When I first joined Phi Mu, I knew very little about the Phi Mu Foundation and could never have imagined the impact it would have on me. Learning about the Foundation during the Phi program, I was excited by the way its mission embodies the idea of “Sisters Helping Sisters” and supports our sisterhood throughout and beyond the collegiate experience. While participating in my first M3 campaign, I could feel the Foundation’s mission coming to life as I fundraised with my chapter and took this idea to heart when elected as the Philanthropy Chairwoman. Leading my chapter in our M3 Campaign gave me an incredible opportunity to foster passion for the Foundation while supporting our sisters nationwide.

Inspired by the impact of the Phi Mu Foundation, I decided take my involvement a step further and applied to be a Foundation Intern. I was overjoyed to have the chance to work at our Headquarters and support our sisters through the Caring Carnations campaign. While working at the 2016 National Convention, I truly felt the impact of the Foundation while watching sisters accept scholarship awards, adorn their nametags with Caring Carnation appliques, and attend break-out sessions to develop leadership and fundraising skills.

Upon meeting the Foundation Board of Trustees, I was impressed and inspired by their dedication to the philanthropic advancement of our sisterhood. The women who work at the Phi Mu Foundation and on our Board of Trustees work tirelessly to support our sisters in so many ways, from leadership training to academic scholarships and beyond. Now, as a Foundation Scholarship recipient, I am ever more grateful for the hard work and support of our sisters. I understand the personal effect that the Foundation has: because of my scholarship, I am able to pursue my education wholeheartedly and continue to be actively involved in my chapter. With each donation made, our sisters are provided opportunities to grow as students and leaders, and I can’t speak enough to the positive impact the Foundation has had on my life.

The Foundation exemplifies sisterhood through its mission to promote the lifetime development of Phi Mu women and connects all of our sisters in a compassionate, all-encompassing way. I could never have imagined the lasting impact the Foundation would have on me, and I’m excited to continue my involvement throughout the collegiate and alumnae experience!

Guest Blog Contributor Lexi Artman, Delta Chapter, Tulane University, is a member of the Phi Mu Foundation Collegiate Leadership Council, a Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship Recipient and a former Phi Mu Foundation Intern. 

During the four days of formal recruitment I had been asked approximately 20 times why I wanted to join a sorority! Every time I told the girls, the same rehearsed reasons. I told them that I wanted to make campus a little bit smaller, I told them how I wanted to enjoy community service and how I wanted to become very involved on campus, so that I would gain more experience and learn to be a leader.

Though those things were all true, there were many more sincere reasons why I wanted to join a sorority. I wanted to be around people who were like me, people who brought out the best in me. I was looking forward to the networking opportunities that come with being affiliated, having sisters all over the world who are willing to help me, and surrounding myself with women who had similar beliefs as I do. Most importantly, I wanted to find women that I felt comfortable being myself with.

As it turned out, that place for me didn’t exist for me on my campus until my second year. During the first weeks of the semester, enthusiastic Phi Mu Chapter Consultants manifested campus and advertised for a new, women’s fraternity coming to campus. After receiving tons of free cups, pens and cookies embroidered with Phi Mu’s letters, I decided to give it a try. I attended the extension process, and to my surprise, was greeted with genuine women who dug deep, and asked me why I really wanted to join Greek life. They listened thoughtfully and engaged in a sincere conversation with me. Upon leaving my interview, the decision to join Phi Mu was easy.

During our first semester on campus, our Chapter Consultants worked endlessly and selflessly to make every sister feel like she belonged, encouraged us to be our most authentic selves and taught how to thrive in a setting that matched our passions and values with those of the organization. As the semester progressed, so did our love for Phi Mu. Thanks to our Chapter Consultants, the members of Zeta Eta found truth within the creed of Phi Mu and within its values. We learned the importance of generating a respectable and vibrant reputation on campus, and begun to do so through acts of community service and supporting other student organizations. Our chapter consultants brought support and creativity to our school. We were able to realize our potential and were given the best Phi Mu experience possible. When I reflect on my time as a Phi Mu, I have found that many of my favorite memories would not have been possible without the continuous support of our Chapter Consultants.

I am motivated by the idea of the Phi Mu experience, because I can relate, firsthand, to the wonderful gift that this organization can provide. I’m thankful for my Phi Mu sisters, for my amazing consultant sisters (many of which remain in touch), and thankful to be a part of an organization that offers so much to our members. At the end of the day, it’s all about the experience– which for me wouldn’t have been possible without the continued encouragement of our Chapter Consultants. For this reason, I believe that it is important to invest in the future of Phi Mu so that further development as members and chapters is possible!

Guest blog contributor Haylee Schmirler, Zeta Eta, University of Minnesota, is a member of the Phi Mu Foundation Collegiate Leadership Council.

Being a member of the Alpha Iota chapter at Mercer University in Macon, GA, I have had the privilege of visiting Wesleyan College and the Cannonball House multiple times as a collegian. It is a tradition in my chapter to do a history tour on the day of initiation. We begin our tour at the Cannonball House. I still remember the first time I walked in; I honestly did not know what to expect. I really only knew two things about the Cannonball House: 1.) It had something to do with Phi Mu Fraternity and 2.) It was the only place a cannonball was fired at during Sherman’s March. So, I was a little bit confused but still overall, very excited! Walking into the Philomathean Room was an experience I will not forget easily. I saw pictures of our Founders hanging on the wall and a case full of badges. The badges were so beautiful that I could hardly take my eyes off them to listen to what our Historian was trying to say!

After the Cannonball House, we move on to visit Riverside Cemetery, where Martha Hardaway Redding is buried. Her gravestone is a beautiful, white quatrefoil that stands on a hill. You can see it from the road if you know where to look. Looking at the dates on her headstone always inspires me. It is amazing that at the age of 15 she would help start a society that would mean so much to so many women. She helped to create a bond that means more than just Love, Honor and Truth. It is an organization that shapes women into becoming philanthropists, leaders and scholars.

Alpha Iota’ s last stop before initiation is Wesleyan College, the original home of the Philomathean Society. While at Wesleyan, we get to see the plaques and the chandeliers, but my favorite is when we go to the archives. Wesleyan has preserved newspaper articles and photographs throughout the ages. It is very interesting to see how we as an organization have grown and evolved.

All of these things could not be possible without the continued support of the Phi Mu Foundation. Besides partially funding the preservation of these sites, the Foundation is also able to find new ways to make collegians appreciate them. I am currently a Senior and next month will be going on my 5^th history tour. The more times you go on the tour the less exciting it can seem; in other words, it can seem more like a task instead of an fun visit. Fortunately, the Phi Mu Foundation funds leadership programs such as Officers’ Academy which has allowed us to interact with members from all over the country. While attending these programs, I have had conversations with other women about their traditions and experiences as a Phi Mu. I have come to realize that other people do not have the historical experience that we have during initiation, which brings to my attention the value of our history tour. While I often take it for granted, these conversations often remind me of how lucky I am to be able to see all of our history in my college town. Without donations to the Phi Mu Foundation, no one would be able to experience this unique piece of our history.

Guest Blog Contributor Mary Melissa Roland is a member of the Phi Mu Foundation Collegiate Leadership Council, a Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship Recipient and Chapter President of the Alpha Iota Chapter at Mercer University.