Sigma Alpha Iota

P A N P I P E S Fall 2020 3 S ince its founding in 1903 — 117 years ago! — Sigma Alpha Iota has been an organization of creative women in the arts. e seven Founders who dreamed into being the concept of women supporting other women in their musical endeavors would be astonished and pleased to witness the commitment to the ideals as expressed by Sigma Alpha Iota members all over the world. e sisters of SAI have always been resourceful idealists, knowing that MUSIC IS A PATH to inspiration and fulfillment, and have found many unique ways to carry out the Purpose of the Fraternity. rough the years, this commitment has required Fraternity members to be thoughtful, flexible, supportive, and loving whenever there was a new approach to music education, a new challenge in the realm of membership organizations, a new acknowledgment of women in positions of leadership, a new idea for shaping change and growth. With the common thread of love for the interests of Sigma Alpha Iota that we have all pledged to support, we have been able to weave our individual lives into a beautiful tapestry to wrap around our hearts, a tapestry of strength to map out the journey, a tapestry quilted with unbreakable bonds of melody, harmony, rhythm, and color. It is in this spirit of unity that the Fraternity once again embarks on a journey of discovery, examining the historical traditions, embracing those that continue to support the art of music, expanding the arms of sisterhood to create inclusiveness, and finding new approaches to speak truth into being. A thoughtfully appointed group of women have been meeting across the country to bring some redefinition to the question, "Who are the women of Sigma Alpha Iota?" rough their conversation, a new Fraternity position, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, is being created. e ideas that will be explored and inspired by this new Director will reinvigorate the energy for all members as we find our place in this great tapestry we call Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Let us introduce you to these women who are sharing their time and energy for our dear sisterhood (in alphabetical order): Dr. Serelda Herbin, Alumna Jaielle Manning, Iota D Province Officer Alexis Peart, 2020 National Collegiate Leadership Award Winner Dr. Gail Robinson-Oturu, National Alumnae Leadership Award Winner Dr. Deborah Volker, alumna and former National Vice President, Ritual and Fraternity Education Victoria Wefer, Alumna Kamah Asha Wilson, Alumna Hilary Yip, Lambda A Province Officer We are many instruments playing our own melodies, Each one tuning to a different key. But we are all playing in harmony, in one great symphony. Weave, weave, weave us together. Weave us together in unity and love. Weave, weave, weave us together. Weave us together, together in love. — Submitted by Ruth Sieber Johnson, SAI Executive Director More information will be shared with chapters in the coming months, so watch for ways that members will be invited to participate, provide input, and weave their ideas into the SAI tapestry. As Rosemary Crow wrote in her beautiful song, "Weave", Weave Us Together i n Unity and Love Weave Us Together in Unity and Love Angelica Brooks, Patroness with Training Judy Coder, alumna and former Province Officer Keena Day, alumna and former Regional Officer Sophia Elswick, Collegian Cameo Flores, Collegian Lexi Gonzalez, Collegian Elena Harroun, Collegian Mia Harvey, Collegian

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