We get it. Movies say it’s what we do, or how we act, but not all of it is true. I mean, some of it is… but maybe not to the extent you think. Everyone has some version of a “sorority girl” ingrained in their minds, and I know it’s true, because I even get an, “Oh, you’re one of those girls,” in my hometown’s gas station when I’m just trying to wear my oversized comfort color t-shirt and pay for gas in peace. So, let’s just get a few things straight:
False:
No, we don’t have pillow fights or jump on our beds singing, “Love Is a Battlefield,” like a "13 Going On 30" remake. Excuse me, but we only do this downstairs in the living room. It’s not a sin to enjoy movie nights!
No, we’re not only friends with girls in our sorority. Heck, my freshman year friendships were composed mainly of non-sorority girls. You can make friends walking to class, sitting in class, going to extra credit lectures, living in the dorms, or just going to Walmart in a college town. It’s not, “sorority sisters or nothing,” even though we spend lots of time together.
No, we don’t only wear high pony tails and six-inch heels. That’s usually just Wednesday nights at chapter meetings. But take a stroll through my sorority house at 8 pm on a Tuesday night and ask me again if you think we’re primped and recruitment-ready 24/7.
No, we’re not, like, preppy all the time. See above for explanation.
No, we don’t only ever speak in chants and song. I’ll admit we sing and chant during recruitment and at Greek events, but we don’t only speak “Greek.” We have normal people conversations too.
No, we don’t haze. I guess I can only speak for my college… but when choosing a university, maybe seek one out that doesn’t tolerate hazing/violence/etc. Then when you go Greek, you won’t have anything to worry about. Hazing used to be a true stereotype, but it’s falling out quickly. Especially when sororities like mine advocate for Domestic Violence Awareness… it probably wouldn’t sit right with our headquarters, our university, or anyone with a heart to overlook a wrong like that one.
True:
Yes, we love what we stand for. Not everyone will agree with each other on everything all the time, but what we can all agree on is how cool it is to represent what’s unique to our chapter. As an Alpha Chi Omega, we represent “Real. Strong. Women.,” so to add the fact that numerous other chapters across the United States are repping the same thing… it humbles you to be part of something so much bigger than yourself.
Yes, philanthropy is huge. Some girls will connect on an emotional level to their sorority’s philanthropy, and that’s something special. To see the passion behind our philanthropy chairs and events means more than just the donut-eating contest we provide for its cause.
Yes, you’ll find some of your best friends. I mentioned before that we aren’t solely friends with the girls in our sororities, but you still find some great gals in there that you wanna stick next to. Besides, you gotta have a few girls to endure the recruitment madness with you!
Yes, it’ll benefit you later in life. Having something like this on your resume shows potential employers that you were possibly a leader, were involved and were well-rounded. It’ll also show that you keep commitments and work well with others. Not to say non-sorority girls won’t portray these characteristics without a sorority… but I’m saying it’ll help or give you an edge. Plus, sororities have been around for quite a few decades now. This means that your future employer just might be an alumna of your sorority and she just might smile a little extra hard for a fellow alum seeking a career.
So, yeah, we have some accurate stereotypes, but we also have some false ones. I guess the best way to see if I’m telling the truth is to find out for yourself and befriend one.
Or, become one!
