The Sorority Ideal

"The sorority idea means close friendship fostered by long association in common interests. The sorority ideal is the symmetrically developed woman, the result of close confidence and lasting friendships with a few congenial spirits." – Ida Shaw Martin, The Sorority Handbook, 1909, p23

Why join a sorority? Especially a non-collegiate one. Why would you join an organisation which from what you've seen in the movies is primarily about drinking with frat guys and hazing pledges during your stay at a 4 year residential college? Doesn't that seem like a stupid thing to do?

I can't answer for you, but for me, a sorority is more than just the social trappings that show up so well in American college movies. It's more than wearing letters on your chest, decorated picture frames and golden college days.

 A sorority is about sisterhood. It is about choosing the women to be a part of your family - not just good friends - but sisters who you can share your hopes and dreams with, who will support you in times of trouble and who will be honest with you when you're doing something stupid. And not just having sisters at college, but for the rest of your life. It's about trusting women in other parts of the world, who were chosen to be sorority sisters, to be your sisters. It's a life long commitment to the ideals and principles on which your sorority was founded.

In short, joining a non-collegiate sorority is about making a commitment to other women - particularly outside of joining because your roommate was doing it too.

- Elise Melican
President, 2013