BHM: Unity within Black sorority and fraternity life
DELMARVA – Sorority and fraternity life has played a major role in African American history.
These organizations are more than just a brotherhood or sisterhood, but they do share some of the same core beliefs:
“Promoting unity, supporting academic achievement, and encouraging lifelong service, political activism, social action initiatives, public service, and scholarship are among the notable contributions of these organizations,” says President Joyce Farrare.
Chapter president Joyce Farrare of Delta Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated says that the organizations share these same beliefs across the board and collectively, they’re referred to as the Divine 9. The Divine 9 is made of 5 fraternities and 4 sororities. President Farrare tells us the Divine 9 are among the oldest Black institutions in the United States and have supported social justice causes, organized for social and political activism, and fought for voter rights. She also says being a part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has provided her many opportunities.
“I’ve also had an opportunity to impact my community through my community service, my commitment to scholarship and also being a role model to our undergraduate members. Most importantly, I have developed a sense of pride and reverence for the vision of our founders,” she adds.
President Farrare tells us her chapter specifically has supported the sorority’s national program targets. As well, they have worked in collaboration with the Spirit Foundation to contribute to Habitat For Humanity, Life Crisis, The Fruitland Community Center, Upward Bound and Shore Up. 47ABC also spoke with an undergraduate chapter member who told us what she values most within the sorority.
“The sisterly bond, the community service, the motivation even the networking opportunities that it gives you in professional areas,”Iyinyeoluwa “Ruth” Okulate says.
Ruth the Financial Secretary for the undergraduate chapter Alpha Omicron of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated tells us she has a learned a lot in her sorority, whether it be the community service or networking opportunities. Ruth emphasizes the importance of sisterhood:
“Coming into college as a black woman, we all come from different experiences and different backgrounds some of us might be first generation students, some of us don’t really know what path we’re going on so for us to all just come together – young black woman pursuing an education and trying to better ourselves and be able to motivate each other, and guide each other, and learn from each other and give back to our community to build up those who are coming after us,” she tells 47ABC.
These members of the local chapters of the first Black sorority also tell 47ABC this allows for sisterhood with likeminded women. Ruth Okulate says that this unity allows for future generations of Black women to thrive and do greater things.
