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.