by Shannon Sullivan

As a proud sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma, I know the value and power of women in leadership. In fact, in many ways, you could say that being a Kappa sister led me to work here at She Should Run! And I’m not the only one who sees a pipeline from Greek life to elected leadership–many women in politics have been involved in Greek letter organizations, from Vice President Kamala Harris (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (Kappa Alpha Theta) to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Alpha Epsilon Phi) and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (Alpha Chi Omega). Based on my own experience as a Kappa and through connecting with some friends of She Should Run who are also members of Greek letter organizations, here are 7 reasons why women in Greek life should consider running for office: 

1. You understand the importance of values

Every sorority or women’s fraternity has its own set of values–and you know how important it is to put those values first. You’re well practiced at channeling those values for the good of your community through volunteering, philanthropy, and other service-oriented activities, just like good elected leaders should! Isabel Argoti, an Hermana of Sigma Lambda Upsilon (SLU), named women’s empowerment and advocating for marginalized communities as two of SLU’s key values, and she sees that “Greek letter organizations give individuals a sense of belonging and confidence to act.”

For Simone Rossi (@girlpowertbh on Twitter), a sister of Sigma Kappa, “The foundation of my sisterhood helped me blossom further into a leader. I began to strive to live my sorority’s values (friendship, service, loyalty, and personal growth) and I began to become more confident in myself.”

2. You know how to lift up the people around you

For She Should Run board member Alexis Hammerle, a sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., “Walking into a chapter meeting, I am not the most important person in the room. It’s not about how pretty you are or how much money you make… it’s about whether or not you are willing to do the work in the service of uplifting others.” There’s a reason why many Greek letter women’s organizations refer to their members as sisters–we act as each other’s champions, recognizing accomplishments and offering support where we can. As an elected official, you can put these skills into practice for your constituents, elevating voices and perspectives that need to be heard. 

What’s more, given how most women’s Greek organizations were founded, you know the importance of advocating for those who don’t have a seat at the table–and bringing them up with you. 

3. You’re great at small talk

We all remember recruitment–talking to hundreds of potential new members, doing your best to make them feel comfortable and learn a little bit about them and how they might fit into your organization. Whether you’ve been on the sister side or only went through recruitment as a potential new member yourself, you definitely have valuable–and transferable–experience with small talk! Simone named that recruitment taught her “how to have a conversation with anyone… that is something that directly transfers to life on a campaign. Repeat a person’s name, commit them to memory, while also encouraging them to remember you in return.”

4. You are an experienced fundraiser

Philanthropy and service are at the heart of the missions of many Greek letter organizations. For Alexis, “Service is the purpose–that’s why we exist.” Whether it’s for literacy initiatives, support for children in the hospital and their families, or another community project, chances are that you’ve done your fair share of fundraising through your sorority. 

5. You are able to work as a team

No man is an island–and no sister is, either. As part of a sisterhood, you’ve worked on committees to plan events, coordinate fundraising initiatives, organize study sessions, pair bigs and littles… the list goes on! You know how to delegate tasks and work in a group to get things done. In Alexis’ experience, being part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is a reminder that she’s not alone, in the sense that there are people who are ready and willing to help her, but also that there are others to help as well. For Isabel, too, being an Hermana of SLU has given her a unique connection to her sisters “where a safe space is automatically created to grow, learn, and ask.”

Being part of a team also means being able to learn from the folks around you, something that Simone experienced firsthand: “As the eldest daughter, for the first time in my life I had older sisters, who showed me who I wanted to be and how to get there.”

6. You can tap into your network

Being part of a sisterhood is being part of a family–but one that is spread across the country or even the world. After all, it’s not four years, it’s for life! In the words of Isabel, “Being in a Greek-lettered organization is a lifetime team… Greek letter organizations create a lifetime access to not only a powerful network, but a trusted support system.” Simone feels this support as well, saying that she and her sisters are “able to respect and rely on one another in a way that truly is reflective of sisterhood rather than friendship.”

You’re likely connected to the alumni network closest to you and may even have neighbors or work colleagues who are part of your organization or another sorority/women’s fraternity. You have connections all around you! 

7. You are attuned to the needs of your community

At the heart of many Greek letter organizations is a dedication to service–and to carry out that service, you have to know what your community needs! That may mean liaising with your university, other Greek letter organizations, local schools, or other groups to offer support for your community. Women involved in Greek life have a long history of involvement in advocacy for social issues, like Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. co-founder Osceola Macarthy Adams and Pi Beta Phi sister Carrie Chapman Catt, who both fought for women’s suffrage in the early 20th century.

Isabel highlighted that “during the hardships of our society, Greek letter organizations often are the first to react in terms of advocacy, organizing, and finding a solution.” Alexis adds that involvement in Greek life helped her develop her leadership by “working alongside, with, and for others”–and at the end of the day, that’s what public service is all about!