DUBLIN, Ohio (May 2, 2022) — Today, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation announces a $35,000 gift from Kappa alumna Christina Eichler Bullock, UC Davis, which is funding a speaker series on the impact of kindness as it relates to one’s own mental health and well-being journey.
“I was inspired to support this kindness series because I wanted to promote the change I wish to see in the world. When I heard Kappa was shifting their philanthropy to a focus on mental health and well-being, I approached them about my idea on creating a series on kindness. I couldn’t be more excited about this project and hope it inspires not only our Kappa sisters but all women to always be kind and supportive of one another.”
– Christina Eichler Bullock, UC Davis
Bullock said she is inspired by her own Kappa experience, as she believes kindness is something we don’t talk about enough, but we need to talk about it, come together, and support and accept one another.
“I was inspired to support this kindness series because I wanted to promote the change I wish to see in the world,” shared Bullock. “When I heard Kappa was shifting their philanthropy to a focus on mental health and well-being, I approached them about my idea on creating a series on kindness. I couldn’t be more excited about this project and hope it inspires not only our Kappa sisters but all women to always be kind and supportive of one another.”
Susanne Vander Heyden, Washington State, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation President, said these contributions are important in helping the Kappa Foundation sponsor programs that are relevant to current member needs.
“It is because of donors like Christina that we are able to provide our members with educational opportunities to gain a deeper understanding about their own mental health and how that impacts their personal journeys,” said Vander Heyden. “We are so appreciative of Christina’s generous gift and the impact it will have on the lives of our members. Christina is the epitome of inspiring positive change, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Lives Fully Lived — Kindness series is Kappa Kappa Gamma’s signature event supporting Mental Health Awareness Month. Kicking off on May 4, the series will include the following speakers and topics:
May 4: Jessica Gendron Williams, president and CEO of the Center for Leadership Excellence
“Whisper Out Loud” aims to empower women to talk about and do all the things they should but often don’t.
May 11: Dr. Lori Hart, director of educational initiatives at Holmes Murphy & Associates
“Better Fraternity, Better You” utilizes research on kindness and connection to show how these are the keys to living a happy life.
May 18: Tina VanSteenbergen, professional speaker and facilitator
“Kind to Whom” discusses practical strategies for showing yourself the kindness and respect you show others because you deserve it.
May 25: Alex Sheen, four-time TEDx speaker and founder of Because I Said I Would
“Because I Said I Would” is a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept.
Register to attend the Lives Fully Lived — Kindness series by visiting: www.kappa.org/lives-fully-lived.
“As one in five Americans and one in five Canadians will face a mental health challenge this year*, it is critical we support the organization’s efforts to reduce stigma barriers,” said Maggie Coons, Hillsdale, Foundation Executive Director. “One of the ways the Foundation can do that is by funding educational programming on this topic. Thanks to the generosity of Christina, we are providing an educational series spotlighting how acts of kindness to others and to themselves can bolster one’s own mental health.”
In August 2021, Kappa Kappa Gamma announced a new philanthropic purpose focusing on mental health and well-being. Through financial contributions to the Kappa Foundation, Kappas now have access to educational programming and services, such as this speaker series and Talkspace, an online platform that makes it convenient to access mental health resources and paves the way for accessible mental health care.
This is just one way Kappa women are inspiring positive change in their communities and the beyond. Learn more about the impact Kappas are making by visiting kappa.org/how-we-help.
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About Kappa Kappa Gamma and its Foundation
For more than 150 years, Kappa Kappa Gamma has provided a robust membership experience highlighting leadership opportunities, educational programs, and, most importantly, the unwavering support of loyal sisters to help members pursue their potential.
The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation’s mission is to invest in Kappa members by funding programs that fulfill the evolving needs of women. As a critical partner to the overall Kappa organization, the Foundation funds four impact areas crucial to Kappas: member education, scholarships, financial assistance grants, and heritage.
With over 140 active chapters in the U.S. and Canada, more than 235 alumnae associations around the world, and more than 312,000 initiated members since its founding, Kappa Kappa Gamma invites women to dream boldly and live fully. For more information about the Fraternity or its Foundation, visit kappa.org.
* Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
