A Different Retro Rush Thread

[AlwaysSAI]

I have a question.

How long was your local on campus before you became nationally affiliated?

And, I thought Phi Sigma Sigma was the first sorority founded under nonsectarian terms so how does that make it a historically jewish sorority?

Really, I'm just wondering.

"On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born, unobtrusively, without the thought of expansion. It was the first nonsectarian sorority; the only one that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in scripture."

-courtesy of phisigmasigma.org

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

And, I thought Phi Sigma Sigma was the first sorority founded under nonsectarian terms so how does that make it a historically jewish sorority?

Really, I'm just wondering.

"On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born, unobtrusively, without the thought of expansion. It was the first nonsectarian sorority; the only one that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in scripture."

-courtesy of phisigmasigma.org

I'm guessing that because Phi Sigma Sigma and Delta Phi Epsilon are non-sectarian, back in the day, they were known to be "Jewish friendly". If Christian chapters didn't allow Jewish women, Jewish PNMs have few options in the NPC: a historically Jewish sorority (AEPhi, SDT) or a non-sectarian sorority (DPhiE, Phi Sig). So although, not technically Jewish, non-sectarian sororities may have attracted many Jewish women who wanted the sorority experience but were not welcome elsewhere.

[paulam]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I'm guessing that because Phi Sigma Sigma and Delta Phi Epsilon are non-sectarian, back in the day, they were known to be "Jewish friendly". If Christian chapters didn't allow Jewish women, Jewish PNMs have few options in the NPC: a historically Jewish sorority (AEPhi, SDT) or a non-sectarian sorority (DPhiE, Phi Sig). So although, not technically Jewish, non-sectarian sororities may have attracted many Jewish women who wanted the sorority experience but were not welcome elsewhere.

I agree with that. Please see my response to Always SAI.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People

[smiley21]

I don't if it was mentioned before and I missed it, but what school is this?

[paulam]

Originally Posted by smiley21

I don't if it was mentioned before and I missed it, but what school is this?

My Alma Mater is the University of Houston. We were a commuter school for the most part although there were six dorms filled to capacity. Many students were older and worked full time, attending school in the evenings after work. For those of us who wanted the full college experience, joining a sorority made all the difference.

There is now a sorority row near campus with beautiful townhouses. I have seen pictures but haven't had a chance to visit the campus yet.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People

[LXA SE285]

Phi Sig's founders were all Jewish

At least one, Josephine Ellison Breakstone, was not ... I think.

[paulam]

Originally Posted by LXA SE285

At least one, Josephine Ellison Breakstone, was not ... I think.

Her name sounds like it could be Jewish. When I hear Breakstone, I think of sour cream. I buy it all the time at the supermarket. Can any Phi Sigs out there respond?

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People

[paulam]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

I have a question.

How long was your local on campus before you became nationally affiliated?

And, I thought Phi Sigma Sigma was the first sorority founded under nonsectarian terms so how does that make it a historically jewish sorority?

Really, I'm just wondering.

"On November 26, 1913, Phi Sigma Sigma was born, unobtrusively, without the thought of expansion. It was the first nonsectarian sorority; the only one that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in scripture."

-courtesy of phisigmasigma.org

We were a local for about a year and a half. It was an arduous process obtaining permission from Panhellenic and earning our "stripes" so to speak, in terms of grades and activities in order to qualify for provisional status. Then we had to wait until all four sororities responded to the invitation to expand on our campus.

It was the Dean of Women who told us the names of the four "Jewish" sororities and who contacted DPhiE and Phi Sigma Sigma. All the DPhiE's and the few Phi Sigma Sigma's I knew were Jewish. Both sororities sent Jewish women from their national offices to interview us, so at the time, based on what we, 19 year old naive sophmores, were told, those two sororities were essentially Jewish. Now I know better.

Phi Sig's founders were all Jewish which leads me to believe that they formed their sorority for the same reason our founders did...to give everyone the option to join a sorority regardless of race or religion.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People