In honor of Women’s History Month, Pi Kappa Gamma, the oldest sorority at Lakeland University, held their second annual feminine care product drive to provide essential supplies to women in need. Held for an entire week from March 25 to the 29, the sorority operated a place for donation at the campus center where they collected pads, tampons, and various feminine items for donation. The sorority members: president, Alondra Reyes; vice president, Hanna Brouch along with social chair and chaplain, Lola D’Acquisto shed light on the significance of sisterhood, the goal of their drives and their vision for the future of women.
“Last year, we raised three huge bags full of feminine products which we were able to donate to Sheboygan Interfaith,” said Brouch as D’Acquisto further added that they’ve expanded their reach this year. “It’s very important to look at other places and give donations too,” she emphasized, explaining that the sorority will be donating the collected products with half going to Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization and the other half to Safe Harbor, a local shelter that caters to women in difficult circumstances.
The feminine care product drive is aimed to address the expense of pads and tampons in which access to these products can be limited in women’s shelter. Reflecting on the significance of their drive, D’Aquisto emphasized the importance in addressing the crucial need. “When it comes to people who are survivors, out of domestic abuse situations or homeless, those things [feminine products] are overlooked. Everyone knows, but it doesn’t get enough light.”
To succeed in their mission, Pi Kappa Gamma’s role is focused on the bond of sisterhood, supporting and empowering its members to a common goal. President of the sorority, Reyes attributed that the feminine drive may highlight how the generation defines its goals, beliefs and operation. It also gives women the tools they need to succeed in the classroom, social scene, and their personal lives. She acknowledged, “a sorority embraces, nurtures and can help members grow as individuals. They can develop a stronger feeling of sisterhood and feel empowerment to accomplish their objectives.”
“We’re a group of strong-minded girls,” Brouch attested, “and we want to help each other succeed.” Meanwhile, D’Aquisto spoke of the impact that the sorority meant for her, stating, “being in a sorority can bring out the better quality of you.” When comparing herself to her freshman year, she said, “from the person I was two years ago, I’m a lot more comfortable and I feel like I can take on more.”
In the past, Pi Kappa Gamma have held various philanthropic events such as Breast Cancer Awareness drives, clothing drives and selling t-shirts at football games. Looking ahead, the sorority has ambitious plans, including wanting to bring motivational speakers to Lakeland for convocation events in the future.
Closer to home, the sorority recently hosted a reunion for their former members at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. They spoke fondly of their interactions with the founding mothers, Jerry, who had a career in music and Barb, a criminal justice lawyer and investigator. Describing them as inspiring figures who paved the way for future generations of Pi Kappa Gamma members, Brouch stated, “there’s so many women who have joined [the sorority] in these 55 years. For them to see what they were able to create and where we stemmed from is awesome. It takes a lot to create a sorority and they were really proud.”
As Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions women have made, the Pi Kappa Gamma leaders reflected on some positive milestones for their generation, highlighting the historic achievements of Vice President Kamala Harris and the presence of female candidates that are in the running for elections this year. D’Aquisto remarked, “at the end of the day, you see women striving towards their goals and that’s inspirational.”
Brouch said, “I feel confident that women are just as capable and any girl in our sorority can be in a lead role. Managing time and keeping up their grades on top of the countless things we do while being a college student between the ages of 18 and 22 is amazing.”
“We want to be serving more women in our community and here at Lakeland.” D’Aquisto added, “We are women who have led, will lead, and we’re all really good at it.”
