The celebration of African-American culture will continue beyond Black History Month in part through Iowa State’s historically black greek letter organizations.

These fraternities and sororities originally were formed in the early 1900s in response to the need for black “connection, programming and fellowship” said Valerie Holmes, adviser to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). In 1930, NPHC was formed to coordinate these sororities.

Iowa State’s first historically black greek letter organization was the sorority Delta Sigma Theta, founded in 1925. Since then, three more have been chartered at Iowa State.

The sororities currently active on campus include Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho, all headquartered in room B6 of the Memorial Union. Alpha Kappa Alpha has inactive status.

The organizations that make up the NPHC are unique in the greek system.

“The major difference is the focus is on the African-American community and issues,” Holmes said. Membership is not limited to African Americans, but the intent of these organizations is to inform and uplift the black community, she said.

Members said another major difference is the commitment the organizations ask of their members. Although membership in the NPHC is now at only 20 members, it was much higher in the early ’90s, and today’s members still are passionate about the organization’s ideals.

“It is a lifelong commitment,” Holmes said. “You can’t depledge.” She added that once one is a member, she cannot join a different sorority.

To make sure the sorority is right for the individual, there are different criteria for joining.

To join Sigma Gamma Rho, Lesley Price, junior in psychology, had to meet a minimum GPA requirement, receive three letters of recommendation and complete a specific amount of community service.

Sigma Gamma Rho member Ruth Wright said these requirements let members know how well potential candidates work with others.

“The organization educates its members to a level they would not be at without the organization,” Holmes said.

When Wright, junior in psychology, came as a freshman from New York City to the less-integrated community of Ames, she said sorority members were supportive.

“The organizations relieved a lot of the pressure,” she said.