The Black Greek Life in College Essay

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.

The ancient Greeks with their brilliant and imaginative spirit created a complete order of things that functioned harmoniously in the infinite world that contained them. Although its exact origins are lost in time, Greek religion is thought to date from about the 2d millenium B.C., when the culture of Aryan invaders fused with those of the Aegean and Minoan peoples who had inhabited the region of Greece from Neolithic times [1]. The beginning and the genesis of this world occupied the ancient Greeks in much the same way it did the early people of every civilization. Greek religion was at the beginning a blend of Minoan, Egyptian, Asian, and other elements, but it subsequently evolved along with Greek thought.

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.

Alpha Kappa Alphas represent service and culture more than anything. Ever since AKA was founded in 1908, their motto has been “By Culture and By Merit”, and the mission of the sorority goes along with their motto. According to the mission tab of the official AKA website, service to all mankind, to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, and to alleviate problems concerning girls and women to maintain a progressive ingress in college life are the five components of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission to stand by their motto (Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., Par. 1).

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

Another noted organization that may be credited as an earlier Black Greek-lettered organization is Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. It is more commonly noted that this organization was founded on January 5, 1911, however, it is revealed

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

Greek life, made up of sororities and fraternities, is prominent in many universities and colleges throughout the United States. Greek life is on all types of campuses ranging from public to private, and especially Ivy League schools. Those who choose to participate in Greek life have the opportunity to become members of sororities and fraternities specific to gender, religions, races, and even majors. Colleges and universities in the South have strong Greek life with many undergraduate students participating, and at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, twenty percent of undergraduates participate in Greek life. For many, Greek life is an important facet of their college experience. Getting involved in Greek life provides students with many opportunities, such as an expansion of their social circle, involvement in community service, and leadership opportunities. In addition, the students who participate in Greek life are less likely to drop out. While participating in Greek life provides students with benefits, downsides also occur on college campuses. Serious dangers range from hazing to drug and alcohol or abuse, or even sexual assault.

On December 5, 1776 the first collegiate fraternal greek letter organization in the United States, Phi Beta Kappa was founded at Yale, the College of William and Mary.Building from the example of literary organizations, which were based on literary debates, and election, Phi Beta Kappa set many standards for collegiate greek letter organizations in the realm of rituals/traditions, selective admittance, faculty and community support. It was not until one hundred and thirty years that the first black greek letter organization, Alpha Phi Alpha was founded. The need of this organization emerged from a lack of admittance and representation in social clubs and greek organizations established on college

The Gamma Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority , Incorporated was organized in Monroe, North Carolina in 1964. The chapter was reactivated August 14, 2000 at the 78th International Boule in St. Louis, Missouri. The chapter has continued to implement the sorority’s mission to enhance the quality of life in the community by giving, uplifting, and serving one service project at a

Currently, at Howard University there are a total of nine African-American Greek organizations entitled “The Divine Nine.” The first fraternity of the divine nine is Alpha Phi Alpha which was founded in 1906 and the first sorority of the divine nine is Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated which was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1908. The Divine Nine is very big part of Howard University because most of these organizations like AKA, were founded on the historic Howard University campus.

Specifically taking the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority into account in present day. It is quite evident that the purpose and message from the earlier founders of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority still live on today. I interviewed Kayse Cuevas, a twenty-one-year-old senior at Oklahoma State University. She is a current and active member in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. I asked Cuevas if she had any family members that were Deltas and she confirmed that she in fact did. Cuevas has a cousin that’s a Delta and her grandmother’s best friend is also a Delta. When asked what motivated her to become a Delta her response was inspiring. Cuevas said that her grandmother’s best friend is nearing her eightieth year of life and is still extremely active within the organization with helping in the community

Within sororities is a language all their own; many words are created or used in a different manner. For example, “big” is not an adjective that describes something grand or large as in the English language. However, “big” is a term used to describe an older sister whose is assigned to a younger sister within the organization to be a mentor and a friend. Another example is the word “waltz”, which is not referring to a ballroom dance but rather the celebration of a sister’s twenty first birthday. Even the word “sister” is a part of a sororities’ unique language as it does not denote the relationship between blood-related relatives, but rather signifies the sister like bonds between members. This language is imperative to a sorority’s culture because it unifies members under a commonality that distinguishes them from other groups and organizations, much like racial and religious cultures.

Phi sigma sigma began when their founders went to the Dean of Women at Hunter College in New York City with a plan. They wanted to begin a sorority that would be open to all women. On November 26, 1913 Phi Sigma Sigma started. It was the first nonsectarian sorority, began under Fay Chertkoff. Their Alpha Chapter was at Hunter College.