When I decided to do a story on a sorority woman, much of it came from my frustrations with being in a sorority and facing different stereotypes.

 

As I got to know Lauran, I decided her story was so much more than just finding a place in college through a sorority. Her reasons, ambitions and passion stood out, which made me believe her story would be a perfect picture for those who don’t understand sororities and maybe influenced by the stereotypes and negative connotations of a sorority.

 

Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy has helped many families affected by the evils of domestic violence at different shelters across the nation. The sorority also helps create awareness in the community and on campus by informing and offering resources.

 

1 in 4 women will be affected by Domestic Violence and Alpha Chi Omega partners with One Love Foundation to educate people of the signs of unhealthy relationships.

 

Lauran is the VP Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation officer in her chapter at UT Arlington. Being a first generation college student she focuses hard on school, work to pay all her bills herself and is heavily involved in making a change in the community through Alpha Chi Omega.

 

Her relationship with her sorority sisters goes beyond just friendship but so deeply rooted that she knows some of these women would be her friends for life and even a godparent to her children, she said.

 

Lauran goes beyond the ‘party-girl’ stereotype the media paints on screen and is a truly inspiring real, strong woman that is changing different stereotypes.

 

With telling this story, I wanted to help facilitate a healthy conversation of what it meant to be in a sorority. It was especially challenging trying to get someone to explain to the outer world of something they mostly look at negatively.

 

On a personal level, the work sororities do within communities plus the experience and networking which comes along with it is a tool every woman in college should experience.