RANSVESTIA

wasn't and it didn't. But I relate it now not only because it is a part of this history but because I would like to say that nothing in the 20 years that I have been working in this field has hurt me so deeply. Here were a bunch of people that I had rescued from various stages of the locked room, given them some understanding, a lot of new friends, a sense of belonging, had counselled several of them on personal problems, helped others out of difficulties, yet they could turn on me in an instant over a really insignificant matter that had not threatened any of them. Matter of fact, I talked with a couple of them subsequently and they admitted that having received the mailing didn't upset them in the least. But one of them, one of my oldest friends in the group, indicated to me a year or so later that he had known what was going to happen before it did but that if he had said anything he would only have been putting his own head in the noose. So much for long standing friendship, loyalty both to friend and to principles, etc., and a sense of fairness to someone who had done a lot for each of them. When the chips were down they were more concerned about themselves. I don't suppose I should be sur- prised; FPs are just ordinary people except for their FPia and certain- ly loyalty, integrity and trust are violated daily by lots of ordinary people. I guess I just expected more from my sisters-but live and learn.

I will be so bold as to say that it is fortunate for the rest of those who have been my readers of TVia and members of FPE and now Tri Sigma that I have and have always had a strong sense of loyalty, integrity and honesty and for sticking up for what is right even against considerable odds. Had I had not felt this way, you would not be reading the 100th issue of this magazine because I would have pulled in my horns long ago after lawsuits by former friends, prosecu- tion by the Post Office Department and various other tribulations along the way. I have a very human urge to go into great detail about this incident because even though it was four years ago it still hurts today to find that people you liked, helped, trusted and counted as friends could treat you as they did. However, I will resist the tempta- tion since most of you who will read this are miles away and wouldn't be interested anyway.

But the further end to this story is that although I had resigned from the chapter, that had no effect on FPE nationally. This group continued to be members of FPE for the next year and then one

101