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Our chapter celebrated Kappa’s 150th anniversary at Trish Smith’s house. Since the pandemic put a damper on things, many people were unable to attend, but the women who did went through a safe, socially-distanced badge presentation ceremony (also held at Trish’s house) and celebrated the anniversary through tradition and ritual with members old and new.
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==Highlights of 2021:==
2021 has been a truly transformative year for the Epsilon Nu chapter. As a result of the Abolish Greek Life movement on campus, our chapter lost many of our crucial members. However, rising to the occasion, Interim-President Maddie Souza and President Alexa Mora, with the help of their Chapter Council, took on many responsibilities to ensure the future of KKG at Vanderbilt. Without them or the dedicated members of the Nashville Alumnae Association, we could not have accomplished all that we did in 2021 or the years to follow.
'''Philanthropy:'''
In support of the Fraternity's new mental health initiative, we developed a new philanthropic partnership this year. We decided to work with Ac3ve Minds at Vanderbilt, our local chapter of the nationwide organization that seeks to decrease stigma and raise awareness surrounding mental health on college campuses. To accumulate support for Active Minds, we hosted our annual Kappa Gala. Gathering members of the Vanderbilt community, sisters performed three different choreographed dances, shared presentations from Ac3ve Minds, and also hosted a guest performer from Belmont! Thanks to all of those who donated, we were able to raise $3,000 dollars for Active Minds.
'''Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion'''
After installing an official DEI officer in 2020, we pushed our initiatives to become a more inclusive and diverse chapter even further in 2021. We added a DEI committee where both active and new members worked with our officer to develop individualized DEI immersion projects. We also engaged in introductory IGNITE VU diversity training and attended immersive speaker events. In fact, during one chapter meeting we were lucky to host Princeton History Professor Kevin Kruse for a Civil Rights History Discussion and Q&A over Zoom.
'''Operating in a Pandemic'''
During a year that brought unprecedented challenges, we navigated a recruitment process entirely online, but were able to welcome an amazing class of new women and establish strong sisterhood. However, we also found ways to connect in person while maintaining safe distance. On Valentine's Day, the Nashville Alumnae Association dropped off goody bags filled with owl cookies and candy for all of the new members, welcoming them to Kappa and had treats for the active members too! When regulations changed in the fall, we held a Professional Development Day where members could take headshots and sit in on a LinkedIn workshop. With the lifting of social distancing we were also able to attend football games, welcome 4 new members through an in-person COB recruitment process, and hold our annual fall formal: Kappa Glow!
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