| The first sorority began at Wesleyan Female College | | | | And, that's how sororities got started. They still exist |
| in the mid 1800s as a secret society for women. It | | | | today and there are many houses on every college |
| was known as the Adelphean Society. A few years | | | | campus across the nation. It's very popular for young |
| later another society was created on the same | | | | women to rush certain houses and even more |
| campus and a rivalry began. These were not called | | | | popular for daughters of previous sorority members |
| sororities at the time, but they would evolve into this | | | | to rush the same house. These members are |
| name later. In fact, it was considered a fraternity | | | | considered legacies and will be admitted regardless |
| before a sorority but the word "fraternity" did not fit | | | | despite having to go through the humility of rush. |
| with an all female organization and that is how the | | | | Today, rush is kind of like a game of truth or dare. |
| word sorority came about. The first Greek sorority | | | | Pledges have to do all kinds of different things in |
| was named Pi Beta Phi in 1867. | | | | order to be accepted into the sorority as well as |
| Then in the 1870s the idea of rushing became | | | | practically be a slave to the older sisters. But, once a |
| popular. However, the original rushing was significantly | | | | member the pledges are fully fledged sisters and part |
| different than today's rushing. Then, fraternity | | | | of the sorority. At this point they may wear their |
| representatives ran to the train station to see the | | | | Greek clothing that is so popular. In fact, there is |
| new men visiting the college and those who looked | | | | sorority clothing made specifically for sororities. And, |
| right for their fraternity were pinned with ribbons | | | | there is fraternity clothing designed specifically for |
| matching the fraternity's color. Other fraternities could | | | | the fraternities. |
| not pin them after they had already been pinned. In | | | | Sororities and fraternities are very popular today on |
| 1872 Kappa Alpha Theta was founded and it is | | | | college campuses because they allow new students a |
| believed to be the first official sorority for women | | | | place to belong. Sisters and brothers are very close |
| although Gamma Phi Beta was named a "sorority" in | | | | and the houses hold functions, have parties, and |
| 1882. A Greek adviser came up with the word | | | | involve themselves in volunteer and charitable |
| sorority because it was more fitting for women. | | | | activities. |