Are there women in fraternities?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Our nephew brought his "little brother" from his fraternity to Thanksgiving dinner. She was a wonderful average American young woman with a scientific bent. Is this normal in some fraternities? I didn't ask him for two reasons - I have laryngitis and can barely talk and I didn't want to commit a faux pas by asking.

[Remudamom]

How odd. Never heard of such a thing!

[kristavws]

I would think SHE would be considered a little sister, not a little brother. of course, dh and I were Greek back in the dark ages, so maybe things have changed.

 

krista

[Parrothead]

Does your nephew belong to a science(ish) type fraternity? Maybe because so few girls/women major in science or tech that the few that do are allowed to join this particular house.

[littlebug42]

In college, I belonged to Alpha Psi Omega which was a professional fraternity for theatre people. It wasn't a social fraternity as most are that you think of when you hear that word. Social fraternities were not allowed at my college.

[jentancalann]

Never heard of such. I was a little sister. In fact, I married my big brother! But a female little brother is a bit odd.

[Starr]

Well the title caught my attention! ;) I was going to say "often." :lol::leaving:

[amey311]

DH's college had a co-ed service fraternity. It's a national one: Alpha Phi Omega.

[Crimson Wife]

DH's college had a co-ed service fraternity. It's a national one: Alpha Phi Omega.

 

:iagree:

They had this at my alma mater as well.

 

Delta Gamma calls itself a "women's fraternity" rather than a "sorority" but it's all female.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Thanks to your replies, I was able to look up co-ed fraternities and found a couple, including a professional one that is probably it. The things you learn in your old age! (He might have called her his "little brother" sort of as a joke. He's someone with a deadpan humor so you can't always tell. . .)

[Mom in High Heels]

In college, I belonged to Alpha Psi Omega which was a professional fraternity for theatre people.

 

I was in Alpha Psi Omega too! My degree is in theatrical design (cause that's dead useful) and English (slightly more practical, but not by much).

[elizabeth]

All professional/honors fraternities are co ed. I was a member of Phi Sigma Tau and enjoyed it very much.

[littlebug42]

I was in Alpha Psi Omega too! My degree is in theatrical design (cause that's dead useful) and English (slightly more practical, but not by much).

 

Your design degree can go along with mine in acting. :lol:

I was a founding member of our chapter and president and/or business manager for several years.

[Carrie12345]

My cousin's wife graduated last year. She was in a fraternity. I have no idea what type, but she often talks about her sisters and little sisters, but definitely refers to it as a fraternity.

[Tess in the Burbs]

Alpha Phi Omega has 'little brothers' regardless of gender. It's a co-ed service fraternity. Was for men but eventually became co-ed. My 'big brother' when I pledged was a girl. My 'little brother' was a girl. It's just a term in the fraternity. It's not a social fraternity, they do service in the community.

[....]

I was in Alpha Phi Omega co-ed fraternity at U of I. We did some social stuff and we were required to do a bunch of volunteer work and projects.

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

There are some academic rather than social/residential fraternities that are co-ed.

[Dmmetler]

I've been a proud brother of APO for 20 years now-I'm currently a faculty adviser for a petitioning group, as well as a life member and torchbearer.

 

 

It all comes down to reputation. At the time APO went co-ed, "Sisters" in a fraternity had a specific meaning on many college campuses-specifically, little sisters were girls who hung around the fraternity house and were available to the brothers for sex. The term "Brothers" was applied to women in APO to make it clear that this wasn't the case here. At this point, it's simply tradition.

 

The same is true in many formerly all-male professional fraternities, too.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I've been a proud brother of APO for 20 years now-I'm currently a faculty adviser for a petitioning group, as well as a life member and torchbearer.

 

 

It all comes down to reputation. At the time APO went co-ed, "Sisters" in a fraternity had a specific meaning on many college campuses-specifically, little sisters were girls who hung around the fraternity house and were available to the brothers for sex. The term "Brothers" was applied to women in APO to make it clear that this wasn't the case here. At this point, it's simply tradition.

 

The same is true in many formerly all-male professional fraternities, too.

 

Interesting. I guess that I'm glad that she's a "little brother" then!

[Mom in High Heels]

Your design degree can go along with mine in acting. :lol:

 

 

Sweet! If you can act, I can make you look fab while doing it. :D

[mcconnellboys]

My husband was in a business "fraternity" and it included females. I believe there are several professional fraternities that do so....

[BarbecueMom]

Alpha Phi Omega has 'little brothers' regardless of gender. It's a co-ed service fraternity. Was for men but eventually became co-ed. My 'big brother' when I pledged was a girl. My 'little brother' was a girl. It's just a term in the fraternity. It's not a social fraternity, they do service in the community.

 

Same here, except I had two bigs, since there were more actives willing to take littles than there were pledges. Plus, you could split the cost! :-)