Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service: A Legacy of Empowerment
Sisterhood, scholarship, and service are the cornerstones of many sororities and women's organizations. These organizations provide a supportive community for members while promoting academic excellence, personal growth, and service to others. From historically Black sororities to national organizations with hundreds of thousands of members, these groups have a lasting impact on their members and the communities they serve.
The Enduring Power of Sisterhood
At its core, sisterhood provides a sense of belonging and mutual support. For many women, joining a sorority or similar organization offers an instant feeling of home. As one Alpha Xi Delta member noted, "I chose Alpha Xi Delta as my home during recruitment because it instantly felt like home." This sense of connection can be especially important for women navigating the challenges of college life and beyond.
Alpha Xi Delta, for example, emphasizes the importance of friendship, personal growth, and leadership development. With over 162,000 initiated members, the organization provides a space where women can pursue their passions, develop their skills, and become leaders in their communities and careers. The organization has developed empowering programs that support the education, wellbeing, and personal growth of its members and sets them up for success post-graduation.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, founded in 1920, also prioritizes sisterhood as a core principle. Carla Facey, a Geneseo alum and former Zeta Iota chapter member, reflected on how the sisterhood she experienced fueled her desire to support others in her workplace and beyond. Abigail George, another Geneseo alum, emphasized that the support she received from the Zeta sisterhood was "one-of-a-kind" and essential to her success in college. She noted that the Zeta sisters served as models for how she wanted to conduct herself, with their careers and life journeys acting as guideposts in hers.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”
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Scholarship as a Foundation for Success
In addition to sisterhood, these organizations place a strong emphasis on academic achievement. Many offer scholarships, educational programs, and leadership opportunities to help their members succeed in their studies and future careers.
The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation, for instance, inspires Sisters to turn their dreams into reality by supporting educational programs, scholarships, and leadership opportunities. Similarly, the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) awards scholarships to student applicants entering college or continuing their academic programs, with students required to meet both academic and community service requirements.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, founded in 1913 at Howard University, was established to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. The founders envisioned an organization committed to scholarship, sisterhood, service, and addressing the social issues of the time.
Service to the Community
A commitment to service is another defining characteristic of these organizations. Members are encouraged to give back to their communities through volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy.
Alpha Xi Delta offers alumnae various volunteer opportunities to give back. Delta Sigma Theta has evolved a wide range of programs addressing education, health, international development, and the strengthening of African American families over the years. Zeta Phi Beta members strive to make a lasting difference in the world through their daily actions.
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Carla Facey reflected fondly on joint efforts to do "grassroots"-based work that she and her peers took part in across the Geneseo community. Kaelyn De la Cruz, a current Geneseo student and Zeta Iota member, noted the motivating compassion and care she has encountered from everyone she interacts with in the organization.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® seeks to build upon Alpha Kappa Alpha’s rich legacy of service by galvanizing our sisterhood of more than 120,000 active members to lead on the front lines of change, education, and advocacy.
The Divine Nine: A Legacy of Black Greek Letter Organizations
The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, is part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, known as the Divine Nine-a historic grouping of Black fraternities and sororities, founded in the early 20th century to promote civic engagement for those previously excluded. These organizations focus on creating a home for their members and on improving their local communities, especially for the underprivileged within them, through volunteerism.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, is also a member of the Divine Nine. As a sisterhood comprised primarily of Black, college-educated women, the Sorority seriously considers the issues impacting the Black community and boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans.
Promoting Health and Wellness
Many of these organizations also prioritize the health and wellness of their members and the communities they serve. DREF, for example, reminds us all that heart healthy food choices saves lives, especially for Black women. They offer tips to support our flavors, our way-lighter on salt, heavy on herbs, and provide steps to help prevent heart disease. DREF encourages all African American women to know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar (A1C), and waist measurement, and to contact their medical professional right away or call 911 if something feels wrong.
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Notable Members Making a Difference
The impact of these organizations extends far beyond college campuses. Many members have gone on to achieve great success in their careers and make significant contributions to society. Delta Sigma Theta boasts a remarkable roster of accomplished members, including:
- Soror Robin Kelly: A United States Congresswoman and politician from the state of Illinois, serving in Congress since 2013.
- Soror Nina Hudson Turner: An American politician, professor, and former State Senator from Ohio, known as a motivational speaker and cable news commentator.
- Soror Audrey Jones: A two-time Emmy Award-winning senior producer of The View on ABC.
- Soror Hattie McDaniel: An American actress, singer, songwriter, and comedian, best known for her role in "Gone with the Wind."
- Soror Lana Michelle Moorer (MC Lyte): A Grammy-nominated American rapper, DJ, actress, and entrepreneur, considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time.
- Soror Dr. Tressie McMillian Cottom: A sociologist, writer, and public scholar, author of several books including "Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy" and "Thick: And Other Essays."
- Soror Beverly Jenkins: A recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Soror April Sinclair: An Oakland-based best-selling author known for her books about young black women coming of age.
- Soror Kelly Price: A six-time Grammy-nominated American R&B singer, songwriter, and television personality.
- Soror Martha Reeves: An American lead singer of the Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.
- Soror DeShauna Barber: A United States Army Reserve Captain, former Miss USA, and motivational speaker.
- Soror Donna Geils Orender: A sports executive and former collegiate and professional basketball player, and former president of the WNBA.
- Soror Hydeia Broadbent: An HIV/AIDS activist who has dedicated her life to speaking out about HIV/AIDS and its prevention.
- Soror Maritza Correia (McClendon): The first African American female to win Olympic medals in swimming.
- Soror Carmelita Jeter: A retired American sprinter who specialized in the 100 meters, and a three-time Olympic medalist.
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