Convention 2009 - Kappa Delta
Convention 2009 - Kappa Delta
Convention 2009 - Kappa Delta
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CoVER Story<br />
can look to the sorority for sisterhood and<br />
support throughout their lives.<br />
In her remarks at the White Rose Banquet,<br />
which signaled the end of convention,<br />
toastmistress Cheryl Sizer, national vice<br />
president-finance, said, “Tonight’s theme is<br />
‘The Magic in You.’ From the youngest sister<br />
here to the oldest, we all come to convention<br />
because <strong>Kappa</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> has ignited something<br />
in our hearts and imaginations.<br />
“Each of us has realized that whatever<br />
spark of magic was in us in the first place<br />
— our inborn gifts, our unique personalities<br />
and perspectives — this organization<br />
can take our potential and conjure it into<br />
something beyond what we could ever have<br />
dreamed . . . something stronger, braver,<br />
finer, more capable. How many of us have<br />
discovered, thanks to <strong>Kappa</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>, something<br />
magical within ourselves we didn’t<br />
even know we possessed”<br />
Suzanne Nelson, second from left, learns that her alumnae chapter in Nashville, Tenn.,<br />
was named winner of the Marjorie Rowles Stakes Award as the best in the country.<br />
Disney Exec Linda Warren is <strong>2009</strong> Woman of Achievement<br />
When Linda Warren pledged KD’s <strong>Kappa</strong> Alpha chapter at<br />
Florida State in 1973, she knew she liked the girls and the<br />
house but she had no idea what a blessing being part of KD<br />
would be during college. “More importantly,” she said, “I<br />
never dreamed what a blessing my KD sisters would be to<br />
me throughout my life.”<br />
The veteran Walt Disney World marketing executive<br />
keynoted the “Friends for Life, KD for Life” luncheon during<br />
convention. Following Linda’s inspiring talk on friendship,<br />
National President Bonnie Warren presented her <strong>Kappa</strong><br />
<strong>Delta</strong>’s coveted Woman of Achievement Award.<br />
Linda spoke warmly of the six KD pledge sisters with<br />
whom she’s remained close for<br />
36 years, reflecting that as young<br />
women building careers and families,<br />
we don’t always stop to recognize the<br />
power of the bonds of sisterhood. “As<br />
we age, friendships can be crucial to<br />
our health and even our sanity,” she<br />
said, “In fact, a host of scientific studies<br />
shows that having a close group<br />
of friends helps people sleep better,<br />
improve their immune systems, stave<br />
off dementia and live longer.”<br />
Annual outings give these seven<br />
sisters the chance to renew the bonds<br />
they hold dear. “Whenever we get<br />
together it is as if we have stepped<br />
into a time machine, melting away<br />
Bonnie congratulates Linda Warren on receiving<br />
KD’s Woman of Achievement Award.<br />
the years and the physical distances between us,” Linda said.<br />
Acknowledging that many groups of KD alumnae get together<br />
regularly, she turned her attention to the young collegians<br />
and explained that they had not yet experienced time-tested<br />
friendship and its value. But she noted that college is the perfect<br />
time to make lifelong friends because “rarely is there another<br />
period in one’s life when you have that much time to nurture a<br />
friendship.”<br />
Linda talked of the similarities and differences in the lives<br />
of the seven <strong>Kappa</strong> Alphas, and the rough times each one has<br />
had. “Through all of the setbacks and losses in our lives we<br />
have been there for each other,” she said. “Frankly, as we get<br />
older, the bonds get stronger, and we<br />
help each other more.<br />
“Our sisterhood is something<br />
really special for all of us. During the<br />
college years, it is easiest to stay connected,<br />
but as we grow older we have<br />
to make sure we keep those relationships<br />
strong. It will make our lives<br />
richer, more meaningful and much<br />
more fun.”<br />
Linda Warren began working for<br />
Walt Disney World as a collegian and<br />
for more than 30 years has focused on<br />
marketing and brand management.<br />
A former executive vice president,<br />
she now is on special assignment for<br />
Disney.<br />
34 fall <strong>2009</strong> THE ANGELOS OF KAPPA DELTA