[Bama_Alumna]

I'm probably going to get flamed for responding to this, but I hardly ever have time to visit this site anymore, so I might not even see the flames!

I think the reason that there are no African-American women in NPC sororities at UA is because none of them have ever gone through rush. Melody Twilley (as I have explained numerous times) went through rush as a JUNIOR. She was also RUDE to sisters in my house. And yes, I was there helping with rush as an advisor, so I witnessed her being rude. I don't care if a rushee is white, black, green or purple, if you're rude to people, you aren't going to get a bid. And, I'm sorry to say, but juniors are the first ones to be cut from rush at UA. They may get bids through spring informal rush, but in the fall they will be lucky to make it past ice water tea (15 party). Alabama has a competitive greek system. I can only speak for my house (and, according to our ritual, I can't give specifics about the voting process), but I can tell you that we gave Melody the same treatment and the same chance during the rush process that we gave other rushees. We even gave her an invitation to attend the second round of parties & allowed her to meet more sisters. She was rude to them, too. Plus, we cut all the other juniors who came through.
Another reason for this is that the NPHC sororities & fraternities are very, very strong at Alabama. There is a lot of pressure on African-American women to pledge NPHC sororities.
Jewish women, Asian women, Indian women, & Muslim women have all gone through rush at Alabama and have gotten bids to great houses. There have been several women who have black fathers or mothers who have gotten bids at UA. I think it's silly that there aren't any African-American women in NPC sororities, but unless a person goes through the rush process, she can't get a bid. Just like everybody else. Melody Twilley probably would have received a bid if she had rushed as a freshman and been polite.
Hope this answers your questions. I've posted on this topic a number of times on this board (I'm not sure if you can read my old posts, but you might be able to if you click on my profile...?). So, flame away at me, but that's my opinion.

(edited to add: Hoosier, you've posted a few times in the past with accusations about Alabama's greek system. Did you go to UA or have you been there? I am not sure why you are so interested in Alabama. Just curious...)