The other day I was scrolling on Facebook and I came across an article titled "Why I Didn't Rush." If you haven't read it, you can read it here. I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I know some people just aren't interested in joining Greek life for whatever reason, and I can respect that fully. Greek life isn't for everyone, and that's OK. But this article wasn't about how Greek life wasn't right for someone, this article was purely calling out all the negative stereotypes towards Greek life as a whole. The person who wrote this has never been involved in Greek life, therefore they have absolutely no idea what it is like to actually be apart of it, and you really can't judge something if you've never tried it. I am in a sorority, and reading this made me feel the need to stand up for Greek life, and respond to some points the author made so that future freshman girls know what it's really like to be in a sorority.

1. "I knew I didn't belong."

The author says that because she doesn't go to Zumba and because she doesn't own a pair of wedges she doesn't belong in a sorority. Now you see, I don't own a single Lily Pulitzer dress, I'm not blonde, I absolutely hate working out, and I too hate being told what to do. But that doesn't mean I don't belong in my sorority. You don't have to own designer clothing or dress a certain way or wear a certain brand of makeup to be in a sorority. You don't have to look like everyone else or weigh a certain weight. You can be whoever you want to be. One of the best things about being in a sorority is that we're all different. We're not all skinny and blonde. We don't all like the same things and spend every second together. Each girl is their own individual person and they are encouraged to be the best version of their self they can be.

2. "Sorority moms"

Okay, it's one thing to stereotype sororities but to go ahead and bash our mothers? Too far. I can't speak for every sorority, but in mine, we don't have gossipy moms breathing down our throats. We don't have mothers forcing us to join a sorority. We don't have mothers who spend all their time shopping. We have hardworking and loving mothers, who encourage us to work hard and be a good person. My mother was never involved in greek life when she was in college, and it didn't matter to her whether I was in a sorority or not. All she cared about was if I was happy (and if I was getting good grades). I don't know a single mother who fits the description in the original article, and sure maybe there are some moms out there like that. But the fact that not only women in sororities were badly judged in this article, but our mothers we're dragged into this too, is so unbelievably disrespectful. Say whatever you want about me, but do not go after my mom.

3. "The monayyyyyy."

Yeah okay, college isn't cheap. But there are tons of ways to pay to be apart of a sorority. Lots of sororities develop payment plans or do whatever it takes to help a sister. The last thing anyone wants is for a sister to drop because she can't pay, and I know advisors and people with positions would do whatever it took to make sure that didn't happen, because each sister matters and is there for a reason. We're not just "some organization" we're you're family. We stand by each other. We don't pay to be each others friends. I'm not paying for my friends, if I was I promise you I'm not paying enough, they're worth a lot more money than I could ever afford.

4. "College was a clean slate."

The only thing I could respect about this point was not being turned on to having 100+ sisters. If that doesn't excite you, then yes, rushing isn't for you. That's a personal choice and that is completely respectable. But the part about being expected to be happy and rich all the time? Very false. First of all, we don't talk about how much money we do or don't have, because that doesn't matter. No one cares what designer things you have, we care about who you are as a person and how you treat others. No one is smiling ear to ear every single minute of every single day. Sometimes I lay in bed for hours straight and my sisters sit with me. Sometimes I want to cry or I get too stressed out about school and my sisters comfort me. We are all free to look and act however we want.

5. "The social gatherings were a 'nah'"

I need to be very clear, we do not have to go to any social gathering. They are not mandatory. I mean, a lot of people go because they are really fun. But if you have a test the day after or just really want to stay in and relax, you are not forced to come. We are in college and we want to have fun, but at the end of the day we all know grades come first. Nothing is expected, we don't have to go to any socials or any formals, those are really just a perk of being in a sorority, and a chance to get to know your sisters and create fun memories with them.

6. "The process of rushing."

You can really only say rushing sucks if you've gone through rush, and if you've gone all the way through rush you'll know that no matter how tired you were during the week, the second you opened your bid card it was all worth it. Going through rush is all about being yourself and having an open mind. You don't go to a house pretending to be someone you're not just to get them to like you. People don't judge you for what you look like, they just want to get to know who you are and see what you're interested in. I personally loved rush. I had great conversations with different girls in different sororities, and I still remember those girls and the conversations we had, and all the helpful tips and advice they gave me. I made good friends with girls in my Pi Chi group. My Pi Chi actually ended up being in the same sorority as me and she is now my Big, and I am so grateful that rush brought us together. Rush didn't just help me find my home, it helped me branch out and meet new people and step outside of my comfort zone.

7. "The stigma."

Believe it or not but being in a sorority can actually help you in the real world. There are so many people across the country who are your sisters or who were in Greek life, and they can connect you to so many opportunities. Tons of successful people in this country were apart of Greek life. Not to mention, being apart of Greek life shows people that you are able to multitask, that you are hardworking, driven, and that you give back to the community.

8. "Time commitment."

The author of this article acknowledged that there are plenty of girls who are in the Honors program and are involved in Greek life, which is actually a true statement. There are multiple girls in my sorority who got 4.0s while in the Honors College, and are still incredibly active in my sorority. Which proves once again that not everyone in Greek life are irresponsible and obsessed with partying. Here's the thing, if you don't want to balance school and sorority that's 100 percent your choice, and it's completely respectable for you to choose not to do both. But just know that it is possible, and every time a person decides to do both, they're proving you wrong in your idea that people in Greek life are not capable of being hardworking and successful.

I know it wasn't mentioned in the original article, but I want to bring up how much Greek life gives back to the community. A lot of people who aren't in Greek life assume that we do philanthropy events to make us look better, but the fact of the matter is that the girls in my sorority are passionate about giving back to our philanthropy, and other philanthropies of different sororities. Alpha Delta Pi has donated $11.2 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities since their partnership began in 1979. Alpha Chi Omega donates and raises awareness towards Domestic Violence every year. In total, Tri Delta has raised $60 million for St. Jude Children's Hospital. The list goes on forever. We are not selfish people who only want to party. We are apart of an organization that allows us to give back to our communities every day. I have never met people more willing to help others than the girls in my sorority. We love giving back and we would do any little thing to help.

If you are debating on going through rush, I hope reading this helps you realize that there is more to Greek life than the negative stereotypes. There is more to it than the parties. Going through rush can be scary, but always remember to be yourself and I promise you, you will find a home that will accept you for who you are. Going Greek is one of the best choices I've made. I am thankful every day for my sisters who inspire me, who laugh with me, who cry with me, and who encourage me to be the best person I can be. The choice is up to you. I went through rush, and I'm sure as hell glad I did.