We are living in a world of renewed female empowerment.

Countless women are becoming firsts in their fields and creating a path for future female leaders to follow. One of the best ways to become empowered as a college woman is to join Greek Life, but others continue to disgrace this choice from a lack of understanding.

When I first came to UK, I did not want to be in a sorority. I placed too much emphasis on the movie sorority stereotypes and thought that the experience was not for me. In my second semester, I signed a blue bid card with a chapter on campus, and I was excited to take on this new endeavor. The Greek women I met in classes changed my decision; they were women who helped me with my college transition and are still women that I look up to.

However, a select few who are non-Greek continue to sneer at this decision. This group ranges from acquaintances to long-time friends. For some, when I mention something related to my sorority life, they immediately say that Greek life is not for them and an activity that they would never do. Others ask me if my chapter fits common, and usually degrading, stereotypes. Sometimes, I feel like I need to write an FAQ card and print a few copies for situations like these.

Sororities were created to empower college women and continue to do so today. Many of the National Panhellenic Council sororities were founded around the turn of the 20th century, which also happens to be the same time that women began enrolling in universities and setting foot on campuses across the country. In a male-dominated classroom, women used sororities, also known as women’s fraternities, to network with other female peers and create a positive environment for them while they pursued a degree.

Sororities still create an enriching environment for college women today. In addition to this same networking, sorority members have access to educational workshops about topics from mental health to finance, peers who encourage academic pursuits, community volunteering opportunities and more. Sororities encourage women to foster their leadership skills now and life after graduation.

A woman joining Greek life can be one of the best opportunities for her. She will become a part of a female-driven society that focuses on empowering other women.

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