I'm a sorority girl. It's not usually my opening when I meet new people. I seem to constantly be surrounded by this stereotype of the "sorority girl" as this vapid, shallow party girl, who isn't very smart and is more than a little slutty. Weirdly enough, this was not the stereotype I had of the Greek system growing up. Most of the women on my mothers side of the family were involved in the Greek system, and trust me when say those women are not shallow, vapid, dumb or slutty. I can remember growing up that my grandma would have her sorority sisters over for alumnae meetings, I was always so curious about what they were doing that I wasn't allowed to be part of! I remember Nana sitting me down and explaining what a sorority was and that there are some secrets that only the people involved know. Talk about exciting to a 6 year old.
When I decided on the college I was going to attend I remember my mom and I going to take one last campus tour. Our guide was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and I remember talking to her about recruitment and the different houses on campus that I could possibly join. My mom and I talked a lot about whether or not I wanted to go through recruitment, she encouraged me to go through, at the very least she pointed out, it would be a very good way to meet people my first week on campus.
I decided to sign up and go into it with an open mind, I wasn't against sororities per say, but the response from my high school friends was less than enthusiastic when I mentioned it. They mentioned the stereotype listed above that is, well, less than flattering. I went through the week, the parties, the conversations, the "get to know you" questions and I became more and more convinced that Greek life was for me. I joined Alpha Chi Omega and I can honestly say it was a fantastic decision.
I was, and have been, amazed ever since then about the high caliber of women I have associate myself with upon joining Alpha Chi. The ladies in my pledge class are a diverse group of women, nurses, teachers, attorneys, doctors, stay at home moms, accountants etc. In college they were athletes, national merit scholars, student government representatives, campus hosts and involved in almost every aspect of campus life. I have been incredibly blessed by my involvement in the Greek system, and Alpha Chi Omega specifically. I'm glad that I was able to look past what the media, and pop culture tells us that a typical "sorority" girl is, and find out for myself what a group of real strong women they really are.
Today is our founders day, and I'm so glad that in 1885 7 women got together and founded this incredibly organization that I am lucky enough to be a part of!
