Dear Sisters,
In these times, it is easy to be discouraged by a world where there seems to be so much anger and hate. Being an optimistic, positive parent is hard work. We all do our best, relying on the lessons we learned from our parents, grandparents, friends, and clergy. Compassion, kindness, and love are what we all thrive to demonstrate every day and to model to our children. My mother insisted that I treat everyone with the same courtesy I showed my grandparents, and I’ve tried to teach my daughters this same lesson.
My daughter Katie is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, her grandfather’s alma mater. Katie has made many lovely friends in college and is president of her Sorority, Delta Gamma. She and her friends were recently on a flight returning from a DG convention. It is with joy that I share the following letter with you that was sent to the Delta Gamma national organization:
To whom it may concern
It is with great pleasure that I write you this email. As a Greek alumnus, I understand the nuances regarding the publicity Greek Organizations often receive.
When Greek Members behave negatively, it is front page news which causes shame across every chapter of every organization, nationwide. Seldom do we hear of moments that strengthen and ennoble Greek life. It is my joy to write to you of such a moment.
I am a Flight Attendant based in NYC. This week my crew and I had a day which consisted of working three flights, all either departing or arriving in Chicago. The legendary winters in Chicago spell havoc for aviation, and we often toughen ourselves to deal with the inevitable onslaught of dissatisfied customers. On the first two legs of our trip that day we experienced lengthy delays. By the time we landed in Columbus Ohio, we were drained and exhausted. We had one more leg back to Chicago, a 45-minute flight, so we were ready to push through. It was here that we encountered you exemplary young women.
The flight had a delayed departure time, an hour behind schedule, so we boarded late. I would say 60-70% of our flight load that day was strictly Delta Gamma. Each member greeted us with courtesy and a smile, contradictory to the scowls we often receive for late weather departures. We experienced over two hours of delays on the Tarmac due to air control and weather. Not a single complaint. Not a single passive aggressive statement. They smiled through every announcement, seat change and compliance check.
They expressed sincere gratitude for every cookie, pretzel and every drop of water. They comforted and entertained each other and solved the various problems that came from weather delays with absolute maturity. No entitled yelling to a faceless voice, no threats of written complaints, just calm patient problem solving.
Each one of them looked at us as we passed through the aisle. They smiled at us and affirmed that we were doing a good job. They asked if we were okay. They asked if we were going into to overtime because of our delays. The expressed genuine concern at the length of our day. So many times, passengers regard us as opposition, as the face of the industry that caused their distress. These lovely young women looked at us with sympathy and understanding, as people who were nearing a 15-hour work day. It was touching.
These women comprised nearly half of our plane and their thoughtful energy was contagious. Because of their behavior, a calm was cast over the remaining passengers. They created an incredible atmosphere for which the crew was grateful.
When we finally landed each one of them thanked us for our hard work and they even made us a card. These women of our Columbus to Chicago Flight departing at 4:30pm and delayed 3 hours truly live up to the standards I’m certain you have set for them as sisters. I want them to know that their actions are noted and appreciated and valued. I want them to always keep the spirit with which they approached that situation and realize that in that moment they touched the people around them.
It was a pleasure to serve Delta Gamma and they are welcome on any of my flights.
Sincerely Jonathan Gartrelle
If you have a positive story you’d like to share, please send it to the Women of Rodef Sholom. We would love to read and share it with our sisters.
