Author: My Pen Named Jane

Entrepreneur, beauty guru, blogger, operations manager, leader, sorority woman, avid reader, migraine suffer, night owl, chocolate lover, pet friendly.

It goes by so fast…

Last weekend, Alpha Omicron Pi welcomed 71 new sisters and one affiliate into the Lambda Iota Chapter at University California San Diego.  These sisters have been bonding together this spring learning all about AOII and its sisterhood.

While my primary role is to work with the alumnae advisory committee – those wonderful volunteers who give of their time, talent and hard earn passion to this chapter – this weekend was one of those times, I was able to bond with the collegiate women.  
Originally chartered in 1977, AOII was the first women’s fraternity on the UCSD campus.  Our very own Marylyn Herman, Past International Executive and Foundation Board member was instrumental in the adoption of Greek Life on the campus.  We were so very fortunate to have Marylyn join us for our re-installation and the new sisters were fascinated to hear about the rich history of Lambda Iota from many of the Lambda Iota alumna.
While this weekend is about bonding and celebrating, I believe this this the beginning of the chapters light shining bright for the world to see. The bond of sisterhood these women have created with each other, their advisors and area alumnae will lead them through their collegiate years of community services, scholarship, college and fraternity spirit.  

There is something special about a recolonization…

As a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, I have been through so many stages with these wonderful women.  I joined in the fall of 1996 at Sigma Phi Chapter at California State University Northridge.  Although I didn’t travel far for college, I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than I was.  Sorority life reminded me of Girl Scouts and AOII was my Black Prince. (those of you who know me will get that reference).  My collegiate experience was great although I was not considered a big joiner.  I did community service and helped where I was needed; even spent a year living in the AOII house; but ultimately missed out because I never took an office, chaired a committee, or took a little sister.

BUT, I am making up for time lost now.  As an alumnae member, I am finding the opportunities to volunteer for AOII are exceed my expectations.  I had 5 years as the Las Vegas alumnae chapter president.  I chaired and founded the Southern Nevada Alumnae Panhellenic and am completing my last year on the executive board as president. I served as financial advisor for 2 wonderful collegiate chapters (after all numbers are my passion). I am now the network specialist of development for the Lambda Iota chapter at UC San Diego.  Lambda Iota is a new colony which is reborn.   This weekend is the installation of the chapter after being dormant for some years.  Reminds me of the time Black Price was dormant and I brought them back.

Stay tuned for the after post of how installation and rose banquet went.

~~ Jane

They always say the first one is the hardest!

Who:  Hi and welcome to my little slice of the blog-o-sphere.  I always think about what and to whom to write about but for me, my pen (or keyboard) have been actively brainstorming about how to bring everyone a glimpse into my life.  While Jane is only a pen name, she is thought by many as giving of time and money, honest and direct, and most of all dedicated to a rich faith in life, hope for happiness, and the deepest of love.


What:  A life style blog focusing on those issues most near and dear to my heart.  Topics may range anywhere from sorority life after college ends, a family of two plus 3 furry friends, following your (or my) favorite boy band around the globe, growing older and all that comes with grey hair, or maybe even a short story or two.

Where: You can find me right here at My Pen Named Jane as well as many other social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.  Feel free to find me an one or all.

When: My goal is to post at minimum once a week, but please bear with me as we all know, life sometimes gets in the way of the things we love to do the most.

Why: I realized I can not be the only almost 40 year old women out there with adult bonus children, beautiful grandchildren, active with organizations, loving music, and enduring numerous health issues all while living a prosperous life.  Why not share the information I have learned, loved, and lost along the way.

~~ Jane