After joining Chi Omega my freshman year of college, I was told time and time again from friends and family back home, “You’re a sorority girl now.” Although I would laugh and shrug away the comment, I wanted to straight up say, “No, I’m actually not. I joined an organization, I didn’t make an identity transformation.”

I understand why people categorize and stereotype girls in a sorority; I use to do it myself. They all dress, talk, and act the same. They constantly post pictures with their “sisters” and they go to date parties what seems like all the time. You never just see one of them alone because they travel in clumps and they are more often than not branded with their raised letters on their shirts.

I can’t speak for every girl in a sorority, but I think I can speak for most. Our sorority doesn’t define us; it’s just a part of us.

Has my sorority changed my life for the better? Yes.

Has it brought about life long friendships and memories? For sure.

Does it define who I am? Absolutely not.

I may be a Chi Omega and I may be proud to say I am a Chi Omega, but I am first and foremost Elizabeth Atchison who wants to enjoy new experiences, make new friendships, and create amazing memories. My sorority has become a part of me just like my family, friends, church, and so many other things have, but it has not molded itself into my identity.

The other day I was asked if my friends had joined another sorority would I be scared they wouldn’t be my friends anymore because I was in a different house. The thought was immediately ludicrous to me. If they were really my friends, they would stay friends with me no matter what group on campus I was becoming a part of. It’s just like if they were on the soccer team and I was on the basketball team. We have different schedules and different teams but it doesn’t mean we can’t be friends anymore. I believe people in and outside of Greek life isolate sororities and heighten them to this cult-like group where nothing else matters outside of it. My sorority is going to create a very strong bond between myself and a large group of girls and with the organization at large, but that in no way means I can’t form other strong bonds outside of it. If anything, it teaches me that forming those lasting relationships is important and I should be doing it with all the people in my life.

So, no, I am not a sorority girl. I am however a girl who is in a sorority. I attend date parties, post pictures, make similar jokes as my sisters and wear many different clothing items that broadcast Chi Omega. I love this part of my life, but it is not my entire life and it is not where I find my identity. It is a national organization that I am involved in— yes, a sisterhood I have joined. But in my eyes, that is no different than whatever group or club others have associated themselves with.

And the best part is, we can all still be friends.