’s purposes: personal and career development. In the mid 1980s, I was given a unique opportunity when I was promoted to a leadership position in another country with the Estée Lauder Companies. I was an outsider, sent there to lead a group of unruly but determined women! I had to become a follower again in order to lead. As I held that position, I often thought of the words of our Symphony: “To choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand.”

Though I’d lost touch with Chi Omega while pursuing my career, I reconnected after retirement when the Chi Omega Foundation invited me to lunch during a visit to New York City, where I live. I became hooked all over again. I am now an active member of the New York City Alumnae Chapter and I love it. I have been given the opportunity to see, yet again, how Chi Omega’s values continue to align with mine— even all these years later.

For me, being involved as an alumna and seeing how our purposes and values transcend generations and make up our Sisterhood truly is priceless.

About Stephanie

An initiate of Chi Epsilon Chapter at the U of Evansville in Indiana, Stephanie Ligon Olmsted taught first grade before joining the Estée Lauder Companies and traveling the world for 18 years. Chi Omega came back into her life after retirement. Today, she hosts the Chi Omega Book Club in New York City, regularly contributes brain power to Chi Epsilon Chapter, and loyally supports the Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega and the Chi Omega Foundation. Strawsome!