Thankful for Sisterhood

Six years ago, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I was about to achieve a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl. I was only 19 years old, so it wasn’t like I’d waited an eternity, but it certainly felt that way. I was about to add my name to a list of amazing, intelligent and pretty women from all over the world who all lived by the same purpose. Six years ago today, I became an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman. I was initiated into Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in fall of 2010.

There are so many different things that come along with becoming Greek that many don’t understand, especially an AKA. However, there’s one thing that at times gets misinterpreted. Interests often say they want to join a sorority or fraternity for the sisterhood or brotherhood, however have a false perception of what that means. They often think it will be sugar plums and roses all the time, but it’s not.

Sisterhood for me has been many things: a kick in the butt when I needed to get my ish together, a shoulder to cry on, a hype man when I needed encouragement, the deuces when I was being irrational, a hug when I needed one the most, an argument to gain understanding, confidence when they needed a leader, disappointment when someone didn’t meet my expectations, money when I didn’t have a dollar to my name, a couch when I didn’t have a place to go and an everlasting love that can never be broken.

Sisterhood can be all of these things and so much more. I am so thankful for the bond I’ve created with a countless number of women through the years, but especially my chapter. I love those ladies so much because I gave so much, received so much and sacrificed so much for their benefit and my chapter’s benefit.

This past week, one of my close fraternity brothers lost his grandmother. Sister Yvonne Perkins was not only my sister, she was one of THE Sisters that will go down in history for our sorority and chapter. As I stood in her ceremony where we celebrated her life as sisters, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room of over one hundred sisters and her family. She impacted so many people and paved the way for so much to be done. Through the sadness, all I could help but think is that this is the importance of sisterhood and this is the purpose of life. Being there, loving one another and making an impact on the world together.