Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at the University of Southern Mississippi recently hosted its annual “Healthy Relationships Week,” aimed at raising awareness about the importance of healthy relationships.
Throughout the week, sorority members organized a series of events to engage with the community. On Monday, members handed out stickers and buttons with the phrase “love is…” for people to complete. They also discussed healthy relationships with students and community members.
On Tuesday, Alpha Chi Omega delivered donuts to other sororities on campus, accompanied by notes emphasizing the significance of healthy relationships. On Wednesday, members participated in a social media campaign, tagging individuals who have demonstrated or encouraged healthy relationships.
The week’s events concluded on Thursday with an interactive banner-painting activity in Spirit Park. Participants dipped their hands in purple paint and pressed them onto a banner that read, “These hands don’t hurt.” Each day, the sorority also posted graphics online to further promote the importance of healthy relationships.
Sadie Venable, a sophomore criminal justice major and Vice President of Philanthropy for Alpha Chi Omega, emphasized the purpose of the week.
“During this week, we share facts about what it means to be in a healthy relationship, how to promote healthy relationships, and simply spreading love around,” Venable said.
The week’s primary goal was to raise awareness about healthy relationships and to educate students about the characteristics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships.
“To show people what it should look like and ultimately prevent people from getting into unhealthy relationships and getting people out of them,” Venable said. “Alpha Chi’s purpose in the week is to promote healthy relationships on campus, show people what is okay and not okay, and to spread extra love around this week.”
While Healthy Relationships Week does not raise funds for the sorority’s philanthropy like other events, such as the Red Carnation Gala, it helps bring attention to their mission of domestic violence awareness.
“This week does, however, help us to promote what a healthy relationship looks like,” Venable said. “Unhealthy relationships could possibly mean domestic violence, which is part of our philanthropy.”
Healthy Relationships Week is observed by Alpha Chi Omega chapters nationwide. In addition to this event, the Southern Miss chapter hosts fundraisers such as "French Fries with Alpha Chis" and the Red Carnation Gala to support their cause.
Venable expressed her personal connection to the initiative through her role as Vice President of Philanthropy.
“Becoming Philanthropy has shown me its importance on campus,” Venable said. “This week has brought smiles on many of our girls’ faces as well as people around campus.”
Despite challenges posed by bad weather, Venable noted that the week helped strengthen bonds within the chapter and the Southern Miss community.
“We like being able to interact with other people on campus and show our passion for our philanthropy,” Venable said. “This week has brought us closer, especially with the bad weather, we really had to pull through and be creative and help each other to get this week continuing.”
