While different in their own ways, sororities are united by the ideas that bring them together, such as sisterhood and involvement.
They are also united by the heritage they share between them and with the many women that have come before them.
On Monday, about 100 sorority women gathered in the
HUB-Robeson Center for a celebration of International Badge Day.
Everything from triangle shaped badges, to roman
lamps and greek alphabet letters with diamonds, pearls and gems were proudly displayed by each woman and presented in a short PowerPoint presentation.
Panhellenic Vice President for communications, Marina Matteo said badges are usually given upon initiation and are worn at formal chapter meetings, sorority events, leadership opportunities and interviews.
Each sorority has its own rich history behind its badge and some have even changed over time.
While members of Delta Gamma once wore an "H" that stood for hope, they now have an anchor that is a reminder to be grounded and bound by
sisterhood, as one member explained.
"I just think that it's important for all Panhellenic and greek women to realize we have something in common -- individual heritage and greek heritage," Matteo (junior-public relations) said.
The reception was a way of uniting common greek heritage and a kick off for National Women's History Month.
"Keep your fraternal experiences close to your heart," was the theme for the 2010 International Badge day and was displayed by all the women in the room.
With more than 20 badges included in the PowerPoint presentation, information was shared and discussed throughout the event.
"It was cool to see all different kinds of badges," Terri Mercer (sophomore-secondary education) said. "If you don't know them you kind of consider them all the same but they all have different values and ways to celebrate what we as Panhellenic women stand for."
After the presentation was , event-goers were encouraged to stay and talk with others
about their own experiences.
Megan Weaver (sophomore-communications and broadcast journalism) said she enjoyed the presentation.
"It's a good opportunity to get together with other greeks in a more formal setting, and it's a nice chance for everyone to honor why we're greek," Weaver said.
