Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2025 17 to SAI Philanthropies, Inc. I was hooked! If we could spread more music in the world like that, it created a real sense of hope and purpose. At that Convention, I said "Yes" to serving as a Province Officer for Mu Province (all of Arkansas at that time). Those seven collegiate and four alumnae chapters brought so much music and excitement and love into my life, and I never looked back. Getting to visit campuses, meet administrators, hear concerts and musicales, contribute to the leadership skills of chapter officers, acknowledge chapter and individual achievements with awards and national nominations—it just didn't get any better. Through the years, I have spoken to many of you about the joy of serving as a Province Officer. I always say being a PO is "the best job in SAI—except for mine!" Our People-to-People Project inspired me to get more involved with world outreach, and soon Mu Province was helping to sponsor a fledgling youth orchestra in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Thanks to Ruth Sickafus, through a joint venture with Partners of the Americas and SAI Philanthropies, Inc., I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Santa Cruz, taking a 3/4-size cello from the Mu Province SAI chapters. I presented vocal concerts and coached a children's choir for a theatrical production—all in the name of SAI and spreading the love of music. Do you know the starfish story? Here is my version: a young person was walking along the beach and hundreds of starfish had been washed up on the sand by a storm. This youngster was picking up one starfish at a time and throwing it back into the ocean. Along came a jogger who said, "What are you doing?" "I'm returning these starfish to their life in the sea." "Oh, but there are so many. You can't possibly make a difference with your small efforts." The young sage bent down, picked up a starfish and threw it out into the water. "Made a difference to that one." That is what each of us is challenged to do. We take the unique ingredients of our individual lives and turn them into a global, universal energy of love. Music is that language of LOVE. I have had the privilege of immersing myself in that language of love with many, many of you. I've been on the National Executive Board with six National Presidents: Elsie Sterrenberg, Brenda Ray, Ginny Johnson, Liz Nordling, Leslie Odom Miller, and Jessica Chichester. I have served with seven chairmen of SAI Philanthropies, Inc.: Mary Arlin, Arlene Jospe Veron, Darlene Johnson, Daryle Gardner- Bonneau, Sharon Doty, Heidi Frankson, and Tracey Wygal Withrow. Not one of the SAI sisters I have served with ever said "yes" to that call in order to receive personal glory. They have lived the life of love, commitment, and service because of the never-ending belief that music makes a difference in all lives and that Sigma Alpha Iota has a particularly beautiful way of serving that goal. I personally applaud every one of these board members, past and present. I was a very lucky "biggest sister." My parents loved me, loved music, and gave me the space and encouragement to be whatever I wanted to be. Sharing this time with some of my family today is pretty overwhelming. Of course, whenever I was feeling overwhelmed with the job of Executive Director, my husband, John Johnson, a Friend of the Arts, would say, "Why don't you try just being 'whelmed'? That will make it manageable." There are not enough words for me to describe the absolute confidence I have in Christine Bruns as she has now chosen to say "Yes" to the call of this phase in her SAI life. But I can promise her that it is a commitment worth the love and energy she brings to the position. Have you caught the theme flowing through the air? The endless variations on that theme? It is my ultimate charge to you— Be the LOVE, because LOVE WINS. At near right, At the conclusion of At near right, At the conclusion of National Convention. At far right, National Convention. At far right, Ruth with PO Shelia Bowers. Ruth with PO Shelia Bowers. The 2025 Natial Cvention

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