The Pearls that Connect the Past and Present, a Legacy Story
By Joanna Barrett, Epsilon Epsilon, Staff Writer
There are six women of Alpha Sigma Tau that are more than just “sisters,” they are mothers and daughters. Legacies Rachel Bourgeois ‘09, Meggy Worth ‘11, and Margaret “Maggie” Rownd ‘12 have all admired the bonds of sisterhood their mothers experienced as devoted members and best friends of the Phi Chapter at Southeastern Louisiana University, and 30 years after their mothers were collegians, they each joined the Phi Chapter.
This unique legacy story of three sisters from 30 years ago, and their daughters, demonstrates just how strong the close bonds of sisterhood are and the impact Alpha Sigma Tau has on each generation. The Phi Chapter recently celebrated their 70th Founder’s Day Celebration and while we all know the bonds of sisterhood are like no other, these six women really are intertwined for life.
Jill Hite Worth ’80 and Meggy Worth ‘11
While Meggy was growing up, she remembers her mom talking about Alpha Sigma Tau a lot. “She showed me pictures of their Greek Weeks and formals,” remembers Meggy. “She always talked about how much fun she had.”
But when Jill would talk about her wedding, Meggy was struck by how she described her sisters supporting her and standing by her side. Meggy still gets chills when she sees her mother and her sisters from college get together after long periods of time.
“It just amazes me the way they don’t see each other for months or even years at a time, and the second they reunite is like they just saw each other yesterday,” says Meggy. “I know that one day that will be me and my sisters.”
In Meggy’s senior year of high school, Jill’s mother passed away and several of her sorority sisters came to the funeral. “I believe it was times like these that helped Meggy to choose Alpha Sigma Tau,” says Jill.
“When I saw mom’s sisters show up for my grandmother’s funeral, I wanted to have life long friends like that,” recalls Meggy. “I saw how much each sister cared about each other and how close they were, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it”
Jill encouraged Meggy to go through recruitment her freshman year so she could meet new people and make friends, but Meggy had no intentions of joining Alpha Sigma Tau just because of her mom.
While Meggy was going through recruitment, she called her mother nightly to fill her in on the day’s activities. But “Momma Jill” (as she is referred to by the collegians in the chapter) decided from the beginning to not offer her opinion and let the decision to join Alpha Sigma Tau be Meggy’s.
Meggy soon realized Alpha Sigma Tau is where she wanted to be and on her first mother/daughter day, the Phi Chapter had a ceremony for all of their mothers where the collegians pinned their mothers with the mother’s pin.
“When I pinned my mom, it was different for me because I pinned her knowing that she is not only my mother but also my sister,” says Meggy. “Not many people can actually say that they are mother and daughter and also sisters for life.”
Rita Anne Bertolino ’78 and Rachel Bourgeois ‘09
“Rachel has heard me speak of my sorority sisters and experiences through the years and has met many of my sisters from the past,” says mother Rita. “She realized that these ladies are my lifelong friends, and our relationships are different from other friends.”
Growing up, Rita’s love for yellow roses, pearls, anchors, and her badge sparked Rachel’s interest. Rachel always had a set of pearls to wear and gave her mother yellow roses on Mother’s Day. But after Rachel told Rita she had decided to not complete formal recruitment following Hurricane Katrina, Rita was surprised when they joined together for dinner one night and Rachel unzipped her jacket, revealing a green and gold shirt with the letters she had cherished so much.
“I could not believe my eyes,” remembers Rita. “All I could do was cry and embrace her.”
“If my mom hadn’t been AST, I probably would have never considered Greek Life at all,” confesses Rachel, a current Educational Consultant for the sorority. The passion Rachel has for the sorority is natural for her, she says, but the motivation to push the chapter forward, “a cut above and a step” ahead, Rachel credits her mother for.
“When my mom was a collegiate member, the chapter was strong and overflowing with members,” says Rachel. “I wanted AST to thrive in the present like it had in the past.”
“Personally I think Rachel is one of the many excellent role models for Alpha Sigma Tau,” boasts Rita. “I cannot always be by her side and in every part of her life but AST is a common bond that we share and we know is rare. It is a precious bond, just like the pearl. We will always be bonded and share our love and dedication to Alpha Sigma Tau.”
Ann Wainwright Rownd ’78 and Margaret “Maggie” Rownd ‘12
Maggie’s childhood memories of her mom’s sisters (“Ms. Rita” and “Ms. Jill”) visiting their home, looking at old photographs, and hearing stories about their collegiate days, compelled her to love AST before she was even interested in joining a sorority.
“Maggie decided to begin her first semester concentrating strictly on academics and her part-time jobs,” explains Ann. “But she quickly realized she was not feeling ‘a part’ of campus life.”
“In November of 2008, Meggy (Worth) invited me to AST’s COR [Recruitment Event], and after meeting the women, I fell in love,” says Maggie. “It truly just felt right, so I signed my bid as quickly as I could!”
After she was welcomed with open arms, says Ann, she blossomed into an active and dedicated member.
“Because my mom is so devoted (to the chapter), she supports me getting involved and inspires me to put everything into this organization,” says Maggie.
Maggie says since joining Alpha Sigma Tau, her relationship with her mother has brought them closer. In addition to being mother and daughter, they, too, are sisters.
