NPHC BGLOers: Why Did you Join?
 

I'm sure there is a thread about this somewhere but I couldn't find it.

Someone please answer the question and include as much detail as you possibly can.


*edited for niceness* :D

I'll start :p

Throughout my formative years, the women who made the biggest impacts in my life were all Deltas. And at the end of my senior year in high school, my mother was initiated into the local alumnae chapter.

When I went to college there was not a Delta chapter, and there was only one Delta (who had transferred in) on campus. However, there were two other NPHC sororities on campus. Although, my roommate pledged one of these sororities and I made many friends in the other, my heart was already with Delta.

I waited while the lone Delta worked hard to gather other interested ladies (through what we call a city-wide chapter.) After a little over a year and two ships, there were 30+members. At that point I Rushed and was accepted. With my ship there ended up being 50+ members.

However the campus had decided to not recognized any more GLOs so we were not given a house and neither were the Omegas, or Phi Beta Sigmas who also established a presence during this time.

Then our national president (who was the first Black Civil Rights Commissioner) was invited to speak at a forum sponsored by the school's Panhellenic Council. Upon arriving on our campus, she asked why her sorority was not recognized. That started the wheels in motion, the University lifted its ban and the rest of us were recognized. We still were not given houses, because the school did not want to build any more (yes the greek houses were owned by the school, not the resident organizations.)

We then chartered a new chapter specific to the campus.

The year I attended Grambling State University, 89-90, I met a wonderful young lady named Veronica Adams, who was the SGA (student government) president at the time. The day I met her, was registration day and I had to get to the other side of the campus from my dorm.(for any of you GSU survivors, I lived in Jones the 1st semester-yuck!)

I looked lost and she directed me to the gym. She told me if I needed anything to contact her and that she was the SGA president and could be reached anytime. Cool!:) I later found out that Veronica was also the president of the GSU chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

Later in the school year, the greeks had their smokers and teas (rush parties). Since I had transferred in from another school, I did not have the required 30 resident units and I lost some units in transferring to GSU so I became a froshy (:mad: ) and I was not eligible to join but I did attend rush. The only “social” orgs on campus were six of the Great Eight ( IPhiTheta wasn’t in NPHC yet). I attended 3 rushes and learned everything I could about the groups. And although I was not able to rush, the SGRho ladies kept in touch with me and invited me to events with them for the rest of the school year. They really left a lasting impression with me.

I returned home to Cali at the end of the year and focused on school and getting my life together. When I was finally ready so many years later, I rushed and was accepted into my sorority. It was a long road but well worth the wait. :)

Besides all of the great things that my sorority does and participates in, Veronica Adams was one of the main reasons I wanted to become a member. The kindness and friendliness she extended to me during that year really touched me. I hope to see her one day soon to thank her(and to call her Soror;))

The programs, community service, social outlets that NPHC's participate in were things and events I wanted to be a part of. I saw how active the grad members were and how much positive influence they had/have in the greater community.(church, school, etc..) I also saw how much fun the undergrads were having but I saw the long term benefits and not only how membership could help me but how my membership could help my respective sorority.:)

:)
 

Where I grew up, the NPHC organizations were really big. I went to a boarding school for high school (which was located on a college campus) so I was exposed to a lot of people who were Greek and in the process of becoming Greek.

A good number of my mentors were either Greeks, Masons, OES or Greek and OES/Mason. I really respected the work they did in the community, so I knew I wanted to be one when I went to college. I had been thoroughly educated about some of the organizations, but I researched the histories of all of the sororities (and most of the fraternities) and chose the one that appealed to me the most.

:)

Jones, NP??? *shudder*

So, since we aren't delving too much into the psychological aspect of it all, it looks like there are some generalizations that can be made from these stories and the long, drawn-out explanations in that other thread.

***Hint hint***

Does anyone have a unique circumstance as compared to the ones already expressed? For instance, did any of you land on the planet Earth right before the first day of classes and you were FORCED to choose an organization immediately? How did you all make this decision?

A Very Great Post for a Thread.

Will be interesting to read what is related here!:)

Yes, I have a unique circumstance!

Was I FORCED to choose immediately? No.

Care to share or is it too personal?

No, it's not too personal. Like I said in the other thread about researching on your own and not asking questions over the internet!!

I had never met a member of Sigma Gamma Rho during the time that I was an undergraduate student. However, I did know many AKAs and Deltas. I did not know much about Sigma Gamma Rho until after I graduated. I RESEARCHED on my own!! It was only because I had the "audacity", "guts", "intelligence" or a combination or so that I went to several events (via research and contact) and got to know the members.

It wasn't a hard thing to do and then again it was hard. When I was an undergrad I was in another state my first two years of college and there were no NPHC organizations there at the time. When I transferred back home to DC that is when I met NPHC members. Still though that was mid 80's. When I did become thoroughly acquainted with the sororities it was time to graduate. I got a job. I got married. I had babies. I still had an interest in black sororities because I continuously read and saw what contributions they were making to the community around me. I did not become a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority until I was 36 years old and that was through a graduate chapter.

I say it was hard because I didn't have the benefit of being a student and having classes and activities with members. I had to come to service and social events and assert myself around a group of women that I did not know and who did not know me. I must have made a good impression -- WITHOUT ASKING QUESTIONS OF MEMBERS THROUGH THE INTERNET!!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :)

To all that have posted their stories and experiences-

THANK YOU! They are great and heart warming to read! :) :) :)

I appreciate you all taking the time to share them with us.

To my SGRho Greek Sisters. The 2 orgs on my campus initially were AKA and SGRho. My roommate pledge AKA. My many friends were SGRhos. If I had not already been committed in my heart to DST, you would have been my choice to pursue. That is why you will always have my utmost respect.

Now I am going to take you back. In the movie Wiz, in the opening scene there was a young lady who came in with her baby. She is a SGRho and was one of my friends in college.

Just to add to where I left off in the previous post.
I attended a predominatly white university and the HBGLOs did not do annual intake. The AKA chapter had a line the second semester of my freshman year. The good thing about this was that my current roomate was now a member, the bad thing was that I was now unsure if another intake would occur before I graduated.

During the next few semesters I was at 110% trying to get ready for the next rush. I even formally expressed interest to members of the chapter. I was ready! The fall of my junior year I believed that they would hold a rush. However, they did not. Around the same time I interviewed and was accepted for a internship that would require me to transfer to another university for the spring semester. I sat on the fence a long time concerning what I was going to do. I knew that if I was away, I could not participate if rush was held. I spoke to several older members and was told "academics first". I pondered a bit more and with a heavy heart I withdrew from the University and headed home for break.

During the spring semester I attended the new university but still kept in touch with my friends at my home university. I remember when I found out that rush was held. I ws devistated. I knew then that my dreams of undergradate membership were over.

Coming back to campus the following fall (my senior year) was difficult. All my friends were members and I was still the aspirant. In addition, I was a senior and knew there would not be another line.

Graduation came and went. Law school came and went. The state bar came and went. My desire to become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority did not. After moving to a new city and starting my new job, I went about the business of putting my face and name out in the community. I met the "right" people and went to the "right" events.

After no less than 10 years of admiring and desiring, I was initiated into a graduate chapter (One month ago today). And I must admit, it feels good to be one the other side.

^^^^ Now see, that is what it means to have it in your heart. That is the epitome of BGLO membership.

Deep in my heart, I love my AKA! I Love my A_K_A!

I love it! I love it! I love it!

See, now I got to go dig up a copy of the Wiz! *blowing the dust off the VCR* :)

I knew little about Greek Life before I went to school.

After getting to college I was able to form friendships that allowed me to interact in social settings with a variety of Greeks.

Being a part of Student Government also allowed me to see the greeks on my campus in business settings.

I joined because as a student leader I had the chance to see how each Frat interacted with members of their organizations AWAY from my school.

Pound for pound no one came close to being on the level of the Bruhs, in all aspects.

When I had a chance I made my move.

Re: NPHC BGLOers: Why Did you Join?
 

I don't have any moving stories and there was not one person / event that convinced me. When I got to my undergrad campus, Texas A&M, I saw girls who were pledging (that was the term then) and it just seemed like a fun thing to do. Being greek has been an enjoyable experience for me. :D

Did any of you know which BGLO you wanted to join before you knew what college you were even going to?

If so how much did the national stereotypes or outside pressure play up to the reasons why you joined that fraternity or sorority?

Of course that's probably a question a lot of people might not feel comfortable answering, but I look forward to hearing from those that do want to share.

-Rudey

Re: Re: NPHC BGLOers: Why Did you Join?
 

LOL!!!!

;)

To those of you who don't have me on ignore:

#1: Yes

#2: I didn't know the stereotypes and there was no outside pressure.

i was friends with bruhs before they were bruhs.

:D

Exactly.

So, your story is unique to those told in this thread but not unique, in general. It is a wonderful story, indeed.

For those of you who don't understand: Here is another COMMON theme to generalize from. ALL of the stories told in this thread correlate to the explanations in that OTHER thread. ;)

Me, too.

To my Delta sister greek, this is such a nice thread that u have started and although i myself dont post as much as i would like to, i had to post to this.



I am a neo(SPR 05) and i recently became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho and my chapter is the first and only NPHC on the yard. In my family there is no greeks and no one knows anything about greeks but the sterotypes. At my school there was no NPHC only the NPC organizations. As students and women of color we felt as though we needed an organization that would exemplify our roots and cultrue. Therefore, for the past three years there was numerous interest sessions amongst ourselves and research because we def. wanted an NPHC organization but we wanted one for the right reasons. And i will say that the first Sigma woman that i met was Northeast Regional Syntaktes Felicia Blakeney and this woman was WONDERFUL! She showed Sigma in such a classy, dignified way that i was so intrigued. After almost a year after an interest meeting she had at our school she still kept in touch with us and stayed with us till the very last decison was made. And i would like to say that thank you yo my SoRHOr Madame Syntaktes Blakeney for showing us the RHOyal Blue and Gold light. Since then, I have been nothing but proud to say that i am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority!


Being a member of an NPHC has not only allowed me to meet some great Sigma women, it has allowed me to meet wonderful people in general.

i secretly wanted to get in good with fine black chicks


:cool:

LOL...silly

i think it's really interesting how much involvement/interest from the beginning there is for NPHC orgs.

it's definetely a different process... thanks a ton for sharing!

- marissa

Thank you.

And yes, there is a correlation to the other thread. I hope their "questions" have been answered.;)

Thanks for sharing this Sorhor. Sorhor Blakeney is very thorough and extremely helpful. Maybe I can get her to tell her story on GC.:)

Yes, I knew that I was going to be a Delta since I was a small child. My mother is a Delta and actually was a chartering member of an Alumnae chapter in Atlanta which she and some other sorors chartered following their undergraduate studies when they pledged in the 70's. Growing up I learned so much about what it really meant to be a Delta woman as I saw my mother carrying out business in the Sorority as well as being such a good mother and taking care of our family. She is the best example I have ever had of a strong Delta woman. Because I had such first hand knowledge of what it took and meant to be a Delta, as I got older, the stereotypes didn't bother me. I was fortunate to know that they were based on marginal situations and not the true essence of the purpose and existence of Delta Sigma Theta.

You mean, you knew you wanted to be a Delta and hypothetically would not stop until you became one. ;)

Well, since I am one now, I think it is safe to say that I ALWAYS KNEW I would be a Delta. ;)

I saw the light!
 

After transfering from one PWI to another after 3 years of college, I found myself to be a bit of an outsider. I was never into parties, and I didn't have any friends in the area. I decided to become a member of Black United Students (BUS). As I worked with BUS I discovered that very little happened in terms of black-sponsored events without the participation of the NPHC greeks. Unfortunately, none of the CHAPTERS were doing much.

I got a little frustrated, so I submitted an editorial to the campus newspaper addressed to the NPHC greeks. I wanted them to understand the power they had on campus, and I couldn't understand why they weren't doing more with it. Nothing really happened afterward. Still frustrated, I decided I had to see why these greeks had so much clout. I went to the Greek Forum, an event where all of the NPHC orgs presented themselves and their respective orgs. Then each group gets a break-out room and all of the orgs get to speak to the interests in private. Of course their were introductions in each room, and in each room, they recognized my name from the editorial. Apparently most of them were pissed and had discussed it at length, including the Sigmas. I remember walking into the Sigmas room and this 300+ lb. brother was looking at me kinda crazy and he said, "I'm surprised you would even show up here."

I was leaving the event pretty much thinking that I had wasted my time. As I was leaving, this brother came up to me and started talking to me about my article. Our converstion led to us discussing all kinds of things, including his frustrations with greek life, and campus life in general. He talked about his experiences and accomplishments on campus, including being Homecoming King. I thought it was pretty impressive for a brother to be elected homecoming king at this PWI and still be the kind of brother that is well connected to the black folks on campus. Needless to say that Tierney Bates was then, and is now a mentor for me. He introduced me to Sigma and the men of Iota Beta chapter. I was subsequesntly initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and have not looked back since. (Except to shine the light on brothers coming behind me!)

I think my story may sound the same as the other ones, but it's my story, so I guess it's unique to me :D

I knew I wanted to be a Delta before I knew what college I wanted to attend. I went to Berkeley High and Cal Berkeley was a stones throw away, so various NPHC members would come to perform community service, i.e., tutoring, mentoring and so on. I really didn't have a full understanding of what a member of a greek org. was, but it looked fun. I would attend various social events and step shows and the ladies in red always won and they always looked like they were having fun. Even if they didn't know each other, they never let that on. Mind you, I didn't know Sigma Theta..all I knew was Delta and that they wore red.

It wasn't till my senior year that I learned more about the Fab Four ;) and more about Delta Sigma Theta. When I got to college, I was paired up with a young lady who looked out for me, letting me know what teachers to take and avoid. When I would see her on campus, she always made a point to speak and include me in things. She became a member that same year and my big sister a year later! :D

I appreciate you sharing your story. It was indeed beautiful and I know it will serve as motivation for someone. Many times individuals let the hype of becoming initiated during their undergraduate career take precedence over more pressing issues. It seems that the lifetime commitment is somehow forgotten and only the thoughts of "wearing letters" on campus envisioned. Congratulations on achieving your goal and your diligence gains my utmost respect.

Another story
 

Bringing this back to the top because I like to educate... it's the teacher in me.

I attended a coming out show last week of my newest Sorors at Howard U. I always bring my daughter and this time I made my sons tag along. All of the D9 fraternities were there of course but one made a lasting impression on my oldest son. I don't know if it was their call, colors or what. I believe it was their overall representation. I won't say which one. :wink: (discretion) He has made up his mind that this is what he wants to be BEFORE college.

Whatever they did last week caught his interest and I began to tell him that some of his teachers, a former principal, and other men in his life who have made an impression on him are members of this fraternity. He was even more intrigued. He has already started reading and finding out more about this great organization. I was very surprised at him and his interest. He is also reading my Divine 9 book

I posted this because this is another example of how SOME of us are able to make this decision so early and how unique that is to the NPHC and the history of our organizations in the black community.:cool:

Re: Another story
 

I absolutely *heart* this story. Good to know that there are so many men in your son's life that he can look up to. :cool: