Bigs and Littles: Meet Mahima from USC Helenes
By Joy Ofodu ‘18
Name: Mahima Dutt (Little)
My Big’s Name: Brittany Acevedo
Organization: USC Helenes - “USC Helenes is a sisterhood of passionate and compassionate women who are driven to make a change. We aim to set an example of kindness, positivity, and poise, on and off the university campus, by serving our school and various non-profit organizations in Los Angeles”
Pictured above: Mahima and Brittany (both farthest left) with friends
Why do you like being a part of your organization?
Mahima: The Helenes are the oldest all-female service organization at USC. We are united in our passion for serving others and bettering our community through our three pillars— service, spirit and sisterhood. I loved community service in high school and Helenes was not only a way to continue doing that but it also helped me learn more about my surrounding community in Los Angeles. I like that we partner with various nonprofits and organizations as well as help out with university events through our role as ‘official hostesses of USC’ so I’m able to learn more about events happening on campus as well as explore new neighborhoods through volunteering. Lastly, being able to cheer our football team and support women’s athletic teams especially has been an incredible experience that has helped me feel so much closer to the school as a whole.
How did you meet your Big?
Mahima: I met my big through Helenes family game night event.
What is your Big’s best quality?
Mahima: Her attitude, she’s so positive and strong and works so hard. She’s really determined and ambitious. Her ability to look forward past her struggles is really inspiring.
What’s your fondest moment together?
Mahima: When my big along with my gggbig (great great grand big) drove to the bay from LA and visited me and my grand big Mehr in the Bay Area (where we both live)! All four of us got to explore San Francisco together and see some amazing views of the city and the bridge, and it meant a lot to me that they drove up to spend time with me!
How have they/the organization helped you navigate USC?
Mahima: She helped guide me my first semester in Helenes and made me feel more comfortable with other 100 girls in the organization. She along with the rest of my Helenes family (6 of us total) helped me feel like I had a solid group of people supporting me no matter what and just a general sense of belonging at USC, which I think I was definitely lacking before.
What’s one fact most people don’t know about your Big?
Mahima: She’s been through a lot in terms of her experiences in high school and middle school but you wouldn’t really be able to tell because she only let it make her stronger and shape her for the better. Any negative experience really just motivated her to work harder and prove people wrong.
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