Why the ΑΞΔ Founders are Cooler Than You Think

April is a big month for us Alpha Xis. Not only is this Autism Awareness month, but it also is the month of FOUNDERS' DAY, which is arguably the most important day of the year for us (since it's essentially Alpha Xi Delta's birthday).

Founders' Day happened earlier this month (April 17), but it's never too late to talk about Cora, Alice, Almira, Frances, Bertha, Eliza, Julia, Lucy, Harriet and Lewie. After all, they are the ten brave women who founded Alpha Xi Delta with their bare hands.

I know we make fun of the founders occasionally for looking so old-fashioned and stuffy (and my chapter, the Sigma chapter at the University of Iowa, specifically pokes fun at Cora, since she apparently haunts our house). But it turns out that our founders were ahead of their time! History says that judging by the dresses they're wearing, our founders were Gibson Girls. According to The Bonds of Sisterhood (my new member education booklet), Gibson girls are "serene, high-spirited and queenly, with impeccable taste and formal, well-defined manners."

I know a lot has changed since 1893, but I think the founders sound A LOT like us. Think about it. Why is it that we don't get drunk and dance on the bar while wearing our Quill or letters? Because we're keeping it classy and locking it up–just like our founders would have done. And why is it that we wear our Quill/letters/Coat of Arms with pride and smile when we tell people we're Alpha Xi Deltas? Because we're confident and proud of this part of our lives–just like our founders. And why is it that even though we're responsible and work hard, we also always make time for a good old-fashioned "That's what she said," joke? Because we're fun, spunky and kickin' it–JUST LIKE OUR FOUNDERS.

                                                 WE are the Gibson girls of our generation.

My alumni group, Alpha Xi Delta Chicago North Shore, hosted a founder's day brunch on Saturday. I shared stories with women that were 60-70 years older than me and women who were current DePaul University students. Yes, there are some generational differences between us. But we all share the same values, know the same sorority songs and possess the same enthusiasm and spunk for Alpha Xi Delta. And we all had a great time (I mean, it's impossible not to have a great time when the brunch includes chicken salad sandwiches, Fannie Mae chocolates and ΑΞΔ Mad Libs). It is truly astounding how we can be so different in age, yet so similar in character.

We don't celebrate Founders' Day to remind us who we were. We celebrate Founders' Day to remind us who we ARE. And if our founders were alive today, I not only think they'd be proud of what we've accomplished as Alpha Xi Deltas, but I think they'd high-five us for a really good "That's what she said" comment.

We Could Be Heroes...on World Autism Awareness Day

Since Alpha Xi Delta's philanthropy is Autism Speaks, we all are very much aware that this month is Autism Awareness Month, and that today is World Autism Awareness Day. This feels like an appropriate time to post a picture of a really cute child to tug at your heartstrings.

(I liked him because his hands are blue, which is the Autism Awareness color!)

For readers who are currently active members of Alpha Xi Delta, I'm sure you've already brushed up on your autism statistics. However, for the sake of the alumni readers who probably haven't had a chance to do so, I'd like to refresh your memory by sharing some of the stats:

• Autism affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
• It costs the nation $137 billion a year
• It is the fastest growing serious developmental disease in the United States
• Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls
• More children this year will be diagnosed with autism than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

I know the stats are depressing. But they're important to know. Now we get to talk about the fun stuff!

Alpha Xi Delta has spread a lot of awareness today! Some of our sisters were on The Today Show, rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and worked their tails off spreading awareness around their college campuses, passing out pamphlets and autism awareness ribbons. I even saw a bunch of them on the six o'clock news while I was at the gym today (where I was sporting a blue water bottle)!

You know what's even cooler? People ALL OVER THE WORLD are spreading autism awareness. Many famous buildings are participating in the "Light it Up Blue" event for the entire month of April (meaning they will literally light up blue lights outside their building). Still confused as to what that means? Here are some visual aids of famous buildings participating in "Light it Up Blue"!

The Empire State Building

Graceland (Elvis's house, for anyone lacking rock 'n' roll knowledge)

The Sydney Opera House

Many chapter houses are also participating in this activities, as well as a lot of stores! Autism Speaks actually posted a press release about this, if anyone is interested in reading it.

Also, if anyone has any pictures of their chapter house participating in "Light It Up Blue," send me a picture! I'd love to post it on here.

Why am I talking about autism awareness? Partially because I feel obligated to, since it Autism Speaks official philanthropic organization of Alpha Xi Delta. But I also wanted to talk about it because it's really, REALLY cool what we can do if we put our minds together. 

I want to remind all of you that Autism Speaks has only been our philanthropy since 2009 (fun fact, the same year I joined AΞΔ). And I personally think we've accomplished a lot in these four years. The fact that I'm seeing sisters all over the news wearing blue is amazing. And this year, for the first time, I see people who AREN'T in AΞΔ posting on social media sites about autism awareness–proving that we are finally getting the message across to the public! When we all bond together over a cause, we can truly make a difference. 

We may not be able to cure autism. But we can make the public aware of our cause and raise money for research to find a cure. We could be heroes. Even if it's just for one day.

Uh-oh, I feel a song coming on...