All around the world sororities are a subculture or “a segment of society’s population” on most college campuses (Macionis 64). These sororities have their own language, norms, beliefs, and values. Most college campuses have many charters or different sororities to choose from when a student wants to pledge a sorority. On the Saint Francis University campus, there are seven sororities that a female student can belong to. Each sorority has a different philanthropy which is a foundation that the sorority stands behind. For example Delta Phi Epsilon stands behind the Educational Foundation, this foundation helps women get the education that they deserve. Sororities are known for creating a bond between girls that last a life time. The sororities have their own language, they use words like pledge, bid, big, little, active, lavaliere, letters, and philanthropy. A pledge is a person who accepts a bid, and a bid is an invitation to a specific chapter at their school (Nakagoshi 1). When a female student wants to pledge a sorority they interview for a bid and the sorority decides if they want to have the new student pledge or not. If the pledge gets the bid then the student gets a big, a big is an older girl who has been part of the sorority for a year of more, and the big is like a big sister they are supposed to care of their “little” or new pledge (Nakagoshi 1). An active is a member of the sorority that has been part of the sorority for a few years. When a sister is
As I started Bloomfield College I have always been interest in joining a sorority. I went to many different interested meeting and none of them caught my attention like Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. did. When I sat down and listen to their history and their goals it really made me change my mind and realize that Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. was the one. I am a proud Latina and to know that they were the first sorority ever created to cater towards the needs of Latinas in the nation made me more excited and enthusiastic on being part of the interested ladies. The main thing that captured my interest was to know that Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. is a scholarly excellence sorority. As any person would think a sorority is about partying and having fun I believe this one focus more on their educational future and to achieve their goals.
As a young woman who strives to make a difference both locally and globally, I know that membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will aid in accomplishing my life long goals. The emphasis this organization places on assisting and supporting others through the Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, is truly a reflection of the public service initiatives that I make an effort to take part in. The opportunity to form a lifelong bond with other college educated women, who share some of the same morals and beliefs as I do, is phenomenal. I know that membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will mean taking that initiative to become a part of something that’s bigger than myself, because I certainly can’t take on the world alone. The incredible
I believe the purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is to grow and develop women scholastically and to help women reach their goals. This organization is noted for its extensive service, reaching beyond college campuses. The purpose is also to stay dedicated and committed to academic excellence. Women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., not only give back to their community but are also leaders, uniting women to have a positive impact on others. Joining a sisterhood such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is a lifelong commitment. Since Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. starts in the collegiate years, the skills you learn can help later on in life. It is also preparation for working with people with different personal and professional backgrounds. Also, to be aware of what is going on around you and how you can make an impact. Young women looking for mentorship can have a positive
Day in and day out we hear about high school and college students wanting to pursue a sorority and/or a fraternity based on the stereotypes these organizations uphold, well I chose to differ. I told myself if I ever decided to become a member of a sorority it would be based solely on their ethical standards, history, and values they are founded upon. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated consists of ladies of distinction and exemplary character who excel in scholarship, leadership, and service, which are qualities I have chosen to uphold. From my perspective, I encourage myself to maintain a respectable appearance and reputation which doing so inspires me to embrace my self-concept; which helps me confidently excel academically and
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated purpose is to be of service to all mankind dealing with critical issues in communities domestically and internationally. What I have grown to understand an envision a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to be, I accredit largely to the ladies of the Gamma Theta chapter. This has the result of attending many of the chapter’s events during my time at Hampton thus far. One of my favorite events was a screening of a documentary Girls Rising. I learned to appreciate every opportunity to learn and gain knowledge because in some parts of the world girls are restricted from receiving an education. A
The three main reasons I am excited to join a sorority include my personal development, loyalty and friendship, and support of my aspirations. As a sister, there is an expectation of social interaction and personal development. I am confident that my experience and communication skills will be enriched by the activities that I participate in, the responsibility I take, and the people I meet. I am looking forward to making friends for life. I think that the atmosphere and set up of a sorority fosters and encourages the development of lifelong friendships through common aims and shared experiences. I also believe that sorority life emphasizes and encourages loyalty to and among the sisterhood, my school and the nation. Support from my sisters
Between family legacies, traditions, and an abundance of college themed movies, books, and television shows, it would be difficult to find a prospective college student who is not familiar with the idea of “Greek life.” For the purpose of this essay, “Greek life” refers to the system employed by many colleges and universities to establish and maintain fraternities and sororities (primarily dominated by caucasian and economically advantages students). It is important to note the existence of fraternities and organizations outside of this stereotypical “Greek” realm, such as coeducational honor and service based fraternities, though even these are not fully exempt from detrimental practices. Fraternities and sororities are often looked down upon with a negative light for a number of reasons, some of which include dangerous hazing habits and unsavory social scenes. While there certainly are undeniable benefits and negatives within these systems, the biggest effect they have is on gender. “Greek life” in college is unhealthy due to its impact on post-college gender expectations by promoting party culture, encouraging misogyny through ingrained tradition, and indoctrinating women into subservience at an impressionable age.
What these sororities have in common is the commitment to public service. All African American sororities, as well as fraternities, begins at undergraduate level to commitment. Active members of their chapters have maintain their financial cost and inactive members still have to provide membership time for the common good. Each sorority has a major history and a set of achievements and public service they provide to their community.
she is a new woman due to her sorority and her sisters which is where the
When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.
Part of their video talked about their big little bond, one member said “I love my big, I text her at 3 o'clock in the morning,” and another talks about big/little reveal by saying, “there were four bigs lined up on one side, They [the little] wearing corresponding outfits” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyybzCuL6jw). Kappa Kappa Gamma, 2016, had sorority women talk about their sisterhood and sisterhood events. Words to describe their sisterhood is comfortable, home, friends forever, finding their bridesmaids, and being a legacy. A big and little pair talk about their bond by the big saying, “This is my little, Cooper, I meet her first semester and then staked her ever sense. I was really hoping she would have been a Kappa, we got very close very quickly,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yboFiU1qoNQ).
Joining a sorority is not just four for years but for life. Going through a week-long process of meeting thousands of girls can be intense, overwhelming but intriguing and exciting as well. Recruitment to many is known as a terrifying process where girls come from all over with matching shirts, bright smiles and dreams that at the end of the week they will receive the white envelope that incases the 4x6 card with the sororities crest inviting them into their sisterhood. By preparing ahead of time, which includes building a resume, searching for recommendation letters and extensive research on each chapter, sorority recruitment doesn’t have to be an intimating process.
This definition Ross provides and informs one with the true and deep meanings of what the “sisterhood” may define sorority. A sister may tell one that a sorority may appear as a partying thing, but in reality a sorority is a group that gives back to the community while having fun at the same time. Many resources do not talk about sororities in general. The resources mentioned a special group called the Divine Nine. Together these nine societies make up what is known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) (Barker 17). The NPHC contributes abundantly to the community from: improving health care, raising scholarship funds, and promoting literacy to working for women’s rights, aiding the NAACP, and organizing social justice and civil rights, … (Fine 2). There are only four societies in the Divine Nine that are sororities. These were the first sororities formed on college campuses and have successfully made a massive impact in every community.
Delta Zeta, 2017, described their sorority as different, always there for each other, and a support system. Individual members said, “my favorite part are the friends I have made,” “they are so strange, but they are the best,” and “people who don’t expect me to be something I’m not” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3MfD6lvt3w).
Walking around a university’s campus any day of the week, one sees an array of Greek letters worn proudly by young men and women in the Greek system. Fraternities and sororities play a big part in a university. The Greek system can also be an easy target to direct criticism. There are those who oppose the Greek system and those who embrace it. Evan Wright opposes the Greek system in his article “Sister Act” that was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine. He uses examples from students at Ohio State University in Columbus to show his disapproval of the way sororities are now days. He portrays sorority girls as catty conformists who are obsessed with partying with fraternity