soriorty or Fraternity??

[SAI22]

Hook a sister up,
I have had many people ask me lately why we are a fraternity. I have researched this I just can't find out why. I am sick to death about hearing from members from PMA that we don't know what we are because Fraternity means Brotherhood. Can a sister please explain to me why we went from a soriorty to a fraternity back in the day? If no one knows, can someone please point me in the right direction to find out where I can figure this out.

Becca Collins
VPM- Beta Psi, ECU
Vita Brevis Ars Longa

[sairose]

First off, welcome to Greekchat, and hope to see you post often.

I've seen this posted on several chapter websites:

"Sigma Alpha Iota was originally called a sorority, but in 1926, it was officially called a fraternity because "fraternity" refers to both men and women."

I'm guessing this means that it's fraternity since certain types of distinguished membership are open to men.

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by SAI22
I am sick to death about hearing from members from PMA that we don't know what we are because Fraternity means Brotherhood.

You can pass along to my good brothers that it is actually quite common for women's GLOs to be called "fraternities" (or "fraternities for women"). In fact, I think you'll find that the official name of most NPC "sororities" (15 of 26 by my count) is actually "fraternity," such as "Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity," "Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity," "Pi Beta Phi Fraternity," etc. I know that Ms. MysticCat's KKG publications always refer to KKG as a "Fraternity."

The word "sorority" didn't exist until it was coined for Gamma Phi Beta in 1874.

You can read more here:

http://forums.greekchat.com/gcforums...threadid=48182

[SAI22]

Thanks so much, I appreciate your help

[JUBILEE1903]

Fraternity stems from the Latin abstract feminine noun "fraternitas" which refers to the brotherhood of men and the sisterhood of women.

[adele87]

Don't forget, Zeta Tau Alpha is also a women's fraternity.