Dear Sorority Girl, As humans, it is in our nature to view things simplistically. Most of us participate in day-to-day events single-mindedly. We are much too wrapped up what we are doing to take a step back and recognize the greater picture. We fail to notice the impact of the social systems that constantly surround us. The systems that we associate with are much bigger than ourselves. In fact, they define who we are not only as individuals, but also as part of a society. Allan Johnson, author of The Forest and the Trees, does an incredible job of investigating on the importance of looking at society through an outside lens; taking a step back and analyzing the social systems we are all involved in. He shows that in doing so, we are …show more content…
These reactions are attached with emotional elements as well. It is our attitudes that shape how we participate in social life. The love and dedication for the sorority you join is formed by the beliefs, values, and norms that you have for your sorority. The process of joining a sorority itself is also looked at as joining a new social structure. According to Johnson (2008), “social structures organize social life around relationships that connect people to one another and to systems as well as connecting entire systems to one another” (78). More simplistically put, social structures are about how relationships are organized on all aspects of life and how these relationships are interconnected. Statuses are positions in these structures, and we ascribe to many statuses within our social system. The best way to think about it is to relate statuses to social job titles. With this said, along with the status of being a girl and a college student, rushing a sorority provides a new position as being a rushee, perhaps a pledge, and then, after initiation, a member. Another status that members of a sorority may claim is a position on the executive board, such as treasurer. Fulfilling a status can be seen as a way of being committed to a certain social system. With such commitment comes a duty that needs to be fulfilled. This duty can be looked at as a role. A role is the collection of beliefs, values, attitudes, and norms
As I started Bloomfield College I have always been interest in joining a sorority. I went to many different interested meeting and none of them caught my attention like Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. did. When I sat down and listen to their history and their goals it really made me change my mind and realize that Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. was the one. I am a proud Latina and to know that they were the first sorority ever created to cater towards the needs of Latinas in the nation made me more excited and enthusiastic on being part of the interested ladies. The main thing that captured my interest was to know that Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. is a scholarly excellence sorority. As any person would think a sorority is about partying and having fun I believe this one focus more on their educational future and to achieve their goals.
As a young woman who strives to make a difference both locally and globally, I know that membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will aid in accomplishing my life long goals. The emphasis this organization places on assisting and supporting others through the Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, is truly a reflection of the public service initiatives that I make an effort to take part in. The opportunity to form a lifelong bond with other college educated women, who share some of the same morals and beliefs as I do, is phenomenal. I know that membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will mean taking that initiative to become a part of something that’s bigger than myself, because I certainly can’t take on the world alone. The incredible
In order to get information for my paper, I interviewed someone with a position of authority within Tri Delta. Her name is Danielle, and she is the new member educator. The first thing I learned about Tri Delta is that it is more than just letters on a shirt, songs and chants, a gold pin, socials, rituals, an obligation, or a way of life. “Being in a sorority is about learning about people and being able to give without expecting a return. Tri Delta has allowed me to find lifelong friends and find confidence in myself as well as in my sisters,” Danielle explained. After hearing her explanation, I couldn’t agree more. Danielle also told me that the close relationships are her favorite part. “My favorite part about being in Tri Delta is the sisterhood.
I believe the purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is to grow and develop women scholastically and to help women reach their goals. This organization is noted for its extensive service, reaching beyond college campuses. The purpose is also to stay dedicated and committed to academic excellence. Women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., not only give back to their community but are also leaders, uniting women to have a positive impact on others. Joining a sisterhood such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is a lifelong commitment. Since Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. starts in the collegiate years, the skills you learn can help later on in life. It is also preparation for working with people with different personal and professional backgrounds. Also, to be aware of what is going on around you and how you can make an impact. Young women looking for mentorship can have a positive
At the start of the new school year, Millicent Arnold, a typical teenage girl, receives an invitation to join the elite and exclusive girls’ sorority at Lansing High School. Before she becomes an official member however, Millicent must demonstrate she is fit to join the sorority by finishing the initiation process: a series of ridiculous and rigorous tasks that pushes her to her limits. During a mission, Millicent discovers the nasty truth and reality of the “prefect” sorority at her high school, and ultimately decides that being herself is most important and rejects entering the sorority altogether.
Day in and day out we hear about high school and college students wanting to pursue a sorority and/or a fraternity based on the stereotypes these organizations uphold, well I chose to differ. I told myself if I ever decided to become a member of a sorority it would be based solely on their ethical standards, history, and values they are founded upon. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated consists of ladies of distinction and exemplary character who excel in scholarship, leadership, and service, which are qualities I have chosen to uphold. From my perspective, I encourage myself to maintain a respectable appearance and reputation which doing so inspires me to embrace my self-concept; which helps me confidently excel academically and
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated purpose is to be of service to all mankind dealing with critical issues in communities domestically and internationally. What I have grown to understand an envision a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to be, I accredit largely to the ladies of the Gamma Theta chapter. This has the result of attending many of the chapter’s events during my time at Hampton thus far. One of my favorite events was a screening of a documentary Girls Rising. I learned to appreciate every opportunity to learn and gain knowledge because in some parts of the world girls are restricted from receiving an education. A
The three main reasons I am excited to join a sorority include my personal development, loyalty and friendship, and support of my aspirations. As a sister, there is an expectation of social interaction and personal development. I am confident that my experience and communication skills will be enriched by the activities that I participate in, the responsibility I take, and the people I meet. I am looking forward to making friends for life. I think that the atmosphere and set up of a sorority fosters and encourages the development of lifelong friendships through common aims and shared experiences. I also believe that sorority life emphasizes and encourages loyalty to and among the sisterhood, my school and the nation. Support from my sisters
However, if you are looking to be more connected on your college campus and to automatically belong to a sense of community, joining a sorority is the perfect fit for you. Delta Gamma claims its mission is to “foster ideals of friendship among women”, and it is fairly clear through the public discourse, as well as the discourse meant specifically for Delta Gamma’s, that community and friendship is something that is cherished within the organization. Joining a sorority means that you are a part of traditions that have been around for decades, thus being connected to something bigger than yourself. A sorority isn’t just something you do for your four years in college, but it is something that you use as a networking tool and a bond of friendship for as long as you live. It also means having a forever snow cone run partner, new opportunities to plug yourself into, and girls who are always there to comment how good you look on your Instagram photos. Those these things may seem infantile, they are super important and go a long way in making you feel like you are at home at your university, and that is the exact goal of any sorority. If any of this sounds appealing to you, there should be no hesitation in
I will feel honored to be a part of an organization that was founded by and continues to consist of many influential women who are dedicated to bettering themselves and their community. Joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated presents an opportunity for me to continue to serve my community and beyond as well as develop lifelong bonds with like minded young women who push each other to reach their goals and
Imagine a double headed arrow. The arrow at the bottom, pointed down, is the individual. This individual is connected to something bigger, the upward arrow. This upward arrow explains the social system or “larger than us”. Johnson (1999) explains “We are always participating in something larger than ourselves…to understand social life and what happens to people in it, we have to understand what it is that we’re participating in and how we participate in it.” (39). To picture this, Johnson (1999) uses the analogy of a forest stating, “…a forest is simply a collection of individual trees… a collection of trees that exist in a particular relation to one another,” (39). He goes on to say that “…the key to understanding social life isn’t just the forest and it isn't just the trees. It’s the forest and the trees and how they're related to one another.” (Johnson 1999: 39). This is sociology and the rule that people are not systems and systems are not people (Johnson 1999).
When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.
My passion for my sorority grew exponentially during the fall of my sophomore year. Recruitment season had started and I was meeting loads of sweet, freshman girls. I loved getting to know the new faces, showing them the ropes and making them feel at home. In high school, I had never been close friends with underclassmen, so the experience of being an older “guide” was new for me. I loved it and I loved my freshmen friends.
Joining a sorority is not just four for years but for life. Going through a week-long process of meeting thousands of girls can be intense, overwhelming but intriguing and exciting as well. Recruitment to many is known as a terrifying process where girls come from all over with matching shirts, bright smiles and dreams that at the end of the week they will receive the white envelope that incases the 4x6 card with the sororities crest inviting them into their sisterhood. By preparing ahead of time, which includes building a resume, searching for recommendation letters and extensive research on each chapter, sorority recruitment doesn’t have to be an intimating process.
Society can hold people back and keep them from improving. People might not think this is significant, but when reading The Lord of the Flies and looking back at the world’s history the reader can see that these things can cause societies to fall apart. The creepers in the book may seem unimportant, but the individual vines that make up the jungle creepers are symbolic of the individual citizens that make up a society. Like the ball of yarn, the separate strands are woven together, but they can easily be unraveled by a tug in the wrong direction or they can become so tangled together that they lose their individuality. People need to treat each other and society with care if society is to survive and grow