It seems to me that in our society being a sorority girl is synonymous with being dumb, a party girl, a clone, a princess, judgmental, and any other number of offensive and untrue associations. What doesn’t make sense to me is how people who have never had any type of experience with Greek life, can make these sweeping assumptions about who we are as people. Being involved in Greek life has been one of the most educational, rewarding, and just all around incredible experiences that I could have ever given myself in college. We are more than the letters on our chest.
Being involved in Greek life offers members an opportunity to further their growth and development. Not only does it give the ability to be involved in making important decisions regarding the chapter, but there are positions to be had on the schools Inter-Greek Council, or PanHellenic Executive Board. These opportunities to hold positions allow for important real-life experience in leadership, influence, and to be a part of something you truly love. Leading or being part of a group like this allows you to solidify your values, and truly helps you grow into the person you want to become.
Besides the ability to hold a position, the networking connections with fellow members and alumni are an incredibly important part of Greek life. Just knowing that you have people who have the same fundamental sensibilities as you can give you a sense of comfort and support.
In addition to all of the wonderful opportunities, Greek life can provide you with, you get this overwhelming sense of family and community. Not just within your own sorority, but within the Greek family as a whole. Yes, we’re all obviously incredibly close within our own sororities and fraternities, but Greek life at large has a way of bonding people together and allows you to not only keep the friends you had before Greek life but make lifelong friends in organizations outside of your own. This is exceptionally true in times of pain and tragedy. This community you are a part of, this family you joined, will make sure you never feel alone. Even long after graduation, the ties of sisterhood and the ties of the Greek community are forever.
During recruitment, every organization talks about the philanthropies they support -- this is not for show. Each and every Greek organization supports any number of causes, and they actually care about them. You can do immeasurable good with such a large and supportive community. The charities’ and philanthropies these organizations support are an integral part of their everyday lives, and their chapters as a whole.
The opportunity to go Greek is the opportunity to broaden your horizons, come into your own as a leader, and make important and lasting connections. The opportunity to go Greek is the opportunity to find a sorority to call home, and find a family within the entire Greek community. It's the opportunity to make a difference in this world. The opportunity to go Greek is just that, an opportunity, one that you don't want to miss.
So if you ask me, no, we're not sorority girls. We are sorority women, and damn proud of it.
