Going into college, the last thing I thought about doing was joining a sorority. I didn’t really want to join anything, but especially not a sorority. I did not want what I’ve witnessed on television and movies to be real. From what I had heard about and seen, all sorority girls were drunk, skanky, rich and blonde. I didn’t seem to fit the criteria because for some reason, every producer in Hollywood chooses to stereotype a sorority as this. From “House Bunny” to “Sydney White,” there was no way in hell I would be in one. I wasn’t even going to waste my time. I didn’t even know my small college had Greek Life to begin with.
When my best friend, who is the most subtle, down to earth, (mostly) quiet person in the world, told me she wanted to join a sorority together I was repulsed. She definitely did not seem like the type to want to be apart of that kind of organization, so it was weird. But being the best friend that I am, I went with her to recruitment. We didn’t really know anyone else at our college besides each other, so maybe it was an OK idea to consider making some friends. All the girls we met were extremely friendly. They were happy and outgoing. We saw lots of cute pictures and met so many people. It wasn’t as awful as I thought. Up until the last day of recruitment, I was still on the fence. I just went into the situation blind. I have an older brother who decided not to Go Greek in college, so I literally knew nothing about it. We were both nervous and trying to make friends with our potential pledge class who all seemed to be much more excited about it than I ever was.
I waited by my phone that last night of recruitment, hoping to God it would not ring. I realized at that point that I was excited. I was interested. I wanted to do this. I had just gotten out of a serious relationship with the man who broke my heart into a million pieces. I had nothing to lose. I needed to be apart of something. I needed to feel like someone actually wanted me around. Little did I know that my tiny chapter of Phi Mu would be the thing to mend my broken heart back together.
Going on four years being apart of Phi Mu at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, I’ve learned many things. I learned that I was that judgmental, blind girl. I was that girl that thought you "paid for your friends." I was that girl that we all as Greek women defend ourselves against time and time again. I took the negative and cast it over every Greek organization ever and boy, was I so wrong. I had no idea the great opportunities that come along with joining a sorority. All the money we raise as Greek organizations goes to so many different charities and organizations all over the place. All the money that we pay a month to be apart of our sorority does NOT pay for our friends. It pays for venues so we can have events, decorations so our recruitment will look nice, national fees to keep our sororities existing, food so our guests and potential new members can have something to eat and drink, and so much more. It goes towards everything BUT sisterhood, because sisterhood is something that is found, not purchased.
Being apart of Phi Mu, we get to raise money for sick and disabled children and I absolutely love that. I love putting a smile on their face. I love adding new equipment or toys to their hospital. I love visiting them and inviting them to our events we host for them. I love changing their lives. Being apart of Phi Mu, I’ve gotten to meet a variety of women. I never knew I would make so many lifelong friends out of my chapter. They would celebrate my birthdays with me, they would support me and vote for me to lead this chapter, they would go shopping with me, they would trust me and help me, they would love me. Being apart of Phi Mu gave me one of my most favorite jobs. Being apart of Phi Mu encouraged me everyday in school to try my hardest and study my butt off so I could have the opportunities that come along with a good GPA. I am a member of academic honor societies because Phi Mu inspired me to take my education seriously.
Sororities have many different kinds of people. There are girls who party a lot, but there are girls who never do. There are girls who sleep around, but there are girls who never have. There are girls who only join for the T-shirts and prizes, but there are girls who breathe the ideals of their creed. There are girls who do nothing for their chapter, but there are girls who do everything for it.
I was wrong to judge the Greek Life on my campus. I was wrong to think that I wouldn’t want to be apart of a group of women who will be my doctors, lawyers, and future children’s teachers. I was wrong to think that Phi Mu would not help me out financially. I was wrong to think that another man would be the one to mend my broken heart back together.
Phi Mu is a kind of organization I want to be apart of, and I am so glad I went to Recruitment with my best friend that day.
