Growing up, I had no sisters.
That was until this past January when I was welcomed into the opening arms of 126 sisters. My sorority has brought me to find some of the most incredible people I have met in college, people I never would have met otherwise.
I am thankful every day for the opportunity that I have been given to be a part of this new family. And it is these people who have taught me what it means to be confident, committed, and a leader. However, the one thing my sorority has not done for me, and never will, is define who I am.
At Villanova, Greek Life is an active and present part of campus and is well intertwined with the social life. However, it is not the main aspect of our campus. That cutthroat and all-encompassing feel that southern greek life has is nowhere near what you will find at Villanova.
And because of that, a high value is placed on participation in other extracurriculars. I am known on campus for the scope of different clubs and organizations that I am involved in. My sorority is not stamped to my name, and never will be, because I am an individual, from intramural sports teams to campus ambassadors.
Yes, I love spending time with my sisters, but we all have very different interests. We are all involved in extracurriculars outside of our sorority, some overlapping, but between the 126 of us, we pretty much cover the majority of organizations on Villanova’s campus.
The reason I joined my sorority was to find a group of girls who shared similar values to me, and to form a network that would give me the chance to bond with girls I otherwise never would have come in contact with. Not only have I found those people, but I have also found a group passionate about working together in support of our philanthropy.
I did not join my sorority for parties, not to live in a big mansion with a private chef, and not to brag about having a bunch of sisters. I had a solid group of friends set before joining my sorority, and the friendships that I had beforehand are still the same now as they once were. I spend just as much time, if not more, with friends outside of my sorority circle than sisters in the sorority.
These people have added to my Villanova experience, and changed my life for the better, just as my sisters have.
So next time you hear about someone being called a “sorority girl”, think twice about what that really means. And think about what their sorority is providing them with. Because although I may be a sister, not just for 4 years but forever, I am not, and never will be, labeled by my sorority.