The first sorority spotlight goes out to my sisterhood Chi Sigma Omega, or as many of you know them, CSO! In this spotlight, you will get a history of the sorority, who they are, and what it means to be in the sorority. It will allow you to have an inside look at Chi Sigma Omega and why the sisters have chosen to call it their home!
Credited: Timothy Nguyen
Bianca Favia and Ally Hanas founded Chi Sigma Omega in December 2009 along with the help of the chapter’s Beta class. Chi Sigma Omega is a local sorority at UIC, which means they are only located in Chicago. The ladies of Chi Sigma Omega have been able to make their own constitution and rules as a reflection of each sister within its growing chapter. Their pillars are leadership, confidence, and service. These specific pillars were chosen to represent character traits a well-rounded woman should have.
The sisters of CSO are leaders, confident women, and impact the Chicago community through their dedicated philanthropic work. CSO was built to make a difference, not just through their chosen philanthropies – which are Chicago Canine, PAWS, Ronald McDonald, and Multiple Sclerosis – but through their actions. Each sister is a reflection of the sisterhood. This specific sisterhood is filled with humble women who hold great achievements. They strive to be the best, not for others, but for themselves.
They will always be different from everyone else, but they are perfectly fine with that! They are individually unique, but together complete. This sisterhood wants to be unique. Not many people can say they helped build and continue to uphold a successful sorority that has not only affected their university, but their community as well!
The sisters of Chi Sigma Omega have some lovely things to say about why they joined CSO, how it has changed their lives, or what the sisterhood means to them:
Tam: “My freshman year, I had a terrible experience with my roommates at my apartment. I hated coming home because it was such a hostile environment and I felt unwelcomed. When I joined CSO, sisters welcomed me into their homes. They let me shower and sleep on their couches when I didn’t want to go home. I had home and knew I would never be alone because I would always have my sisters by my side.”
Nazia: “Since joining CSO I have felt such a stable and strong support system with a group of girls that will always have my back. It’s impossible to feel as loved and supported as I do now. My freshman year I had a lot of conflict with the girls I lived with and I thought I wouldn’t find a niche of my own, but CSO gave me just that and so much more. The bonds that I made are something I cannot describe and every single member doesn’t let me forget how special the sisterhood is. Greek Life has many negative stereotypes, but there’s not a single one I can match to Chi Sigma Omega.”
Credit: Timothy Nguyen
Maya: “ For me, the sorority has shaped the person that I’ve become. They’ve made me strive to be better and taught me to work hard for what I truly want. This sorority showed me my true potential and gave me a sense of confidence that I never thought was possible. My time in the sorority is winding down and it’s a scary thought, but I’m forever grateful and forever in love with the ladies of Chi Sigma Omega.”
Jen: “Sisterhood and Chi Sigma Omega to me is everything. I’m a transfer student and I came to UIC as a sophomore not knowing anyone. I was terrified my first day of school. At my last school, I could not find people I got along with or fit in with. I decided to rush at UIC, even though it did not work out at my last school, and I’m so happy I did. I found so many people, who love me for who I am and don’t want to change me into someone I’m not. I’ve never felt more accepted with a group of girls than I do with my sisterhood. It’s hard to explain the love that goes on between the sisters here. It’s endless and it makes me so happy.”
There’s the inside scoop on Chi Sigma Omega! I wouldn’t be who I am today if I didn’t rush last fall. CSO, as many of my fellow sisters have told you, changed their lives. My freshman year of college would have been drastically different if I didn’t receive a bid from my sorority. I didn’t think I would be this close to so many different girls, who I wouldn’t have normally talked to. The beginning of my freshman year, I barely had any friends at UIC, but now in my sophomore year here at UIC I’ve gained 40 sisters who I can always count on. There’s no place I’d rather be than with the sisters of Chi Sigma Omega!
Credited: Timothy Nguyen