Breeze Perspectives: Great to be Greek

Sisters are like friends,  and friends are like sisters

By Steffi Warne, contributing writer
Posted on September 6, 2007

It’s that time of year again. The leaves are starting to show a hint of autumn. The evenings are becoming cooler. The brightly patterned Grecian letters on solid colored T-shirts are springing up all over campus. Yes, it’s time for sorority recruitment. As these women prepare to usher in a new generation, I prepare myself for the rush of emotions I feel as an independent.

One year ago I transferred to JMU, after two years at a community college. As a junior I had the opportunity to rush, but felt no desire to, because I lived with my parents, both professors here, who gave me a very jaded perspective about Greek life. I remember walking around campus sneering at those “silly girls” who were wasting their money on something that would mean nothing later in life.

But as the semester went on, my feelings began to change. I became friends with women in different sororities. I saw the bonds between these women grow and the good they accomplished with fundraisers and philanthropies. I witnessed friendships bloom into what will probably lifelong relationships. In turn, it forced me to examine my perspective on sororities, and the prejudices I had built against them.

This year, with recruitment once again looming, I have taken a new perspective on this tradition. Even as an independent, I feel as if I have a group of sisters, my own personal sorority, who have impacted my life in the same way a real one might.

First there is my “Big,” an Alpha Phi sister, who has mentored me and helped me adjust to my life as a member of such a large university. A woman who has laughed with me, held me when I cried and told me when I’ve done something dumb. I look up to her, and trust her, as I would a real sister.

Then there are my “sisters,” my four best friends, all independents, and my roommates, both Delta Gammas. These are the women with whom I party, go to movies or stay up all night with. These women are experiencing the same changes I am, the women I am building lasting relationships with.

And lastly, there are my “Littles,” my four younger sisters ranging from eight-to-nineteen years old. These are the girls who see me as their role model. They use me as an example of how to, or how not to, make it through this crazy world. As the oldest, I feel a stronger sense of responsibility because of them. I think of them whenever I make a life-changing decision. I always have the question “what will my sisters think of me when this is said and done?” in my mind.

I am grateful for all of my “sisters,” and even though we are not in a true sorority, they have all impacted my life as if we were. So whether or not you decide to join a sorority, I urge you to examine your relationships with the “sisters” in your life. Build those relationships, because your friends may come and go, but your sisters will always remain.

 Steffi Warne is a senior English major.