Why Are Some Sororities Officially Called Women’s Fraternities?

Some sororities are officially called women’s fraternities because they were founded when “fraternity” was the established term for a Greek-letter membership society. The word “sorority” entered Greek-letter usage later.

These organizations are not mistakenly calling themselves men’s groups. Their formal names preserve the language and organizational identities established during the nineteenth century.

What did fraternity mean in early women’s organizations?

In this historical setting, fraternity described an organized community joined by shared principles, ceremonies, governance, and membership.

Women entering American colleges during the nineteenth century often encountered literary societies, secret societies, and men’s fraternities. Creating similar organizations gave women an institution they could govern while facing exclusion from established campus groups.

The language was not yet standardized. Early organizations used terms such as:

• Society
• Secret society
• Fraternity
• Fraternity for women
• Women’s fraternity
• Sorority

An organization’s current preferred title may reflect its original documents, later name changes, or decisions made at conventions.

How does Pi Beta Phi fit this history?

Pi Beta Phi began at Monmouth College in Illinois on April 28, 1867, under the name I.C. Sorosis.

The college’s historical account describes it as the first national secret college society for women modeled after men’s Greek-letter fraternities. The group established another chapter in 1868, giving it a multichapter structure.

Pi Beta Phi’s official chronology records that I.C. Sorosis adopted the name Pi Beta Phi in 1888.

This illustrates why “first” claims require precise language. Pi Beta Phi’s documented milestone concerns a national women’s society patterned after the fraternity model. It did not begin with its current Greek-letter name in 1867.

What distinction does Kappa Alpha Theta claim?

Kappa Alpha Theta identifies itself as the first Greek-letter fraternity for women.

The organization’s official history places its founding on January 27, 1870, at Indiana Asbury College, now DePauw University. Founder Bettie Locke had entered a college environment where existing fraternities did not admit women as full members.

Theta’s history states that Locke and the other founders developed a badge, constitution, bylaws, and membership structure intended to grow across campuses.

This claim is narrower than “first women’s secret society.” It concerns the formation of a women’s fraternity using Greek letters.

When did “sorority” enter the story?

Gamma Phi Beta was founded at Syracuse University in 1874.

According to Gamma Phi Beta’s official archival account, Syracuse professor Frank Smalley used the word “sorority” in 1882 while speaking about the organization. Gamma Phi Beta adopted the term and identifies itself as the first Greek-letter organization to do so.

Its general history page describes the founders’ effort to create a supportive organization for collegiate women at Syracuse.

The date matters. Women’s Greek-letter organizations already existed before 1882, which helps explain why several continued to use fraternity.

Does fraternity still mean the organization is for men?

Not automatically.

Today, “fraternity” can refer to several structures:

• A men’s social fraternity
• A women’s fraternity
• A coeducational service fraternity
• A professional fraternity
• An honor fraternity
• A music fraternity
• A faith-based fraternity
• Another membership society using the term in its official name

Likewise, “sorority” does not reveal every eligibility rule, chapter type, or council relationship.

Readers should use the organization’s full formal name and consult its current membership information.

Why not rename every women’s fraternity a sorority?

A formal name can carry legal, historical, ceremonial, and cultural significance.

Changing it may require action under the organization’s constitution or bylaws. It could also affect incorporation records, trademarks, publications, foundations, contracts, and chapter documents.

More importantly, many organizations do not consider “fraternity” an error that needs correction. It is part of their identity.

The National Panhellenic Conference currently describes itself as a trade association for 26 women’s-only inter/national organizations. Its member directory includes organizations that use sorority and organizations that retain fraternity language.

Why do competing “first” claims sound confusing?

Different organizations may be first in different documented categories.

A claim might concern:

• Earliest founding date
• First secret society for college women
• First national or multichapter society
• First Greek-letter fraternity for women
• First organization to use “sorority”
• First in a particular institution, state, community, or tradition

A credible history should state the exact milestone rather than declaring one organization “the first sorority” without qualification.

Readers can place these developments within The Forgotten History of the Greek-Letter Ecosystem.

Key takeaway

Some sororities are officially women’s fraternities because fraternity was the established organizational term when they formed.

Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Gamma Phi Beta represent different milestones. Their histories explain the growth of women’s Greek-letter organizations and the later adoption of “sorority.”