Surrounded by Inspirational Women

Belles has provided me with a community of women who are nothing short of breathtaking. Every social or volunteering event I have attended in these past couple of years, I have always been accompanied by a powerful group of women. Everyone in this organization has so much to offer and amazing lessons to share, from professional tips to learning how to knit; the Bruin Belles community truly has it all.

At the beginning of the Fall quarter, I hosted a pumpkin painting social where I was accompanied by six amazing individuals. This night was filled with endless laughter, exciting life updates, and future aspirations. I will always look back on this event fondly, as I was impressed by everyone's career and personal goals. It has been a privilege to be surrounded by so many amazing individuals who have inspired me to push myself to new boundaries.

Each and every single Belle embodies so much love, kindness, and wisdom. They have all shown up for me in more ways than one. I am incredibly grateful to be part of an organization that allows me to be surrounded by inspirational women and has provided me with some of my lifelong friends.

I am so thankful for every Belle in the organization who has taught me different lessons, new skills, and who have always given me good advice. I am so lucky to have found such a wonderful and supportive group of women.

Belle Love,

Leonela Villalobos <3

Secretary DB

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What I Didn't Know

What I didn't know The morning after I got the highly anticipated call that I got into Bruin Belles, I found this bell (figure 1) on my dorm door: a door belle…get it? I can still very clearly remember the few weeks surrounding this moment. I wanted it SO BADLY! When I saw the Belles tri-fold at the enormous activities fair, I knew immediately that I needed to be a part of that community. On paper, it sounded like everything I wanted: a group of likeminded passionate women who did community service together and other social events. I worked tirelessly on my application and was so nervous for my interview that I signed up for the very first slot (Monday at 8am… yikes). I got the long-awaited call late on a Friday night. Yashvi, the public relations director at the time, told me that I had gotten in, and while still on the phone I screamed “I GOT IN!” to my roommate. My heart was beating so fast. However, I think if I had known what was to come, my heart would have beat so fast it

Stepping Outside my Comfort Zone

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Finding My Home

My time as a Bruin Belle has been incredibly transformative. This exceptional group of empowered women has not only enriched my college experience but also inspired me to make a lasting impact on the world. Entering UCLA, I was eager to find a community that aligned with my passion for service and personal growth. Joining the Bruin Belles provided that and more—a warm embrace within the vast UCLA landscape. At the core of our experience is our dedication to service, from local volunteer work to impactful fundraisers. We take action, build connections, and create change within our community. Being a Belle has given me the opportunity to volunteer for initiatives such as dog adoption, environmental activism, food insecurity, education advocacy, and houselessness. Through volunteering in various areas of our community, I have found purpose and a newfound passion for advocacy. Additionally, BBSA is more than a service organization to me; we are a sisterhood that fosters leadership. The s

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