[17752] in APO-L
A few thoughts...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Lelania Ottoboni)
Mon Nov 24 03:40:31 1997
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 03:34:19 -0500
Reply-To: Lelania Ottoboni <lmo9585@GARNET.ACNS.FSU.EDU>
From: Lelania Ottoboni <lmo9585@GARNET.ACNS.FSU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Dear Brothers,
I am a newly initiated brother, therefore, I have only been involved
with APO for the past semester. My time, so far, has been
invaluable.
This issue of females in our fraternity has me concerned. I decided to
pledge Alpha Phi Omega, other than the other Greek organizations,
because of what it stands for (our three cardinal principles: service,
leadership, and friendship). I belong to the Iota Rho chapter, and our
membership is fairly balanced in regard to gender. Each of us brings
something uniquely wonderful to the brotherhood, male and female.
Take a minute and think back on the founders. Frank Reed Horton's
vision of APO: "Alpha Phi Omega is destined to be one of the greatest
college fraternities in the world because it has as its foundation the
highest ideals of the ages, the most perfect standard the generations
have been able to produce, a standard accepted by all nations, all
religions and all people, one where the motivating idea is to look for
the good and to try to do good to everyone regardless of who or what
belief, and furthermore has the practical application in most
commendable educational social services."
While APO was created as an all-male organization, it has transformed
with the ages, just as The Lightbearer wanted. This includes its
acceptance of women. To exlude women, would be, in my opinion, a fatal
error. If we are to uphold the "standards" of our "generation", then
it seems only logical to include women. We should look back to our
Cardinal Principles, and remember them. We each took an oath to uphold
these principles, to trust our brothers, etc. I don't even understand
how gender could be an issue if one thinks of what we are truly about.
Please take a moment to consider why you joined APO. Was it because of
what is stands for? Its integrity? Was it because you saw the
opportunity to belong to an organization with such high ideals? Perhaps
the opportunity to work along with others that uphold those same ideals?
The only other thought I have to offer right now, is that I agree
whole-heartedly with what Jeffrey Brown said. So, thank you for your
thoughts Jeffery.
Love and Respect,
Lelania
