Sororities

Sororities Affects On African American Culture Sororities are commonly known as a college social club or organization for women, with particular distinction given to the African American sororities. Brought about at the time in history when traditional roles of women were being challenged, the founders of the first black sororities had to overcome the stereotypical views of sexism as well. They were considered unique, although college wasn’t really an option for African American’s. Within society they were being treated in rejection because they were black. They wanted to have an organization that would be called sisterhood and ties into their community. Nine dedicated women wanted peace, sisterhood and wanted to become leaders amongst their communities so they formed the first African American sorority in 1908 called Alpha Kappa Alpha. With over a quarter of a millions members in the black sororities numbers are increasing over the years. They continue to be a part of their communities and educate youth in their community. When actual Greek letters were formed for sororities and fraternities white letter groups didn’t think black fraternity groups would be capable of understanding the meanings of the letters and Greek study as they did. Four major African American sororities that were established included Alpha Kappa Alpha (Howard University 1908), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Howard University 1913), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Howard University, 1920), and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Butler University, 1922). These organizations have impacted African American women in society and their community as well. Howard University has been the start of majority of the first African American sorority groups. The first African American sorority that came about was Alpha Kappa Alpha. A woman named Ethal Hedgeman and eight other women in Liberal Arts School formed the sorority called Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1908. The other members included Beulah E., Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg

Cited: 4. Graham, Lawrence Otis. Our Kind of People: Inside America 's Black Upper Class. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1999 5. Hammack, David C. Making the Nonprofit Sector in the United States: A Reader. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1998. Print. 6. O 'Connell, Brian. Civil Society: The Underpinnings of American Democracy. Hanover: University Press of New England, 1999. Print. 7. Ross, Lawrence C. The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. New York: Kensington Publishing, 2000. Print.