Delta Love

Spring 2009.  This is when I was initiated into the most amazing sorority, Delta Delta Delta.  I am proudly a Tri Delt at Southeast Missouri State, Phi Mu 1404.  I have met some of my closest girlfriends since joining and have had the privilege to meet some amazing women that are inspiring role models (both within my collegiate peers and our amazing alumni!).  Over this past semester I have had the support of my sisters in regards to this trip and they recently were able to make a monetary donation for more supplies for the kids!  So exciting to be able to gather more things to take overseas.  I have been packing all day and it is so difficult!  I fail.... seriously I don't think this is quite my forte.  I cannot imagine how FUN it is going to be to lug an extra suitcase through the airport, but I know it will be worth it.  I have had such an amazing influx of help from both of my "homes" of Harrisburg and Cape Girardeau.  I am so thankful to my sorority for its help and I truly appreciate the moral support as well.  After all, we are built upon a perpetual bond of friendship.

In 1888, women were not permitted to vote, and few women were found in the workplace or at the formerly all-male universities. It was natural for women students to join together in small groups for friendship and support.

Although there were three women's groups represented at Boston University in 1888, Sarah Ida Shaw saw a need for a group which would be different from the others. She said to her friend, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, "Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

THE PURPOSE OF DELTA DELTA DELTA shall be to establish a perpetual bond of friendship among its members, to develop a stronger and more womanly character, to broaden the moral and intellectual life, and to assist its members in every possible way.

IT SHALL ALSO BE THE PURPOSE OF DELTA DELTA DELTA to promote and develop mutually beneficial relationships between the Fraternity and the colleges and universities where the Fraternity has established chapters, to develop qualities of unselfish leadership among its members, and to encourage them to assume, with integrity and devotion to moral and democratic principles, the highest responsibilities of college women.        

Knowing that I have the support of my sisters is a really great feeling though.  Deltas around the country are responsible for helping to improve the lives of children through their work in varying organizations, philanthropy events, and of course, our intense and successful work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!  Deltas are known for their huge hearts and the drive to help others that is always noticeably visible through their work and volunteering.  I am so proud to be a Tri Delta, especially at SEMO-U! 

"....But the Greatest of These is Love."

Delta Love & All of Mine,

Mary Brittany
Phi Mu 1404  

Thanks to Phi Kappa Phi!

I am so very proud and honored to be a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Southeast Missouri State!  I was inducted this past spring (April 17, 2011). The primary objectives of this Society are to promote the pursuit of excellence in all fields of higher education and to recognize outstanding achievement by students, faculty and others through election to membership, and through various awards for distinguished achievement.  As a second term junior, I had to rank within the top 7.5% of the class.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates nationwide as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Forty-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year.  This year, 442 qualified applicants were examined by the committee and out of the 45 students who were chosen, I made the cut!  I am now the proud winner of a Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Study Abroad Grant worth $1,000!  I am so very excited about this!  


My personal info sheet & head shot (Post-Award) for their publications:

Name:                    Mary Brittany N. Gholson

School:                  Southeast Missouri State University

Major:                    Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis in Political   Science, Criminal Justice and Speech Communication

Classification:       Senior

Current Job(s):      1.   U.S. Attorney’s Office – Intern

                                2.   College of Education – Student Assistant to the Dean

                                3.   Buckner Brewing Company – Waitress

                                4.   Charlotte Russe – Sales Associate

Destination:              Rwanda

 

Travel Dates:             July 20, 2011 – Aug. 17, 2011

Purpose:                     Humanitarian Volunteer Mission and Research – While in country I will be working with genocide victims, at-risk women and children, and traditionally marginalized peoples. I will also be using this experience to conduct research for my University to fulfill a class project and Senior Honors Assignment research project.

Further Ed. Plans:     Upon graduation from Southeast, I will intern for a year and then proceed to law school where I will place a focus on criminal and international law with emphasis in the areas of human rights.

Career Objectives:     I would like to eventually be able to use my law degree to help at-risk women and children internationally.

Fantasy Career:         Promoting human rights is my passion and working internationally for the ICC would be amazing.  Working as a judge for an ICC Tribunal would be the most amazing thing I can imagine!

Role Model:                My family and the everyday heroes in my life are great inspirations, but of those famous I look to Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Madeleine Albright, among many others.

Comm. Service:         Working with, and eventually presiding as President for, the Dance Marathon Organization which raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network in the St. Louis area is the most rewarding cause I have been part of thus far.

Most Proud of Self:    During my college career I was able to attend a leadership academy solely for women in my state that focused on our ability to succeed in any field we chose.  For the first time, I truly believed that I could accomplish any and everything I wanted, and I fully plan to do this.  That self awakening was by far the proudest moment I have had because it has led me to exactly where I am now.

Thank You to SEMO's International Department & Criminal Justice Department!

Quite awhile ago I began in a frantic, yet well-thought out, search for funding from my University.  I have encountered a lot of NO!'s, but have also gotten some "maybe's" that have kept me going.  I am so happy to say that two of the searches have paid off!  I mentioned them in previous posts but never wanted to get my hopes up until they were official.  I still have one "maybe" out there that I will keep to myself though.

Both the International Education & Services Department and the Criminal Justice and Sociology Department have agreed to put money towards reimbursement of my international airfare!  The total ticket for round trip flight was right under $1,900.  I will be doing research while in country and receiving class credit through the CJ Dept. for my research.  I am also using this research for my Senior Honors Project which will most likely also include a University event sometime next Spring. 

The International Department has donated $750 and the Criminal Justice Department is donating $200!

I am very excited to receive this and cannot believe just how close this trip is!  I leave July 20, which is a mere 15 days from today.  How crazy is that?!