Women are the foundation of Longwood, so it makes sense that sororities are ingrained in the campus community, spreading their love of sisterhood to anyone who is willing to listen.
In fact, four nationally recognized sororities were founded on Longwood’s campus—Alpha Sigma Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Kappa Delta and Zeta Tau Alpha. Along with these four, there are five other chapters in the College Panhellenic Council (CPC) here at Longwood.
The National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) has presence in sorority life here as well, presiding over four chapters of their own. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. are all representatives under this historically black council.
The nine CPC sororities are Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta,SigmaKappa,SigmaSigma Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha.
Despite being seperate organizations, the values are similar. Each chapter is unique, they all promote ideals and importance of community and philanthropy.
To name a few, Alpha Gamma Delta President, Kaitlyn Bartlett, said their top three values are respect, sisterhood and diversity. Alpha Gamma Delta works to help their national-level foundation in their philanthropic ventures, as well as assisting and raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Alpha Sigma Tau lists respect, graciousness, intellect, connections and excellence as their core values, and they continuously work to help their members grow. Their motto is “Active, Self-Reliant and Trustworthy,” according to Chapter President Emily Waters.
“We’re a unique group of individuals that together create an organization,” said Waters.
Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) represents loyalty, responsibility, service, leadership and sisterhood. The women of this organization utilize these qualities to build their program and further themselves.
With these values, they strive to make Longwood citizen leaders out of their sisters, developing them into stronger individuals.
“ZTA is an organization that stands to make a difference in the lives of our members by developing the potential of each individual through programming. Which emphasizes leadership development, service to others, academic achievement and continued personal growth for women, with a commitment to friendship and the future based on the sisterhood, values and traditions of the past,” stated Sarah Wells, Chapter President.
The beliefs in the NPHC are not all that varied from the values of the CPC organizations.
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. values sisterhood and service for everyone.
“With this we pride ourselves in giving back to our community by doing different service projects and giving a helping hand to anyone in need of help,” said Janee Bolling, Chapter President.
“Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. aims to enhance the quality of life within the community,”
Jade Marable, Chapter President continues, “Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically and economically.”
Sigma Gamma Rho believes in scholarship, sisterhood and service, striving to show leadership in the community and providing support wherever necessary.
Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. represents scholarship, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood, as found on their local website. They support the March of the Dimes and Stork’s Nest, a place created for expectant mothers allowing them to receive necessities at little to no cost, as well as education on topics like prenatal care, parenting, infant care and many other need to know topics.
All the values promoted by each of these chapters help to define what it means to be in a sorority, having sisterhood or organization, and how much all members have in common in the way they conduct themselves.
