We are so honored to have Jacqulyn King as our second alumnae blogger of the week! If you are familiar with our Facebook page, you know that Jacqulyn is one of our most caring, connected community members. She has built so many special relationships with Tri Sigmas far and wide, and if you are a Tri Sigma, she is probably one of your biggest fans. We’re honored to have her thoughts on how she has committed to supporting Tri Sigma for life.
Alpha Phi Sisters of the 1970's at Convention (J. King 2nd from rt.)
I was brought up to keep my promises, so I always took my Sigma vows seriously, and bought in to the idea that as a Tri Sigma, I was to be “Faithful unto Death”, not just until graduation. When I completed my Bachelors degree in 1975, I lived in a rural area of Michigan, without an Alumnae Chapter.
What followed was an on again, off again Sigma journey through graduate school, career, marriage, and family. A change in employment finally landed me in Kent County, home to the Grand Rapids, Michigan Alumnae Chapter. Soon after, I received an invitation to a chapter meeting. I hesitated at first. My husband had just returned to college as a full time student, we had two small children, and I had become the lone bread winner. Had I not been a Life Time Member, I’m not sure that I would have affiliated with the chapter, and oh what I would have missed. These are the most fabulous women, and over the past twenty something years, we have all gone through so much together. Sure, it was hard to walk up to the door of that first meeting.
Jacqulyn (left) and two Tri Sigma sisters serving in a roadside cleanup!
The take home pay from my first job was less than $100.00 a week, yet I paid my National Alumnae dues, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. This act was not unique to me. My fellow Alpha Phi sisters were also paying their Alumnae dues. Soon I began to see that it made more sense to pay for Lifetime membership rather than to continue with annual dues. If all my financial decisions had been as wise as this, I would be a rich woman. As a “Lifer” I had sealed the deal. I would continue to remain connected to Tri Sigma in some way from that day forward.
I didn’t know a soul, yet the sisters took me in, encouraged me, and soon I began to feel like I belonged. This past year, I have also had the pleasure of working with the new Central Michigan Alumnae Chapter, a dream come true for many of our sisters living in the middle of the mitten.
Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter with Kaye Schendel - National President
Presently, I’m experiencing Déjà vu. My husband and I recently purchased a home in Cape Coral, Florida, and have relocated there. Once again, I’ll be new to an area not knowing a soul. Fearing a severe case of homesickness, I put out a cry for help on the National facebook page. Within hours I learned who to contact, and less than two weeks later, I received an e-mail inviting me to the January 5th meeting of the Southwest Florida Alumnae Chapter. I went and had a lovely time. So begins a new chapter in my Sigma story.
I feel as though Jackie is always the first person to comment, like, or share anything Sigma related so it’s about time someone commented on how inspiring that she is as a Tri Sigma – so connected to the organization and its members! Jackie, I hope I get to meet you someday (convention…. wink wink)