When you think of a sorority, one of the descriptions is that it is an exclusive organization. And the definition of 'exclusive' is 'limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group; excluding others from participation'. But when I think of the organization in which I am interested, I don't really think of it as being an 'exclusive' in all senses of the word.
Yes, only the most priviledged and most qualified women are able to call themselves members of this esteemed organization. But from my very first interaction with the members of this organization, not once have I felt ostracized. In fact, I have been warmly embraced by the members with whom I have come in contact.
I have so many examples that span over the course of the 5 years that I have been an interest of the organization, but because we are talking about defining moments, I'll share my experiences from Freshman year.
I was excited because this would be my first chance to see these women in action on my campus, and I was highly impressed by the friendly way in which they greeted people. In my naiveté, I assumed that people in GLO's only interacted with non-greeks when they were doing community service, and once the volunteer work was over they'd all run back to their respective organizations and wouldn't dare mingle with the 'common folk'
Of course, I was proved wrong in so many ways.
Since I was a child, I had dreams of becoming a writer, but I was unsure of my abilities. I viewed college as the time to explore my aspirations, so it was only right for me to take the leap and test my abilities. I decided to join the school newspaper staff. And my first assignment happened to be an event for the members of the organization in which I am interested. I arranged a meeting with several members before and after the event, and I was so nervous because not only was I going to be spending time with the women I so admired, but it would be the first time my writing would be published and I wanted everything to be perfect. As soon as I sat down and began to talk to the members of the org. my mind and spirit were at ease. I can't believe I had enough information to go into the article because we all talked about everything imaginable. I'd confessed to them that this would be my first time writing for the paper and that I was a little worried about whether or not my writing could be a gift that I shared with the world. They all assured me that I could do anything I put my heart into. A few days later, my article ran in the paper, and the women of the org. just loved it. I got phone calls all week long from the members congratulating me. I was stopped while walking on campus and given the biggest smiles and hugs and encouraging words. They thanked me for presenting them in a positive light because I was the only Black person on the newspaper staff and not too many BGLO's got good publicity, if any, in the school paper. And they all told me, "I knew that you could do it!" Yeah, it's cheesy. But after that day, I realized that they were all right. I COULD do it. Unfortunately, I ended up transferring to another school, so I didn't have many more times to spend with the women of that particular chapter, but the story I just shared was just one of several that have stayed with me all this time. But I did end up graduating with a degree in English, a major I wouldn't have thought of pursuing if it hadn't been for the encouragement given to me by the women of this org. And I joined the newspaper staff at my new school and continued writing. Today, I'm working on a book of poetry and my first novel.
There have been so many times where I've socialized with my Memberfriends and have been the only person who is not a member, and I still have the best time with them. In a situation like this, it could be easy for one to feel out of place, but my friends have gone out of their way to make sure I feel comfortable. I have to admit, sometimes I turn down invitations to hang out because I don't want to become the 'tag along'. But I've been dubbed the 'honorary member' by more than one group of friends from different chapters in the area. I've never let them know, but when they call me their 'honorary member', it makes my heart smile.
I've been content with the relationship I have with the organization, as an outsider looking in, because I've enjoyed all the interactions I have had with Her and Her members. But now I crave something more. I'm ready for my personal , special relationship. I'm ready to make another interested sister feel the way I did 5 years ago when I met my first Memberfriend. I'm ready to see the sparkle in her eyes when she realizes that the love she has for the organization is real, just like it happened to me.
I no longer want to be on the receiving end of a warm embrace by a member, I want to be the one extending my arms out to others. I no longer want to be writing in the school paper about events put together by the organization, I want to be working side by side with the women and making these events come to life. I no longer want to be the unofficial picture taker when I go out with my Memberfriends and watching them interact with each other from the outside, I want to feel closer to them than I already feel now. I no longer want to be dubbed the 'honorary member', I want it to be official.
The match was struck my freshman year, the tiny fire has been fed for so long now by my experiences, and now the flames can't be controlled. I can honestly say that I love, respect, admire, and revere this organization. And if I never get the opportunity to become a member, I'd be okay with that (after going through my mourning period, of course LOL) because I'm a better person due to my experiences with the organization as a Sisterfriend. I'll always remember the lessons that were taught to me. I'll always remember the smiles and the laughter I shared with the members. I'll always remember the times when my heart and my spirit were broken and a member was there to wipe my tears. I'll always remember that I can do anything I put my heart into.
I could go on and on and on about my experiences with the women of this organization, but I don't want to bore you all LOL! I can't help but to be in love with the organization and all it stands for. I can't help but to have nothing but respect and admiration for the women of this organization. As an interest, the organization has enriched my life in so many ways, I can only imagine how astoundingly beautiful it is to experience Her as a member.
***Sorry I got so long-winded!!!***