I would say one of the top three best parts of being in a sorority is getting your big sister. For those who don’t know, every sorority has a mentor system where a new, uninitiated member is matched up with an older, active member. The older member is the big sister, or Big, and the new member is the little sister, or Little. It sounds so simple on paper. Believe it or not, though, my big and little have made being a sorority woman even more amazing and have changed me for the better.
I actually saw my Big, Brooke, before I ever even went through recruitment. I saw her walking near the Orr Center, and noticed her letters on her shirt. I also noticed her short hair and her sneakers and thought to myself, “She looks really cool. She doesn’t look like stereotypical sorority girl.” I know the media tries to act like all sorority women have long blonde hair and look a certain way. I knew better, but it’s still easy to fall into that trap and feel inadequate when trying to join a sorority. Seeing Brooke helped ease my nerves.
As I went into my first party with Alpha Sigma Alpha, I was introduced to Brooke because of mutual interests. I felt really comfortable talking to her, and I could tell she absolutely loved ASA. When I went to preference round, I was delighted that she was talking to me for the evening. We laughed, cried, and everything in between. She definitely confirmed my decision to choose ASA.
Over the years, Brooke has watched me grow so much. She has been by my side every step of the way, and I know that I would not be who I am today without her. When I took my first office, she cheered me on and was confident I would get it. I could see how proud she was when I got initiated, took a position on exec, and got into my academic program. As I write this article, my Big has been gearing up for my 21st birthday, crafting and making plans. I think she’s even more excited for my birthday than I am! But that’s what a Big is. A Big is somebody who always is proud of you and is just as excited as you are for your birthday or any big accomplishment in life.
We may not hang out 24/7, but I know that she has my back, and that’s all that matters. We’re a happy family and we’re glad to have each other. I look up to her so much, and I have no doubt she’s going to kick ass in the real world. Every endeavor she takes on, whether it’s an office in ASA, or Panhellenic, or work, or school, or something completely different, she always does an awesome job. It was hard to let her disaffiliate last year and become a recruitment counselor, but I knew that her giving up her letters would mean she would get to do this amazing thing of helping other women find theirs. She makes an impact on everything she touches, and nobody ever forgets her name. I’m so proud to say that she’s my Big, and she is a true woman of poise and purpose. She always believes in me, and I can’t thank her enough for that.
So to all of those young women out there about to join a sorority, I wish you nothing but the best of luck. I hope your new member period is everything you want and more, including getting your Big. Your Big is your mentor, your partner in crime, your shoulder to cry on, your person, and more. I can’t thank my Big enough for all she has done for me, and I truly cannot picture my Alpha Sigma Alpha experience without her.
