The National Panhellenic Conference consists of 26 sororities, 3 of which are inclusive to transgender women: Delta Gamma, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. As a member of Pi Beta Phi, I was disappointed to learn that my own organization did not have a similar policy. I couldn't help but think of our values, and how we could truly be living them out to the fullest extent if we were to include these women in our membership. How can we encourage honor and respect amongst others if we disclude others? How can we live with integrity if we deny a place to call home for women that may not have support from their loved ones? How are we able to achieve personal and intellectual growth if we discredit the personal growth achieved by trans women and the trans community as a whole? Our values have guided my actions in more ways than one, and I feel our organization would benefit strongly from leading by example. 

I am calling upon Pi Beta Phi's Grand President, Paula Shepherd, as well as the Grand Council to let Pi Beta Phi become the 4th organization within the NPC to have a formal, public policy stating that we welcome transgender members. We should follow the examples of Delta Gamma, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Gamma in order to promote our values within the National Panhellenic Community as well as the trans community. 

If you are interested in reading the article that grabbed my attention with this issue, click here!