6 Ways Sorority Life Shapes Women, As Told By Alumnae
Start writing a post
Student Life

6 Ways Sorority Life Shapes Women, As Told By Alumnae

The old saying holds true: "It's not for four years, it's for life."

893
6 Ways Sorority Life Shapes Women, As Told By Alumnae
Carol Holmes

Any sorority woman knows the significance of her chapter's Founder's Day. It's a day celebrated every year that signifies the original chartering of their sorority. A day to honor the women who took risks, stepped out of line, and were determined to form organizations that honored women, celebrated women, and opened doors for women.

I recently celebrated Founder's Day with my sorority sisters, active and alumni. I was fortunate enough to meet five women who were honored with their 50-year pins and to be able to share the same values and sorority experiences with them is something I'll always cherish.

Talking to those women was like talking to friends, and the things they had to say sparked a different conversation within me. Some of these women have been out of college for over 50 years and have experienced things my active sisters and I may never experience, but they each accredited their time in a sorority to different skills they have carried with them throughout life.

I interviewed alumni who came through my sorority at different times, but all had similar, positive things to say about sorority life.

Pledge Class 2014:

Kappa Kappa Gamma University of Kentucky

"Kappa provided me with all of my friends. I was able to connect with people and women globally, it gave me job opportunities. My advice to active members would be to enjoy and take advantage of everything. When you're in a sorority, there's always a friend who's up to go grab a Diet Coke with you at any time, and that just isn't a thing when you graduate."

Pledge Class 1968:

Kappa Kappa Gamma University of Kentucky

"The best thing is the lifelong friendships. We don't see each other very often, but we always pick up right where we left off."

"When I came to college, I didn't have a lot of confidence, and I found that confidence in Kappa."

"Being in a sorority at a big university was like having a home basis, it was an oasis of friendship in such a big place."

"[Your sisters] are people you can always count on."

"It made me be more involved because there was always someone saying, 'Yes, do that!'"

"I credit it with developing the skills women need to be successful."

Pledge Class 1999:

Kappa Kappa Gamma University of Kentucky

"I was able to find a community within a big university. I was a campus leader, and now I'm a community leader because of my time in Kappa."

"I get to hang out with other alumnae, and we have those shared experiences that make it easy for us to find common ground."

Pledge Class 1968:

Kappa Kappa Gamma University of Kentucky

"I get to stay in touch with my friends."

On being able to bond with younger alumni: "I don't feel like I'm their mother, even though they're my daughter's age. We share those same certain experiences because of Kappa." It has helped her bridge the age gap between her and other alumni.

Pledge Class 2002:

Kappa Kappa Gamma University of Kentucky

"I formed so many meaningful relationships."

"It helped me develop leadership skills, and it was a space for me to grow in my leadership. It was also space for me to make mistakes in leadership and learn from them."

"You learn to leave a legacy."

Pledge Class 1966:

Carol Holmes

On serving as a financial advisor:

"I loved it. I loved being able to work directly with the chapter. I learned how to deal with people, and I learned organizational skills."

"I loved every minute. Seeing the friendships being made was delightful, and working with the girls (active members) was delightful."

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40370
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24984
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950682
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

131791
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments