As an alumna of an ISU sorority, I would like to reassure the author of the Aug. 25 column “Sorority life is becoming obsolete” that I know countless women who have joined sororities for the leadership opportunities and are still members today.

I am one of those women. I grew up 1,400 miles away from Ames and started my freshman year at Iowa State knowing only one other student. Joining a sorority instantly provided me with a home away from home and allowed me to gain leadership experience that has helped me in my career. During my time at Iowa State, I grew from a shy, quiet person to a strong, confident leader and became one of the most influential women in my sorority.

Today, my closest friends are my sorority sisters, and even though we live all across the country, from Chicago to Houston to Los Angeles, we still keep in touch because we have a deep connection that means so much to all of us.

A sorority is more than matching outfits and candlelight ceremonies. A sorority is about friendship, shared values and working together toward common goals. A sorority gives a woman a chance to find out who she is and what she believes in. A sorority cannot really be explained, but is best when experienced.

Sorority women focus on “being there when your sister gets married” because that is one way to demonstrate that these connections are made for life. Sorority women know their sisters will be there at all important events in their lives, including graduations, first jobs and career accomplishments.

I recommend all women at Iowa State get to know sorority women instead of judging them. Perhaps if the author knew more women in sororities, she would have a better understanding of what sororities have to offer. Sororities at Iowa State have been inspiring women to realize their potential since 1877 and will continue to enrich women’s lives in the future. As long as there are women interested in making lifelong friends, gaining leadership experience and helping others, sororities will always have an important place at Iowa State.

Becky Soderholm

Alumna