It’s always a bit ironic when a group of people confirms a stereotype about them by counteracting a non-stereotypical behavior. I am talking about the actions of the DePauw University chapter of Delta Zeta, which defied my conventional notions of a sorority by welcoming women who were committed to academics – particularly math and science - and social service, and the national chapter which confirmed my paranoid suspicions that sororities were really backstabbing popularity and beauty contests. As reported in the February 25 New York Times, a random survey done by a psychology professor on campus indicated that DePauw’s Delta Zeta sisters were “socially awkward.” The national chapter decided that this was why the house was not full. Worried that they would not have a full 90 members by the sorority’s 100th anniversary, they interviewed the sisters and booted 23 members – all of whom were overweight or nonwhite – claiming that they were not dedicated to recruiting new members. (And you know, nothing encourages new members from joining like showing other women that they might be arbitrarily kicked out of the sorority in the future…)

Reactions from women bloggers almost universally condemn the national chapter’s vile actions. Liz Funk, a student blogger at The View from Here wrote:

…it sounds like this event caused a huge stir on campus. So why is there no mention of other sororities on the DePauw campus speaking out against what Delta Zeta has done or inviting the dismissed sisters of Delta Zeta to join their sorority? Why is there no mention of other Delta Zeta chapters speaking out?

While I understand that not all sororities are this shallow, you would never hear of a school newspaper (my college activity of choice) asking its not-so-attractive staffers to resign. This incident at DePauw gives zest to the argument that, well, there is truth to all stereotypes (yes, there’s truth to the stereotypes about feminists and Democrats, too). It’s really disappointing [sic] to think that sororities, which preach “sisterhood,” can still be so downright misogynistic.

On that note, Aspazia at Mad Melancholic Feminista adds:

I have heard more times than I care to remember that Sororities are places for women to develop leadership skills, to form meaningful bonds with other women, and to serve. Pahleeze! I suspect that when I share this article with my students in WS they will make the usual "arguments": "well, that is how sororities work on big campuses," or "that is one bad sorority, you shouldn't make assumptions that they are all bad." I think what bothers me most in these pathetic defenses of sorority life is the willingness to hide an "evil" rather than take the opportunity to confront what has gone so terribly wrong with Greek life… Who needs sexist and degrading young college men making you feel like a piece of meat on campus when your sorority can do the trick for you.

On the incident specifically, Back in Skinny Jeans shuddered:

In my head, I imagine all the girls in the Delta Zeta's lined up for inspection with some Miranda Priestley Devil type walking down the line giving each girl the once over. At the end, the Devil calls to her assistant and the be-headings begin.

More simply, “I am saddened and disgusted by these events,” wrote Sarah at Mommy, PhD.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Stephania Pomponi Butler wrote at CityMama

I would never want my girls to be judged by strangers who are under the misguided assumption that they are doing something for the "betterment" of an organization. I can't believe that in this day and age, an organization run by women that is supposed to support women and lift them up would behave in such a manner. Because it's not men doing this, it's other women.

Yet at the same time, many women have noted that half of the remaining Delta Zeta’s quit in protest. Several even quit before the culling because they did not like the tone of the national chapter and the way they treated other women with such disrespect. One of the comments at Mommy PhD reflected her general dismay, but also pointed out, “It is… hopeful in the fact that 6 of the 12 remaining women left the sorority.” Lindsay Beyerstein at Majikthise wrote, “Good for these young women for standing up for themselves. Delta Zeta didn't deserve them.”

I agree that the actions of the six DePauw women who quit in protest illustrate everything that is great about “sisterhood,” be it through a sorority or in general.

(FYI – For a different take on this event, Elena Centor also covered this event on BlogHer, comparing the eviction of overweight members to a larger problem of bias against fat people in society and business.)

Suzanne also blogs at Campaign for Unshaved Snatch & Other Rants