In March 2020, when the pandemic closed down most of the world, a group of “KD ladies of the 80s” from Kappa Alpha-Florida State began weekly Zoom calls to reconnect and have fun during that time. Kippen Deas Cantin, Gini Long Mallory, Laura Rice Paden, Michele Keough Cone, Debbie James Ritchie, Julie Lavalle Kern Cameron, Corinne Pruitt Cargnoni, Maria Chrissis Abdo and Julie Keough Hill set life aside for an hour or two every Thursday to call in from five different time zones, six states and two countries for storytelling, memories, laughs and support.

Early on, the sisters had theme nights; created personal entertainment monikers; shared art collections, college composites, photos and “most embarrassing moments;” hosted book and podcast discussions; and hosted guest nights. For the holidays, the group baked the same cinnamon buns recipe for their families and later compared notes and photos.

In the last five years, together these sisters have celebrated children’s weddings, the birth of grandchildren, job promotions, travel experiences, birthdays and a daughter who joined Kappa Delta. There are now two Kappa Delta legacies in this group — Carter Anne Kern (Sigma Lambda-Auburn) and Madeline Mallory Bratcher (Beta Alpha-Virginia). When life is not always white roses and clover leaves, these ladies have been a strong support system for one another when there were deaths in the family, job loss, illness and disappointments.

As pandemic shutdowns lifted, these Kappa Alpha sisters continued with calls every other week and then once a month as they remain today, more than five years later. There have been in-person reunions through the years and most recently a fun weekend at one of their lake homes. In between calls, the sisters have an active and continuous text thread that keeps them entertained, connected and supported.

Making time for friends is not always easy, but these busy and accomplished women make it a priority. Each is successful in her chosen career and community — executives and corporate professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners, nonprofit board members, an award-winning realtor and an international flight attendant — and all are mothers with 20 children and eight grandchildren collectively.

It is not surprising these sisters held Kappa Delta leadership positions in college. The sisters joke that Debbie Ritchie’s time as chaplain and song leader launched her impressive career. She went on to become a state legislator, president of a large corporation, founder of the most successful Impact 100 chapter in the country and recipient of Woman of the Year recognition twice. Debbie is also a recipient of Kappa Delta’s Order of the Pearl, recognizing “outstanding contributions at the national, state or local level in areas other than service to Kappa Delta.”

Rekindling these Kappa Delta friendships inspired Gini Mallory, artist and former member of KD’s National Leadership Team, to paint the first in a series of paintings representing strong women and sisterhood. It was also this group of friends that challenged her to create another series of paintings and a children’s book. Gini is honored that her book and art are generously featured in the homes of these and other sisters throughout the country.

Maria Abdo, former chapter president who lives in the United Kingdom, says, “shortly after our wonderful ‘in-person’ weekend, which quite literally felt like being back in the chapter house circa 1984, I was diagnosed with Stage 1, Grade 3 breast cancer following a routine mammogram. I broke the news over one of our calls, and within minutes, we were praying together and then a minute after that, laughing. This filled me with so much joy and hope. I am fine now, healthy and eternally grateful for the support of my sisters. (In addition to the bougie pajama set they sent me as I was going through treatment). When throughout the new member process, you’re told you have sisters for life, believe it.”

Whether laughing together at a meme, discussing mother-of-the-bride dresses, seeking travel and book recommendations, cheering on a job interview or being supportive during cancer treatment, these sisters rely on friendships made more than 40 years ago. They know, as the frequent saying goes, that “Kappa Delta is forever.”