By Angela Kydd, associate professor, School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland
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| Angela Kydd |
The Greek letters in Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) represent the Greek words storgé, tharsos, and timé, which, translated, mean love, courage, and honor. Since the honor society’s founding in 1922, more than 360,000 nurse scholars have been inducted. At present, STTI has more than 135,000 active members in more than 500 chapters who work in more than 90 countries and territories. Love, courage, and honor were reflected in the flag processional during the convention’s opening ceremonies.
The United Nations flag was first in this convention’s procession, demonstrating STTI’s relatively recent involvement with the UN. In light of its 95 years of abiding by the tenets of love, courage, and honor and its current aim of advancing global health, a procession displaying many of the world’s flags speaks volumes.
Because I was in the processional, I had the opportunity to meet all the flag bearers—there were 31 of us—during the practice session. The practice was supervised by tireless STTI staff member Jessica Wendorf, who attempted to keep every flag bearer in order, not an easy task as all regions wanted to break into small groups to take photographs. Each country’s flag is carried by a chapter member associated with that nation. Linda Streit, coordinator for Region 7, carried the flag for Puerto Rico, as delegates from Puerto Rico were unable to attend due to damage sustained by that island during the recent hurricane.
I was proud to carry the Welsh flag for Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter. This was confusing for those who know me as English. I understood the confusion. My mother is Irish, and I live in Scotland with a very Scottish husband and work at Edinburgh Napier University. I did feel a keen sense of representing the United Kingdom, however, and I do have a special pride for being a member of Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter, which will be 10 years old in April 2018. I have been with this chapter for many years. The flag bearers were lined up in the order that each chapter joined the honor society, so I was No. 24 in line.
I asked Wendorf, who has a long history with STTI, about her earliest memories of the flag-bearing ceremony. She remembers the 1980s, when the only flag in the ceremony was that of the United States. Not long afterward, the U.S. flag was joined by flags of Canada, South Korea, and Taiwan. Then came Australia, representing the early engagement of Asia and Oceania. Europe joined in the early 2000s.
I am proud to have carried the Welsh flag for Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter. President Catrambone acknowledged our chapter’s work on safe-staffing legislation in Wales in her opening plenary speech. This important work was championed by Sigma member Dame June Clark.
