ASA at Murray State University in Kentucky just accepted the first ever woman with down syndrome into their sisterhood-and I'm pissed.

Alexis Cain is very much like your typical college student. She was a cheerleader, she graduated high school, she goes to the gym, and she loves Taylor Swift. Alexis Cain just accepted an invitation to be welcomed into the sisterhood of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority at Murray State University.

Why is this a headline? This is not your stereotypical girl meets girls and finds her new home away from home sorority fairytale. This is news because Alexis Cain has down syndrome. Alexis has been the first ever woman with down syndrome to be accepted into a sorority. This is the worst headlining news that I have witnessed in a long time, even worse than Kanye West running for the presidential election.

*Let me first mention that this article is in no way intending to bash Alexis Cain, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Murray State University, or people with down syndrome.

Alpha Sigma Alpha was founded in 1901 and they strive to develop women of poise and purpose. When accepting Alexis Cain into their sisterhood I'm sure they did not intend to make national headlines of their prospective new member class, but they did. If this national story doesn't raise some hell, then what kind of headline would it be?

I am outraged by this news. Not outraged like many others when they say that people around the world are starving and without access to clean food and water, and that this is the kind of information that should make news. I am angry because this is the BEST news I've heard in a long time, but it should never be news.

A woman with down syndrome finds what many may call her "home away from home" or the "sisters God forgot to give her."

Greek organizations are often known for all the philanthropic charity work that they do. Fraternities and sororities raise over $7 million nationally, most of which goes directly to people with disabilities, people suffering with illness, Children's hospitals, and the like.

Greek Life prides itself on how much they do for the community, and how much money they raise for others. Greeks have been fundraising for those with disabilities for a very long time, so why are they just now starting to accept them?

Last I checked, many people with down syndrome are living full, "normal" lives. People with down syndrome are musicians, teachers, models, councilmen/women, dancers, athletes, and much more. Why are more people with disabilities not joining organizations? Why is a woman with down syndrome just now being accepted into Greek life?

Two possible answers to this question come to my mind. Either Greek life was not accepting of people with disabilities, or those with disabilities were afraid that they wouldn't be accepted. When you look up disabled members and Greek life, nothing of similar news comes up preaching about how an organization has just accepted a disabled person into their brotherhood/sisterhood. When you look up disabilities and Greek life however, a LOT of fundraising ideas and philanthropic efforts come up.

I am in no way bashing Greek life, and suggesting that organizations turn down disabled students because of their disability; but I am simply raising the idea to create discussion. Do Greek life members do so much philanthropy for those with disabilities, that they forget to put a name to the face, and welcome those actual people into their organization? Why are there no other stories about college students with disabilities joining other organizations?

I am disappointed that we live in a country where it took us over 160 years to begin accepting everyone for who they are. I'm glad we have finally made it to where we have, and I hope we as a population continue to move forward in this direction.

Joining Greek life was one of the best decisions I've ever made while in college. Every woman should have that feeling, if they want to.

My message to Greek organizations - Don't look at this headline as "cute," or "sweet." Don't look at ASA as a martyr. Look at them as being normal humans, who did something that humans should be doing: accepting people for who they are. If a person with disabilities shows interest in your org., reach out to them as you would reach out to any other potential new member. Don't look at them as a charity case, or a media stunt. Look at them as another college student, in search of their home away from home.

Alpha Sigma Alpha -Thank you for doing what should have been done a long time ago.

And to Alexis, the woman who has forever changed Greek life, keep being sassy.

"I want people to have open minds and help them to see and understand that because of my learning disability, I am really like anyone else. I have feelings, I like to help people, I’d like to have a job one day, and I hope that others will see that just because a person has a disability it doesn’t mean that they are that much different."
Alexis Cain in Odyssey interview with Kelsey Grapperhaus

Check out the Odyssey article where writer Kelsey Grapperhaus was able to interview Alexis about her new sisters and ambitions after college!