Friday, March 11, 2016

Message From the Chairman: NPC Women Make History

March ushers in National Women's History Month, and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) celebrated International Badge Day on March 7. Both salute and honor the contributions women have made to country, public service and community. Many of those same women honored for service to our country during National Women's History Month also share the commonality of wearing the membership badge of an NPC organization.

The 2016 National Women's History Month theme is "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government." Women have served their country and exercised their civic duty for decades. Consider Air Force Brigadier General Terri Gabreski, Delta Delta Delta, Rear Admiral of the Navy Marianne Blackburn Drew, Alpha Xi Delta, and Georgia Nesse Gray, Alpha Phi, the first woman appointed treasurer of the United States. There is also Margaret Chase Smith, Sigma Kappa, first female U.S. senator; Condoleezza Rice, Alpha Chi Omega, U.S. secretary of state; and Ruth Bader Gingsburg, Alpha Epsilon Phi, U.S. Supreme Court justice. These women and their selfless acts of courage and conviction -- woven together with honor, loyalty and love of country -- are defining moments in history and the current world we live in today. 


Over the course of the month of March, NPC will salute sorority women in public service and government leadership through blogs and social media. Visit Pinterest to learn more about contemporary women who daily are making a difference, impacting public policy and creating a more democratic society.

Reflecting on National Women's History month and notable sorority women honored for their contributions, I cannot help but draw parallels between those called to leadership and public service today and the brave and courageous women who founded the 26 inter/national NPC organizations over a century ago. I salute those women who founded our organizations. Their vision for offering a membership experience that affords women an opportunity to lead, succeed and serve is timeless.

Thank you for celebrating with us -- and all women -- the tremendous contributions made by those women who inspire and serve as role models from the past and those who serve among us today.

Interfraternally,

Donna C. King
Chairman 2015-17