My chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at Texas Christian University has helped me grow in innumerable ways, but one of the biggest ways I have grown has been through my personal leadership journey. ADPi has been one of the greatest experiences I have had and my sorority has given me the most supportive group of women I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of. On top of these wonderful attributes, my chapter of ADPi has pushed me to be a better, more thoughtful and intentional version of myself.
Through middle and high school, I was always drawn to leadership positions and was a passionate and driven leader. In these positions, I found that I would often equate a lot of my self-worth to the successes and accomplishments I experienced in gaining a leadership position, or in the things I did within a leadership position. Not only is this a very unhealthy way to measure my worth as a human being, it also led me to be wildly disappointed in myself anytime I failed, or did something less than perfectly. I realized that this was an issue but could not seem to find a way to change my thought process. Two years later, I now hold the position of Vice President of Membership Experience in ADPi at Texas Christian University, the executive officer in charge of the chapter's membership programming, and have previously held the office of Vice President of Panhellenic Relations. These last few years of leadership in Alpha Delta Pi began similarly to my previous leadership experiences: passionate but also extremely personal. The challenge to serve my chapter to the best of my ability was one that I wanted to take on, but I knew would require me to grow past my fear of not being successful and become a more mature leader. This was a very difficult journey for me. Having such a personal relationship with my sorority sisters made the challenge of not judging myself based on the results of my work even more difficult than in previous positions, but this also pushed me to want to be even an even better leader to give my sisters the best sorority experience they could have at TCU.
Now, looking back over my time as a leader in my chapter, my fellow leaders and sisters have held me accountable for my actions, encouraged my growth, and pushed me to continue down this path of self-discovery. Through retreats, everyday activities, and the support of my sorority sisters I have been able to become a leader that I am proud of, but that I also know is the leader that my sisters deserve.
This journey of growth as a leader has also pushed forward my betterment as a friend, sister, and human being. I have learned how to be honest with myself in real ways, and how to be honest with my sisters. I have learned that the vulnerability behind honesty can be extremely difficult, but being honest is also the kindest, most beneficial thing to do for someone else. I have learned how to rest in vulnerability with my sisters without being scared, knowing that no matter where a difficult conversation might go, we will always be there for each other. I have learned that I am not perfect and that makes me lovable and worthy, not in spite of my flaws, but because of them. More than anything, I have learned that there is nothing more rewarding than finding a group of women who encourage you to be your authentic self, want you at your most genuine, who will laugh and cry with you on the journey to get there. These women encourage me to be a better version of myself and teach me new ways I can improve every day, and this, in turn, is making me a better, more confident leader. If you ask me, there is no better way than that to live for each other.