Column: Thoughts from Dr. Joe: Making sense of sororities
If I’m not adventuring around the country, I’m sitting in Starbucks nursing a black tea. For an old retired coot like me, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.
To the casual observer it may appear as though I’m just taking up space, but typically I’m busier than a hornet. Believe me, it’s not as though I need something else on my plate. Yet, for some strange reason, friends and neighbors seem to seek my counsel regarding a myriad of concerns. Most of the time I just listen and with a timely nod, I’m able to set straight whoever is in need of whatever.
The Starbucks on Foothill at Gould is a high-profile watering hole. It seems as though the entirety of the community passes through some time during the week. I estimate that many of the concerns of the patrons are cyclical. For the past month, there seems to have been a dire concern regarding Greek life, particularly rushing and then pledging. Many of my daughters’ friends are in college and are entering the world of sororities. I have been asked a plethora of questions, most of which I don’t understand. My daughters Sabine and Simone are card-carrying members of sororities Alpha Chi Omega and Alpha Delta Pi respectively; subsequently, that must make me the resident expert on sororities. I feel like telling them that I don’t even know where I parked my car.
Well, until two minutes ago, I didn’t even know the names of the sororities my daughters were in, that is until I asked my wife Kaitzer.
“So then why do they bear Greek names? What’s wrong with English?” I asked.
She handed me the book “Pledged — Secret Life of Sororities,” by Alexandra Robbins.
“You actually read this?” I asked.
She gave me her deadpan stare.
The words “sorority” and “fraternity” come from Latin roots: “soror” meaning sister and “frater” meaning brother. The concept evolved from the first social club established at William and Mary in 1750. The initial club, the F.H.C. (Flat Hat Club) boasted that Thomas Jefferson was a member. Initials were originally used as a designation. This eventually gave way to Latin and then Greek letters. The P.D.A. (Please Don’t Ask) founded at William and Mary in 1773 eventually became the Phi Beta Kappa society.
While in college, I was never part of the Greek system. I can’t imagine ever getting a bid from any of the fraternities at the University of Dayton.
“Sororities are much more than social groups,” Kaitzer said. “The history of women coming together is unparalleled in terms of service and contribution. The collective power of women is a force to be recognized. Women are determined, organized and focused, and they care about the community.”
All I could muster was a nod.
Women’s groups dealt with the problems of industrialization and championed the Progressive Movement of the 19th century. They were instrumental in health and safety concerns, child labor issues, education, promoted the profession of social work and public health, and would spearhead Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. They fought for a social infrastructure to support the political, economic and social needs of women. They recognized the plight of poor women and children and established early support for social welfare.
The women’s movement during the 20th century was spearheaded by the sisterhood of women. The contributions of women toward enhancing the family, the community and of the nation is unparalleled.
Sororities are in a league of their own, and I am encouraged as the daughters of La Cañada transition to this next phase of life.
JOE PUGLIA is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us.
