Date of Award
11-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Morgridge College of Education, Higher Education
First Advisor
Christine A. Nelson
Second Advisor
D-L Stewart
Third Advisor
Sarah Hurtado
Keywords
Black feminist thought, Black sororities, Predominantly white institutions, Sista circle methodology, Sorority rejection
Abstract
In response to a call to fill the gap left by previous studies on collegiate sorority rejection, this study explored the meaning Black women ascribe to experiences of rejection from historically Black sororities. Using Black feminist thought and sista circle methodology, this study introduced narratives from five Black women who came together to comprise a collective standpoint. To better understand this phenomenon, study participants completed individual interviews, two Sista Circles, and one reflection survey. Three main findings were the interconnectedness of Black Greek-letter organizations and Black subcommunities at predominantly white institutions, the nonlinear nature of the Black sorority rejection experience, and participants' post-rejection social navigation strategies. Student affairs practice implications address institutions' responsibility to create interventions and support structures for Black women students outside peer-led groups like Black Greek-letter organizations. Black sororities historically have been seen as a retention tool and site of resistance for Black women. Findings of this study highlight that this is not the case for the Black women rejected from these organizations. In conclusion, recommendations for future research directions are offered.
Copyright Date
11-2023
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Jasmine Michelle Pulce
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
258 pgs
File Size
1.3 MB
Recommended Citation
Pulce, Jasmine Michelle, "Seeking Sisterhood: An Exploratory Qualitative Inquiry into the Sorority Rejection Experiences of Black Women" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2365.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2365
Discipline
Higher education