On December 3, the Stevens Panhellenic Council (SPC) held its first speaker event, inviting the Stevens community to hear diverse voices share their Greek life experiences and thoughts. In the past, each sorority has hosted its own diversity and inclusion event or workshop organized by its respective Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion (VPDEI). However, this was the first event where all sororities—Alpha Phi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Delta Tau, and Theta Phi Alpha—came together.
This Panhellenic event, the first of its kind, featured speakers from each sorority involved. The event was planned by SPC’s VPDEI, Henita Sharon Lawrence. When asked what inspired her to create an event like this, she shared that growing up, she often sought powerful role models she could see herself in. After joining Greek life, she found herself surrounded by talented, bright individuals from all walks of life. She wanted this event to provide the Stevens community, especially its women, with the opportunity to see that Greek life has a space for everyone.
Attending the event, one could feel the atmosphere was filled with support and passion. The panel speakers shared personal insights and were deeply engaged with the audience. While there were many impactful answers, one particularly resonated: the message of change. Each speaker acknowledged that Greek life has historically had moments of exclusivity. However, they emphasized the ongoing efforts within the Stevens community and each sorority to change this narrative. The women spoke about feeling empowered to be part of that change — to be the faces and voices that lead the next generation of sorority women to know that there is a place for everyone.
Additionally, it was touching to see not only how much these women contribute to their respective chapters but also how much they have gained from their sisterhood. Each speaker recounted a powerful, emotionally evocative story about a sister who profoundly impacted their Greek life experience and, ultimately, their time at Stevens.
The audience was also an integral part of the night, being engaged and thoughtful, which allowed the conservation to become personal. There was everything from raucous laughter to teary eyes when the speakers opened up about just how impactful their Greek life experience was to them.
In the end, it was a night filled with emotion, support, and, most importantly, sisterhood among the speakers and the audience. Ultimately, the event helped shift the perception of Greek life, shining a new light on the positivity and empowerment these women share together.
Lawrence reflects on being thankful to have been in a role that hopefully inspired people to be more confident in who they are, and she is especially grateful for her fellow SPC E-Board members and her sorority sisters who helped make this event possible. She states, “While this may be the first, it won’t be the last event of its kind. I’m excited to see Greek Life not only grow but transform — becoming a space where bold, inspiring women shape the future and ensure that every voice is heard.”
