Sororities

Social Sororities as Social Networks

Most women join social sororities for the purpose of creating and maintaining a network of “sisters,” through which they can form lifelong connections. Women who choose to join social sororities usually cite sisterhood as their primary reason for joining the organizations. This level of sisterhood is maintained in the number of alumni members of social sororities who are sometimes more dedicated to their social organizations than to their college or university. Sorority members experience benefits and negative aspects of social sorority membership. There are several types of social sororities based on ethnicity: historically white, black, Latina, Native American, or Asian sororities. Each of these organizations has similar organizational structures and functions under the direction of a larger organization, which has membership in a larger umbrella governing body.

The first two social sororities, Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma, were founded at DePauw University and Monmouth University, respectively, in 1870. These social service sororities served as the foundation for more than 26 sororities and women's fraternities that have chapters around the world. Some women's groups define themselves as fraternities for women or women's fraternities, such as Alpha Phi and Alpha Gamma Delta. These sororities have individual chapters that function under their national organization. Many individual chapters offer their members an option to live in their sorority house, which is usually located on a sorority row of houses either on or off campus. In addition to opportunities to build relationships with women in their chapter, a sorority's national governing body usually sponsors national and regional conventions for their members to build relationships with other members from across the nation.

Collectively, these national sororities function under the National Panhellenic Conference, an umbrella organization that provides support and advocacy for 26 national and international women's fraternities and sororities. The National Panhellenic Council maintains a list of famous Panhellenic Women in various fields, including entertainment, education, athletics, history, law, government, military, business, and other fields. Most colleges and universities have a local National Panhellenic Council organization, which serves as a governing body for local chapters of the 26 national sororities.

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