Sorority girl reputation

How many people do you know in a sorority here at JMU? 

Good chances you know at least 1 or 2 people that have joined one. 

What would you say your opinions are on Greek life? Do you tend to hear positive or negative things about it?

Chances are you have either heard at least one negative thing about it OR you personally have negative views on sororities as a whole. My question is why? Why are women judged sometimes for joining an organization that makes them happy? The sad reality is that most of the judgment comes from other women. Why are we not supporting each other no matter what decision we make about being in Greek life or not? 

Personally, I am a member of Greek life here at JMU. I have heard all the comments from “I would never pay for my friends” to my hometown friends saying “I can not imagine you being in a sorority”. Very rarely do I have any women outside of Greek life supporting me and genuinely happy that I am in an organization that makes ME very happy. It is hard for me to understand because I have respect for anyone who chooses to be in Greek life and anyone who thinks ‘ya maybe that isn’t for me’. Before I lived with friends in my sorority, I lived with 3 girls who were not in any organization. I felt the judgment constantly anytime I had something to do for my sorority. Don’t get me wrong I am still very close with these girls. They are some of my best friends. However, I do wish that they had the same respect for me about being in one as I did for them not being in one. The constant comments of “I could never do that”, “I would never be told what to do” never failed to make me feel uncomfortable. Again, completely valid if that’s how you feel. Just don’t invalidate how I feel about it. 

My sorority is a home away from home for me. It gave me my roommates, support system and best friends here at JMU. In my eyes, sororities are a group of amazing women lifting each other up who have like interest and values. I wish this side could be shown more instead of the negative connotation it typically comes with. I am not oblivious to the fact that yes, not every sorority girl is nice. Maybe not every sorority girl is in one for the right reasons. Maybe that small portion of women is why sororities have the reputation they do. But I will say, I have met some of the nicest, genuine girls I have ever met throughout my time here in JMU Greek life. Most of which I get to call my sisters. But what I love so much about Greek life is you get to meet amazing girls from all of the organizations. I have best friends in at least 6 other chapters. 

The reason I’m writing about this is because it is so important for women to support women. It is crucial for us to uplift each other. As women we have enough to worry about. We worry about our body image, grades, boys, ect. The list goes on and on. We’re so young and our lives are changing everyday. I don’t know about you all, but the last thing I want to worry about is feeling judged by my fellow females. The world(JMU specifically) can be a much better place if we all come together and support women with everything we got. So to conclude, join that sorority if you please and don’t if you prefer that. Just be nice. Us women just have to have each other’s backs.