BY GRACE GARDNER (THETA UPSILON, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA), ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES
In the 30 years since Alpha Chi Omega adopted domestic violence awareness as its national philanthropy at the 1992 National Convention, women have chosen membership in Alpha Chi Omega because of their personal connection to this cause. Whether they have been in an unhealthy relationship themselves, they know someone who has or they simply want to work toward a future where no person is subjected to domestic violence, sisters of Alpha Chi Omega share this devotion from recruitment all the way through their lifetime membership.
Globally, nearly one in three women have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. These women are not mere statistics. They are sisters, neighbors, friends, roommates – victims and survivors. When you look at a local community, the impact of domestic violence is apparent in numerous ways, from health outcomes to social impacts and economic costs. Because of this, Alpha Chi Omega encourages our chapters to focus their philanthropic and service efforts in support of the local domestic violence shelters and organizations that have a direct and immediate connection to survivors and victims of domestic violence. We hope that hearing stories of our chapters and the organizations they support will inspire you to support a local organization in your own community this October.
IOTA PHI AND BHCARE
For the Iota Phi (Quinnipiac University) chapter, the impact of domestic violence is not only felt in the Hamden, Connecticut, community, but within its sisterhood as well. In 1998, Elizbeth Pernel, a sister of the Iota Phi chapter, was an innocent bystander murdered in a domestic violence shooting. Each October, Iota Phi hosts Frisbee Fest in her honor, with all proceeds going to BHcare, a local behavioral health clinic that offers safe shelter, counseling, support and advocacy for victims of domestic violence.
Over the years, Iota Phi has cultivated a strong relationship with the staff at BHcare, not only opening opportunities to support the clinic, but also fostering a stronger commitment to domestic violence awareness efforts within Alpha Chi Omega. In addition to Frisbee Fest, the chapter hosts annual tabling and awareness campaigns, honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Healthy Relationships Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Through the Community Impact program, Iota Phi has raised more than $321,000 for BHcare since 2006.
Lea Reichert, a junior and Iota Phi’s vice president philanthropy, knows the fundraising is important because it empowers BHcare to provide critical services, and also that the spirit of philanthropic work benefits members. Lea believes the commitment to domestic violence awareness is an essential part of the Alpha Chi Omega experience, whether that is celebrating survivors, mourning those we have lost or advocating for change. The chapter’s relationship with BHcare is critical in developing a deeper understanding of the scope and impact of domestic violence; working with a local organization allows sisters to see the results of their work in real time in the community around them. As a leader in the chapter, Lea shared that through the hard work, time and careful consideration her position requires, she has become a better sister and a better person.
Iota Phi hosted Frisbee Fest again this year on October 1, raising over $10,000 for BHcare. For the chapter, this event marks another year of honoring Elizabeth, sisters’ continued commitment to making a difference in the Hamden community and one more step in their work toward a future free from violence.