On Wednesday, March 19, Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. hosted an event titled "Spirit of the Phoenix" in support of the Malala Fund. At the event, there were supplies available to create traditional Asian crafts, as well as an educational video about the Malala Fund to help attendees gain an understanding of its message and importance.
The Malala Fund
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.'s website provides some information about why they hold the Spirit of the Phoenix each year. The underlying message is always women's empowerment, and the phoenix was chosen because it is one of the sorority's symbols.
"Kappa Phi Lambda’s Spirit of the Phoenix is an annual national campaign with the goal of emphasizing our pillars on a national level. It takes place every year in March, the month of our national founding date and International Women’s Day. We encourage all of our chapters and colonies to create effective programming for their cultural, service and philanthropic events during this month centered around our national theme," their website reads.
This year, Spirit of the Phoenix was in support of women seizing opportunities and breaking out of traditional roles. To go with this theme, many chapters, including Wright State University's associate chapter of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., also known as KPL, are supporting the Malala Fund this year.
The Malala Fund was created to help feminist activist Malala amplify the message that all girls everywhere deserve access to education.
"Barriers like conflict, poverty, discrimination and climate crisis prevent girls from accessing safe and quality education. The threats vary between countries and communities, but around the world, girls are fighting for their right to learn— and they need your help," Malala Fund's website reads.
At WSU's Spirit of the Phoenix event, a video was shown to educate all attendees on the Malala Fund and its messaging. The members of KPL are passionate about the topic, as they are all college students who value education.
Crafts and atmosphere
Amanda Wirsch is a freshman neuroscience major. She joined WSU's KPL chapter in the Fall. Since then, she has taken on a few positions in the organization, including cultural chair.
"The Spirit of the Phoenix changes every year, and this year it's stepping stones," Wirsch said. "To get [an]education is a great stepping stone in life."
Wirsch was in charge of planning the event, and she brought lots of fun decorations to transform the Cultural and Identity Center's event space into an immersive space with KPL.
There were tables set up with adorable centerpieces and multiple types of traditional Asian crafts. Wirsch shared that these were to help the members of KPL and their attendees learn about and connect to various Asian cultures.
The most popular craft was the spin rattle drums, which have their origins in Chinese culture. To create this craft, KPL provided paper cups, wooden sticks, string and beads, and Wirsch walked those present through the basic steps when needed.
There was also paint available for people to decorate their spin rattle drum in whatever way they wanted, leading to some adorable and artsy designs.
Origami is an art form that is traditional to Japanese culture, and KPL provided many sheets of paper for people to fold into any origami figure they desired. The papers held lots of cute designs, and there were a few examples of possible outcomes.
The most popular figure was Larry the Frog, made by Wirsch herself. Larry was a jumping frog, so when people pressed on his rear end, his little paper body would shoot forward and upward. There was also the traditional origami figure of a crane, although Wirsch shared that she had tried and failed to make one. Wirsch and the other KPL members are still unsure as to who made the crane, but they know it was not any of them.
Between the ambient noise of the drums and the beloved paper frog, this event had an air of laughter and joy around it. The members of KPL had fun with their projects and joked around, making attendees feel included. The activities were simple and fun, leading to lots of opportunities for conversation while crafting.
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
KPL is a multicultural Greek organization. They are an Asian interest group but are open to members of all ethnicities and heritages. The organization focuses on sisterhood, service and philanthropy, with its national philanthropy being the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, which works to help families and individuals, especially women, in the world's poorest communities. WSU's KPL also has a local philanthropy, which is The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.
Katie Thai is a sophomore political science major. She is an active member of KPL, currently serving as the treasurer and liaison for her chapter. She is also involved in the Student Government Association and Asian Students Association.
"We were founded by seven Asian women in Binghamton, New York in 1995 about 30 years ago. And one of our pillars is cultural diversity. Because, well, we are multicultural, but also because we get to celebrate just like Asian heritage and all heritage just in general," Thai said.
Thai's love for her organization is clear, and she shared that she has grown and gained close connections with her fellow KPL members.
"It's an inclusive space on campus, not that any other Greek life isn't, but it's like one that resonated with me the most so because of their multicultural background, and just because I had known people prior within it, and so it was just like, I wanted to build that kind of sisterhood with them, and that was a great way to do so because I've always been interested in Greek life. So, you know, everyone has a place for them in Greek life," Thai said.
Em Ranalli is a junior film major and is the current President of KPL. They enjoyed the event and shared why they always appreciate having time to hang out and do fun activities with their fellow KPLs.
"I feel very connected to my sisters. You know, I love getting to do things like this, because I get to do something new with my sisters, and we get to bond over new experiences together all the time," Ranalli said.
Ranalli is currently helping to transition Thai to take over the President position of KPL for the upcoming year. Thai is very excited to take on this role.
"Be sure to check us out. We'll get we'll be at all the sorority events," Thai said.
KPL will be recruiting in the Fall semester. If interested, reach out to them on social media or attend events they have that are open to the public, like this one.
