BLACK SORORITIES
Heeding the Call

In the early 1900s, four black Greek sororities rose from the manicured lawns of academia cloaked in sacred rituals and emboldened by high ideals and philanthropic purpose.

Forged by groups of like-minded African American women determined to uplift the race and serve, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho historically have provided united fronts and common ground for black collegians and graduates committed to making a difference.

Though their colors, mottos and sacred symbols differ, and their relationships with each other are steeped in a tradition of respectful rivalry, a similar altruistic thread binds the common legacy of the organizations.

Over the past 100 years, since members of the organizations –one by one - began uttering their first calls to service and sisterhood, the complexions of the sororities have expanded to include women from across the country and around the globe who look, live and pray differently.

“Despite all of our individual programs and our individual thrusts, we all try to empower our youth, build better leaders and make sure the world that we leave behind is a little bit better, a little bit stronger and more positive than the world we came through,” says Joann Loveless, the recently installed 22nd Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what colors we wear. It matters what impact we leave behind.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha Delta Sigma Theta Sigma Gamma Rho Zeta Phi Beta

Ella McNair, director of programs and public relations for Delta Sigma Theta Inc., says that contrary to long-existing “misconceptions” of exclusion and elitism, black Greek sororities today are more concerned with the substance of a woman than her appearance.

“We have had members of other racial backgrounds since shortly after we started,” McNair notes. “Not only is discrimination illegal, it’s a moral and ethical issue. We know what it feels like. It’s something we fight everyday. Why would we do that to someone else?”

Today, the lingering perception of a lack of diversity is just one of the threats to the very existence of Greek-letter organizations on college campuses across the country. Despite their good works, both black sororities and fraternities find themselves fighting to justify their place in academia as administrators assess their true benefits of all Greek-letter organizations to the college experience.

Many believe the image of Greek life has suffered near-fatal wounds inflicted by unbalanced media attention and inaccurate portrayals on the big and small screen as party-centered groups that foster elitism. The biggest threat comes from much-publicized, “isolated” incidents of hazing that create damaging ripples across all Greek-letter organizations, overshadowing their extensive community service activities, McNair says.

Back in the day, “Mainstream media’s [coverage] of our positive activities has been miniscule compared to the press incidents of hazing receive,” McNair argues. But she adds that the times are changing. “We are getting coverage that we could not get access to before. We are working hard to dispel myths by continuing to do what we were founded to do.”

The battle has served to create deeper bonds of unity, as black sororities stand side-by-side with each other and their fraternal brothers to reclaim their image and justify their collective purpose. Members of the National Pan Hellenic Council, a coalition founded in 1930 of the nine largest historically African American Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, have taken a united stand to set the tone that could mean the difference between their continued collegiate presence and extinction.

“A major problem for one of us could mean the demise of all of us, Loveless says. “We realize that regardless of the colors we wear, we are all in this together. We have come together to work out a strategy to reduce liability to us and to the universities to allow us to continue operating on campus.”

While their fates hang in the balance, each sorority recently gathered at their bi-annual national conventions to usher in new leadership and determine the future course of their individual organizations.

The historic sororities continue their work to uplift the interests of humankind, engaging in programs ranging from voter registration drives and economic empowerment to environmental clean-up and global education initiatives.

This year, Alpha Kappa Alpha celebrates 100 years of existence with great fanfare and a partnership with Mattel Inc., which produced a limited edition of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Barbie. Clad in an elegant pink and green evening gown, this is the first sorority Barbie doll.

Also, Zeta Phi Beta installed celebrated entertainer and businesswoman Sheryl P. Underwood as its’ 23rd international president.

"Through my New Beginnings for Every Generation's plan of action, members of Zeta will enter into a new era of public service by strengthening our sisterhood, building on our sorority's national service initiative ZHOPE: Zetas Helping Other People to Excel and preparing the next generation of service leaders,” said Underwood in a recent interview.