Chi Omega - University of California, Berkeley

President Leah Parvini '23 Vice President Maddy Granados '23 Secretary Ava Dunville '24 Treasurer Melinda Lu '23 New Member Educator Danielle Jackson '23 Personnel Chairman Bella Santos '23 Recruitment Chairman Danielle Hwang '23 Director of Programming Taylor Lang '22 Panhellenic Delegate Syd Schuetz '23 Facilities Manager Hannah Kleiger '23 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chairman Kalie Jimenez '23 F or Wynne Washburn Gill '79, Mu Chapter, Chi Omega is a family tradition. Her mother, Marian Washburn '50, Mu Chapter, remained deeply involved with the sorority even after graduation, staying engaged with the alumnae group in Sacramento. That legacy connection played a significant role in Wynne's decision to become a Chi O herself. Wynne first visited the Mu chapter house as a high school student when she attended a legacy dinner with her mother. Later, when she went through recruitment, she felt an immediate connection. Once she joined, she fully immersed herself in chapter life, choosing to live in the house for all four years. "I have a lot of happy memories just sitting around in the chapter room, watching soap operas during lunchtime, and relaxing with the other members," Wynne said. "It felt homey and comfortable." One of her favorite traditions was participating in Sigma Chi Derby Days, an event that held extra significance for her since her now-husband, Walt, was a Sigma Chi alongside Wynne's older brother. After graduating with a degree in accounting and finance, Wynne pursued a career in corporate tax, working at Pricewaterhouse, Dean Witter Reynolds, and Blockbuster Entertainment. Frequent relocations took her to Seattle and around the Bay Area, but she has lived in a house inherited from her great-aunt in Kensington, California, for most of her life. Even as life became busier with family and career commitments, Wynne maintained ties with her Chi Omega sisters. Significant life events, like the recent wedding of a sister's daughter, have provided opportunities to reconnect. "My own maid of honor was a Chi O!" she shared. Now a House Corporation Board member for Mu, Wynne focuses primarily on the physical upkeep of the house. "Sharing that experience with my mother has been special," she said. "When I talk about the things I'm doing in Chi Omega now, she understands and can contribute her own stories." This year, Marian will celebrate 75 years since her initiation. Of course, some things have changed since 1950. "If we missed lockout, there was a $25 fine," she recalled. "They used the money to buy tickets for the San Francisco Symphony. That's where I developed my love of classical music!" Other aspects, like Chi O's lifelong bonds, have remained the same. "I enjoyed being an alumna," Marian said. "We moved around after I got married, and I would go to alumnae meetings whenever I moved to a new city or town. I made a lot of friends that way." Wynne joined the House Corporation Board in the late 2000s at the encouragement of a fellow sister. She particularly enjoys the opportunity to meet at the house again since the pandemic. "We have dinner together before meetings, which is a great way to catch up with the other board members. Most of them are about ten years younger than me, but we all have a lot of common interests!" Wynne and Walt have one daughter, who recently graduated from Tulane and is now working as a clinical research coordinator. "She lives in San Francisco, so we're able to get together frequently," Wynne shared. Marian still lives in Sacramento in the same house where she raised her family and occasionally takes the train to visit Wynne on campus. Neither woman can imagine life without their shared bond in Chi Omega. If you'd like to contact Wynne, you can send her an email at wwgill335@comcast.net. Two Women's Chi Omega Connection Like Mother, Like Daughter Wynne (left) and Marian. "Chi Omega is a lifelong commitment—something that if you continue to participate in it, will be a rewarding experience throughout your life." Chapter Officers

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