I commend you in starting a new group, it is no easy feat.
Like others on this board I do want to challenge you a little bit.
If you are aiming to be independent, non-stereotypical and educated women let me pose this to you.
You are allowing a male fraternity to pledge you. Why? As independent women of educational means you should be able to understand that (I believe) most if not all national organizations do not allow 'little sister' programs, especially women's organizations. No pledging experience is the same for any two people and you will not 'understand' the process that someone else goes through just because some guys 'pledge' you. I would like to offer this suggestion. Elect a new member educator, pledge director (whatever name you want to call it) and have that sister create the progam and take you through it. It would require creating some traditions, for example, if you want part of your program to be creating a book of all sisters, have her start it. Take photos and bios and put them in a binder decorated with your organizations name/symbols etc. Keep doing it as you get new sisters. Plan a sleepover before initiation. These types of activities will go to further the sisterhood part of your organization and help you create a sense of tradition. (Keep in mind that you don't haze)
Look at this from the outside though and you will see why we wonder. Your statement is snotty, fine. But then, at least to me, you contradict yourself by allowing a men's group (or another group for that matter) to be in charge and dictate your pledging experience. To me that is not indpendence or non-stereotypical, to me it defines the opposite of what your aims seem to be.
I wish you luck.
*sorry if it is rambling, work is sooooo slow.
