Appreciation for the Athenian Ladies
With the pledging season coming to a close for the Spring semester, Whittier College’s societies, including the Athenian Society, welcome their newest members into their spaces. . Established in 1929, the Athenian Society, whose members are referred to as the “A’s” or “the Ladies,” is “a distinguished group of women whose activities emphasize sisterhood, social events, service to the community, and scholarship.” Through these core values, the Athenians are able to foster a community of sisterhood that continues to prosper on campus.
“I wanted to have friends in the community,” recounts fourth-year Treasurer Clarissa Carreon. The Child Development major began her time at Whittier during the COVID-19 pandemic,, which affected her college experience. During her second year, Carreon was eager to make more connections on campus. While exploring the different societies, she was drawn to the Athenians and was able to see herself with them. “They were inspiring to me, [and] I knew that if I was able to join them, it would push me to be a better version of myself,” Carreon says with a smile.
For fourth-year President Ariela Romero, it was a last-minute decision. “My sister, she was in a sorority, and I was kind of influenced,” Romero explains. “ I knew that coming to Whittier I wanted to join a society.” Eager to find her community, Romero attended every society-hosted event on campus. Eventually, it was time for her to decide which one to join. “I just went with my heart,” she recalls thoughtfully, “And so that felt right, but also the girls that I was joining, that played a big influence.”
As a society that values sisterhood, the Athenians continue to maintain these bonds, even after their time at Whittier. Current members, known as “Actives”, can turn to their “Bigs” (Big Sisters) whenever they are in need of advice. The Athenians have a wide alumni network in various industries, such as law, business, education, and entertainment.
“One thing that we’ve all found comforting as Actives is that there is always going to be an Alumni Lady that we can go to for big sister advice,” explains Carreon. As the fourth-year was going through grad school applications, she was able to receive help from an alum during the stressful process. “She was my rock through that,” Carreon states.
Recalling their most memorable moments as Athenians, Carreon mentions her trip to Spain over the summer with three of her fellow sisters. “I get anxious traveling, so it was just really nice to have them there with me through that,” she says. “If I didn’t know anyone, I don’t think I would have felt comfortable going across the world just by myself. So it was nice having that support.”
Another memorable moment was when both the Actives and alumni got together for their Homecoming Brunch. Romero notes how much she enjoyed hearing the alums from the ’70s talk about their stories as Actives and how some continue to keep in touch with each other after many years. “A lot of them were at each other’s weddings, and it’s just [nice] seeing what our lives could be like outside of Whittier,” she says, her eyes bright.
The two remain deep in thought before describing what being a Lady means to them. “Being a Lady to me is about carrying yourself a certain way,” Carreon says after a pause. “Carrying yourself with pride and being kind to others. Just always pushing yourself to be the best that you can be.” Nodding, Romero adds that being a Lady gives her the confidence to be someone’s role model on campus. “[It’s] like a tradition that we’re caring for the future Ladies, but also honoring the past Ladies,” she says brightly, “It’s like, okay, you’re a Lady and you’re an Athenian and you’re a legacy.”
With the end of the pledging season, or new member education, Romero shares her thoughts on being mentors for their new members. “It’s pretty exciting, especially because we were kind of the ones that recruited them,” she shares with a smile, “I’m excited to continue teaching them our traditions, and I really want to see what they bring to the society.”
Noting the differences from their earlier years as Actives, Carreron shares her anticipation for their newest members. “It’s interesting to see how that’s going to change and shape the society the same way; you know, we got the opportunity to kind of make the society our own,” she says. “At the end of the day, the society belongs to the Actives, and it’s yours to change to current times to your guys’ values; I think that’s going to be interesting to see.”
Photo Courtesy of Ariela Ramos
