On April 3rd, 2011, 56 women were initiated into the Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Four days later they marched across the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and The MAIN Events were born.
Our line is fortunate to see 15 years. While a few decided that stepping away from sorority life was best for them, those of us who remain have nurtured a beautiful sisterhood. Despite the size of our line, we have genuine love and respect for one another. We have seen and continue to see each other through childbirth, parenting, weddings, divorces, graduations, passings of parents, birthdays, and both personal and professional achievements.
Our smaller groups make up a formidable whole that traveled to the Dominican Republic to celebrate and reconnect. How does planning an event of this size work? That is all thanks to our incredible trip committee. They thought of everything. Whatever may have just crossed your mind, they covered that too. Last year they sent an email detailing the trip date, location, and hotel promo code based on previous surveys.
The committee did extensive legwork to make the trip easy for the rest of us, as sisters do. Emails and Zoom calls to keep us informed, documents with resort, excursion, activity, and outfit information, payment deadlines for gifts and activities, an airport transfer spreadsheet, a Whatsapp group for trip attendees, and a lot of transparency. Their hard work paid off as we cleared passport control and customs at Punta Cana International Airport.
All the joy and excitement in the Whatsapp group carried over to the Excellence Punta Cana. For four days, we ran the resort and were asked countless times if we were attending a wedding. 40 women in coordinating outfits draws a bit of attention. At our all-red welcome event, the committee presented us with a beautiful bag full of personalized gifts, snacks, and various trip must haves. The pièce de resistance was a towel featuring our 15-year logo personalized with our names and line numbers.
The committee left daylight hours free to fill with spa treatments, pool bar takeovers, and luxuriating on the beach. Some of us opted for slow mornings, relishing time to focus on ourselves and much needed peace, rest, and quiet. Some woke up early to walk along the beach or take pictures of the lush landscape. I believe my prayer for all of us to receive what we needed on the trip was answered.
The most strenuous activity was our photoshoot. We looked so beautiful in our shades of brown, complementing our skin tones. Our three linesisters leading the effort were somehow accompanied by 12 assistant directors. What else do you expect from 40 Type A women? From the lobby steps to a bridge in the garden to the beachfront we went, fussing and posing and shrieking. It was our special brand of chaos that resulted in glorious photos of our radiant group.
Is it really a girl’s trip without a boat? Donning red or gold swimsuits we pranced onto a coach bus and set off for our maritime adventure. Aboard our vessel we sailed across the Caribbean waters joyfully dancing, imbibing beverages, and snacking on passed hors d’oeuvres. In my humble opinion, the crew fed us the best food of the trip. Some sisters swam, snorkeled, and sipped in the azure water. Others, like me, stayed on the boat deck. From either vantage point we could all see the starfish below us.
Back at the resort we rolled in to late dinners and those with real stamina went to karaoke to see one of us perform. Our final day left the entire morning and afternoon open for lounging and conversing ahead of our all-white dinner. It’s also not a girl’s trip, particularly a Black Girl’s trip, without an event requiring white attire. Our last dinner was another vision from our loving committee. The food was blessed and while we ate, submissions of photo memories and life update slides rolled across the screen. The committee then opened the floor for reflections.
Linesisters took the mic to express gratitude for our bond, our years together, the trip we were on. Tears flowed. Words of encouragement to remember who we are, be open to a pivot and change your life. Tears continued to flow. Recommitting to staying in touch and our Ace and Tail beautifully toasting 15 years of sisterhood and a lifetime more. The committee chairs took time to honor their committee members and one extra special linesister who always makes sure we are taken care of and acknowledged in any time of need.
These women are an important part of my world. The majority were strangers to me 15 years ago, today I do not wish to know a life without them. I admire each of them for a different reason. Their intelligence, creativity, professional prowess, beauty, confidence, quiet power, boldness, and daring are a joy to witness.
What I cherish most from the trip are the conversations. Catching up on each other’s lives, the joys and tribulations. Adding names to my list like Dean Dorothy Dandridge Davenport, I can bless or stress. The relief that my current work situation isn’t unique and someone else understands how I feel. Sharing our spiritual belief systems and observations of human behavior. Exchanging wellness routines and the moments that sparked the urge to transform ourselves.
With no exaggeration I can say, we are a special line. I AM grateful to the divine force that brought us all together and made it possible for us to become Alpha Mu Spring 2011. I AM grateful to that same force for letting us all make it to see 15 years of our glorious sisterhood. Grateful still for the 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55-year anniversaries and beyond that we will see together.
In the words of our 15th National President, Lillian Pierce Benbow, and beautifully recited by a linesister as her reflection:
When I look at you, I see myself,
If my eyes are unable to see you as my sister,
It is because my own vision is blurred.
And if that be so,
Then it is I who need YOU,
Either because I do not understand who you are,
MY SISTER,
Or because I need you
To help me understand who I am.
God Bless The MAIN Events forever and always.
