Jade Edwards and Denisha Warren launch a women’s empowerment blog inspired by the July 2010 issue of Essence magazine

When most people think of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, they think of the Scarlet Knights football team or Coach C. Vivian Stringer and the Rutgers women’s basketball team that was in the news a couple of years ago because of disparaging remarks made by radio host, Don Imus.  But those things are in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Rutgers University has its main campus.  However, if you drive about an hour south on the New Jersey Turnpike, you will arrive to the Camden campus of Rutgers.  It was at Rutgers – Camden that Jade Edwards and Denisha Warren attended college and were initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 2006.  The co-initiates remain close friends and roommates.

This past summer Jade and Denisha, like many black women, read the July 2010 issue of Essence magazine and when they turned to page 124 found the spread entitled  “Why I LOVE being a Black Woman.”  The co-initiates were inspired by the article and took the challenge of the “20 things every black woman should experience” list and decided to chart they journey in the newly launched blog, D.I.V.A. Rules.  (Defining Inner Victory with Attitude).  D.I.V.A., which launched on August 27th,was created to celebrate success, positivity, empowerment, high self-esteem and liberating experiences by and for Black women.

The blog features various topics that will highlight issues, successes, and insight to uplift women.  The schedule is as follows:

Sunday- “Spark” ~ Highlight weekly inspirational and motivational stories, quotes and thoughts..to start your week off right!
Monday- “Money Matters” ~ Financial advice and activity challenges
Tuesday- “True Expression” ~ Explore the creative aspect within the Fashion, Entertainment and the Arts Industry
Wednesday- “Work-It Out” ~ Health (mental, emotional, social and physical) & fitness education, concerns, and awareness
Thurday- “Think About It” ~ Views and/or opinions of an important topic that is concerning you, whether personally or within our society
Friday- is “Fierce!” ~ Have OD’s (original DIVAS’) give insight on their life’s experiences, and lessons they can offer
Saturdays-“SIRve It Up”~ Welcome advice and viewpoint(s) from the male perspective

The blog can be found at:

www.divarule.blogspot.com

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization: Academic support

Academic support ~ Most greek-lettered organizations support and promote not only friendship and service, but also academic excellence.  In Alpha Kappa Alpha part of the purpose that the founders envisioned was to establish an organization that  “cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards” and to also to “maintain a progressive interest in college life.”  With that said, membership in any greek-lettered organization has its privileges in reference to academic support.  There is a network of undergraduate and graduate members that can be used as a reference for your major and general education courses.  Members also have access to conferences and seminars that can supplement learning.

Generally, there is also strong encouragement from the organization to maintain academic levels.  In fact, on the undergraduate level, members cannot actively participate if the grades are not up to par.  This is to give the undergraduate a break from greek activities to focus on their studies if they at any point are lacking academically.  Additionally, there is a minimum GPA (that varies from organization to organization) to even be considered for membership.   The GPA requirement encourages college students to meet higher academic standards in order to be considered for membership.  For years there has been a debate on whether to raise the bar and increase the minimum GPA required for membership.  On top of that , individual chapters can and do set higher chapter standards for GPA.  This in turn encourages college students to do their best and reach for excellence.

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization: Lifelong friendship

A benefit of joining a greek letter organization is always having a network within the organization. (Photo Credit: Ivy Community Charities of Prince George's County)

Lifelong friendship ~ Membership in a black fraternity or sorority creates a network of friends and acquaintances.  Beginning with the initiation process to working together in a chapter, members become affliated with people that they may not have normally had an association.  This contact serves to broadens the member’s perspective, experience, and knowledge.  On top of the fraternal bonds, membership affords a person with a unique advantage because of the sheer numbers of members.  Alpha Kappa Alpha has over 250,000 women who have been initiated into membership.  With this strength, when a sorority member moves to a new location for work or school, there is bound to be a chapter or member in the area.  This serves as a resource for the member to become more familiar with the area.

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization: Leadership development

Presidents of the historically black greek lettered organizations are pictured at the public meeting during AKA sorority's 64th International Conference in St. Louis

 

Leadership development and training ~ Most, if not all, black greek letter organizations have some aspect of leadership development and training.  Specifically, Alpha Kappa Alpha holds a biennial leadership conference that provides a myriad of workshops that members can use in the sorority, as well as, in their professional careers. For undergraduate members, the sorority has, since 1979,  formed critical partnerships with leading corporate entities to create the Leadership Fellows Program.  This program pairs qualified college students with intensive personal and professional leadership skills training during a week of structured activities.   The growing  desire for leadership development from members has spurred the newly installed Carolyn House Stewart administration to provide an international internal leadership development program for external service.  Alpha Kappa Alpha is not alone in this endeavor as other organizations also have similar leadership development programs for their members.

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization

I have been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since my initiation in 2004. I attempt to attend as many conferences as economically feasibly. As a result, usually, I have some type of paraphernalia in my possession, whether it is a bag or an ink pen, that identifies me as a member of the sorority.

Purchasing a fraternal license plate is the least of the benefits of joining a black greek letter organization. (Photo Credit: msmail via Flickr)

This insignia readily identifies me as a member of of the first and finest. On occasion, when I am seen with my sorority letters visible, I am approached with questions about Alpha Kappa Alpha. But one of the questions that has stuck in my mind is “What are the benefits of membership in a black greek letter organization?”  After pondering this question for awhile, I have come up with these answers which I will elaborate on in upcoming blog posts.

• Leadership development and training
• Lifelong friendship
• Academic support
• Professional mentorship