Inaccurate "Famous" Fraternity Members

[TRSimon]

I have had several Greeks (including Zetas) tell me that Jasmine Guy is a Zeta.

[Inquisitive06]

Ms. IVYDEVINESS, while I understand your concern that there may be some people on Fraternity & Sorority lists (all orgs. have them) who occasionally have people listed who are NOT members, my experience has taught me that it has MORE to do with "misinformation", "rumors" or a lack of follow-up than anything else. I have not (personally) known members of orgs. to "intentionally" put famous people on their lists (who were NOT members) just to "pad their numbers".

Also, lets be clear on one thing; THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY INTO ALPHA........AND THAT IS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR!!!!! Alpha Phi Alpha (proudly, I might add), does NOT have "honorary" memberships anymore (and we NEVER made a big practice out of it). We only did it a few times in our near 100 years of being and the most recent one was SEVERAL DECADES AGO!!!!! If ANYONE (including the President of the United States) wanted A Phi A, then He would have to seek it, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

Although you stated that your organization would NOT place those who died before 1908 on your roles (i.e. Nefertiti, Mother of Jesus, etc.), Alpha Kappa Alpha DOES (no disrespect) have SEVERAL "honorary" members. SEVERAL!!! To me, that is almost as bad (I just don't agree with the 'honorary' thang).

Some of them (honorary 'sorors') have NEVER been enrolled in a four year college. How does someone belong to a "COLLEGE" Sorority with only a High School Diploma????? That's what seperates Fraternities & Sororities from other like (and unlike) organizations. Remember your (our) history: These Fraternities and Sororities were founded "BY COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS"!!!!

Also, Lets be real. The ONLY reason that any org. would subscribe to the "honorary" thing anyway is to PAD THEIR NUMBERS. Point Blank. LET'S NOT GET IT TWISTED!!!!!!!! You can "honor" someone in a number of ways WITHOUT making them a member, right? Think about that.

OK, your point was well taken sister. I do not think that it is right that any org. would put someone who was dead before their founding as a "duly initiated member" (I am definitely on the same page with you on that).

Having said that, I also have to disagree with ZETA 1920 when she eluded to the fact that HONORARY status allows people who haven't been to college to experience life in a college sorority/fraternity. Maybe I missed something, but I thought that one of the guiding principles of all of our orgs. is education, and that it BEGINS with COLLEGE........It does not END BEFORE COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


InQ '06

[ChaosDST]

I agree with a great deal of what you are saying. Afterall, I don't know if an honorary member is necessarily a SOROR...I actually never thought about it that way.
However, you can not assume the reasoning behind EVERY organization's having honorary members. Maybe you had a secret meeting with all of our Grand Basileus(es) and National Presidents...lemme find out. But, some of our orgs have way over 100,000 members...hardly seems like they need any number padding to me.
I do agree that there is a great deal of misinformation. A lot of this has to do with poor record keeping, especially if we're dealing with members from the more formative years of our orgs. Many people confuse honorary with famous, though...which is another thing that may cause confusion.


Greek Love

Originally posted by Inquisitive06
Ms. IVYDEVINESS, while I understand your concern that there may be some people on Fraternity & Sorority lists (all orgs. have them) who occasionally have people listed who are NOT members, my experience has taught me that it has MORE to do with "misinformation", "rumors" or a lack of follow-up than anything else. I have not (personally) known members of orgs. to "intentionally" put famous people on their lists (who were NOT members) just to "pad their numbers".

Also, lets be clear on one thing; THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY INTO ALPHA........AND THAT IS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR!!!!! Alpha Phi Alpha (proudly, I might add), does NOT have "honorary" memberships anymore (and we NEVER made a big practice out of it). We only did it a few times in our near 100 years of being and the most recent one was SEVERAL DECADES AGO!!!!! If ANYONE (including the President of the United States) wanted A Phi A, then He would have to seek it, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

Although you stated that your organization would NOT place those who died before 1908 on your roles (i.e. Nefertiti, Mother of Jesus, etc.), Alpha Kappa Alpha DOES (no disrespect) have SEVERAL "honorary" members. SEVERAL!!! To me, that is almost as bad (I just don't agree with the 'honorary' thang).

Some of them (honorary 'sorors') have NEVER been enrolled in a four year college. How does someone belong to a "COLLEGE" Sorority with only a High School Diploma????? That's what seperates Fraternities & Sororities from other like (and unlike) organizations. Remember your (our) history: These Fraternities and Sororities were founded "BY COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS"!!!!

Also, Lets be real. The ONLY reason that any org. would subscribe to the "honorary" thing anyway is to PAD THEIR NUMBERS. Point Blank. LET'S NOT GET IT TWISTED!!!!!!!! You can "honor" someone in a number of ways WITHOUT making them a member, right? Think about that.

OK, your point was well taken sister. I do not think that it is right that any org. would put someone who was dead before their founding as a "duly initiated member" (I am definitely on the same page with you on that).

Having said that, I also have to disagree with ZETA 1920 when she eluded to the fact that HONORARY status allows people who haven't been to college to experience life in a college sorority/fraternity. Maybe I missed something, but I thought that one of the guiding principles of all of our orgs. is education, and that it BEGINS with COLLEGE........It does not END BEFORE COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


InQ '06

[AKA2D '91]

I equate Honorary membership with a person receiving an HONORARY degree. Should one get upset when they received their degree via "thank you LAWDIE?" As opposed to someone who gave the university so many thousands, millions of dollars or appears daily on a television show?

You can't really use it...it's just there. They pose no threat to me one way or another.

Now, when I see an honorary soror all deck in para, then I'll be and taken aback. I think these people realize their "purpose", if in fact, they have one. These people cannot make decisions as far as the organization is concerned. I have yet to see our former first lady of the city of New Orleans all decked in para. She has been speaker for various sorority functions.

Therefore, I do not have to worry about them. My concern are those out there complaining, arguing, and all that other foolishness, but has not been active since they came through the front door, back door, window, chimney, etc. I think THAT is more of a serious issue.

[Virtual Violet]

Originally posted by ChaosDST
I agree with a great deal of what you are saying. Afterall, I don't know if an honorary member is necessarily a SOROR...I actually never thought about it that way.
However, you can not assume the reasoning behind EVERY organization's having honorary members. Maybe you had a secret meeting with all of our Grand Basileus(es) and National Presidents...lemme find out. But, some of our orgs have way over 100,000 members...hardly seems like they need any number padding to me.
I do agree that there is a great deal of misinformation. A lot of this has to do with poor record keeping, especially if we're dealing with members from the more formative years of our orgs. Many people confuse honorary with famous, though...which is another thing that may cause confusion.


Greek Love

An Honorary Soror is a Soror, however she is not a "member" of the organization (check your C&B). As you know we have plenty of Sorors who aren't "members" of the organization, and thus do not a voice is the path the Sorority takes.

To Inquisitive06

Now I don't beleive that granting Honorary membership to anyone is a means of "padding" member numbers. As we all know, none of the NPHC orgs have a problem with having the masses join, and trust me, the decision to grant honorary membership in Delta is NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY and does not guarantee that ANYONE will get it.

Honorary membership is solely to recognize women who reach a point of excellence in their fields, through hard work, tenacity and life experience, as well as her education (WHATEVER that may be)and not only because they are FAMOUS. We have serveral Honorary Soror that are NOT household names, but whose work and example were deemed worthy of honorary membership.

[ChaosDST]

Thanks soror, I am aware of what the C&B says regarding Honorary Members. I was speaking in terms of MY take on Honorary Members.

Originally posted by Virtual Violet


An Honorary Soror is a Soror, however she is not a "member" of the organization (check your C&B). As you know we have plenty of Sorors who aren't "members" of the organization, and thus do not a voice is the path the Sorority takes.

To Inquisitive06

Now I don't beleive that granting Honorary membership to anyone is a means of "padding" member numbers. As we all know, none of the NPHC orgs have a problem with having the masses join, and trust me, the decision to grant honorary membership in Delta is NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY and does not guarantee that ANYONE will get it.

Honorary membership is solely to recognize women who reach a point of excellence in their fields, through hard work, tenacity and life experience, as well as her education (WHATEVER that may be)and not only because they are FAMOUS. We have serveral Honorary Soror that are NOT household names, but whose work and example were deemed worthy of honorary membership.

[Big Poppa Ice]

I heard Oprah is an honorary Delta and Condoleeza Rice would be made this year...

As far as ALPHA goes, a lot of people have said that Wes Unseld is a Bro., but he is actually an Eternal Sphinxman. I also heard Chris Webber and LaVar Arrington are Frat, but I haven't gotten any verification on that...

[BigChill06]

I haven't heard about Chris Webber or LaVar Arrington being Frat, but I heard that Julian Bond is an Eternal Sphinxman.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Big Poppa Ice
I heard Oprah is an honorary Delta and Condoleeza Rice would be made this year...

Well Big Poppa Ice, you done heard wrong.

[nube one]

I know cats at Penn State very well, and can say wholeheartedly that unless he went grad in D.C. Lavar Arrington is not frat.

[lilZetagirl]

Originally posted by TRSimon
I have had several Greeks (including Zetas) tell me that Jasmine Guy is a Zeta.

Jasmine Guy, beautiful and talented as she is, is NOT a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

[Dexter]

I read on www.blackgreeks.com that Victoria Rowell a.k.a. Drucilla from young and the restless is a member of SGRho. I know some of y'all are like "so what", but She's a very accomplished actress and ballerina.

[kizzie22]

Originally posted by Dexter
I read on www.blackgreeks.com that Victoria Rowell a.k.a. Drucilla from young and the restless is a member of SGRho. I know some of y'all are like "so what", but She's a very accomplished actress and ballerina.

It's true soRHOr Victoria Rowell is a SGRHO.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Dexter
I read on www.blackgreeks.com that Victoria Rowell a.k.a. Drucilla from young and the restless is a member of SGRho. I know some of y'all are like "so what", but She's a very accomplished actress and ballerina.

That's nice and lovely, but you never answered my question I asked in the Sigma forum... I guess you forgot, huh?

[Inquisitive06]

As I reply to some of the responses to my last post, I do want to clarify some things. To CHOASDST.......much respect to your post (as well as the other responses). I do think that in my haste (with regard to my last post) I may have given some people the wrong impression. My post was basically three-fold:

1. To disagree with putting anyone (dead or alive) on the roles of any organization, PERIOD.

2. To question (and voice my personal 'displeasure' with) the 'honorary status' thang and

3. To show how the first two could have a similar result.

Now, my opinions were just that....OPINIONS!!! The idea of an "honorary" member, affiliation, status, soror or frat or whatever one chooses to call them serves no purpose (my opinion only) but ONE; and that is so that folks can put their name on the list.

I have been in greekdom for 14 years and I have seen it time and time and time again...where we boast (all of our orgs.) about who is down 'wit us.

When I hear that so and so is a Delta or so and so is a Sigma or so and so is an Alpha, AKA, Que or whatever, I don't hear people AVOIDING the honorary members. They don't say "well that person is a member but not a soror". I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT.....EVER.

THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY "PADDING THE NUMBERS".......................... Not literally "padding" how many people our orgs. have in total, but "padding" our number of "famous" members. I even remember looking at one particular organization's list of famous members several years ago, and I swear that about 75% (at least) were honorary. This was where my whole opinion on this whole thing was birthed.

So why are we now (seemingly) putting the distinction on "soror" vs. "member" versus "honorary". As far as I have seen, there is NO distinction when it comes to our many chapter websites that "PROUDLY" promote our achieving members.......even if they didn't pledge (or seek) us!!! I do NOT see any category separation.

Also, as my Frat. Bruh stated, I too have seen many people on Alpha lists who were not FRAT. As I said in my first post, all orgs. have this problem and it is not intentional but rather mistaken. Peace. In greek love......

InQ '06