Bruin Belles Service Association: Blog

During my two years at UCLA, I had been quite involved in various campus organizations. However, I still felt like I had not found that one organization that would make me want to eagerly wait for the next week just so I could attend meetings and work on events and programs with my fellow Bruins. After hearing about Bruin Belles, I thought I had found the one organization that checked all the boxes. However, after I applied, got in and went to our first event (Fall retreat) was when I was truly sure that Bruin Belles encapsulated everything I wanted in a college organization because Bruin Belles is so much more than just another college organization. Through Belles, I have met some of the most phenomenal and incredible women who inspire me everyday to help and empower others. It was at Fall retreat when all the older Belles welcomed me and all the other baby Belles with open arms that I found myself part of a community that has played such an integral role in my college career. Fr...

While there are many words that reflect all of the wonderful attributes of Bruin Belles, in my opinion the one word that best defines this incredible group of women is supportive . There is nothing that quite compares to the support that comes from Bruin Belles. Belles are there for you if you need mentorship, want to discuss world issues, need someone to lean on, want someone to volunteer with, and truly everything in between. These women are always there for you, especially when it comes to supporting the things that you are passionate about; for me that is fighting Pediatric HIV/AIDS. Every year the Pediatric AIDS Coalition at UCLA, an organization I am a part of, holds a 26-hour Dance Marathon during which we take a literal stand to raise money and awareness to support the end of pediatric HIV/AIDS and the stigma that surrounds it. For me what makes Dance Marathon special is the support of Bruin Belles. Bruin Belles never fails to have a team of passionate, fun, and philanthropic w...

It’s two weeks out from graduation. I just ordered my cap and gown and my diploma. I am finishing my final papers and presentations. I am beyond excited for the next chapter of my life, but I can’t help think back on my time with Belles. Joining Bruin Belles my freshman year gave me a home at UCLA. It is true that big schools are overwhelming and with 31,000 undergrads, UCLA sure is a lot to take in. So I took a chance on Bruin Belles, and it changed my life. I have met my best friends in the world in this organization – strong, independent, passionate woman who will always have my back and encourage me to be a better person. Bruin Belles has given me the chance to make a difference in the Los Angeles community and give back to the area that has given me so much. Between reading to children at elementary schools on Saturday mornings to pulling weeds at nature reserves, I truly believe I have improved Los Angeles over the past 4 years. On top of that, Belles has made me realize the powe...

Looking back upon the my last 3 years at UCLA, it's impossible not to reminisce about the people who have had a powerful impact on my time here thus far. Each and every member of my belles family has inspired me with their passions, taught me something new, and blessed me with their friendship. I am so grateful to have these incredible ladies alongside me! Each of them has something that they care about deeply, and they are willing to sacrifice so much to serve the people around them.  Some of my best belles memories are when my big belle, baby belle, grand big belle, and all my other family members were revealed! It brings me so much joy to look back on all the memories and laughs we've had and to think of all that is to come. It's the moments like Women's Leadership Conference when you sit alongside each other while learning what it looks like to live empowered lives, like getting to know your future grand big for the first time at Disneyland, and like running ar...

One of best things about attending UCLA is the sheer amount of diversity on our campus. From our student body to the number of majors offered, there are so many unique aspects to being a Bruin. And yet, as a second year pre-medical student, I found myself missing out on all of this. Day in and day out, I would be attending the same science classes, with the same classmates and participating in extracurricular activities with other students that had the same career goals as I did. As much as I loved being a STEM student, I knew I didn’t want to graduate from UCLA without meeting people with different interests, hobbies, career goals, perspectives, and experiences. Bruin Belles was the organization that made that dream a reality. I remember walking into fall retreat (my first event ever!) for the first time and feeling nervous. I was outside my pre-med, science, healthcare-focused comfort box, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to fit in with all the other Belles. It only took a few ...

From Bruin Belles events that we host such as Women’s Leadership Conference, Winter Retreat, and Play Day to events that we attend such as Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, Challah for Hunger, LAB School events, and more, there is always an event to look forward to during the year! The Women’s Leadership Conference is one of the most empowering events, not only because we hear from incredibly accomplished and inspiring women, but also because we create a safe space for open discussion among attendees. These conversations make us cognizant of our commonalities, differences, hurdles, and strengths as well as reduce stigma around issues that too often are not discussed. The conference this year was entitled “Rooted and Reaching”. I personally interpreted this theme as a reminder to embrace individual and collective strengths and values that come from each woman’s roots and how they have propelled her through obstacles to develop resilience in the pursuit of her goals. The conference unite...

As I finish up my third year in Bruin Belles, I want to reflect on the friendships that I have made. First, finding out who my baby Belle was and then, a year later, finding out who her baby Belle was are two memories that remain with me today. I remember feeling so excited knowing that I would have these two girls to share my experiences in Belles and at UCLA with. The countless number of events that I have attended plays a large role in the relationships that I have built. Bruin Belles has such a diverse group of women with so many different experiences. It is through these opportunities that I have really gotten to know my fellow Belles. Sharing the extraordinary experiences with those in Belles helps strengthen the friendships we build. I have attended galas for several nonprofits, sorted clothes for children, decorated locker rooms, and so much more. I have been on the Golden Globes red carpet and on top of the Capitol Records building. I have been on many brunch excursions a...