“Hi everyone! My name is Abby Apostol, and I am so honored to serve as the President for the Xi Phi chapter of Delta Zeta here at UMKC. I am forever grateful to be a part of this women’s organization that has not only shaped me into the woman I am today, but has positively impacted my college experience as a whole. The women that I have the privilege of serving in this role inspire me to strive for greatness every day and I am forever grateful that I can call those women sisters for life.

Delta Zeta was founded on six core values – Friendship, Belonging, Empowerment, Generosity, Community, and Curiosity. These values, which our founders kept true in their daily lives, are the same ones that I see exemplified by my Delta Zeta sisters every single day. When coming to UMKC, I was searching for belonging, and that is exactly what I found in Delta Zeta. I have seen Delta Zeta members practice this value of Belonging through acts of kindness made towards not only other sisters, but other students at UMKC, being inclusive of others, and offering a helping hand when it is needed the most. Saying I am beyond proud of these women would be an understatement as their efforts truly go above and beyond in any aspect of their membership.

As members in Delta Zeta, we uphold the highest standards for our members in multiple areas of our college careers. Living our value of Community, every Delta Zeta member is in at least one other student organization outside of the sorority to form valuable connections and be involved on UMKC’s campus. Through our value of Generosity, many members spend their free time volunteering on and off campus, giving back to organizations such as Harvesters and KC Pet Project. Our members also practice the value of Empowerment by holding various leadership positions either in Delta Zeta or in other student organizations. Whether it be finding your best friends, holding leadership positions, building connections on campus, or whatever else, Delta Zeta members are able to accomplish all with our diverse interests and efforts to make all feel included.

One aspect of this sorority that makes me so proud to be a Delta Zeta, is our love and passion towards our philanthropic efforts. Delta Zeta is the only global women’s organization to have a focus on Hearing and Speech, which is something that we could not be more proud of. Our national philanthropies consist of Starkey Hearing Foundation, American Society for Deaf Children, and SeriousFun Children's Network. Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is to bring the gift of hearing to those who live in a silent world. They have provided more than 1.5 million hearing healthcare services to those in need worldwide. The American Society for Deaf Children strives to serve families of hearing parents with deaf children the resources necessary to communicate with their child. SeriousFun Children's Network provides an unforgettable experience to children living with serious illnesses. What may seem as simple as attending a summer camp to some, was seemingly impossible to others living with serious illnesses before SeriousFun Children’s Network. They provide an inclusive summer camp opportunity as well as provide an outlet for children and families to meet others going through similar experiences. As Delta Zetas, we serve as advocates for our philanthropies; each one of us is a piece of a puzzle much larger than we can see, but still so beneficial to the overall betterment of the world around us. 

To be among women who all come from very different walks of life, and yet we come together to celebrate our shared values and support each other through thick and thin; it reminds me to be so thankful for every path I followed that led me to becoming a Delta Zeta. I have been provided everlasting love, memories I will never forget, and sisters I will keep for a lifetime.”