Be Bold Campaign: What Being a Greek Woman Means To Me

In the Fall of 2018, the National Panhellenic Conference introduced a program called "Be Bold" to offer collegiate members an opportunity to explore critical topics affecting their lives, and empower them to be their best, most authentic selves. The University of Arkansas Panhellenic Council participated through a social media campaign in which we asked members, "How does being a Greek woman encourage you to be your most authentic self?," and shared these on our council Instagram page. Additionally, our Panhellenic Blog Writers spoke to members and found out what being a Greek woman means to them, which can be found below. Greek Life is ever changing, and we are fortunate to have one of the strongest communities in the country here at the University of Arkansas. We are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and are challenged every day to serve our community in the best way we can. As Greek women, we are held to standards that help us to reach our full potential. The opportunities for campus involvement and life long memories are endless when you decide to Go Greek

Growing up, I didn’t have a hard-core group of girls that would do anything for me. Coming into my freshman year of college, I knew that needed to change for me. I decided to go into Greek Life, not knowing a single thing about sororities or about what they had to offer. I was so nervous, considering I was probably the most introverted person you have ever met. I was hoping and praying that I would find my girl gang through recruitment. I told my Gamma Chi that I was freaking out because I didn’t know what to expect. She had the most open and honest answer that I could ever ask for. She said, “Finding your girls, starts with you. Make some money moves, sis.” I wanted to find that sisterhood and thankfully, that’s exactly what I found. I can’t even begin to explain the endless amounts of things that Greek Life has given me. Going Greek was the best thing I ever did for myself. Not only did I gain 400 sisters, my support group became 400 girls stronger. The opportunities I’ve been given are endless and I couldn’t be more thankful. I have encountered so many hardships the past two years. Whether it be school or just transitioning to college, I’ve had my girls hype me up and continuously make me want to keep going and keep pushing. I’ve fallen in love with this community. I’ve fallen in love with my chapter. I think our Greek community stresses self-love and unity so much and it’s a huge reason why I love this community so much. I’ve found that it is so hard to find your self-love, especially when you’ve struggled with it for so long. But when you have a community of over 1,000 women continuously hyping you up and never tearing you down, you have no choice but to grow and find the love that you thought was so hard to find. Our Greek community is something really special. There are so many stigmas of sororities always competing against each other and continuously tearing each other down, but here at the UofA, that is so not the case. The women in our community are the most gracious, loving, and caring women I have ever met in my entire life. This community is so special. All this girl power and girl support will truly stick with me for the rest of my life.

When college students look into joining Greek Life, they usually imagine matching with their sisters, taking cute pictures outside the house, and getting to dress up for functions and formals. These are all super fun things, but what they don’t always realize is that being apart of a sorority makes them apart of something that is so much bigger than themselves. It’s not cute t-shirts, getting to live in a mansion, or even functions, that draw us into our sisterhood. (Even though those are all great perks) What draws us in is the desire we have to make an impact in our philanthropy, at our school, and within our chapter. Being apart of a sorority gives college students not only lasting friendships, but the chance to come together and do something they couldn’t do on their own. Being apart of my chapter has given me countless memories, and the pride of of knowing that I am apart of something that strives to be better than it was the year before. Being a greek woman in only a short period of time, has already given me so much to look forward to and enjoy these next few years. Hana Love, a freshman member said, “Being a Greek women means to me that I have found community with other girls who have the same interests with me and I have found friends will always be there for me! It is truly a blessing to be a part of something so special!”

The Panhellenic community at the University of Arkansas goes beyond the houses and fun activities.  It gives each of its members a place to call home during our time in college and beyond.  Shelby Owens, a rising junior, said that “support from the whole Greek community has given me confidence in my true self, in my talents and sharing them with others, and confidence to lead other women fearlessly”.  We are a unity of women helping women succeed both socially, academically and professionally.
            Greek life encourages us to be involved in more than just Greek events; it pushes us academically as well.  Rising sophomore Hannah Tolin said, “Greek life enhances my academic achievements by introducing me to friends I can gather with to study, and by motivating me to attend networking events”.  We are so proud that Panhellenic strives for every Greek woman to be successful in our educational aspirations by supporting academic events on campus.
  Many would say one of the best parts of being Greek is creating friendships and bonds with other women who support you when you need it most.  They can be your big, members from your MC, or even women from another organization.  Shelby said, “the biggest way being a Greek woman has impacted my life is having a big/little relationship. My big has helped me with things like getting into the elementary education program. She’s been my rock, my teacher, my joy and my friend through it all. She’s holds such a special place in my heart, and I strive to live my life more like her everyday.”

We are beyond lucky to be a part of one of the best greek life systems in the country! The skills that we learn and the community that we are a part of are ones that we will take with us for the rest of our lives. People join greek life for all different reasons, but the decision to go greek will make your college experience the sweetest.

Junior, Becca Loritz says she originally joined Greek life because, “I saw how it had impacted girls I knew who were older than me and I wanted to experience that same growth.” Greek life is about more than the four years that you spend in college, it is about the values that you hold and the lifelong relationships that you form.

It is easy to be caught up in the fun events and cute houses, but senior Brianne Pulley explains,“Greek life has given me a sense of unity, something to be passionate about, all of my best friends, and so much more than a house.” It is special to see the impact you can make when you are working so passionately towards a certain cause.

 “Being a Greek woman has given me a new found confidence!,” said sophomore, Abby Arnn, “With the support of my sisters and greek community, I feel capable and powerful in my abilities in my academics and life ambitions.” Being a Greek Woman means supporting everyone, creating lifelong bonds, and being unapologetically yourself.

The Greek Life community at the University of Arkansas has provided so many people with a place to be known and cared for in college. These women who you create memories with, serve your community with, and do life with are some of the most empowering, caring, and faithful friends. 

When asked “what has Greek Life given you?” members responded:

Greek Life has given me the greatest leadership opportunities I have ever had, and has challenged me to grow as a person. It has given me my closest friends and the happiest memories.

What I didn’t realize about greek life was that it wasn’t just about lifelong friendships, but also about service, career development, academic support, and many of the other opportunities it provides. Greek Life has given me the ability to continue to be very involved in the community, whether it be Fayetteville, the student population (SROs and service projects), or even abroad (mission trips).

When asked “What is the biggest way being a Greek woman has impacted your life?” members responded:

The Greek Life community has taught me to believe in myself and others. You are capable of so much more than you think.

The biggest way I have been impacted by Greek Life has been the accountability and selflessness I have experienced. Everyone within greek life is accountable to each other and the leaders I have met are selfless, helping other leaders and women in Greek life whenever they can in order to make Greek life what it is. These women inspire me to work hard, hold myself more accountable, take on more leadership roles, and be as selfless as possible in the process.

Being a member of this community has the ability to shape your life in such a positive way. It is important to have a place to pour into the women around you while you are being cared for, challenged, and accepted. Go Greek!

The main reason that I wanted to be a Panhellenic blog writer in the first place, was because this blog gives me the platform to show families, students, and incoming freshman how much Greek Life truly means to me. I decided to go through recruitment at the U of A because so many girls and mothers from my hometown were talking about sororities, neither one of my parents had been apart Greek Life so I truly had no idea how much going Greek would change my life for the better.

I know I could say some of the things that everyone tells you about being in a sorority: that I truly did find those people that will be my bridesmaids, and that it has given me such a large network of people who want to help me, or that living in a sorority house with 80+ plus girls is an experience that you cannot find ANYWHERE else. But the thing about Greek Life to me that is so special, is that when you are a part of a sorority, you become a part of a group of women who represent something bigger than themselves. Every day the choices and actions that you make, are not only affecting you personally but they affect the sisters around you. It is a daily motivation and opportunity to leave your mark behind on this campus.

            As Morgan Chudy, our Dance Chair of this current year, said “I work so hard on choreographing and cleaning these dance events, not because it’s my job. But, because when they call my chapter’s name and we perform in front of the campus, I know I made my sisters proud. I know that every hour of work was worth it because I am able to give back to an organization that has given me so much!”

There are so many ways to get involved within a sorority, but in pretty much everything you do, it is not for your own personal recognition, it is for your chapters and that itself is a life lesson. Being one in a chapter of 400 individuals can seem scary, but when you yourself have the opportunity to make an impact on 400 people everyday, it truly is a beautiful, unique, and cherished thing.

          “To me, being a Greek woman means having a constant support system throughout this entire crazy college journey,” says member, Danielle Shaver. As her friend, sorority sister, and classmate, I could not agree more. In fact, there is not a statement that, I believe, aligns more precisely than her’s regarding the support system Greek life provides.

            College is scary. It’s crazy. It’s chaotic. The transition from high school to university does not merely include scholarly challenges, rather, a morphing of all social aspects of life, incredible independence, and a completely new atmosphere. The transition is not one to be embarked on alone.

            Being a Greek woman means to be the nonbiological sister the women around you need as they navigate new challenges. Greek women take on tasks big and small- whether it means dropping off a pint of ice cream to your new heart broken friend or staying up late as a supportive study buddy. It’s true friendship that overcomes the bonds of superficiality. It’s being the helping hand the woman around you need when they feel far from home.

            Furthermore, Greek women take pride in aiding their community. Greek woman confidently spread their compassion and capabilities with those around them to intentionally leave positive marks along the paths they embark.

           Greek Life means so much to me and so many other individuals. Being apart of Greek Life at the University of Arkansas is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It impacts you, encourages you, and inspires you to be the best you can be. The opportunities are endless when being a member of Greek life and I will forever be thankful that I made the decision to be apart of such a wonderful organization.

            A fellow member of Greek Life was thrilled when I asked her to describe to me her love for Greek Life at the University of Arkansas. She expressed to me how much it has impacted her life and her college experience. As she watched her older college friends meet so many new friends who all got to experience college together, she realized she wanted to be apart of Greek Life. “Coming into college can be stressful,” says the Greek Life member, “But when I became apart of Greek Life, all of my stress went away when I realized I can do this with the help of my new friends and all the endless opportunities Greek Life has given me.” This member goes on to express how grateful she is that Greek Life has given her an endless amount of memories already, as a freshman in college. “Greek Life completed my freshman year. I would not have gotten to meet the friends I met if I did not make the decision to be apart of Greek Life. The opportunities, the friends, the memories, the philanthropy, the fun, everything about my experience in college so far has been made whole through Greek Life. I cannot wait to experience three more years of Greek Life on this campus, because it is the best thing that has happened to me in college so far.” This member holds a strong and endearing love for not only her chapter, but Greek Life as a whole. “Greek Life gives you something to proud of. You are apart of something that is so special and means so much to you. I will forever be thankful for Greek Life at the University of Arkansas!”

            As a sophomore in college, I have had the chance to grasp what Greek Life truly is. Greek life plays an important role on the University of Arkansas campus, as well as all throughout the Northwest Arkansas community and more. Greek Life provides its members with limitless opportunities that will enhance personal and leadership skills, promote academics, and impact communities and organizations around the country. If you are ever indecisive about joining Greek Life at the University of Arkansas, just know that it is one of the best decisions you could ever make for your college experience, life itself, and for memories that will last a lifetime!

 

            The summer before my freshman year of college (which wasn’t that long ago) I was so excited about going through sorority recruitment! I thought that joining a sorority meant that I would meet some fun people, get some free T-shirt’s, and that I would develop a love for glitter! While all of these things are true (some more than others) being a Greek Woman means so much more! In my time in as a member of my chapter, I have grown so much as a person because the friends I made in my sorority have always been there so support me. To me being a Greek Woman means finding a place where you are free to be yourself, because while you are surrounded with people who are different, you all have at least one thing in common: your love for your chapter and sisterhood! I think what makes Greek Life so amazing is that everyone is so different and yet they share a common love for their sorority. That being said, I believe that the definition of a Greek Woman is influenced by an individuals experiences, so I want to share with you how my sorority sisters define a Greek Woman!

“Being a Greek woman is being surrounded by people who will give you grace when you need it and having the accountability to do better the next time!” - Natalie Thompson

“Being a Greek Woman is about finding your people, like my unofficial twin sister!” - Sydney Eagan

“To me being a Greek Woman means having the opportunity to get involved on campus, and growing as a person because I’ve found a sisterhood that always loves and supports me!” - Natalie Hundley

Whether we are quadruple legacies who have been dreaming about Greek Life for as long as we can remember, or if we are the first woman to rush in our entire family, being a Greek woman is something to be proud of. Joining a sorority means meeting women with diverse backgrounds, being exposed to new and interesting ideas, and meeting some of the best friends of your life. Beyond bid day, there are many ways to involve yourself in Greek Life, like becoming a Greek Life facilitator or volunteering time at various events and philanthropy functions. Being involved in your chapter is fulfilling, but involving yourself in the bigger picture – Greek Life as a whole – offers a new and different perspective. Lauren Edwards, an upcoming junior, has enjoyed her time as a Greek woman. As the first woman in her family to rush, she admits that she was a little nervous when recruitment week rolled around. However, she also explains that the entire atmosphere of rush was something unlike she had ever experienced. “It was all about women building each other up and encouraging one another to be the best version of themselves. I realized that within the first few hours of rush, and that theme carried into the rest of the week and even after I received my bid card,” Lauren says. Beyond rush week, she has also taken steps to involving herself in Greek Life as a whole. She has participated in events like Derby Days in order to represent her chapter with pride. Through this, Lauren says she has learned what it means “…to really give a 105% effort in representing something you love with the people you love. [She] met so many women from other chapters that really opened [her] eyes to what it means to be a Greek woman!” Greek Life is changing. It isn’t simply about cool t-shirts and functions anymore. It is about finding your women - those who are going to support you through the dark times and be there with you to celebrate the best times. Beyond every sorority chapter there is a larger, intertwining Greek Life organization that supports it, and here at the U of A, we are lucky enough to say we can involve ourselves in that organization in many different ways.