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Gamma Iota handpicks the organizations that we choose to support based on the varied and unique interests of our sisters. We feel extremely passionate about supproting Reading is Fundamental because we are thankful for our opportunity to puruse our educations and want the same for all children. Additionally, Dance Marathon is currently a growing organization on campus that has a special place in the Wash U community. As well as supporting our sisters, Gamma Iota’s participation in Dance Marathon was a good way to connect with the rest of the Wash U community as well as children who really need our support. Kappa empowers us all to be the brightest, kindest, truest versions of ourselves, so we chose to support Girl Up this year to help girls around the world become empowered as well.
==Highlights of 2017==
Throughout the 2017 school year, the Gamma Iota Chapter of Washington University in St Louis was involved in numerous activities both on campus and off. On campus the members took part in the philanthropy weeks of other sororities and fraternities as well as putting much time into their own philanthropy to raise funds and awareness for Reading is Fundamental. In order to make sure that our chapter was present to help and support all the other Greek Life philanthropies, we continued the use of our “kore” groups. All the members of Gamma Iota were split into 5 different “kore” groups that were assigned to attend and participate in the different philanthropy events held by other sororities and fraternities. Kappa Kappa Gamma took part in Alpha Phi’s Heart Health Week, Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Defeating Depression, Gamma Phi Beta’s Girls on the Run, Alpha Omicron Pi’s Strike Out Arthritis, Pi Beta Phi’s Up and Clean, and Sigma Chi’s Derby Days, as well as much more. For our own philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, we run a series of events over a week in the Spring semester to raise money and awareness for the cause.
Outside of Greek philanthropies, we are also greatly involved in Relay for Life and Dance Marathon, with some of our girls even holding positions in these organizations. Two of our members held the titles of “Director of Campus and Community Fundraising” and “Director of Morale Committee”of Dance Marathon, further displaying their clear devotion to humanitarianism and giving back to the community. Together they worked to get many members of Gamma Iota excited to particpate in the Dance Marathon, where a team of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s danced for part of the 24 hour event to help raise money and awareness for the cause.
Of course, Gamma Iota takes much pride in our own philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. It is a program that is committed to spreading literacy throughout America to children of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Just like other sororities and fraternities, we dedicate an entire week to our cause. One of our main events is our annual Kappa Karaoke in the spring semester. It is always a highlight for the sororities and fraternities who take part in this event by creating and performing a lip-sync dance, and all proceeds go towards our total donation for our philanthropy. With a variety of other events, both with other students and by ourselves as a sorority, we help spread insight into what Reading is Fundamental is. We also get together groups and reach out to schools in the greater St. Louis area so that we can interact with the children, read to them, and donate books so that each child has access to their own book.
Kappa Kappa Gamma is known across campus for having girls that are dedicated and involved in numerous programs and organizations. There is no stereotype to these girls as they are a diverse group who come together to create a true and supportive sisterhood for each other and all the people that surround them. Numerous members are involved in organizing the Blood Drives for the Red Cross, visiting animal shelters, membership and leadership positions in Books and Basketball, and many other tutor groups such as Each One Teach One, and Money Think.
As we do each year, we make sure to educate our members on sexual health and interpersonal violence. However, this year we had very active members who worked and trained countless hours so that they could best teach and facilitate a conversation with the members of our sorority to talk about these serious matters. Our chapter has made incredible strides in the last year to further create a safe environment and community for all our members. With Greek Live, 2 members of our sorority underwent 36 hours of training in interpersonal violence to teach the rest of the chapter through an interactive conversation.
This past spring, we were grateful to have Lindsay and Hannah, two Leadership Consultants, join us during Greek Life Recruitment and soon after to help with initiation of our new members, respectively. In the fall, we most recently had Megan, our third Leadership Consultant visit of the year. All of the Leadership Consultants were pleased with how the chapter was being run and the direction it was going in. On November 5 of this past year, we had our leadership training day which we were pleased went very well.
Of course, fostering relationships between our members is a very important part of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Washu. In the fall, we completed our annual “Walk to the Arch”, a bonding activity where we walk from our campus to the St. Louis Arch. At just over 8 miles, the girls were able to spend hours together followed by a relaxing brunch to strengthen their bonds and relationships. Overall, the Gamma Iota Chapter had a wonderful year and is looking forward with excitement and delight for the expansion of their community this coming spring.
Overall, the Panhellenic Community has continued to flourish and grow in numbers! One change we were excited to experience was the introduction of our new Assistant Director of Fraternity/Sorority Life, Austin Sandoval-Sweeney. He took charge in working to create the safest environment possible for all students, both in Greek life and out. He has worked with students and members of each sorority and fraternity to better implement education of sexual assault and harassment, spreading the importance of safety and health. Our chapter has been beyond receptive in trying to make sure all students feel secure, and comfortable with any and all of our members. I am proud to say that the Kappa Kappa Gamma members on campus are know for the genuine personalities and the care they are happy to offer for all students. Our bond with each other is also strong, that we make sure all our member are always supported by each other. Our constant presence on campus shows our love for all activities, such as philanthropies, plays that members are in, classes, presentations, and more. Our diverse group of girls are not afraid to be their authentic selves, as we have members involved in almost all groups on campus including, theater, religious groups, Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, student groups/associations, community service clubs, sports teams (varsity and club), comedy groups, chess teams, and academic honors societies. We take pride in each of our members are excited for all that is going to happen in the coming year.
Historically, we have raised money for Reading is Fundamental, a program that inspires children to learn to read and improve their reading skills. Our chapter believes that all children, no matter what their situation is, should have the right to be able to read. Through various fundraisers and Kappa Karaoke, we were able to raise a large sum of funds for this program. However, our chapter places high priority on all philanthropies, not just our own. That led us to increased involvement in all of the philanthropies on campus. We showed our presence and particiapted in a variety of philanthropy weeks, as well as taking part in Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, and many other programs. We are proud participators, and we put a lot of time time into helping further these programs and help raise donations for all charities.
Our Gamma Iota Chapter realizes the importance of supporting organizations, therefore we make sure to advocate for a variety of organizations that our sisters work together to choose. Historically we have supproted Reading is Fundamental, a program that is still close to our heart. We have continued to raise donations and awareness for this program. In the recent years, we have gotten more involved with Dance Marathon on campus. Our passionate members have spent countless hours preparing for the events as well as spending time at the events. We love to support our sisters in all their activities, and we show our support by attending events and helping to raise donations for the philanthropies. Kappa Kappa Gamma has helped shape our community to prioritize supporting numerous organizations to make the world a better place.
Without a sorority house, our chapter gathers and spends our free time in our suite in the Women's Building on campus. With couches, tables, glittery decorations, and open doors, the suite is a perfect spot for us to do homework, relax, talk, and bond together. We hold Chapter in various lecture halls on campus.
==Highlights of 2018==
==Highlights of 2020s:==