Sororities, we all know the stereotypes. Most of the things everyone knows about sorority women is what we see in the media. In the media, most of them are blonde, skinny, pretty and most of all, dumb and maybe even a bit bitchy. Sorority women are portrayed as dumb and stupid in almost all of the television shows and movies that are out there. The best example I can think of is that Amanda Bynes movie "Sydney White. " I'm not going to lie, I believed most of those stereotypes when I entered my freshmen year. Whenever someone asked me if I was going to go through recruitment, I would always answer "no" because I didn't think I saw myself as that type of girl. The thought of joining a sorority didn't even cross my mind until I accidentally got in touch with the chairwoman of Delta Zeta and got to know a few of the girls. Before I knew it, I received a bid and ended up being initiated later on. The best thing about the whole experience is that joining a sorority opened my eyes a lot to the biases people have about sororities, and it's my hope that people will see why most of the stereotypes they have are wrong.
1. Not all sorority women are complete bitches.
I know right? Most of these girls are actually nice? It may be hard to believe for a lot of people, but it's true. When I met who would later on be my future big, I showed up to where we were meeting dressed up and with full makeup because I thought that I would be judged if I showed up looking like a slob. When she showed up, however, she was wearing a sweatshirt and workout clothes because she had just gotten out of her volleyball class. It took me by surprise slightly, and I even told her that I dressed up so that I could impress her. She just replied saying that it didn't really matter and that I shouldn't worry about how I looked.
If you see a sorority woman walking around campus and she ignores you, odds are is that she's just in a rush to get to class or is worried about that midterm she has coming up, because *shocker* they are students too. So, don't worry too much if you smile at one of them and she doesn't return the favor. I will bet that if you were to talk to her one-on-one, she would be one of the coolest people you ever met.
2. Sororities are not just about partying.
One of the main reasons I didn't join a sorority at first is because I thought that I would spend most of my time going to frat parties and drinking all day and night, because that's what you do, right? Wrong. Sure, parties and socials are a part of what makes up greek life, but it's not the only thing. All chapters have a strong sense of sisterhood and will usually plan outings together to bond with other sisters that we would have never gotten to know otherwise.
Another thing a lot of people seem to miss is that greek life emphasizes their own philanthropy and will have fundraisers and events to raise money for it. In fact, we spend about a third of our sorority life doing community service and raising money for our philanthropy. What's great about this is that it helps sorority women figure out what they're passionate about and helps them develop their own personal philanthropy.
3. You pay for the sorority, not for the friendships.
Probably one of the most common misconceptions about greek life is that people pay for the friends they make in their chapter. One answer I received from someone who I asked if they were going to go through recruitment was, "I don't want to pay for my friends." Yes, greek life can be expensive and pricey for a lot of people, but the thing you don't pay for are the bonds and memories you make with your sisters.
The things you do pay for do not get in your way of loving your sisters. If I felt that I would not be friends with my sisters even if I wasn't in a sorority, I wouldn't have joined. I joined Delta Zeta because I met some of my best friends and I enjoy their company. We've made memories together that I know I will forever treasure and I hope we become each other's bridesmaids one day. Those things are valuable things that money can't, and will never, buy.
4. Sorority women come in all shapes and sizes.
If you watch any movie or television show centered around college life, odds are that sorority women are portrayed by pretty blonde girls who are usually tall and skinny. Many people have had this image of sorority women in their heads for a long time, and most of the time that is what stops many young women from going through recruitment.They fear that because they don't look like this image of the perfect sorority woman, they won't receive a bid from any chapter.
My counterexample to that logic is to just take a look at me. I am far from the stereotypical image of a sorority woman. I am a short, Asian girl with black hair, and I am definitely not very skinny. A bunch of my other sisters are beautiful, and they are all unique in their own way. It doesn't matter how tall you are, what color hair or eyes you have or even how much you weigh. If you have a personality that fits what that chapter is looking for, you belong in that chapter.
5. Be proud to represent your chapter.
When I first joined my sorority, I was somewhat afraid of wearing letters because I didn't want to be judged. I didn't want to be judged based on the chapter I was in, or by the fact that I was even in a sorority in the first place. I had witnessed this myself in person too. A girl would walk by in her letters and someone would mention how she must be a bitch because she's in "XYZ" chapter. I would even overhear things about my own sisters and just have the slightest sense of shame and regret.
But now, I have learned that being a part of greek life is nothing to be ashamed in. You should not be ashamed of your chapter, nor should you be ashamed to represent your chapter. Nowadays, I wear my letters proudly and do my best to present myself in the best possible light, because if I want to change how my chapter is viewed, I have to do what I can to make that happen. I am not afraid anymore to tell people that I am in a sorority.
Not only am I not afraid, I am at one of the happiest points in my entire life. I may have joined greek life by accident, but it was one of the best decisions in my entire life. I will be forever thankful that I have my sisters in my life, and I will always be proud and honored to be a member of my sorority.
