Pledging A Sorority...Lambda Tau Omega...Help?

Question

I am seriously debating pledging lambda tau omega in the fall of my sophomore year in college. I really want to be in a more diverse sorority than in the AKA's, Delta's or any other sorority on my campus. So far the lambda's are the only sorority on campus that is like that. I live in SC so mixed sororities do not exist and we just got the lambda sorority on campus last year. Lambda is the only non-historically white or black chapter in SC and the only other one is in Florida. So yeah it's pretty much all black or all white sororities for the most part.
I happen to be black but I want to be in a sorority with multiple races. I know Lambda is historically Latina but the chapter on my campus is mixed and they say that tons of the Lambda's are different races. Is this true? What is the reputation of the Lambda's? I have only heard good things about them but others may think something else. The Lambda's on my campus fit everything that I'm looking for in a sorority. I just really like how the lambda's at my college really follow through with community service and are a symbol of what the sorority stands for. They also have one of the best reputations on campus. Not many of the other sororities on my campus are like that. They mainly care only about partying and that's not what i want out of a sorority. I also can see myself bonding with those girls. I spent time with them before and we easily clicked. But, so many people think that because I'm black that I have to be in a black sorority. I'm not downing the black sororities but they are just not really for me or at least the ones on my campus. Many of them act a certain way which isn't always seen as the best way. Although, I am kinda interested in being a Delta Sigma Theta, or Sigma Gamma Rho. I haven't completely decided. I have been researching what each sorority can do for me later on in life and other things. But, I would also like to hear feedback from other people. So if any of you are a Lambda or know about them can you please give me any information. I'm so worried i may make the wrong choice. Thanks

Answer 1

Disclosure: If you are a member of a sorority and are burdoned by wearing your heart on your sleeve please do not read any further. Thank you!



You cannot make a wrong choice, so please stay positive and avoid saying this. I absolutely love to hear and see young women who put serious thought into organizations before jumping the gun. It really saddens me that you are feeling a little anxious over seeking membership in an organization people pay to be apart of. The sorority you choose might have a life time commitment line somewhere in the by-laws, but then again, I chose one that does and lets just say some people aren't that dedicated.



I can totally feel you on wanting more diversity within an organization. This is the very reason I couldn’t survive at a HBCU, sorry. Diversity is more than a sprinkle of other ethnicities like candies on an ice cream cone. Also, I've seen what was supposed to be diversity turn into dissension, so be careful. We all different, with one or more common interests. I don't think like every other member of my sorority, but that doesn't give me the right dislike her and vice versa. I joined my sorority because I genuinely liked the people in the chapter; I liked what they represented. Could I have generalized their success? Yes, but I would have been wrong and someone would have eventually pointed it out. (Smiling) I just love chapters!



If you are truly feeling the Lambda’s go for it and don’t allow other people to tell you about “being the change you want to see.”  This is propaganda! If the chapter image is shocked to ****…oh well, don’t allow loose, lazy or unmotivated women to kill your spirit and ruin your chances of fellowshiping. I think the problem for most women looking for a sisterhood is that you believe there is some common denominator for members of a sorority and the truth is there isn't (I can say this because I was blind at one time).



Also, you can only do so much research as an outsider. All you can really learn about an organization as an outsider is basic founding information and who's who on the hononary list, but the rest pretty much depends on how the chapter on your campus gets down, am I correct? I really hate sending women on wild goose chases, so I'll end and recommend: 1) you keep the larger organization in the back of our mind, and remember that you would be joining a chapter not HQ's and chapter allegiance is deep , 2) decide on how important the race for popularity is too you (real talk - some folks join organizations to gain or sustain popularity and some folks join just so they can complain about being the one who dared to be different...it's all about being in the spotlight), and 3) really probe for the difference between a friendship and a sisterhood (there is a difference). Afterwards, meditate on your answers and you’ll discover your next step.



As a caveat, sorority membership doesn’t change people for better or worst, but it does allow people to be who they really are. <--- Something else for you to meditate on. Happy hunting and please excuse any typos!

Answer 2

Let me start off with this, you are doing the right thing! You are asking questions which shows how important this decision is for you!



Now you need to keep something in mind... in the end of the day, after all the advice you receive, this will be YOUR decision and YOUR decision only.



Every sorority will speak highly about themselves, and sadly, some sororities will go as far as to speak negatively about another organization just to make their own "look better." Please do not be fooled by that!



Yes, this IS a lifelong commitment so it would be a shame for you to rely on just what others say about an organization to make your final decision.



Just look around you! Which sorority is actually making an impact you can see yourself a part of? Which sorority is actually staying true to their mission statements? Which sorority is actually a SISTERHOOD? These are just SOME of the questions you need to be asking yourself.



As for Lambda Tau Omega Sorority, Inc., they are not historically Latina at all. They have always been a Multicultural organization and are very proud of that fact.





Hope this helps you out! Here is wishing you the very best of luck in this decision making you have ahead of you! Don't forget to HAVE FUN! This is suppose to be an exciting moment in your life! =o)

Answer 3

Lambda Tau Omega

Answer 4

Lambda Tau

Answer 5

I am an alumni and founding sister of the Lambda Tau Omega Chapter at your school. The best advice I can give you is to continue doing research about sororities and to attend the interest meeting. Attending interest meeting is one of the best ways to see which sorority is fit for you. You get to learn about the organization, meet and mingle with the womyn that represent the organization. Frankly, I was one of those people that was never interested in joining a sorority because i felt that they all just wanted to party mostly, show off at probates and compete to sea which organization can cross the most girls each semester. It was my opinion that they didn't display true sisterhood, unity and focus on more important things that i cared about like education and diversity etc. Especially the sororities that was on campus when i was an undergraduate. So when I decided my last semester that i wanted to pledge LTO, i was surprised myself and had to get use to the idea and that came easily. I was intrigued and confident that this organization was for me and i felt this way because the goals, vision and all it stood for were things that were important to me and embodied who i was. The womyn I met were strong, independent, goal-oriented,unified and just about something. I felt that the womyn representing the organization were womyn that I could build relationships that would mirror and reflect my own beliefs as well as the beliefs of the organization. Thereby helping each other to see how beautiful and influential we all can be when we strive toward growth and embrace the strength that is within us all. With that said one of the most important things to do when choosing an organization is to make sure that the organization coincides with what is important to you and what you value in life. For example, education, women empowerment, community involvement etc. Because joining a sorority is not just a college thing, it's a lifestyle. Oh and I just wanted to inform you that we are not a Latino based organization the make up of the chapters in each state varies and depends on the demographics of the area. Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

You should of course pursue the organization (not just the chapter) that is right for you. Also please understand that this is a serious decision that shouldn't be taken lightly and you should do all the necessary research first before making a decision. If you fail to research the rich legacies of the NPHC sororities strictly because they are historically and predominately Black, you might miss out and regret it later. I have heard of many situations where young women didn't give these orgs a chance and then later regretted it and of course they couldn't go back in time. The NPHC (historically African American) sororities especially are lifetime sisterhoods that extend beyond college and members are expected to transfer to alumnae chapters after undergrad and to continue to support their communities and their organizations for a lifetime. Some would say that the real sorority life begins after undergrad because our organizations are run by the alumnae. Also remember that while the members on your campus may not be great representations of their organizations, you would be joining an organization not just a chapter and if you are a determined person, you could greatly impact a chapter and how it functions once you become a member.



Overall, you will have to decide how important race is to you. Why do you care so much about being in a sorority with multiple races represented? Contrary to what people think, there is great diversity in our organizations. Just because most of us share the African heritage, that doesn't mean that we are cookie cutter and all alike because that is just plain not true; we represent all walks of life. The truth is that many Latino based orgs are now calling themselves "multicultural" to gain more members and appeal to more people. If that's the case then the NPHC orgs can claim that as well since we don't discriminate and have chapters that are racially diverse as well. The real multicultural orgs (who were founded as multicultural orgs) are not multicultural because they have a racially diverse membership (although they usually do), but because they embrace and serve people of all cultures while the NPHC orgs' top priority is to serve the African American community and those of African descent (although more and more we are serving others also who are underprivileged).



Bottom line: Research all the orgs you might be interested in; don't exclude the NPHC sororities simply because they are historically Black (they have rich legacies that many admire, not just Black people and many non-Blacks are now joining); and don't join the sorority you spoke of just because it is multicultural or claims to be. Ask yourself some important questions...Do you want to be involved with your sorority for the rest of your life? If so, does this sorority have a vast and active alumnae? Do they have alumnae chapters that members are active in for many years beyond undergrad? Some NPHC Alumnae chapters have members in their 80's and 90's. How many organizations can say that?



But whatever you do, pursue the sorority that is right for you regardless of its racial make up, make an informed decision, and remember that your choice will be with you for the rest of your life (it's not just a college thing!). You cannot join another social greek letter organization after being initiated into one. And it's not just about what the sorority can do for you but it's more about what you can do to extend the legacy and uphold the founders' vision; it's about how you can contribute to making the organization better and greater. For an overview of the NPHC organizations and their legacies and interviews with undergrad and alumnae members, I recommend the book "Divine Nine" by Lawrence Ross (amazon.com). Good Luck!

Answer 7

If in doubt...stay away! They make u do some scary shiiii..t