Although the following article, “Relation Between Sororities,” was written more than a century ago, the points it makes still ring true:
In the colleges and universities where sororities are located, there is always present a keen spirit of emulation between the several sororities—and this is as it should be. It is wholesome, for out of this sort of competition are bound to develop improvements and progress for each one taking part. No sorority is worth belonging to that has not for its one goal and ambition to be the ‘best sorority in school.’ But too often this generous emulation develops into a bitter rivalry. Too often there remains behind ill feeling between two sororities long after the occasion that has given rise to it has been forgotten. They continue to ‘nurse their wrath to keep it warm;’ they will blindly oppose each other upon every occasion. This, of course, results in hurt to both.
Their material interests are the same, they have the same aims and purpose, the same interests and the attainment of these do not conflict with the prosperity of each other; but if the two would cooperate each could more easily attain its own interests. If a sorority is weak the other sororities ought to do all in their power to strengthen it, because it will give to the enemies of the sorority system a weak point to attack, and this system, as a consequence of its growth and development, has called out a great deal of opposition. Can we afford to weaken ourselves by dissension within, when we should be strengthening ourselves for opposition from with-out? It is certain that the precarious position that fraternities and sororities hold in many schools has been brought about by a lack of harmony among the Greeks themselves.
But it is not right for us to wish to keep the relations with our sister sororities harmonious merely because it is the best policy. Rather let us exemplify the fraternal spirit for which all sororities stand. That sorority is small, it is a failure, that teaches its members to keep or display this fraternal spirit only in the small circle of its own members, and denies it to all not its members.
The movement of cooperation is in force in almost all of our schools, Pan Hellenics and similar organizations that have for their purpose the adjustment of matters between sororities, and look after their interests in other ways. But in almost all places the conditions might be improved. All Tri Sigmas should always be found at the head of any movement that proposes to better the conditions between the sororities. If we could only succeed in keeping the desired degree of harmony among the various sororities the weak sororities would become stronger and the stronger sororities yet stronger.
The purpose of this article is not to mark out nor to advocate any new policy; it is an exhortation to bear an old one in mind, to forget those little misunderstandings that are likely to remain over a rushing season, or from some failure to secure some honor in school. Such feelings may be the most natural in the world, but they are contrary to the spirit that it is the purpose of sororities to engender. (The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma, December 1909)
Violets, Tri Sigma’s flower
© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2016. All Rights Reserved. If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for updates. Also follow me on twitter @GLOHistory and Pinterest www.pinterest.com/glohistory.
