Whenever I tell someone I’m in a sorority, their first reaction is usually something along the lines of “Can you bring me to a party?” or “Wow, you must party a lot.” Television shows and movies always show sorority girls getting trashed at the local frat house, dancing on tables and passing out on random couches and beds. But let me say this for anyone who has doubted me: Greek life is so much more than the partying associated with.
Joining a sorority has introduced me to some of the most caring and kind girls I have ever met. These girls are there for me through thick or thin. Even in my worst moments, I knew I could rely on my sisters. These girls are people I know I can rely on when it's 3 a.m. and I’m crying because I think I’m going to fail French, or people who I can call at 3 p.m. because I really want ice cream and don’t want to go alone. These are girls I can spend hours doing face masks with and bake brownies with on a Friday night, and have more fun than if I was going to a party.
Joining a sorority is about making life long friendships, and lifelong memories. Although the stereotype perpetuates that all sorority girls are stuck up b*****s, that cannot be further from the truth. My sisters are some of the nicest, most caring girls I have ever met. Walking into my chapter’s house is like walking into my home. I never would have thought that I would have 130 plus sisters, much less 130 plus girls that actually feel like my sisters. Although each girl has her own life, we all share a common connection: being bonded in the same sisterhood.
In an example of true brotherhood, last week a group of brothers from Sigma Phi Epilson helped carry their disabled brother up Sleeping Giant Mountain to fulfill a college tradition. Joey Mullaney was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a nervous system disease which left him wheelchair bound. The brothers of Sig Ep decided they were going to help their brother fulfill one of his dreams, and carried him, step by step, up the mountain. Not only did they each take on the strenuous task, but they also raised $30,000 for research to cure Fredreich's Ataxia. Now, if frat boys only cared about partying, drinking, and girls, do you really think they would take the time out of their day to help a disabled brother climb a mountain? No, I don’t think so.
To see the full video of Joey, and his Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers, click here!
Last year, at Rutgers Dance Marathon, myself and over 20 other sisters participated in the 30 hour long whirlwind. Together, almost every other Greek organization on campus combined raised a record-breaking $692,046. Without the unending support of my sisters, I don’t think I would have been able to survive the full Dance Marathon. Throughout the marathon, I had friends deliver me coffee, portable phone chargers, snacks and even medicine when I found out I was sick. I got a terrible throat infection during the marathon. Even though I didn’t want to leave, I always had a sister there to make sure I was alright. The entire Greek community, as well as other Rutgers organizations, came together to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. This was not as simple as raising money and writing out a check to a charity. The dancers stood for 30 hours without sleep.
Dance Marathon is one of many ways in which Greek organizations give back to their philanthropies. Almost every day you can find a Greek organization tabling or having a bake sale to raise money for charity. Week-long events, like Sigma Kappa’s UV tournament, Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash, Zeta Tau Alpha’s Think Pink Week and Sigma Chi’s Derby Days, are huge events by Greek life that are created solely to raise money for their charities. If you think people in Greek life are just heartless or rude frat boys, then you have never seen them work to provide support for their philanthropies. They give their all and genuinely want to help the organization.
So, next time you think that all people in Greek life want to do is get drunk and party, you’re probably just thinking about a movie.
