2 women challenge stereotypes in sorority

Blue and yellow, the colors of Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated, dominate the scheme of junior Hannah Jones' room. A collage of T-shirts, picture frames, blue and yellow shoes and even a Sigma Gamma Rho doormat reflects the importance of Jones' membership in her traditionally black sorority. \nThe accessories tie Jones to the Sigma Gamma Rho community. What separates Jones is that she is white.\n"I'm not blind, I know this is a traditionally African-American organization," said Jones, a native of Bloomington. "Race didn't matter in my decision," said Jones, who was impressed by the organization's commitment to community service and sisterhood. "I didn't do this to cross a color barrier. I did this for me."\nOne of two white members of the seven historically black greek organizations on IU's campus, Jones was attracted to the intense bonding of her sorority and what it meant in their lives, despite the fact that it was out of the campus norm.\n"I've gotten the occasional dirty look around campus," says Jones. "Everyone has their own opinion, but generally everyone has been very supportive. My family was surprised to say the least. But they love me unconditionally, it was just a shock."\nSenior Abby Jellinek shares Hannah's experience as one of the two white members of the seven black greek organizations.\n"My mom wanted me to find a Jewish sorority," says Jellinek, an Atlanta native who didn't tell her mom until three months after she joined the sorority. "She wasn't surprised, but she wasn't that happy either."\nJellinek, who is now vice president of IU's National Pan-Hellenic counsel, an organization that represents the black greeks on campus, joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated after a chance meeting with Jasmine Wright, a future sorority sister, at 2 a.m. in the laundry room of McNutt Quad. Disenchanted with culture of her dorm, she went with her new friend to the sorority's informational. \n"I didn't really fit into the McNutt crowd," said Jones. "I was bored and I went, and was impressed at how passionate black organizations are." \nBoth girls looked at white greeks, but were disenchanted at the selection process. \n"I don't see how you can pick a member to be apart of your organization meeting them a few times and without really getting to know them," said Jellinek who spent a semester with her sorority before they accepted her in the organization. "My mother thinks that if you don't have a house you are not in a sorority," says Jellinek pointing out a difference between many black greeks and their white counterparts. "I feel the people make up the sorority, and should be what's important.\nBoth girls admitted they were apprehensive at times. \n"Now and then my whiteness comes up," said Jellinek who admits that she could be better at stepping, as it took her a while to get it. Stepping is a dance preformed using stomping and clapping that originated in Africa from the Gumboot dance.\n"It was hard for her at the beginning, she sometimes got frustrated," said junior Tania Taylor, president of Zeta Phi Beta, who suggests that the sorority has always been open. "I love her though, she one of the girls."\nJones took quickly to stepping says senior Mercedes Murray, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho. \n"She steps better than most African Americans," Murray said. "Plus she works hard and is dedicated to the organization, and that is important."\nDespite their initial apprehension the girls say there has never been an awkward moment. \n"I don't try to be something I'm not," says Jellinek. "I was interested in becoming a better woman, and that is what the organization provides."\nIn an ideal world, the idea of integration in the greek system wouldn't seem so revolutionary, but Eric Love, director of Diversity Education, suggested at IU segregation in the Greek system has become a campus norm.\n"Though the different greeks were created for different reasons they can sometimes promote isolation and segregation among different groups," Love said.\nLove added there is work that can be done by all greek organizations to better promote diversity.\n"People should be free to do what they want, but all the greeks could do much better in trying to recruit a diverse group of students," Love said. "There aren't many blacks in white sororities either."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Cordell Eddings at ceddings@indiana.edu.