I knew all about the stereotypes of sorority girls before I became one. They’re all dumb party girls who gossip about each other, says one stereotype. I never thought anyone would take these ideas seriously. Then I saw “Sorority Life” on MTV.

I watched the first episode expecting to see girls who were having the same positive experience that I was having as a sorority member. What I saw instead was more like “The Real World” on estrogen. Several girls were picked to live in a house and have their lives taped. I gave the show a chance and caught a few episodes, but I eventually gave up. There was no way I could sit through any more so–called “Sorority Life” knowing that it was nowhere near the real thing.

Then I saw a commercial MTV was running to promote the show. Pictures of the girls’ faces had been glued to Barbie dolls that moved around the screen to an overdramatic valley girl voiceover. I felt insulted and began to react to negative ideas about sororities. I commented to a non-greek friend about the length of a two-hour sorority meeting. She turned to me and asked, “What could sorority girls possibly talk about for two hours?”

I feel compelled to let everyone know that it takes a lot of effort from all involved to make a sorority work, just as it does for any other organization on campus. I would also like to let everyone in on what sororities are really about.

During the early 19th century, there was a great deal of controversy over the rights of women to higher education. Colleges in the United States did not allow female students until 1833. Women were only admitted into all-female institutions at that time.

Women had begun to overcome the notions of their mental inferiority by 1875, but female students were still few at most colleges. Clubs began to form as women sought each other out for support and comfort away from home.

These women began to emulate the styles and practices of the all male clubs their brothers and friends belonged to. Each group grounded itself in moral ideals, developed rituals, and embraced service. This eventually grew to the sororities we know of today.

There is much more to sorority life than what is shown on MTV. The initial values of support and simple friendship are alive today. Unfortunately, the girls on that show seem to be missing out on many of the good things that being a member of a sorority can bring.