Let’s face it, we come from a society that runs off of drama and tragedies. If you turn on the news right now, it more than likely will be reporting a misfortune rather than a fortune.
Greek life is an easy target for the news due to their stereotypical affiliation with drinking and hazing. Unfortunately, hazing humiliations tend to make the front page, while record breaking philanthropies and fundraisers usually do not.
What the media won’t tell you is that hazing has significantly decreased over the last decade.
Sororities now have a hazing policy they must abide. if they violate these rules, the chapter may get suspended or even expelled.
Cosmopolitan recently re-posted their article “The 13 Most Nightmarish Tales of Sorority Hazing.” The majority of these events are outdated and come from “an anonymous source on a message board.” I’m not saying these things don’t still happen, because unfortunately, they do still go on at some universities. I am just wondering why they won't post "The 13 Most Successful Philanthropies."
I can say with 100 percent honesty and confidence that I have never been forced to do anything by my chapter, nor have they ever made me feel uncomfortable or exposed.
Hazing is dying while the greater good of sorority life is rising.
What the media won’t tell you is the Greek system is the largest assembly of volunteers in the U.S.
With over 9,000 members nationally, Greek life contributes over 10 million hours of community service each year. It is common for sororities and fraternities to partner with organizations and raise money for them at their philanthropy events.
Just to name a few:
-The Delta Delta Delta sorority committed to the largest single hospital commitment in 2014 by promising St. Jude research hospital $60 million in 10 years.
-The Pi Beta Phi sorority promotes literacy by raising money and awareness for The Literacy Fund. Pi Beta Phi has already raised $1 million and donated one million books to children in need. By 2017, the sorority intends to improve literacy by impacting one million lives through Read > Lead > Achieve.
- Other national organizations partnered with Greek life are The Ronald McDonald House, The Make a Wish Foundation, The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society and so many more.
What the media won’t tell you is many highly recognized members of our society are Greek alumni.
Did you know that the first female astronaut and all Apollo 11 members went Greek in college?
Or that over 75 percent of U.S. Congressmen and Senators are affiliated with a Greek chapter?
Carrie Underwood? Sigma Sigma Sigma
Kate Spade? Kappa Kappa Gamma
Jennifer Garner? Pi Beta Phi
The list goes on and on…
Now for the cheesy (but still true) part:
What the media won’t tell you is what an amazing opportunity it is to join a Greek chapter.
Okay, so maybe I’m biased on this one.
From the day I got my bid card, I haven’t looked back. I have gotten to know 100 plus uniquely beautiful women who I wouldn’t have ever known without this opportunity. My involvement and social skills have noticeably improved in just one semester. We’re not a bunch of Phi Iota Mu’s picking on the poor Zeta Alpha Zetas, (thanks for that "House Bunny"). I sit and look at the friendships I’ve made with my sisters and wonder how I ever survived without them.
Despite the misconceptions, I proudly wear my letters.
I am truly a better person from going Greek.
