The Sisters You Make
Because there are still guys out there that think we are horny bisexuals throwing nightly topless pillow fights in the sorority house...
As I cursed Cleveland State University's Fenn Tower for not having any of the offices useful to me and made my way to Rhodes Tower, I spotted a bulletin board with Greek announcements from earlier in the semester. My mother was an alumna of CSU, and for a split-second, I wondered why she'd never joined a sorority.
My mother was already a mother of two when she was 'emancipated' from her first marriage and began matriculating at CSU. Although, young vibrate, smart and attractive, she was NOT sorority material in those years. Even my sorority would have thought thrice about rushing a mid-twenties, mother-of-two, divorcee. But I digress...
I happened upon a soror during my job search a few weeks ago in the oddest way. She was my second interviewer with Company X. After listening attentively to the requirements vs. the salary, one was preparing for disappointment yet again. I was wearing my sorority pendant necklace for luck and when I reached across the desk to shake her hand goodbye, it fell out of the collar of my shirt into view. She dropped her mouth open in surprise (I assumed I had a Springtime bug on my blouse somewhere), and said with a smile, "Hey, hey Hanna...". I felt a rush of nostalgia and giggled, "NOT sooo wide as a baby grand pianna!" We both fell into heartier laughter. She pushed her next interview back so we could do lunch: "Where are you originally from?" "Where did you rush?" "What year did you pledge?" We talked and Q&A'ed for well over an hour about professional and personal lives. She admitted that once she saw my skill set and credentials, she knew her non-profit could not afford me. "Leave the Michael Kors handbag and Chanel cap-toe pumps at home, next time" she chided. We promised to keep in touch and parted.
I truly miss the sisterhood I felt during undergrad, at these times when I happen upon a Sister. GDIs that knew me when, were fascinated by the discretion and intricacies of my sorority life. Neophytes can sometimes forget their old friends; I made a pledge that I would not before I went to Rush. I did not join the first or second sorority that I researched; nor the one of my ancestresses (I am a legacy for TWO other sororities). Instead, I joined the sorority that fit my moral and social character best locally and nationally.
It seems odd speaking of moral character when deciding what sorority to pledge; when sorority girls have been portrayed as daffy-jills or snobbish harpies in films thoughout the decades. But my experience with my sorority felt like a 'homecoming'. I 'fit in' not because of what I had, or who I was, but who I had already shown I was to become. Alot of my Sisters were former Homecoming Queens, Prom Queens and some were pageant princesses from various regions and states (even I was voted Football Sweetheart for Homecoming two years in a row), but those were not the young women who defined our sorority or even our chapter. My chapter had a phrase that described the fruit of all our good works and recruitment goals: "The Rose buds at home, but blooms alone." We wanted young women who were independent, industrious, selfless and dedicated; who thought about their futures not just in class but in social settings (I can almost swear you won't see a Sister on Sorority Girls Gone Wild). We are not all pencil-skirted, twin set-wrapped prudes that appear to be trapped in a time warp; but young women who think ahead to what impression we will leave on people concerning our character. Grooming is a necessity, but when you have Sisters to help you iron your outfit when you're late; give you a new coif as a pick-me-up when you're down; and loan you that new Kate Spade, you will appear to be one of the best-dressed on campus. It's no accident!
I recently watched a documentary entitled "Rush" directed by Evelyn Purcell. It was filmed in Mississippi, the state where my sorority was founded. It is from the 80s, so these sisters will give you time warp-vertigo, but it is closer to what is the norm than say "Pumpkin" or any of those B-movies that elude to pagan/satanic practices of sisterhood. Our religious faith was never a bond at my chapter. I had a Sister that was a practicing Wiccan, but most were Christians. Although my sorority is now actually international, diversity has been a major goal for many years. One of the things I love most about Nationals is hearing sisters greet one another in several different languages.
After I found a new job, I called my Sister that interviewed me and gave her the good news. She was as excited as I was and after only two days on the job, I received a package in the mail. The wrapping paper was stripped pale blue and pink with a thin gold twine bow. Inside was a velveteen jewelry box and inside that was a beautiful pendant that resembles an archaic helm, dotted with crystals. The gift card attached read, "Whenever you need direction, let your gifts be your guide." This gift, from a Sister, hangs around my neck presently, and I will wear it everyday, like the ring my Sister-in-Christ gave me for my confirmation and the tennis bracelet my familial sister bought me. All have helped to encourage me along the way.
My sororital experience was different from others. Yours may not have been as pleasant but I hope, one day you can remember a good time and treasure it. If you'd like to share in the sorority experience, without spending the money, may I suggest volunteering at a women's shelter...there you can truly make friends-for-life while you change one for the better.
As I cursed Cleveland State University's Fenn Tower for not having any of the offices useful to me and made my way to Rhodes Tower, I spotted a bulletin board with Greek announcements from earlier in the semester. My mother was an alumna of CSU, and for a split-second, I wondered why she'd never joined a sorority.
My mother was already a mother of two when she was 'emancipated' from her first marriage and began matriculating at CSU. Although, young vibrate, smart and attractive, she was NOT sorority material in those years. Even my sorority would have thought thrice about rushing a mid-twenties, mother-of-two, divorcee. But I digress...
I happened upon a soror during my job search a few weeks ago in the oddest way. She was my second interviewer with Company X. After listening attentively to the requirements vs. the salary, one was preparing for disappointment yet again. I was wearing my sorority pendant necklace for luck and when I reached across the desk to shake her hand goodbye, it fell out of the collar of my shirt into view. She dropped her mouth open in surprise (I assumed I had a Springtime bug on my blouse somewhere), and said with a smile, "Hey, hey Hanna...". I felt a rush of nostalgia and giggled, "NOT sooo wide as a baby grand pianna!" We both fell into heartier laughter. She pushed her next interview back so we could do lunch: "Where are you originally from?" "Where did you rush?" "What year did you pledge?" We talked and Q&A'ed for well over an hour about professional and personal lives. She admitted that once she saw my skill set and credentials, she knew her non-profit could not afford me. "Leave the Michael Kors handbag and Chanel cap-toe pumps at home, next time" she chided. We promised to keep in touch and parted.
I truly miss the sisterhood I felt during undergrad, at these times when I happen upon a Sister. GDIs that knew me when, were fascinated by the discretion and intricacies of my sorority life. Neophytes can sometimes forget their old friends; I made a pledge that I would not before I went to Rush. I did not join the first or second sorority that I researched; nor the one of my ancestresses (I am a legacy for TWO other sororities). Instead, I joined the sorority that fit my moral and social character best locally and nationally.
It seems odd speaking of moral character when deciding what sorority to pledge; when sorority girls have been portrayed as daffy-jills or snobbish harpies in films thoughout the decades. But my experience with my sorority felt like a 'homecoming'. I 'fit in' not because of what I had, or who I was, but who I had already shown I was to become. Alot of my Sisters were former Homecoming Queens, Prom Queens and some were pageant princesses from various regions and states (even I was voted Football Sweetheart for Homecoming two years in a row), but those were not the young women who defined our sorority or even our chapter. My chapter had a phrase that described the fruit of all our good works and recruitment goals: "The Rose buds at home, but blooms alone." We wanted young women who were independent, industrious, selfless and dedicated; who thought about their futures not just in class but in social settings (I can almost swear you won't see a Sister on Sorority Girls Gone Wild). We are not all pencil-skirted, twin set-wrapped prudes that appear to be trapped in a time warp; but young women who think ahead to what impression we will leave on people concerning our character. Grooming is a necessity, but when you have Sisters to help you iron your outfit when you're late; give you a new coif as a pick-me-up when you're down; and loan you that new Kate Spade, you will appear to be one of the best-dressed on campus. It's no accident!
I recently watched a documentary entitled "Rush" directed by Evelyn Purcell. It was filmed in Mississippi, the state where my sorority was founded. It is from the 80s, so these sisters will give you time warp-vertigo, but it is closer to what is the norm than say "Pumpkin" or any of those B-movies that elude to pagan/satanic practices of sisterhood. Our religious faith was never a bond at my chapter. I had a Sister that was a practicing Wiccan, but most were Christians. Although my sorority is now actually international, diversity has been a major goal for many years. One of the things I love most about Nationals is hearing sisters greet one another in several different languages.
After I found a new job, I called my Sister that interviewed me and gave her the good news. She was as excited as I was and after only two days on the job, I received a package in the mail. The wrapping paper was stripped pale blue and pink with a thin gold twine bow. Inside was a velveteen jewelry box and inside that was a beautiful pendant that resembles an archaic helm, dotted with crystals. The gift card attached read, "Whenever you need direction, let your gifts be your guide." This gift, from a Sister, hangs around my neck presently, and I will wear it everyday, like the ring my Sister-in-Christ gave me for my confirmation and the tennis bracelet my familial sister bought me. All have helped to encourage me along the way.
My sororital experience was different from others. Yours may not have been as pleasant but I hope, one day you can remember a good time and treasure it. If you'd like to share in the sorority experience, without spending the money, may I suggest volunteering at a women's shelter...there you can truly make friends-for-life while you change one for the better.
Labels: job searches, Rush, sisters, sororities
posted by ScreenGoddessComplex at 2:36 PM
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