Where Family History Meets Sisterhood
Tell us about yourself.
I studied biological anthropology as an undergraduate at The George Washington University and recently earned my Master of Public Health. I currently work in veterinary medicine, and outside of work, I love to travel and go on adventures with my new puppy, Millie!
When did you first learn that you were a descendant of a Pi Phi Founder?
When I first received a bid from Pi Beta Phi, I had no idea my paternal grandmother had also been a Pi Phi or that I was related to one of the founders, Inez Smith Soule. When I called my grandparents for our monthly chat and told them I had joined a sorority, my grandma, Massachusetts Beta Carol Miga Soule, was so excited. She immediately said, “Oh wow, I’m a Pi Phi too! And we’re related to a founder of Pi Phi!”
Growing up, my grandma was always fascinated with genealogy, and we knew we were related to George Soule, a pilgrim who came over on the Mayflower. After learning about the connection to Inez, I started digging a little deeper into our family history. George Soule had nine children. Inez’s husband, Melville Cox Soule, was descended from one of George Soule’s children (George Soule Jr.), while my family line comes from another son, John Soule. While the connection is distant, I still find it incredibly interesting!
What drew you to Pi Phi?
I chose Pi Phi because of the incredible individuals in D.C. Alpha and the values the organization represents. Learning about my connection to Inez afterward made my membership even more unique. It feels like such a special coincidence that I found my way to the same sisterhood one of my ancestors helped create.
What qualities of Inez do you recognize in yourself?
(About Inez: “A tiny woman with a ready wit, she set a standard of loyalty and Lifelong Commitment. A member of Pi Phi for 73 years, she had the joy of seeing and keeping in touch with many young people who organized into collegiate and alumnae groups from coast to coast and also in Canada. She established a long Pi Phi legacy through a Pi Phi daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.”)
When I was four years old, my ballet teacher described me as “short in stature, mighty in spirit.” She was right—I would grow up to be five feet tall and strong-willed. When I later learned Inez was described as “a tiny woman with a ready wit,” it felt like a funny parallel across generations.I admire her loyalty and Lifelong Commitment to Pi Phi, and I hope to carry some of that same spirit in my own life, staying dedicated to who and what matters to me and continuing to support the communities that have shaped me.
How has Pi Phi impacted your life?
Pi Phi has given me an incredible support system and a group of women who encourage me to grow, lead and give back. I am getting married this coming October, and so many of my Pi Phi sisters will be there on my special day. It’s given me a deeper appreciation for the power of strong female communities and the impact they can have on both individuals and society.
Which Pi Phi core value resonates with you most?
Lifelong Commitment will always be my favorite core value. Pi Phi isn’t just something you experience in college—the friendships and connections continue long after graduation.
If you could go back in time and have a conversation with Inez, what would you say to her?
I would first thank her for helping create something that has impacted so many women, including me. I would also ask whether she ever imagined Pi Phi would still exist well over a century later. I’d be curious to hear what she thought the future of the organization might look like, and what those early days of Pi Phi were like from her perspective.
How does this connection shape your Pi Phi experience today?
This connection reminds me Pi Phi is part of a much larger story that spans generations of women. It has turned something that was already special in college into something that also connects to my family history. I think it’s incredible that an organization started by 12 women in the 1800s is still bringing people together today—and that I somehow ended up being part of it, too.
Published April 8, 2026