The Farmville Four

Longwood University is commonly known as the birthplace of four sororities. These sororities include Kappa Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Alpha Sigma Alpha. Today, I will address and then debunk the stereotypes placed on these sororities founded at Longwood.

Four Sororities Founded

DISCLAIMER: After trying to reach out to sisters, Kappa Delta has no comment on their stereotype, however I will still address their stereotype.

I would like to reiterate that the purpose of this blog is to address and then debunk the stereotype of these Alpha chapters. This is NOT my opinion.

Sigma Sigma Sigma

Sigma Sigma Sigma, best known as Tri Sigma, was founded on Longwood’s campus April 20, 1898.

Stereotype: Very Friendly and Encouraging

Stereotypes are not always negative or false. In Tri Sigma’s case, they have built a reputation of being an encouraging group of girls as well as kind people all around. According to Shannon Lyons, Junior in Tri Sigma, one of the main quotes that her sorority stands by is ‘Empowered Women, Empower Women’. They strive to empower other women by keeping a positive attitude and staying involved. They also want each person, not just in Greek life but on Longwood’s campus, to know that they are valued and important.

A huge reason to why Shannon joined Tri Sigma is because how involved her sisters are on campus. "I thought that this would give me the confidence to join more organizations because I would know someone in them," she says. She is involved in nine different organizations while her sisters are involved in at least three or more.

Jumper Day

Surround yourself with people that are positive, uplifting, and want what is in your best interest. "There is so much love and support when you join a sorority that no matter how others look at your organization, it shouldn't matter." Shannon also says that she knew that joining an organization is about finding somewhere where you can succeed and grow and that is how she found her home. She found empowerment and encouragement through Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Alpha Sigma Alpha

Alpha Sigma Alpha, best known as ASA, was founded on Longwood’s campus November 15, 1901.

Stereotype: No Diversity but a Close Sisterhood

Part of ASA's stereotype has to deal with the idea that they all look the same or that they have no diversity. Essie Brandon, Junior in ASA, says that "I understand where people are coming from because a majority of us are blonde, but we are all so different." Sororities across any campus get the stigma that all sorority women are 'blonde, tall, and beautiful'. Sororities can make up a variety of women who look different and have unique personalities.

Essie says that while her sisters have diverse personalities and participate in different clubs and organizations other than Greek Life, their personalities intertwine well together to create a great sisterhood. Although many are blonde and have similar features, their sisterhood is diverse in personality.

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Alpha Sigma Alpha has a strong sisterhood. "We have a really close sisterhood because we feel comfortable with each other, and we all communicate with each other in a positive, direct manner," Essie says. They embrace each other's differences and want everyone to feel included.

Kappa Delta

Kappa Delta, best known as KD, was founded on Longwood's campus on October 23, 1897.

Stereotype: Cliquey

After reaching out to them, the sisters of Kappa Delta have no comment regarding their stereotype, therefore I am unable to fully address and debunk this stereotype.

Kappa Delta

Zeta Tau Alpha

Zeta Tau Alpha, best known as Zeta, was founded at Longwood on October 15, 1898.

Stereotype: Two-faced but Super Involved on Campus

Zeta has a presence on campus. According to Nora Saxman, Junior, "We have sisters who are on the cheerleading team, Peer Mentors, Ambassadors, club sports, as well as CPC, Order of Omega, and many other clubs and organizations." She is proud and humbled to be a part of a chapter with such strong leadership. Being super-involved on campus is never a bad thing. They show their Lancer pride and continue to get involved in organizations other than Greek Life.

There is the stereotype, however, that Zeta's are 'two-faced'. People may think that they talk poorly about other people, but in reality they "come from a bunch of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and have a very deep and meaningful sisterhood."

You cannot judge someone before getting to know them personally and should never make assumptions based on hearsay. You also cannot judge someone strictly because of where they come from and if they act a different way than you. Embrace individuality and take notice of the strong sisterhood they share.

Zeta Tau Alpha's Annual 5K for Breast Cancer Awareness

Every recruitment season, sororities take time and effort to put together videos that represent their chapters and their sisterhood. Here's an example of Zeta Tau Alpha's Spring 2019 video!

Thank you so much for reading!

Next week I will be addressing and debunking the stereotypes of Alpha Sigma Tau! I will be getting an outside view of the organizations from individuals outside of Greek Life and the perspective from the sorority sisters themselves.