On October 10th, 2024, members of The “Sweet” Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Eta Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, The “Beautiful” Beta Iota Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and The “Exceptional” Epsilon Eta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated celebrated the resurgence of Greek Unity programming through a celebration of World Mental Health Day and World Mental Health Screening Day. During the event, respective members of each organization, alongside the Office of Student Life and Engagement, the Counseling Center, HOPE, and the Wellness Center, offered students free access to wellness resources, confidential information to screenings, and engaging self-care activities including hula hooping, jump rope and more.
Greek unity is a fundamental component of the aforementioned Greek organizations, all of whom were founded on the basis of Service, Scholarship and Sisterhood.
“Events like this emphasize that commitment to siblinghood that we made when we made our pledge to our individual sororities,” Love Lundy, a member of The Epsilon Eta Chapter, said.
When reflecting upon the renewal of Greek Unity on campus Vierra Queen, a member of the Eta Kappa Chapter, affirmed Lundy’s comments, emphasizing how the event represents “coming together and doing the good work. Regardless of what sorority we’re in, we all have a common cause to contribute to the community.”
Conniyah Gardner, President of the Beta Iota chapter also highlighted the profound societal impact that Greek organizations have had, noting that many organizations were founded because Black individuals were “being ostracized and subjected to racism that we are still subjected to, to this day”
Specifically when such Greek organizations were founded because Black individuals were “being ostracized and subjected to racism that we are still subjected to, to this day” adds Conniyah Gardner, president of the Beta Iota Chapter. “Unity means us joining together to uplift the Black community and the communities we serve.”
The significance of Greek unity can be emphasized when considering its role on Spelman College’s campus, given it’s an environment deeply rooted in and empowered by sisterhood. Where, regardless of the organization you may be a member of, that is always a baseline relationship Spelman students have with one another. Specifically in light of heavily isolating and overwhelming periods like the election and unwavering socio-political turmoil surrounding marginalized communities, it’s beautiful to have sisterhood prioritized where students can “come together and bond for a common cause,” as Queen said.
K’lah Morgan, Epsilon Eta Chapter highlighted the singularity of the event. Noting how, to be able to party, jump rope, ki and heal your inner child with these other student leaders and with people that you might not have otherwise done that with is really extremely beautiful.” Morgan proceeded to share how Mental Health “starts with the self. You cannot serve the community if your cup is empty. You have to pour into the community in your neighborhood and your home before you go out and try to serve the greater community.”
A crucial component of caring for the self includes one’s inner child, for Eden Wong, a member of The Mu Pi Chapter. Wong shared how the simplicity of activities like “hula hoops and jump roping” reminded her “how simple things can bring us so much joy.”
Gardner emphasized how “When it comes to Spelman and culture, with Greek life and student engagement, it seems like mental health is put on the back burner, and that’s become the expectation.” In an effort to combat those standards The Greek Unity event helped to remind the Spelman community that “we all have feelings, we all hurt, we all feel, we all cry, we all laugh—it’s important that we create spaces where such emotions are validated.”
Bearing witness to students engaging in activities and mental health discourse throughout the occasion, Laila Montgomery, a member of The Beta Iota Chapter emotionally shared how surreal the event was for her. “I feel really happy, […] I have chills,” she shared, as given spaces like Spelman and Greek life can seem like a competitive environment, it was refreshing for her to see people “just stop and take a second to just be together.”
