SPRING 2010 eNEWSLETTER
GAMMA IS A BLESSING AND A RESPONSIBILITY
Dr. Althia F. Ali, Co-founder - Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc.
Happy GAMMAversary, Sorors-
I love my sorority, and I love my sorors! Anyone who's spent any time with me already knows that because I have repeated these sentiments many, many times. It's a true statement that sometimes surprises me because I was a member of a sorority before Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. for many years, and never before have I felt the kind of love and concern (sometimes called "sisterhood") that I enjoy in Gamma. I've often marveled at the differences.
As I reflect on the origin of our sorority, which is now celebrating its fifth anniversary, masha'Allah, I see that the call to build our sorority with my daughter, Imani, was just the right thing at just the right time for me. Imani had a wonderful idea that, coupled with my experience, has taken root and continues to grow by the mercy and grace of Allah (SWT). Serving as a co-founder, President and Executive Director, I have learned that Gamma is a blessing and a responsibility.
Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. was a gift to me because I enjoy building and developing organizations at many stages of development. In 2002, I was forced out of a position as President of a college simply because of my religion. Loosely affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the college was comprised of a small but vocal group of parochial women who were very much opposed to anything or anyone who is different. They had achieved very little in their lives beyond the college or beyond this small town, and they used the college to reinforce their sense of self-importance. Coupled with pro-tecting their self-interests, the group expressed the belief that a Muslim was not fit to lead their college. They wrote about this in viral emails to each other that were sometimes sent to me, and in editorials in the local newspaper. Long story short, the members of the Board of Trustees stated that I should have told them of my religion before I took the job; I lost their support; and I made the decision to leave the college.
I did several interviews during the time that I was President of that college. In one of those interviews, I stated that when God closes one door, He opens
another (some say that He opens a window, but I believe that He makes an opening large enough for us to escape through). That statement turned out to be prophetic when Imani presented me with the need to help her build Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc.
Gamma has been a true labor of love. Through my work for the sorority, I have had the opportunity to use all of the skills that I developed while in higher education administration, and I have helped to build an Islamic-based organization with the intent that it will survive long after I have left this world. Imani and I have often discussed the fact that any number of people could have built a similar organization--and they may; but, somehow we were chosen to build this historic organization. We realize that this is a blessing.
Building Gamma is also a responsibility. I have to lead from the front and from behind on many occasions. Not only must I develop a structure that facilitates the establishment of chapters all over the US and beyond, but I am also responsible for leading in developing national policies and traditions and ensuring that all chapters adhere to them. I work with a wonderful, committed group of sorors who comprise the Board of Directors, as well as with equally wonderful and committed members at the chapter levels. Our active members are the very essence of the sorority because, clearly, they joined the sorority not only to wear our lovely lavender and green colors but they also maintain chapters that serve their members and their communities. When they were inducted, they realized that they were signing up to do tough work, and they have risen to the challenges many times, even under sometimes difficult circumstances.
There is still a huge amount of work to do, and the most committed members have continued to renew their memberships each year and have worked with each other to maintain their chapters. The work is not always fun, but it is necessary. We are growing together, and insha'Allah we will have a sorority that matches our vision.
We welcome new members, >> join us!
GAMMA GAMMA CHI SORORITY, INC.
P O BOX 503 | TALBOTT, TN 37877 | 301-312-9895
