"People ask why I am in a sorority,
and I try to explain all the things a sorority is that they cannot see.
A sorority is more than letters on a sweatshirt, I say.
More than traditional songs, a golden pin, rituals,
an obligation, or a way of life.
A sorority is learning about people,
A sorority is giving
without expecting in return.
A sorority is earning respect from others,
as well as for yourself.
A sorority will not solve all your problems.
But I have made great friends
and found confidence there,
to help me take life
one step at a time."
and I try to explain all the things a sorority is that they cannot see.
A sorority is more than letters on a sweatshirt, I say.
More than traditional songs, a golden pin, rituals,
an obligation, or a way of life.
A sorority is learning about people,
A sorority is giving
without expecting in return.
A sorority is earning respect from others,
as well as for yourself.
A sorority will not solve all your problems.
But I have made great friends
and found confidence there,
to help me take life
one step at a time."
Our Story
The Very Beginning
During the Spring of 2011, three Pace students began a journey that would change their lives forever. Cherelle Palmer, Jessica Lolis, and Daniella Sinapi began the journey of bringing Gamma Sigma Sigma to campus. All three women had researched and rushed different sororities on campus. They knew that they wanted to be a part of a sisterhood.
However, they soon realized that none of the current sororities on campus could truly give them what they wanted. Feeling slightly dejected, the women did not know what to do or where to turn. Daniella had heard about a fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, which one of her friends had just pledged. This was the first time that any of the girls had ever heard of a service fraternity or sorority. They did not know that organizations such as this even existed.
Seeing this as an opportunity for growth, Cherelle decided to research the types of sororities and found that there were four national service sororities/fraternities in existence. The women decided that bringing a service sorority to campus would be the best decision. They all felt a strong connection to community service and felt that the Pace community truly lacked an organization of this kind.
Now, the girls were left with a big decision. They had to decide which of the four organizations to bring to campus. First, the women decided to research Alpha Phi Omega because Daniella already had a connection to the organization through her friend. Then, they moved on to research Epsilon Sigma Alpha, followed by Omega Phi Alpha, and lastly the three women looked into Gamma Sigma Sigma. Ultimately, the girls decided to bring Gamma Sigma Sigma to campus because they felt the strongest connection to the organization as a whole. The process of bringing the sorority to campus seemed the most practical and they received immense guidance and support from the 2011 – 2013 National Membership Director of the sorority, Ranita Williams. The women decided to contact other chapters to gain their perspective on the sorority. Every single member was extremely friendly and supportive of the process. They offered endless advice and support to the three girls during this crucial time.
Establishing the Founding Class
During the summer of 2011, Cherelle, Daniella, and Jessica realized that they would need to gain more members in order to move forward with the process of starting a colony. The women decided to start contacting students that they thought would be interested in joining a new sorority. By the end of summer, a Pace University colony interest group was formed with 16 members. Now, the interest group needed to start to move forward with the campus recognition process.
The Alpha Class met for the first time as a group in Pleasantville in September 2011. The ladies brainstormed ideas for the campus presentation and tried to get to know each other as much as possible. The founders presented Gamma Sigma Sigma to the Student Association in October of 2011 and were immediately shut down by the student body. Luckily, the interest group caught the eye of the Director of Student Development and Campus Activities, Rachel Carpenter after the SA meeting. Ms. Carpenter offered the ladies an opportunity to become a part of a new council being started under SDCA. This new council would allow Gamma Sigma Sigma to become recognized as an official student organization without a vote from the student council. The organization would not receive funding from Pace. It was also after the SA meeting that Heather Novak and Caitlin Kelly, both staff of the Center for Community Action and Research at Pace, took an interest in the group as well. They would eventually become the chapter’s award winning advisors. The interest group immediately took the opportunity from Ms. Carpenter and moved forward with the campus recognition process. The Pace University Colony of Gamma Sigma Sigma was officially founded on November 28, 2011 by 15 women.
Struggles and Growth
Gamma Sigma Sigma was not initially welcomed by the Pace community. The founders endured immense criticism from other students. Students did not understand why an organization was undergoing Greek traditions when they were not officially a part of Greek Life. The sisters stayed together and supported each other through everything. The animosity felt by the Pace Greek community only made the bonds of the sisterhood stronger. This was a learning period for the founders, and although their actions and reactions were not always the best of choices, they did learn.
Eventually, five of the original founders left the organization due to various reasons. Ten founders remained and this is represented in the family lines of our chapter. The Pace University colony held their first MIT class during the Spring of 2012. The class was made up of 19 women. Gamma Sigma Sigma had the biggest pledge class out of ANY Greek organization on campus during that semester. Family lines were finally started and sisterhood bonds were strengthened through the addition of new members.
Chartering and the 31st National Convention
It was the combined effort of the Alphas, Betas, Gammas, and Deltas that resulted in our chapter being chartered on March 28, 2013. Our chapter received the designation of Eta Tau (HT). We were chartered the same day as the William Peace College Colony, who received the designation of Eta Sigma (HΣ). Two active members, Cynthia Reece and Cori Connors, and one Alumnae, Justina Edwards, traveled to St. Louis in July of 2013 to attend the 31st National Convention. It was here that the official chartering ceremony took place, and the three women received the charter and gavel.
During the convention, the women bonded with the Eta Sigma chapter and other chapters in and out their district, even touring the city of St. Louis with them. The three learned an immense amount of information at the convention. Cynthia and Cori served as Eta Tau’s first delegates at convention. It was during this time that the girls began to establish themselves within the sorority on a national level. Justina was a teller at convention. Cori sat on the National Bylaws Committee and was chosen to be a member of the National Programming Committee. Cynthia networked for our chapter and was chosen to be a Public Relations Assistant for the sorority.
Eta Tau’s advisors both won the Outstanding Advisor Award during this convention. Their District Director, Jenna Hershelman, also rewarded the chapter for their work with March of Dimes, the American Red Cross, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
A Time of Change
The leadership of the sorority changed for the first time in two years in the Fall of 2013. The new Executive Board shed the old and sometimes incorrect practices of the first Executive Board and made it its mission to break down the barriers between classes, become a strong and united membership, and to ensure that everyone was treated fairly and equally, as our ideals state. The power struggle between the Alphas and the Betas finally ended.
Reflections
Overall, the process of starting Gamma Sigma Sigma at Pace University was not easy. The Alpha Class had to overcome many obstacles in order to create this amazing opportunity. We must learn from those who came before us and strive to make the best and most positive choices for our sorority. We must never forget the struggle that the founders endured while trying to bring ΓΣΣ to campus. We must also value the hard work and dedication of the Beta, Gamma, and Delta classes to keep the chapter alive and established. Always respect your letters and wear them proudly! Live our ritual and embody the values of service, friendship, and equality.
Revised by Cori Connors, Eta Tau Membership Vice President, 2013