An individual recently informed me that my Greek organization is not “top tier.” Imagine my shock at this, because I do not want to think anything negative about my organization. I could not help but wonder why my organization was not considered “top tier” and what made other organizations hold that supposed title.
My first thought was, “What exactly does “top tier” even mean?” I decided to dissect the word and understand the definition. According to dictionary.com, the word “tier” means one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another. I am assuming that the title signifies that one Greek organization is above another, essentially better and most liked.
My next thought was, “What makes a sorority top tier?” Would it be how much money the members individually have, how beautiful its members are, the reputation the organization upholds as a whole, how well the members dress (assuming big T-shirts and Norts are out of the equation) or the awards and titles earned throughout the school year?
In the month that I have been a Greek woman, I have been exposed to more types of individuals with different attitudes, values and decorum. Because of my occupation, Greek women from all of the different organizations surround me daily. Each of these women is unlike the other. Each of these women is capable of providing strengths to her individual organization.
As a member of the Greek community, I find it true that all of the different organizations should grow together as one for the betterment of the world. Each organization makes a difference, whether big or small or whether members are aware of it or not. Take a closer look at all of the great men and women who are Greek who have made a difference in the world. Seventy-six percent of U.S. senators are Greek, Condoleezza Rice is a member of a sorority, Martin Luther King Jr. was a member of a fraternity, all but two presidents since 1825 have been Greek and the first female astronaut was in a sorority. The list of these amazing men and women goes on and on.
I have friends who attend universities throughout the United States who have chosen to go through the Greek process at their respective universities; however, all of them tell me that Ole Miss’ recruitment and Greek life is unlike any other. Why is that? With recruitment fresh on my mind, I recall the walks to different houses, many different outfit changes and witnessing tears after a woman received the list of houses each day. I have many friends in each of the Greek organizations with unique personalities who contribute individually to their respective organizations.
So what makes our recruitment so different compared to the rest? I believe the issue comes from a woman’s preconceived notions about each organization, including the stereotypes. There were many times when I would hear conversations between potential new members about which sorority was “the best” or that she “just had to be a part of or would transfer.” I did not understand how these women knew what made an organization the “best” without having been a member of one. I was given the best advice ever: Keep an open mind throughout the process. I did just that.
I embraced every sorority as if it were an open book. Keeping an open mind made the recruitment process less stressful because I was going to end where I was meant to be, where I could have 300 plus sisters, where I would have some of the best experiences in my life and where I could make a difference.
So I’m calling BS on the significance of being a “top-tier” sorority. Each organization is comprised of a few mean girls, a few who seem to be perfect girls, a few nerdy girls and so on. But so what? Each woman contributes to the empowerment of her organization. In order for a sorority to thrive, there must be love, compassion, support and a desire to continue on the ideals and traditions of our founding sisters.
It should not matter where you come from, what you look like or even how others perceive you. What is important is that you, along with your sisters, continue to thrive with your organization.The bonds you have, the lifelong friendships you make, the causes your philanthropies support and the love shared are far more important and valuable than a “top-tier” stamp on your organization.
Being Greek is not having an exorbitant amount of T-shirts or chapter every week. Being Greek is being a part of something bigger than oneself. I hope that one day the preconceived notions of which organization is this or that will fade away. All of these women are beautiful, intelligent and powerful and will make a difference in their individual organizations. Now that is an organization that I am so humbled to be a part of.
Summer Wigley is a sophomore psychology major from Ridgeland.
-Summer Wigley
sswigley@go.olemiss.edu
