Coming Together from a Distance
Writer: Kaitlyn O. / Editors: Grace C. and Savannah T. / Graphic Designer: Taylor R. / Photos submitted by Cali V
“I think sisterhood is where a group of women can come together, inspire one another and work together for the greater good, to come together with diverse thoughts or ideas and really grow because of that,” says Cali V.
Cali, a sister in Gamma Phi Beta, strives to encompass the true definition of sisterhood.As the Sisterhood Activities Chair of her chapter, she is constantly working hard to build bonds between members, so that they can go out and spread those values with others.
Cali describes Gamma Phi Beta as a place where she feels like she always has a friend to go to. Everyone that she has met has made her feel comfortable. This is a value that she strives to implement in her sisterhood activities.
This semester, unfortunately due to COVID-19 guidelines, Cali is required to implement all of their sisterhood events virtually, via Zoom, but that has not brought her spirits down. Cali works even harder to conduct these virtual events, and to make them just as engaging and beneficial as they were when they were in person. Because everything has to be virtual, Cali decided to host events biweekly rather than once a month in order to increase involvement.
“There are more options [online] for me, as the sisterhood activities chair, for activities that I can do with people. It is great because more people can be involved now, because a lot of times before, people had time conflict with the sisterhood events because of school or work. Now that is on zoom, more people can come, even if they are not in Tallahassee,” Cali says when asked about implementing the activities on zoom and increasing involvement.
She wants these activities to be relaxing and calm because after a long day of school people want an activity where everyone can come together and that is not a burden. One of many activities that they have done was making friendship bracelets. Although this may seem like an activity that would not work over zoom, Cali put in the extra time to put together 200 individual bags of beads and other supplies, so that sisters could go pick up their supplies at the house, log onto zoom for a half hour, relax, have fun with friends and make a friendship bracelet.
When asked about the types of bonding activities Cali likes to plan, she replied, “Super easy brainless things that I can get everyone together, and listen to music and just laugh and talk. I think that that’s the purest way you can really build a sisterhood. I don’t think you need a huge event to be like oh, well, I really need to do this activity or go to this place here; we can do it in our own backyard.”Cali has really exemplified this through encouraging small sisterhood bonding events.
There are a lot of differences when following Coronavirus guidelines, but something really effective that Cali has found is utilizing breakout rooms to her advantage. She has more options for creativity this way. Sisters are broken up into breakout rooms specifically designed for them to meet and talk to new people, as opposed to in-person events, where people usually just stick with their usual friend groups instead of reaching out to others.
As far as attendance, there have not been any issues. Members are eager to attend the events and because they are virtual, even those who are not in Tallahassee are able to attend, so these virtual events encompass the true value of inclusion.
Sisterhood has become an essential part of Cali’s life that she will carry with her into her career and other aspects of her future. Because Cali is a Communication Science and Disorders Major specializing in Speech Pathology and Child Development, these values will be especially useful. After receiving her Master’s degree, she would love to work with children who have Autism Spectrum disorders. She strongly believes that the values of empathy and inclusion that she learned from sisterhood in Gamma Phi Beta, will help her tremendously in her career because she is a huge advocate for inclusion when it comes to people who have disabilities.
“I’m a big advocate for inclusivity when it comes to people with disorders of disabilities and comparing it to what normal is, general classroom, general population, and I think showing that inclusion in the sorority can relate back to my own job of being inclusive with these individuals,” Cali says, recognizing the importance of inclusion in her career.
Another value that Cali will continue to exemplify is acceptance. Throughout her 4 years in Gamma Phi Beta, Cali has always felt accepted and welcomed by her sisters. She says she always felt comfortable going to the house and talking to whomever was there even if they were not super close to one another. This value will also be extremely helpful in her career because she will be working hard to make the children whom she is working with always feel accepted, the way she felt in Gamma Phi Beta.
“I think a big thing for me is my sisterhood taught me to be more accepting and I think that will be really important in my career and just in life in general. I think I have more of a positive outlook on life and it is really important in my field because I think a lot of it can be a little saddening, so having a positive outlook and being supportive can really help,” says Cali. “Because my sisterhood is so supportive, I want to be supportive of my future family, friends and my career.”
Although she will be graduating this year, Cali has made her mark on Gamma Phi Beta and will be taking the lessons she has learned throughout her four years here at Florida State to continue to make an impact on all of the people she will meet.