Race to Live
This article was written in conjunction to the Fall 2019 Magazine. Click here to view other chapters articles.
Writer: Grace C. / Photographer: Olivia E. / Graphic: Savannah T.
Not only is philanthropic participation one of the most worthwhile aspects associated with joining an individual sisterhood, but it is also one of the experiences that makes being a Panhellenic woman so special. Throughout fall and spring, chapter facilities plan, organize, and create events, from which the proceeds are donated to local or national philanthropies. To consider the impact of philanthropy on a larger scale, Philia has spoken with Nina A., Zeta Tau Alpha’s current Director of Philanthropy, about their chapter’s fall philanthropy event, ‘Race to Live’. This annual 5K emphasizes the strength of fighters and survivors of breast cancer and serves as an opportunity for women throughout our Panhellenic community to advocate for the strong individuals suffering from the most common variety of cancer among women worldwide.
Zeta’s philanthropy, Breast Cancer Awareness and Education, works with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the National Football League, and Bright Pink, a non-profit organization focused on prevention and early detection, to aid in the fight against breast cancer and to increase awareness of the disease on a national scale. Since one in every eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer within her lifetime, this philanthropy hits particularly close to home for many, and the willingness of chapter women to foster a relevant conversation within their community is remarkable.
Nina, carrying an essential role in the coordination of Zeta’s philanthropy events, was inspired to get involved in her chapter’s altruism and run for Director of Philanthropy after seeing how much her sisterhood came together to raise money throughout her time serving as co-head of ‘Race to Live’ last Fall. Though imperative, this cause is undeniably personal; “while I may be lucky enough to not have personally be affected by breast cancer, it could someday affect me, my sisters, or my family” asserts Nina, who insists that her position and dedication to her sisters has taught her that Breast Cancer Awareness and Education is all about hope. She firmly believes that her role is more than organizing events and continues to advocate for personal health as well as the health of those around her.
Having spoken with Nina and her team, Philia set out to Cascades Park, the local site of Zeta’s 25th annual ‘Race to Live’, on a gloomy October morning. Despite the weather, there was an undoubtable degree of excitement as chapter members and runners alike gathered and prepared themselves, surrounded by music, activities, and several smiling faces, before coming together at the starting line and running three miles in support of an incredible cause. In planning the event’s undeniable success, Nina, her co-heads, Cristina H. and Madison S., and a committee of approximately 20 sisters allocated resources, time, and thought into making the race as special as it was. Throughout the week leading up to the event itself, Nina was tasked with the organization of ‘Pink Week’, during which sisters of varied interest and age raised money, recruited runners, and prepared to volunteer for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education, a cause that had inevitably brought them together as a sisterhood.
Though this was the first year that Zeta held ‘Race to Live’ off campus, the event still managed to raise over $50,000 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and Education, and the chapter was completely delighted by the number of participants in the run itself. In preparing for next fall’s race Nina advises Madison S., the current co-head and Zeta’s next Director of Philanthropy, to “take a deep breath when she gets overwhelmed, remember her ‘why’ and know that she has a team of over 200 strong women supporting her.” Zeta plans to maintain ‘Race to Live’ as a staple within our community, while continuing to enact positive change on Florida State’s campus and promote an increased societal awareness of breast cancer on a national level.
Being Director of Philanthropy, Nina appreciates how planning ‘Race to Live’ has made her a stronger woman. She explains that “seeing how [the] philanthropy has bonded our chapter and experiencing the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it all has been an amazing experience.” As a member of a Panhellenic chapter’s executive board, Nina’s perception of Greek life has changed; she asserts that “this position and event have shown me that, when Florida State’s Greek life councils come together, great things can happen” and they do.
As we, the members of this indescribable community, learn more about our positive influence and the positive influence of our council’s local and national philanthropies, we can begin to understand the scope of our service. Looking in from outside of Panhellenic, some may hold specific assumptions about our community; however, it is clear to us that membership in a Panhellenic chapter is about more. It is about sisterhood. It is about being part of something greater than ourselves. And, most importantly, it is about making a difference. The aforementioned are only a few of the beliefs that make women across the nation want to join Panhellenic chapters and spend their college careers improving them.