International President’s Message

“One kind word can warm three winter months.” – Japanese proverb

Share the Love

2021-2023

Alpha Delta Kappa

Share the Warmth. I can’t think of anything more appropriate than this sentiment when thinking of Alpha Delta Kappa. Sisters spread their love and warmth every day with both large and small acts of kindness, and that has continued through the pandemic, though it hasn’t been easy. The world has lost more than 4.5 million human beings to COVID-19 and its variants. We have all shared the physical, mental and emotional stress of the past two years. We in the Alpha Delta Kappa family have lost some of our own -- family members and friends. We supported those who have battled COVID and fortunately prevailed, though not without after-effects. The stress of dealing with changes in our lifestyles has manifested both within and outside of Alpha Delta Kappa. We are all tired of not being able to travel without restrictions, of not seeing loved ones as often as we’d like, of not seeing our sisters as often as we’d like. This has led to frustrations expressed on a myriad of topics, including our work on diversity and the new option of paying dues online. I understand the frustrations and the desire to maintain stability and comfort by keeping things as they have always been. But we can’t do that if we want to continue to exist, to grow, and to do the good work we do. Agnes Shipman Robertson said in a speech in 1959, “We realize that during the coming years, many adjustments will be necessary to meet the growth of Alpha Delta Kappa and the changes in our profession.” Change is part of living. Heraclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.”

While we have not been able to give and receive nearly as many hugs as we would have liked during this pandemic, we have come to appreciate the value of what we have and to embrace a new skill -- technology. Connecting virtually is certainly not the same as being in person, but it is SO much better than not connecting. It has become absolutely vital. Being able to stay connected has not only allowed us to survive but often to thrive, as these accomplishments prove. Here are some of the good changes we’ve seen since the pandemic began in March of 2020.

Texas and Colorado each chartered a new chapter. A new collegiate club was chartered at Indiana State University. Seven Pearl chapters in May 2020: 270. Seven Pearl Chapters in May 2021: 271. More than 1800 sisters participated in the virtual 2021 International Convention, a 20%+ increase in our regular attendance. More than $30,000.00 was raised for the International Mollie Acosta Convention altruistic project DSACT, benefitting those with or supporting a loved one with Down Syndrome. Our previous record for funds raised for The Longest Day in 2021 broke our previous records, and by a lot. More than $216,000.00 was raised by Alpha Delta Kappa sisters. If ever the world needed more kindness and warmth, it is now. If ever we needed to celebrate the accomplishments of the past two years, it is now. The pandemic has put stress on us in many ways. When we have so much change to deal with, it is natural to mourn the loss of our comfortable routines. Yet with the loss comes growth in other areas. The challenges our active educators continue to face are more than daunting. Now is definitely the time to share our love and warmth with those active educators. We must continue to support them with love notes and offers of help. Ask the active educators in your chapter what would be of help to them. It could be bringing them a meal, offering to babysit, or providing needed classroom resources. The important thing is to ask what they need. They must know that their sisters are here for them. Similarly, we need to reach out to sisters who live alone or are unable to get out much. Members of Alpha Delta Kappa DO know how to Share the Love. In Rascal Flatts’ song, “My Wish,” the lyrics say “show the world the warmth of your smile.” Let’s show our fellow sisters the warmth of our smiles and Share the Love of Alpha Delta Kappa. On behalf of International Chapter, I wish you all the warmth of a thousand smiles in the coming year.

International President Mollie Acosta recently released the list of sisters who are taking leading roles on International committees and boards. “I am grateful to all the sisters who agreed to serve on this biennium’s committees and boards. This is an outstanding team,” said President Mollie. Go to www.alphadeltakappa.org for the compete list.