Sorority

Sorority. A sorority is a social organization for women, typically established at University of Oxford, Harvard University, or other institutions of higher learning, such as University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and New York University. These organizations often have a strong presence on college campuses, including University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and are affiliated with national organizations like the National Panhellenic Conference and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Sororities have a long history, dating back to the founding of Alpha Delta Pi in 1851 at Wesleyan College, and have since become a significant part of college life, with notable alumni including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hillary Clinton, and Oprah Winfrey, who are members of Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Delta Sigma Theta, respectively.

Definition and History

The concept of a sorority has its roots in the Greece and Rome of ancient times, where women's organizations like the Thiasos and Collegia Matronarum played important social and cultural roles. In the United States, the first sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, was founded in 1851 at Wesleyan College by Ella Pierce Turner, Martha Hardaway Redding, and Sophia Elizabeth Fowler. Other early sororities include Phi Mu, founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College, and Delta Gamma, founded in 1873 at Lewis School for Girls in Oxford, Mississippi. Notable sorority women include Condoleezza Rice, a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and Melinda Gates, a member of Alpha Delta Pi, who have both been involved with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Hoover Institution.

Types of Sororities

There are several types of sororities, including social sororities like Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, and Alpha Phi, which focus on social events, community service, and sisterhood. Cultural sororities, such as Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Zeta Phi Beta, emphasize the preservation and celebration of cultural heritage, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congress of Racial Equality. Professional sororities like Alpha Gamma Delta and Phi Sigma Rho provide networking opportunities and support for women in specific fields, such as engineering and business, and have partnerships with companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM. Honorary sororities, including Mortar Board and Golden Key International Honour Society, recognize academic achievement and provide opportunities for community service, often in conjunction with institutions like Yale University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Organization and Structure

Sororities are typically organized into a national structure, with a governing board, such as the National Panhellenic Conference, and local chapters, like those at University of California, Los Angeles, University of Washington, and Duke University. Each chapter has its own officers, including a President, Vice President, and Treasurer, who are responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the sorority, often with guidance from advisors like Susan B. Anthony and Eleanor Roosevelt. Sororities also have a system of alumnae chapters, which provide support and networking opportunities for members after graduation, including those who have gone on to attend institutions like London School of Economics, University of Cambridge, and Sorbonne University.

Membership and Recruitment

To become a member of a sorority, women typically go through a recruitment process, which may include rush events, informational sessions, and interviews, often with the assistance of organizations like the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American College Personnel Association. Once a woman is invited to join a sorority, she becomes a new member and participates in a pledge period, during which she learns about the sorority's values, history, and traditions, often with the guidance of mentors like Madeleine Albright and Sandra Day O'Connor. After completing the pledge period, the new member is initiated into the sorority and becomes a full member, with access to resources and opportunities provided by organizations like the Sorority Foundation and the Panhellenic Association.

Philanthropy and Community Service

Sororities are involved in a wide range of philanthropic activities, including fundraising events, volunteer work, and community service projects, often in partnership with organizations like the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Many sororities have a national philanthropy, such as Alpha Phi's support for Women's Heart Health and Delta Gamma's work with Service for Sight, and also participate in local charity events, such as Relay For Life and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which are often sponsored by companies like Avon Products and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Sorority women, including Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris, have also been involved in advocacy efforts, such as the Women's March on Washington and the Me Too movement, which have been supported by organizations like the National Organization for Women and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Criticisms and Controversies

Despite their many positive contributions, sororities have faced criticisms and controversies over the years, including concerns about elitism, exclusivity, and hazing, which have been addressed by organizations like the North-American Interfraternity Conference and the National Panhellenic Conference. Some sororities have been accused of perpetuating stereotypes and discrimination, and have faced lawsuits and investigations as a result, including those involving Title IX and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Additionally, the high cost of sorority membership has been a barrier for some women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, and has been addressed by initiatives like the Sorority Scholarship Program and the Panhellenic Scholarship Foundation, which have been supported by donors like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.