Like Daughter Like Mother: Two Theta Journeys

I was married soon after graduation, and my husband and I moved to Chattanooga, Tenn. Not long after that came the birth of a beautiful blonde baby girl, followed by a sweet baby boy. I was very fortunate to work for a large interior design business that was owned and operated by women. They supported me and, as long as I took care of my clients, my career would be first and foremost a mom.

In 2007, I reconnected with Theta when Tiffany Patterson Holland, Gamma Psi/Texas Christian, moved to Chattanooga and began organizing an alumnae chapter. I was one of 10 signors who petitioned for the Chattanooga Alumnae Chapter that year, and it was established on Founders Day 2008.

One of our annual chapter events is a Mother-Daughter Tea, held each summer at a local tearoom. I loved bringing my daughter Rachel to this event, and began to share with her what Theta meant to me. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in Texas Christian University and became a member of Gamma Psi Chapter.

Since Rachel joined Theta, she has inspired me to become even more involved in the organization myself. Last fall, I joined the Fraternity Housing Corporation as a member of the interior design committee, and I have traveled to different chapters assessing their properties and needs. This recently included a trip down memory lane to my own chapter as an installation team member this past March!

After my daughter was slated as CEO of Gamma Psi, I accepted the role of president of my alumnae chapter! Looking back at the active member I was, I could never have dreamed where my Kappa Alpha Theta journey would take me. Now, my daughter and I have the incredible opportunity to serve our respective chapters and the Fraternity at the same time as leaders of our chapters.