College Sororities: Women's Empowerment and Community Building in American Colleges

Theme: College fraternities and sororities

 

Authors:

1) Firda Ayu Nirmala (122111233033) firda.ayu.nirmala-2021@fib.unair.ac.id

2) Gabriella Joselyn K. (122111233068) gabriella.joselyn.krisnawan-2021@fib.unair.ac.id 

3) Ragwan (122111233181) ragwan-2021@fib.unair.ac.id

 

In America, college life is one of the cultural aspects that is deeply rooted in their social life. In college life, a fraternal organization was formed which could be said to be one of the tools to bond the relationship between students. These are known as sororities. The sororities system itself was first established in 1870. However, at that time, this community had not been named as Sororities, but as collegiate women's fraternal organizations, which aimed to provide many benefits to its members (Cohen, McCreary, and Schutts 2017). 

Sororities originally provided a source of solidarity and support for their members who saw themselves as unwanted minorities on male-dominated college campuses in the late 19th Century (Turk 2004). 

Then the concept of Sororities continues to develop and expand itself, which initially Sororities aim to provide solidarity and support to its members, turning into a social experience that gives a sense of ownership to its members or female students (Turk 2004). One of the main purposes of this college sorority is to push the members' academic achievements by doing several academic activities programs, such as study groups, tutoring services, and scholarship opportunities. This purpose, shed light on how sororities would not only support their individual members' academic achievements but also give an impactful meaning about the importance of women's intellectual. 

Research related to American college sororities as a culture in Indonesia is very limited, and not many Indonesian people know about this phenomenon. The fact that there are significant differences between college life in America and Indonesia is a very interesting thing to discuss. Then the question arises whether this sororities culture can be applied in Indonesia and whether this is compatible with Indonesian culture. The purpose of this essay is to examine the role that college sororities play in empowering women and fostering a sense of community in American universities, which evolves into American culture. 

We will delve into the evolution of College sororities and their role in women's education, also exploring the growth of sororities throughout history. By that, we will automatically discuss its benefits for college female students' empowerment and their personal growth as a person. We will also talk about the impact of sorority involvement on the broader community and the empowerment of women beyond the sorority itself. 

   The existence journey of sororities started with Alpha Delta Pi. It was the first secret society for women established in 1851 and Phi Mu was the second in 1852. Around 18 years later, following the development of Phi Mu, Kappa Alpha Theta was the first organization that was established as a Greek-letter women's fraternity in 1870. Finally, Gamma Phi Beta was declared the first group to refer to themselves as a sorority in 1882. They did this by the recommendation of their Latin professor who thought the word would fit them better. The sorority is derived from the Latin word "soror" which means "sister". The procedure of joining a sorority usually starts with "rushing," which is also known as "recruitment." This phrase "rush" alludes to the historical practice of students rushing to join fraternities at the start of the school year, mostly to find housing. "Rush" is often followed by "pledging," or committing. Due to the negative connotation in the United States, many sororities have dropped the term pledge as part of their education process, and some organizations have totally deleted both the phrase and the practice. However, most of their founders and members are whites because, by that time, whites were the ones who were privileged to attend college.

   The establishment of sororities was a significant achievement in terms of women's rights and equality. These groups were overcoming the odds simply by existing; the founding women were able to advance their organizations despite numerous obstacles pushing against them. The early "Women's Fraternities" had to overcome not only "restrictive social customs, unequal status under the law, and the underlying presumption that they were less able than men," but also the same obstacles as fraternities with college administrations.

Yahoo.com

   From an education perspective, college sororities hold a crucial role in women's education in the United States. College sororities facilitated them with opportunities in self-development aspects such as personal growth, leadership, and academic support. In the early 19th century, women had limited access to education. There was a belief that women's primary roles were as homemakers and caretakers, with little urgency for advanced education. Women who attended school initiated creating clubs even though they did not get full support. Moreover, women who decided to pursue higher education at that time were frequently "isolated and denigrated" even at the institutions that did choose to allow women through their gates. However, the number of sororities eventually increased. New sororities emerged and the gate for women to education was wide open. This is evidence that sororities played an important role in women's emancipation from the education field.

     Moreover, by joining a club, women can receive both personal and professional advantages that can profoundly influence their future. In a sorority, experiences in leadership, mentorship, and networking can be fostered. Along with the opportunity to take on leadership roles, involvement in activities aids members in developing skills valuable to communication, organization, and problem-solving. Not only does participation in our extensive female student network supply a robust support system, but it also offers a wealth of connections for career advancement and job prospects. The sense of unity, backing, and trust found in fraternities are qualities instilled in their members. Sisters find an environment where they can connect with those who share similar values, leading to a network that fosters individual progression and motivation. Through the sorority's guidance, women build their assurance while simultaneously motivating other sisters in the group. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Kai Her Omega, and Delta Gamma have bred plenty of successful women who are graduates of Studentenwerk. One of the most prominent is Oprah Winfrey, others include Condoleezza Rice and Sheryl Sandberg. These women serve as role models for all current and future members as they showcase the outstanding achievements of our alumni. Co-ed groups aid in serving communities, providing charity, and community interaction by actively participating in community projects, charities, and social campaigns that impact society. From healthcare to women's rights, The Society conducts fundraising events to support a plethora of causes that aim to better society. To promote the importance of unity and inclusion, the organization fosters a close-knit community. 

With the aim of improving the general welfare of neighborhoods, communities come together to organize events that encourage interaction and foster open communication. The sorority, in particular, works to empower women outside their own membership. Beyond the university, we provide valuable opportunities such as mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities, and scholarships to support women's growth. Women's personal and professional development is a key focus not just among female students themselves but also in how they can help others become change-makers in their communities. Membership in clubs has been linked in some research to ameliorating women's societal participation, leadership skills, and self-assurance. In an effort to make a difference, they participate in a range of endeavors within their community, including social impact campaigns, charities, and various projects. The society organizes events and fundraisers for issues such as education, healthcare, environmental protection, and women's rights. They partner with local organizations and charities to donate, volunteer and raise awareness of important social issues. Organizations foster cohesion and inclusion by creating communities. They plan events that bring community members together, encourage debate, and improve the overall well-being of the community. The sorority seeks to empower women outside its own ranks. Organizations foster cohesion and inclusion by creating communities. They plan events that bring community members together, encourage debate, and improve the overall well-being of the community. The sorority seeks to empower women outside its own ranks. Outside of college, they also offer scholarships, mentoring programs, and leadership development opportunities. By providing support and resources to women, female students contribute to their personal and professional development and help them become successful change agents in their communities. Research shows that club membership increases women's leadership, confidence, and civic engagement.

In conclusion, college sororities in America have played a significant role to empower women and provide solidarity. These organizations have evolved over the years, from being collegiate women's fraternal organizations into becoming social experiences that turned into a culture. The establishment of sororities has not only supported their members' academic aspects but also promoted the importance of women's intellectual abilities. Women have had access to chances for leadership development, academic support, and personal growth through college sororities. They have made it possible for women who had previously had restricted access to higher education to pursue their education. Also by joining sororities, the members can gain personal and professional advantages, like valuable skills (communication, organization, problem-solving, etc) and a network of connections. Furthermore, with their popularity and success, sororities broaden their influence outside of the institution by actively taking part in local projects, fundraising events, and social campaigns. Because of that, Sorority participation improves women's social participation, leadership abilities, and self-assurance, according to research. Sororities work to promote awareness of and make a difference in significant social concerns like education, healthcare, the environment, and women's rights. They seek to empower women outside of their membership and enhance the general welfare of neighborhoods. Sororities support the professional and personal growth of women and encourage them to become change-makers in their communities through mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities, and scholarships. With all of that benefits and impacts, we believe that perhaps if college sororities culture applied in Universities in Indonesia, it would empower, give a sense of solidarity, and improve the intellectual achievements of Indonesian students. 

REFERENCES

Briscoe, Claire, and Andrea Martens. 2019. "Empowering Sorority Women for Leadership in Their Post-College Lives." Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors 14, no. 2: 36-54.

Cohen, Sarah, Gentry McCreary, and Joshua Schutts. 2017. "The Conceptualization of Sisterhood within the Collegiate Sorority: An Exploration." Oracula 12 (1): 32--48. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,shib,uid,url&db=a9h&AN=133965391&lang=es&site=eds-live.

HistoryIT. 2023. "Sorority History Is Women's History." HistoryIT, March 2, 2023. https://historyit.com/sorority-history-is-womens-history/.

Martin, Christina. 2018. "Sorority Life and Empowerment: A Study on the Development of Leadership, Social, and Emotional Skills." Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors 13, no. 1: 14-28.

McDermott, Rachel, and Donna W. Fryer. 2018. "Volunteering and Sorority Involvement: An Empirical Study of College Women." Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors 13, no. 2: 1-16.

Rothman, Lily. 2016. "The True History Behind Neighbors 2: How American Sororities Got Their Start." Time, May 19, 2016. https://time.com/4328111/neighbors-2-sororities-history/.

Sherman, Jessica. 2014. "Sororities and Community Service: Impact on Members and Their Communities." Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors 9, no. 2: 19-30.

Turk, Diane. 2004. Bound By a Mighty Vow: Sisterhood and Women's Fraternities, 1870-1920. New York, NY: University Press.