Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, originally called I.C. Sorosis, is a sisterhood of over 300,000 women. The organization was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Howard, Texas. The sorority’s heritage is reflected in its symbols and mascots, which are a fun way to show pride. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (ΑΚΑ) is the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority, founded on January 15, 1908. The organization’s colors are dark blue and light blue, with symbols such as a key, Fleur-de-Lis, and blue sapphire. The mascot is an owl.
The organization’s history includes songs about Pi Phi angels becoming popular in the late 1930s. The organization’s mascot is an angel, and the colors are wine and silver blue. The arrow is the official symbol of the organization, but the angel is a symbol many members hold close to their hearts.
The organization’s motto is “Friends and Leaders for Life”. The organization’s mascot is an owl, and the colors are wine and silver blue. The organization’s philanthropy and service focus is on literacy. The organization’s website offers a variety of symbols and mascots to choose from, reflecting its rich history and commitment to its members.
📹 rush week EXPLAINED… (from a Black girl that rushed a White sorority)
Bama Rush TikTok has everyone curious about all things sorority rush and I have the deets for ya;) Bestie, click this link to …
Is Pi Phi a top tier sorority?
Pi Phi is a highly regarded house, distinguished by a reputation for professionalism, friendliness, popularity, classiness, involvement, social life, and sisterhood. The rating is 86. The fourth most popular house, with a rating of 80. 2 and a score of 73. Classiness is rated at 8. Should your educational institution not be included in the current listing, you are encouraged to submit a request for its inclusion on the GreekRank platform.
What is Sigma Kappas animal?
Sigma Kappa Sorority, founded in 1874, has achieved numerous milestones and set numerous benchmarks. The dove was accepted as an official symbol at the 1984 convention, while the heart was adopted at the 1988 convention due to its connection to the organization’s motto. The first initiation ceremony took place on November 9, 1874, when the college administration approved the petition for the organization. The organization’s history includes the death of Elizabeth Gorham Hoag.
What is the most notorious sorority?
Some of the most notorious sororities in the United States include Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Gamma, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Phi Mu. These organizations have faced scandals, such as the 2016 arrest of three members of the UC Santa Cruz chapter for operating an international drug-trafficking ring, with over $100, 000 of Ecstasy in their possession. The girls’ fellow sorority members were some of their biggest clients.
Kappa Alpha Theta, judged based on its number of famous alumni, is the undisputed winner, with notable women like Tory Burch, Melinda Gates, Claire McCaskill, and Sheryl Crow. However, the University of Michigan’s chapter was forced to disband after a viral Snapchat video depicting topless, drunk, underage members licking chocolate sauce off fraternity members’ chests went viral. These sororities have had their reputations damaged due to scandals and missteps, but they continue to inspire young women to join sororities during their college years.
What is Delta Zeta mascot?
Since 2006, Delta Zeta collegiate and alumnae chapters have adopted The Painted Turtle as their National Service Project, transforming it into a symbol of positive change and enrichment. Each year, thousands of Delta Zeta volunteers host community events, create projects and crafts for campers, and serve as counselors and medical volunteers. The turtle is made free for campers and families, and the chapter is grateful for the generous contributions made by its members.
What is Alpha Phi mascot?
The term “Phi Bear,” derived from the Greek words “Ursa Major” or “Great Bear,” was adopted as the mascot of Alpha Phi International in 1974.
Which sorority is the angel?
Pi Beta Phi, also known as Pi Phi, is an international women’s fraternity founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois. It is the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the men’s Greek-letter fraternity. Pi Phi’s headquarters are in Town and Country, Missouri, and it has over 200 chapters and over 300 alumnae organizations across the United States and Canada. Most of its official philanthropies fall under the categories of education/literacy programs or the preservation of traditional arts and crafts.
Pi Beta Phi is one of 26 international sororities under the umbrella organization of the National Panhellenic Conference. The founders were I. C. Sorosis, who modeled the fraternity after the men’s Greek-letter fraternity.
Who is Pi Phi sister sorority?
Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ), also known as Pi Phi, is an international women’s fraternity founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois. It is the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the men’s Greek-letter fraternity. Pi Phi’s headquarters are in Town and Country, Missouri, and it has over 200 chapters and over 300 alumnae organizations across the United States and Canada. Most of the fraternity’s official philanthropies fall under the categories of education/literacy programs or the preservation of traditional arts and crafts.
Pi Beta Phi is one of 26 international sororities under the umbrella organization of the National Panhellenic Conference. Founded as a secret organization under the name I. C. Sorosis, Pi Beta Phi is considered the first national women’s fraternity.
What type of sorority is Zeta Phi Beta?
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is an international collegiate sorority founded in 1920 by five women from Howard University. The sorority aimed to raise awareness, encourage high scholastic achievement, and foster unity among its members. The organization is a non-profit 501(c) with 800+ chapters in the US, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. In 1948, it became the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa. Zeta Phi Beta is the third largest predominantly African-American sorority.
In 1919, Charles Robert Samuel Taylor, a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, proposed a sister organization to his fraternity. The idea was presented to Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, and Fannie Pettie, and a new sisterhood was formed.
What sorority has wings?
The sisters founded Pi Beta Phi, a group of women who later changed their name to “Pi Beta Phi” after Greek letters were added to their badge. The Yellowstone Convention of 1934 limited the badge’s chain to 12, with 12 links for each founder. In 1897, Gamma Phi was formed, and the chapter was officially installed on September 11, 1929, at the Jewish Community Center, with decor colored wine and silver blue.
What is Pi Phi sorority known for?
Pi Beta Phi, a fraternity founded over 150 years ago by 12 young women at Monmouth College, is known for its values of Integrity, Lifelong Commitment, Honor and Respect, Personal and Intellectual Growth, Philanthropic Service to Others, and Sincere Friendship. The organization’s badge features a golden arrow with the Greek letters “Pi Beta Phi” on its wings, while its crest is a lozenge blazoned with the founder’s family crest. The fraternity also has an angel symbol, which gained popularity in the late 1930s.
📹 University ‘security guard’ shows off moves in dance routine
A ‘security guard’ at the University of Tennessee surprised the crowed when he joined the dance team’s routine. #shorts.
I was in a big sorority at a Mississippi SEC school. A black girl joined my sorority my junior year and everyone was just non stop excited about “finally having a black sister” as if that was a totally normal, not weird thing to yell in the dining room. And a lot of my “sisters” tried saying I was problematic when I pointed out we shouldn’t be in a position where POC members are basically put on a pedestal for us to point at and say “see? No racism here. We have a black girl” it was so fucking stupid. I distanced myself from my sorority but stayed close to my sorority friends who also thought the racism and homophobia was ridiculous (my best friend is gay and wasn’t allowed to bring her girlfriend to formal even though straight girls could bring non-sorority girls as friends)
Sorority girls just give the impression of being hard core conformists. I think of college as learning to find, or fine tune, your interests, that may change over those years. Learning to think critically is another advantage of going to college. Building a foundation of your accomplishments leads to possibly going to grad school. Sororitys seem like a fish bowl type of experiences by contrast- Stepford wives in gated communities, now that’s the next inclusive experience-
I also rushed a “white” sorority, and it was an experience, to say the least. I loved my sorority and felt at home with my sisters. I felt like I could gain more leadership skills because I was often pushed to the forefront, which helped with connections. I hated the fines and rules because that crap adds up. I only hate that after we graduate, it’s like your sisterhood is over. I feel like you need a sisterhood forever for the amount you pay.
This is an interesting article and Im glad to see her perspective. I must say that I am VERY happy I joined a historical African-American sorority so my experiences of being in an sorority (and I say still because we dont stop serving or disassociate with our sorority per graduation. We serve on the Alumni level in the NPHC). But Im very thankful for this article providing a different perspective.
I don’t know how black men and women feel comfortable with joining an organization and not being fully accepted by the members. Especially, with spending $4,000+ a semester. Bama is known to be racist and homophobic so it was interesting to see black and gay people rush at bama. It’s interesting to hear about your experience though.
this reminds me: I tried joining a Christian sorority(I’m not super religious just was convinced I’d need support cause I was depressed) that happened to be all-white & I noticed when I asked for rides to church everyone would just leave me on open. I confronted the head person about it & she said there must have been a glitch on the app we used. yeah right😂 a glitch where 8 people saw it? I can tell when I’m not wanted, glad I pulled away & couldn’t afford it also. God’s protection fr
As a major city college student hearing about rush week experiences from sleep away college students, in the back of my mind, I kept thinking: “why would you degrade yourself like that with a hefty price tag?” A lot of the benefits talked about here: networking, studying together, volunteering, referral for jobs, I experienced without paying for it because we merely recognized we were in the college trench together and willingly wanted to help each other out. Perhaps that was my privilege growing up in a diverse city. IDK.
It’s very interesting to see the difference between white sororities vs historically founded black ones lol. I went to an HBCU, so all of my knowledge about white sororities comes from Lifetime movies about killer sorority sisters and my bff who went to a PWI (predominantly white institute) haha. It’s fascinating to see that predominantly white sororities don’t do the whole discretion thing when it comes to rush. You’re asking to get blacklisted if you make it known what NPHC org you wish to join once you get to campus. And the cost is super different too! Omg! Ya’ll paid a couple grand PER semester??!!! Sheesh. Great article. Thanks for sharing.
had a very close friend in HS, we were in odd couple in the first place. she was very wealthy, hardworking, preppy. She joined a sorority and it forever turned me off. She definitely “faked” it until she made it, but, all it seems she learned how to do along the way was, look hot, get other people to do her work, and party. She’ll never go broke bc of her privileges, but she went from wanting to work in non profits to being a rave IG model, and she really, really doesn’t look happy. Anyone who wants to come off extremely put together.. rails cocaine at night and probably has an eating disorder. control freaks tbh.
This is so weird as a girl who went to a university in the US that didn’t have ANY Greek houses. I honestly think the campus was a lot more friendly and cross-cultural because of it. Yes, there were parties and such that I still never got invited to, nor would I really have wanted to, but we had all kinds of people as the “popular” crowd: black, white, Latino, Asian, skinny, short, tall, chubby, fat, jocks, singers, artists, musicians…and I never experienced any sort of stuck-upness from anyone I talked to. I guess I was the girl with bright pink hair who was kinda weird, but also friendly, funny, and talented enough at the arts that I got along with a lot of types of people outside my usual group of nerd friends. University was a wild ride…but not THIS wild. EDIT: Oh, this was also in the Midwest (Nebraska)
I joined a predominately white sorority and don’t have any regrets. My university is in Michigan and was diverse and affordable so my dues were about $400 a semester, so I paid for it on my own. If I went to a larger school I wouldn’t have been able to afford it. I also looked into NPHC as my first choice, however I did my research and realized I could not devote the time nor had the patience to make it into a D9. I am absolutely envious of the bonds their chapters have, but I was not then and will never be willing to go through the stuff they experience just to have friends and opportunities.
This reminds me of my experience in a predominantly white community cooperative space. I thought the connections would be worth it, but I was just isolated further and wasn’t accepted into the community or surrounding communities as fast as non black or non POC. I was the only POC. The racism was subtle and once clear was very overt. I remember this one dude put “air soft” on the fridge after the mass shooting that happened here in a predominantly black neighborhood and recieved no consequence because he claimed he was just playing Scramble, but when I painted “anti black” on the guest room wall that I remodeled. I was kicked out. Plus they wasted no time to cover it up.
I suicide bided for Sigma Kappa at University of Central Missouri though I wanted to rush AKA because I was a legacy. Long story short, I was not black enough for AKA which was heartbreaking. Nobody talks about the racism or cliques women experience in white sororities and this is unfortunate. I even had a girl from the sorority that I rushed say “we got the girls we didn’t want”. Eventually I found my clique within the sorority and it just so happened that my “family” was the most diverse.
I specifically went to my college in the Northeast (I’m from Massachusetts) because they DIDN’T have Greek Life. It freaked me out when I was looking at colleges when they stated statistics of how many people were in the Greek system.I just know that 20 years ago when I entered college, one of my fears was Greek Life I know it sounds weird and bizarre, but that’s how I felt at the time. We didn’t have social media or anything back then (in 2002/2003) thank goodness.
As a sorority girl let me just say that the inequality and prejudices extend past ethnicity. During my rush I noticed very quickly that specific houses were not going to give me a bid because I was gay. And it wasn’t even like I was the a-typical scream it from the clock tower gay, but it was “known”. So that was a hard pass for a lot of the houses on my campus. But luckily I found my home and sisters and I would never change my choice to rush! Because I now have bonds and memories that will last a lifetime!
Arkansas class of ‘19 grad (& sorority girl) here…recruitment is SUPER intense (especially if you rush as a freshman) and I love that you shared pros and cons, bc a lot of people take it WAY too seriously and act like there are no issues with it. I’m proud of my sorority but I’ll be the first to admit there are a lot of problems with how Panhellenic in general operates especially at schools like Arkansas. Glad you enjoyed your experience overall! ❤️
I am so glad my life panned out the way it did. I grew up/always lived in east coast cities where education was atypical compared to the rest of the nation. Once university came around, I knew I NEVER wanted to join a sorority. My older sister did and she enjoyed herself but I knew right away it wasn’t for me. part of the excitement of college for me was the aspect of freedom and the restrictions and rules of Greek life was just not it.
i’m in a sorority in southern minnesota! i love it and our dues are extremely low because we don’t have houses! the fraternities do so that does confuse us. but honestly we are more focused on philanthropy, sisterhood and community service hours! it’s actually the best decision i’ve ever made and i’ll preach joining a sorority to anyone who wants to have the “college” experience. i also joined at the “end” of covid so it was the ONLY way to meet new people at that point
thanks for sharing your experience!! i joined a sorority at penn state as a black girl. what pleasantly surprised me was that i wasn’t identified as “the black girl” but just another member of the sorority. in the least cliche way, i feel really at home to add on: i’m glad i rushed when i did – it was actually earlier this year – and where i did (if i had rushed in the south, who knows what would have happened hahah). i feel like if i had rushed even just 10 years ago i wouldve had a different experience. i appreciate how people are opening their minds more, at least at my school, and yes there are still steps we can take to improve, but i’m glad we’re moving in the right direction
Sister, leverage your sorority network to advance yourself and members of our community. You’re in a rare position to help others who simply won’t have access you now do. All the game playing you shared with us is a microcosm of how they exclude each other as well as us at every level of society. Invaluable insight.
My sorority got rid of legacy preferences. This is because of what the houses in the South experience. Legacies can take up an entire pledge class, not giving anyone else an opportuniy. From Nebraska – we had one of the first black females that rush in my sorority. Very proud we got her, she was a fantastic person. Agreed about some of the fraternities. It was the fraternities that made this person leave our group. It upset us quite a bit and went through a process through the council for sanctions against the fraternity.
I had to push hard to “deactivate” from my sorority. Early 2000s…I was looking for connections, like minded friends and some dances. Instead I got lied to (about fees, time commitment and dumb things like buying specific clothing), and joined under false pretenses. The pressure on the girls who are recruiting must be so intense. My “big sis” told me she’d help me with any fees I couldn’t pay for. I was thinking that was kind but unnecessary as I was upfront that I had no more than $250 a month to spend. It was seriously about $1500 to join, and every month another $250 base plus any clothes or fees. You had to be at meetings no matter what, three times a week. If you were late or had work, you were charged by the minute! They said they had to do that so girls would come (obviously there are too many meetings then). Sororities where I went weren’t allowed to throw parties but frats were – found that out to late. I wanted dances, but not parties where women were just there for men to choose from. It was the weirdest shit. I couldn’t get away fast enough. They reluctantly put me to “alumni” status despite being in school still. I think they didn’t want to mess with their stats. I had to call their corporate office to get their catalogs from coming to my house and officially deactivate. Everything was used to prevent me from leaving “your big sis took on debts for you.” Why? I was honest with what I could afford. It’s not my fault you guys lied about the time and financial commitment.
as an asian australian who used to live in new york for 5 years, i have american friends who would always told me to avoid rushing into sororities especially the predominantly white ones if i ever wanted to pursue a degree in the US. needless to say i thankfully moved back to aus after graduating highschool and i’m more than grateful that we don’t have those kind of… scary exclusive cults among the students here.
When I went to college, Greek life wasn’t even on the radar for me. My parents didn’t do Greek life so it just didn’t seem essential to the college experience. I forget how I even got here, but the way some people talk about their sorority or fraternity feels so foreign and Im like… was it a completely different college experience? Edit: shit seems dark and very WASPy lol
I always wanted to rush, but I was scared because of financial reasons, I did not have any connections, and I felt like no one would want me because I felt I wouldn’t fit the standard of appearance (aka, not be allowed in because I am deemed “ugly”). I just didn’t want to put my mental health through that. I had the grades, I had the resume for philanthropy, I wish I’d at least tried, but I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I had.
I rushed a sorority about 10 year ago in college and I hated it. It was like a place. For girls to go to conform and must look a certain way. I like being different and being my own person so I was very uncomfortable. On initiation day, I was so freaked out, I left the sorority the following day. Not for me
The suicide watch comment is very true. There were literally mental health services on campus during rush week, and a week or so after to deal with the “fall out” of the rejects. I went to a rival SEC school of Bama and never rushed, but I had a friend rush for Bama’s top sorority. She didn’t get in and her parents had to remove her from school due to her mental health state over not getting in. She was devastated that she didn’t make it. You’d have thought a close relative passed away. SEC SOR/FRATS are a HUGE culture in the SEC, and the South in general. So much so that we nick-named them “The Machine” because their influences on the culture of those universities are so big.
Panhel at my university is relatively small but my first time recruiting I saw a PNM that went to my high school who had said some stuff online, I did some digging. She mocked George Floyd’s death amongst other overtly racist statements, I got hella screenshots. She was a legacy, got dropped, and an awkward phone call was made to the legacy (NHQ policy for nearly ALL Panhel chapters)
I am at UVM and in a sorority. I won’t act like everything at my school is perfect and the frats are a huge issue tbh, but the sororities are doing a lot. My university wants to make FSL (Greek Life) more inclusive so they no longer accept any letters of recommendation or acknowledge legacies. There is a minority community and a Jewish community with Panhel. They have recently implemented a sexual assault support system for sororities due to frat misconduct. Panhel requires each member to meet requirements each semester of drug and alcohol, sexual wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, hazing prevention, and mental health meetings or events to remain a member. They are meant to make us more educated and mindful of others. Each sorority has a VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who is in charge of preventing inappropriate behavior, lack of inclusion, and education. We also have been asked to call each other by a sorority nickname like “delta” rather than sister to help nonbinary students feel welcome.
I go to college in the northeast at a smaller state school and we technically have Greek life but we don’t have houses. Like they all just live in dorms but get together a few times a week I think. There has been research done by our university stating that our lack of houses versus nearby universities who’s Greek life live in houses shows a significant decrease in sexual assault. My college is def not perfect tho lmao
Just so everyone is aware. Greek life at large southern universities is SO DIFFERENT than Greek life at other large universities, and almost unrecognizable as smaller schools. I’m a member of an old, large Greek letter organization and one that has a chapter at Bama, but my chapter at my small private college in the Pacific NW was so chill and almost devoid of pressure. And it was the same for the chapter at the small Midwestern college where I was on the advisory board. Everyone’s experience in Greek life is completely valid, and I enjoy getting to know my sisters from all walks of life, but our experiences are fundamentally different.
When it comes to the greek system the term “with friends like this, who needs enemies” comes to mind. I was approached to rush. Like really persistently. I thought “Ah, what the hell, I will check it out.” It was all this uncomfortable cringe fest. There were so many stupid rules. When they forbade me of “talking to foreigners” and tried to make me quit being an ESL tutor, that’s when I said NOPE. They even tried to forbid me from talking to “non greeks”. It felt like an unhealthy cult. And I don’t like being forced into roles like that.
I will say people hate on bama but I talked to friends at other schools and we’re one of the only schools that makes a huge effort to have inter Greek council events. So my sorority paired with an IFC fraternity and then a D9 fraternity and a D9 sorority and for the homecoming dance we merged styles and did have “Pom” half step and it was a great experience for everyone involved. We do the same for all of the Greek games events and my sorority does an event that involves all of the frats and two of the big D9 frats are involved. There’s a lot of work to do but it’s a lot better than it may look from the outside. I know people in Greek life at “progressive schools” that have never been to an integrated council event so you honestly don’t even know until you experience it. Loved hearing your story though this was really well explained and good info for girls looking to rush!
As a french girl this is so scary 😕 just the fact that you do everything you can to be part of a sorority and the fact that you have to pay for it 😭 especially if you are an introvert it has to be sooooo hard, America will always surprise me and I only have one question: if you go to university do you have to go to a sorority or is it possible to go there just like a normal student ?
as a canadian, i am genuinely so shocked that sororities are actually Like That in real life?? like, the ultra-peppy borderline terrifying chants are not just one place that went viral, that’s actually typical?? the RULES and the cattiness???? and where tf do the MASSIVE ass houses come from??? i thought it was just a massive exaggeration for movies, but no! these tik toks of real life girls show houses that are even bigger!! anyway,, sororities barely exist here (but there are a couple i think, very rare and not usually affiliated directly with the university?) so this whole phenomenon has been so wild and morbidly fascinating to me LOL. thanks for the vid!
Sororities terrify me. The only one I trust is the one that one of the sisters called “the gay sorority” because it’s the most diverse on campus. The others are mostly filled with skinny white girls. But honestly I don’t see the point of a sorority. It’s just another way for universities to milk money out of us and make those who can’t afford it feel excluded. Also frat boys are the most terrifying. My university doesn’t even allow them to live on campus anymore because of the things they do. Idk why they still exist but I guess it helps us women know who to stay away from. I also feel like they cater to middle class/upper class white women because America does tend to keep people of color in poverty, which means many of them cannot afford to be a part of these sororities if they were even able to get into the university itself. I just noticed that when the sororities had the tables out, my skinnier, more fashionable friend would be the one they talked to. Maybe that’s just my perception and I’m not trying to say all sororities are bad because, as I mentioned before, there is an amazing and very accepting sorority on my campus. There is just many of these patterns I see with many of the sororities on my campus and on many campuses. It’s just a cash grab in my opinion Edit: btw I live in North Carolina. It might differ from your state but yeah
i go to the university of arkansas and as someone who doesn’t fit the sorority stereotype or have the money for a sorority, it has made my college experience a lot harder in my opinion. going to such a greek life heavy school if you aren’t involved it feels like you are out of place a lot of the time and it also feels a lot harder to make friends.
Not gonna lie throughout college i always looked down on and made fun of sorority girls/frat guys, my school is a big party school and we actually had a few frat houses shut down for not following covid protocols. the thought of paying out the ass to be forced to party and have no time or space to yourself put me off from the start not to mention here in Indiana every single sorority/frat person looks like a clone of each other…
Ouch, this was hard to watch and not my experience in a sorority at all. If you can live with a mob mentality, expected heteronormativity, forced friendships, white privilege, exclusivity based on wealth, insincerity, etc then it might work (for a vast majority of sororities but not all). But if not, try not to get sucked in. I didn’t have any outright terrible experiences but I really regret joining one and wish I had focused on figuring myself out and making genuine friendships on my own, even if it took a lot longer / felt more isolating at first than immediately buying friends. I know how negative this sounds but I also know how easy it is to be influenced to rush because everyone else is doing it, and then getting roped in and it’s too late to leave. I wish someone had told me all this before it happened to me
I do have a lot of curiosity about sororities. My mother and her sister rushed and they are pushing me to but I’m going to a predominately white/straight school and I feel that sororities would really exacerbate that divide as I’m mixed and bisexual and I also don’t like partying but they keep insisting that despite these differences, rushing would be great for me. Thanks for making this article!
I’m glad I stumbled upon your article! I graduated college in 2014 and went to a private liberal arts university in south Texas. My alma mater only has local sororities and fraternities. I will never regret joining my sorority because it (along with the Catholic student group) made a big difference in my college experience for the better. I’ve made some of my lifelong best friends through my sorority that are incredible people. I know my sorority and Greek experience is not the norm and since I was an active it has become more diverse most notably in race, gender identity, and sexuality. When I joined I was only the second Latina in the club (granted my club was founded in 2005 and has always had low membership numbers) I care an immense amount about my club and try to stay in touch with actives and alums alike. I think any reason to not join or leave Greek life is valid, cause they can be catty, expensive, cultish, racist, exclusionary, etc. I rushed as a sophomore and I was acclimated to my university’s academic environment and thought it would be fun to just meet new people, so I do encourage people to rush to whatever extent they want to and make the most of it while calling out the things that need changing.
Omg my dad got his PhD from Alabama. (we’re Canadian and Alabama’s program was so much cheaper than UoFT). His cohort was completely online. We went for his graduation during rush and we had no idea that it was even a thing and I remember saying “why’s everyone dressed the same??” and my parents said that was just America LOL. Then we talked to my dads profs/faculty and they rolled their eyes and said it was rush week. Literally girls were running around dancing and singing so late at night. It was a sea of blondes and white girls. As a Canadian girl used to the most amount of school spirit being McMaster’s welcome week I was s h o c k e d. Still fascinated though as this is such a crazy cultural difference.
Hi Bria! I am a first-time viewer and loved hearing your perspective on Greek life. I am the diversity and inclusion chair for my sorority in Pennsylvania and I am saddened to hear about the micro aggressions and racism that occurred on your campus. Things are a bit different here up north and are more inclusive thankfully, with anyone who identifies and lives as a woman being welcomed and encouraged to go through recruitment! I am seeing more women of color and LGBTQ+ women coming into our chapters, which makes me so happy because now Greek life is starting to be representative of what our campus population looks like. However, there is still a long way to go and I will be sharing your story with my chapter in order to continue our journey to seeking understanding and being a safe place for everyone. 💗💗
I can’t understand the chanting, it’s too high pitched. I went to a HBC and thought of pledging a sorority there, but I didn’t want to seem disrespectful. But they seemed way better than the predominantly Caucasian sororities at a neighboring college, and I didn’t want to join those because they’re racist.
This is my first article I’ve seen of you. Unfortunately you posted it a year ago but I’m going to put my 2 cents in anyway. As a heavy introvert who likes to garden and go for walks in the peace and quiet, going into a sorority with lots of partying and socializing I would lose it. I also hate drama and fake people that’s why I choose my friends very carefully and am not ashamed in having one or two good friends. Thankfully I’m currently going through college online as well as my close friends so I don’t have to deal with any of this.
I went to a rural school in Alabama. At my school there were sororities that were all white and a few that had sparingly few asian or black members. I’m Native American and I had girls specifically tell me that there weren’t houses on campus for “my kind”. What was surprising was there were black only sororities and fraternities. There was a indigenous(Taino) girl from Puerto Rico transfer to the school that had previously joined one of the black only sororities that was more religious focused and I remember there being a large controversy when she wasn’t allowed to continue to be a member on our campus. We also had five different music greek organisations and they were much more diverse. Personally I didn’t join any of these things.The racism aside.. for me I just couldn’t get on board with all the rules and conformity. I knew there were clothing brand restrictions in houses and things.. Also the racism…the Alabama sorority girls were my nightmare.. prolific bullies… Was told many times that I needed to go back to the Rez and that my people lost I should go home or to go to Mexico..(My tribes are from the southeast.. including Alabama)
This is such a great article – highlighting such an interesting topic! Thanks so much for sharing! I attended an HBCU, and so my experience with “college life” was quite singular in that it was most certainly unique to specific cultures and ethnicities. I did, however, briefly attend a PWI for a couple of summer sessions, and I couldn’t believe the fundamental differences between the sororities of the D9 and the predominantly white sororities. Not to be intrusive in any way, but I feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’m curious if any of the D9 sororities had active chapters at your school..? If so, then did you ever entertain the thought of membership prior to joining your sorority?
I was in a sorority in the pacific northwest. I’m not a sorority type, but I will say that you will find your people within Greek life. My house, and most houses at my school, were super diverse. Both of my parents were in Greek life in the south and I can’t imagine what that’s like. I also went to a really big school with 30 chapters. But I think everyone should consider it regardless of whether or not you think you’re the “type”. It’s such a great way to build community and get involved. Also one thing most people don’t know is the Greek average GPA’s are actually higher than the schools average. We were required to keep at least a 3.0 to even stay in our house. So it’s good motivation to stay on track with your education too. I think unless you’ve been a part of greek life, you can’t really speak on what the experience is like. Sure there are negative aspects, but overall it’s a good opportunity.
I was the first black girl in my predominantly black sorority in over 10 years (even though they were a ZTA sorority but disaffiliated due to racism in the 60s)!!! It’s upstate NY so there was some racism a few years before that but current sisters were very welcoming and open and I’m still friends with some of them til this day! I became head of Panhel which opened the door for wayyy more POC to feel like they can be a part of one of these sororities since there weren’t any black sororities. We also admitted more POC after I became a sister and I feel like it’s also because they saw someone like them and someone they could relate to. It’s very clique-y for sure and is sometimes based off looks (from both rushees and sisters) because it’s managed by kids lol it definitely teaches you a lot, builds your independence and love yourself more! There was actually so much support from the frats that I was accepted as a sister, it was a huge moment for a lot of people, POC and allies which I didn’t know so many people wanted more POC! Way different than down South
Thank you this wax really interesting as I live in the U.K. and we don’t have sororities. We have societies ( I was treasurer and secretary of the dance society and taught a two class) but we don’t necessarily live with the people from there and it was also mixed sex. We would go out for socials ( like a meal then to a club) but not hold specific parties. Still a fab way to meet people though!!
I’m a 35 year member of a southern sorority. I was introduced to sororities in Arizona and diversity wasn’t an issue. When I came south to Texas (home) I faced racism and it was so weird after having been a sorority member and fraternity little sister. But my experience overall was great and I am pro-sorority and I am a proud sorority woman.
This is SO unhinged and I srsly don’t know how to feel about it. I have an online friend who went to a sorority, and her experience was mostly great, but she didn’t mention the fee 💀💀 I was raised by a single mom, and I coulD NOT afford it even if I wanted to. Which makes me wonder how many of those girls are like super well off and what not
I cannot, for the life of me, understand why you would expose yourself to this. We’re there no diverse sororities on campus? So you pay $4,000 a semester just to be in a sorority for your college years? How does it benefit you after college? This makes no sense to me. The excuse of not being raised around Black people also makes no sense. There are plenty of Black people and orgs on a PWI campus. I’m scratching my head on this…..
thanks for this article! Only thing I don’t understand is why girls are so passionate about specific houses or sororities. Is there a kind of hierarchy? are some letters sororities better than others? and is there a sort of system of the greek letters, for example; is Phi pi / phi delta better than kappa pi / kappa delta (idk just random letters hahah)
Hearing you talk about the difference in experience when it comes to black and white groups I 10000% agree. Im going to be a freshman at OU in the fall and I want to rush but im trying to decide if I want to rush a back or a white one and my biggest bridge is which lifestyle do I wanna pick for the next four years… they shouldn’t be so different but they are
I’m so glad that you still decided to join regardless of it being predominantly white. As someone who is white, I would never want the colour of my skin to make someone feel that I would judge them because of the colour of their skin. I think more girls like you could help fix that issue of diversity
I still have no clue whats the point of sororities and frat houses even when i watched the whole article lol. I acknowledge racism being still a issue in my country towards gypsies, blacks and arabs and something needs to be done, but personally i just can’t wrap my head around it how can someone think like that. Even when how hard i try to understand i can’t. I lived with my parents on a countryside in a city what was famous from “new found nazis” in the 90’s who wanted all POC out of the country. My dad is old and is originally from even smaller city what is semi racist till this day too. Still, he has never. Ever in his lifetime been racist even when he had pressure to be one. When i was little my dad always used to say there is no matter what colour someone is, what race they are, what they believe in or who they love. Everyone decompose in the ground same way anyways. He was in a big role on a quite big company, if you are qualified on the job and come along with others that was enough, didn’t care about names, looks, religion or anything. Gladly chatted with local gypsies whenever saw them on the beach or store, even tho many others feared them. This all happened in 70-90’s when the city was still racist. If there is something that im glad in my childhood, it’s that dad never raised an idiot.
I always was interested in sorority’s like yours because you guys live together . I went to a HBCU and I wish on my campus they could live together because that would b so dope . I’m going to pledge grad chapter 💯💯 with ppl that love meeeee 🤎☺️. I’m so happy I went to a HBCU because I grew up in Cali and not diverse at all . Had to switch it up in college
I’m just so distraught at why you would even wanna be in a place where you aren’t welcome… this is why we have HBCU’s let them people have that. Why as a black person would you not want to come to a community you know you are welcome. Why are people so dead set on trying to fit in where they are not wanted just seems like unneeded problems.
The Divine 9 is so different because it’s for the black and minority people who cannot endure such experiences. I went to a PWI where there was the options of predom white sororities, up-and-coming multicultural ones, coed and/or professional, and the divine 9. Making poc choose their experience is a convo that I don’t think is inherently bad since it speaks to self-awareness like the Divergent choice. But I see how the lack of choices is frustrating. The divine 9 is for a specific identity of black people who demand a certain level of respect in their engagements. Cause when you asked the question of should I support this organization’s racist system, a lot of women ask that question in different points throughout grade school. Even white womxn. I was very appreciative to learn this perspective though.
I have absolutely no idea whatsoever why it would possess ANY BW to want to join a sorority of whyte females. Like, what??? Why do AA women, especially, always want to be near their literal oppressors I’ll never understand. No wonder so many of you are depressed & complaining. Why don’t you just create your OWN sororities? I don’t see any upside to being around “people” that have proven since the beginning of time that they collectively have no interest in us whatsoever. I don’t get the need to be around them but I hope these “people” don’t think we’re all desperate to be in their spaces. Never that.
Sororities seem like so much work to join, especially for someone like me who’s a little more on the awkward side. And then the dues. The more I learn, the more I’m glad it was never for me. I decided to do something a little more exclusive, and joined a lab in Japan on exchange. Less money spent for better connections. Win win all around
The concept alone of sororities and fraternities have always been so confusing to me. I’m Puerto Rican and went to university, not once did I see or hear about any of these; only online in the US. Over here nobody cares about that stuff, you just have real friends and your education if you don’t join a clique (sport, political movement, etc).
As an autistic woman this sounds like a nightmare. Am I right as well as rather racist that they are also not exactly LGBTQ+ or disability inclusive. I could understand sororities that are more for minorities such as disabled people, neurodiverse etc but this all seems so cultish. All sisters are equal but some are more equal than others.
Interesting perspective! I agree race should not matter. It will probably and hopefully matter less and less to newer generations coming up, if they even continue with these Greek org traditions. I went to a southern pwi and pledged a D9. Joining and the activities after joining were very time-consuming, totally tanked my gpa. I have mixed feelings about it though I continued after college. I’m not currently active and am on the fence about getting back into it tbh.
I go to Syracuse University and the sororities here are SO inclusive. Of course, some girls are the “typical” sorority girls, but there are so many girls who are different across all the sororities. Many people in these sororities say they never thought it was for them, or that they wouldn’t be accepted due to a lot of stereotypes from the South, but I am so happy that Syracuse has proven to be the exact opposite. Syracuse is not perfect though, but the majority of students are level-headed inclusive people and not bigots.
I watched the article out of curiosity because it is unusual to see a black girl who rushed a white sorority post about it on social media. I am a brown Apache Indian from a rural reservation in AZ. I moved to FL in 2002 because the job market died in Denver, CO. I am a software engineer. The only job I could find was in Tallahassee, FL. I was concerned with southern white racism at the time. But over the years, I found that part of the south to be fairly mellow which was a pleasant surprise. Occasionally, I ran into white racism, but it was infrequent. However, when I went back to get my 2nd master’s degree in public health at FSU, there were sorority girls in some of my classes. I had read horror stories about racist sororities in the south. As for the “infrequent cases of white racism” some of those incidents involved fraternity guys at a gym. When I saw a sorority girl from Georgia in my graduate course, I didn’t even want to acknowledge her presence. I just assumed she would be blatanlty racist – the Sophia Rosing of the 2000s but at FSU. I was an old Generation X guy who went back for an MPH in his 30s while working. I was totally wrong. That white sorority girl from Georgia (Phi Mu) was actually the nicest person in the class. I was really surprised. She was actually mild-mannered and deeply religious. She wasn’t elitist or racist. I was surprised but happy about it. I learned to revere her community over in Thomasville/Tallahassee along the GA-FL border. There are very nice southerners out there.
Any time I see articles and pictures of sorority sisters, I check each girl’s page to see what they’re all about or at least what they show online. If I don’t see a single black girl a or minority girl in the pictures and it’s all white girls…..that just scream racism, but if I see at least one black person or one minority….that tells me that she’s the token black girl, or token minority girl. I will admit, there was a time in high school when I wanted to join a sorority but then when I found out that I would have to be a stellar student with super high grades, and also do something with philanthropy….I was like “nope not for me” not that I wouldn’t do something with philanthropy because I definitely would just in general but I’m not the best student academically. I do however know some girls from my hometown who were in sororities back in college but in my home state of NY. One girl that I went to school with, her family is super prominent in my town especially because her father is in real estate so they’re pretty wealthy….the one girl who I graduated high school with, she rushed up at Geneso College in upstate N.Y. and from the looks of it…..no black or minority girls in her sorority. It also irks me when they do themed parties with the American flag…..that just screams racism to me.
Yeah I would likely fail miserably at this but I would write a fantastic article about the entire “rushing” experience down to the way people flavor their coffee or how often they blink bcz I pay attention to everything. I don’t know how to project a character that an onlooker wants in the moment. So I know I would fail lol.
Thanks for your article! Although i went into the military after high school, the greek life always had me intrigued. Im on the fence with BIPOC individuals rushing white fraternities/sororities for some of the very reasons you highlighted within your article regarding the long history of racism, classim, homophobia, etc. Being a BIPOC individual you should rush where you feel accepted, celebrated, and welcomed. Its also very expensive to be in some of these fraternities/sororities so your BLACK dollars should go towards an organization that is serious and genuine about integration. I wouldn’t recommend anyone of any marginalized group to rush an organization where there alumni or current members are not welcoming or an ally.
My girlfriend was in one which is funny cause she’s this super nerdy Latina girl which is why as white guy I fell in love with her not only was she beautiful but extremely smart she was top 10% of her class and I was like I need a smart woman in my life she was the main reason I passed a lot of my classes
10:50 To see you in a Mizzou shirt blew my mind. wow. I never thought I would see what I just saw. I pledged an all-white sorority at Mizzou and it was a blessing in disguise. I was there to party and my sisters were trying to earn the “house with the highest gpa on campus”😅 So it really helped me to actually study and learn some stuff while I was there😂😂😂 I got “voted” out of the house due to standards violations that were so ridiculous (I was vice-president of my pledge class and had a target on my back from every racist in that house and the alums who were participating with exec). But I was “dirty rushed” by girls from my high school and other alums sooo ya know… not everyone up top was racist 😂😂😂. There is no way I would have made it into that house without a lot of help from the other side😂😂😂I definitely didn’t have the high school grades to get in on my own😅 It was awesome (because my pledge class LOVED me… it’s where I met my best friend I’ve ever had who really is like my SISTER) but also very terrible because a lot of the older girls HATED me and I was just a kid really… the racist shit that happened on the Mizzou campus 2004-2006 was enough to make me want to leave Columbia MO. I’m from Kansas City and while it’s not perfect (the neighborhoods are still pretty segregated) it’s a diverse city and I grew up in an anti-racist educational community so I was not feeling the vibes of COMO once I was out of the bubble of Greek life.
The sororities at my school (and judging by those by the people I know on Instagram) it’s basically just a popularity/pretty contest. The ones at my school were literally tiered. The prettiest got into the top one, second prettiest the next, all the way down 6 sororities until you basically got to the one that had the “least attractive” people. It was disgusting. You notice the same with people who post the pics of their sororities on Insta. They’re all in the same social / beauty category. I went to the first 2 days of rush week and hit stop on my alarm and ditched bid day. I’m basically going to pay a ridiculous amount of money to see how pretty I am? Tf?
I never understood the appeal of sororities and fraternities, even when I was a freshman in college. I guess the networking opportunities are good, but I was just really put off by their antics. I went to summer camp as a child, and we did cheers/chants/songs like that which was a lot of fun at the time, as a GIRL. I didn’t see why young women wanted to continue that behavior.
At Texas A&M there is an outfit in the Corps of Cadets (E-2, the mascot company responsible for the handling of the Mascot Reveille) who is known to unofficially not allow people of color, primarily black people in the outfit/unofficially not recruit people of color. This outfit integrated from an all male outfit to allowing females in I believe 2018 and it was a really rough time integrating. A lot of alumni refused to support the outfit further, but I digress. Anyway, my point is that the SAE behavior of racism within their group reminds me of the behavior within many outfits in the corps of cadets, especially E-2. There was even a rumor that was spread by some of their members that some of the students in the outfit taught Reveille to negatively respond to the N-word. Not surprising to I’m sure many people that Texas A&M has a huge problem with racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. that’s just tolerated by many people here.
I rather prefer getting into associations that I’m interested in. don’t need to pay(if payment needed it would be once a year or optional/donation), still get to make friends that have similar interests, get to do activities that I’m interested in along w/ the members whenever I can. Experience, networking, movie nights, etc…yep. won’t get a room/house w/ other girls but I think it’s WAAAY cheaper xD also if we think abt it some ppl are great friends but not great roommates
“Everything you learn from this point onwards doesn’t matter, it’s just who you know” That’s the fastest way to learn someone isn’t in stem lol. As an engineer working in the medical field… I definitely need to use what I learned in my classes and research lab. Connections are great, but mean nothing if you don’t know your content. Especially for med school.
I had a good experince, but I wasn’t at a fancy school. Dues were $82 a month, crap that’s less than what I spend on amazon a month albeit this was YEARS ago! 🤪 Benefits besides having a big social group are living in the sorority house rent/utilities was super cheap that year bc it was subsidized by the sorority. So.. some girls paid for their dues while waitressing. There was drama but not any more than another group of girls living together. Also I would have never had the confidence to run for a position on a college board but in the sorority I felt comfortable to do so and it boosted my confidence. Anyways girls were mostly nice but hey we were the “average” looking one lol but it was overall good experience As far as diversity ours had different ethnicities but I don’t know that a ton of other ethnicity rushed regular sorority/frat houses. My friend was Asian and she went and rushed an all Asian sorority. Ps also being on the exec board you have to learn how to run/observe professional meeting using “Roberts minutes” or whatever, learn how to read a policy and procedures manual etc… my own younger self could not even explain what heck that was at the time…and wait for it participate in a year election and observe tons of shady stuff!
I can’t relate to having the money to even consider a sorority. I had never even thought about being in one, what it entails, why people do it, the process, NOTHING. I’m not knocking it, but from what I’ve seen I can’t relate to why someone joins a sorority, but that is my personal perspective and everyone is different. Also, I’m white (hi 👋) but I grew up and spent 34 of my 42 years in schools and in a city that is NOT predominantly white. Even as a white person who would not experience what a POC would, there is something VERY unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the…I don’t have a word for it…whiteness of it all.
thank u sm for this vid, i just applied to ECU and i used to be super anti greek life and anti rush week bc i’d heard about all the bigotry and cattiness and didn’t want to be apart of that. i’m also not really the ideal girl that sororities look for but recently i’ve gotten more into the idea of rushing and i’ve been thinking about it so i decided to research. overall i think i’m gonna at least try bc what if i didn’t and i end up regretting it? i can also leave if i don’t like it and i don’t gaf about peoples opinion about me.
as a european I don’t get this sorority / fraternity thing, like I go to university to study, not to get shitfaced drunk, I can do that without paying a tuition. and for get-togethers and all that stuff we have a student organisation, made up of volunteer students who organise get-togethers, workshops, movie nights etc for all students.
I’m very blessed to be in a sorority on the west coast in a small university. There is a lot of drama, but I’ve met amazing girls all around. Luckily not all of us have housing requirements, and the housing is nice and cheaper than a lot of school housing. We are currently in rush week and it’s been a great process, but there’s a lot of issues with how the system works. Ours is pretty chill, but the sororities have WAY more say than the girls do. This I don’t think is fair since we literally have one sorority who picks a big part on looks… Which is shady as hell. We have a TON of rules and huge fines if you don’t follow them, so it’s not just a free for all like it seems. Where we are, door stacking (like on that first article) is not allowed because it’s intimidating and will be fined like $100 per time. Anyway that’s just some side info from a girl in a more chill sorority type of life.
Chillleee! I don’t know how black women join white sororities lol. I would never! I went to a HBCU and I’m not Greek, but will pursue grad chapter since they were suspended when I was in undergrad. Love the community and lifetime sisterhood in black sororities. It is more family oriented. The white sororities, you’re just a Diversity card lol and they are interested in learning and studying you being black. They aren’t genuine at all. They don’t do any work just party and drink and thats corny. The fees are hella expensive. Yes, black Greeks do party and drink but they have initiatives and there is a bigger picture. They do a lot for the community
Disclaimer to people perusal this article and wants to take it wrong. Okay like can we not. I live IN Bama (where everyone wants to go) there ARE black girls in our sororities. Greek Life is just a culture, don’t cancel it because you don’t understand it. There are actually ALL BLACK srats/frats! It is SUPPOSED TO BE non-inclusive. It’s just like a country club or anything else like that.
I know it’s sounds strange but you don’t have to do anything crazy physical like fight someone right? My girl said she wants to join one to help her but I hear crazy stories about fraternities and shit and people getting skulls caved in with bats and I’m just so worried 😮💨 please answer this I just need to know what all do you do and stuff like that
Oh god my freshman roommate joined I think kappa delta epsilon or something with kappa at the start and they had a whole ass dress code to have a certain skin tone, a certain shade of blonde hair and they had to stay under a certain weight to stay in. Like how the actual fuck is this allowed???? Greek life needs more adult supervision cause they’re all acting like children
Idk why I’m perusal this lol I’ve never understood the appeal of frats/sororities. Even if you don’t join a single org you can find friends, make valuable connections, find parties to go to, find places to volunteer, and get academic help. All without spending thousands of dollars. Not to say that you shouldn’t branch out and join orgs! But it is definitely not a requirement to reap the benefits of college and for that reason Greek life is a giant scam w major cult vibes
Sororities and frats seem so toxic in like every way. Like honestly I don’t see the appeal at all. Also, knowing that this is the system, I am intrigued that you still wanted to go into that environment. No judgement! But just interested to hear which parts you thought were worth going through all the other nonsense.