The other day, I came across a Facebook post that left me unsettled. It appeared to mock a local event - one that, from what I could tell, was likely intended as a reclamation activity.

While the post has since been taken down, it sparked something deeper in me. It made me reflect on how we talk about - and more importantly, how we treat - sorors who are no longer active.

We often celebrate our active members (and rightly so), but rarely do we hold space for the sisters who’ve stepped away. And yet, their stories matter too.

Today, I want to offer a perspective rooted in understanding, grace, and reflection. Because behind every inactive member is a reason—and behind every reason is a woman who once said yes to this sisterhood.

1. Sometimes It’s Not About the Sorority—It’s About Life

Life shifts. Careers pivot. Babies are born. Health challenges arise. Elderly parents need care. And in those seasons, sorority life—though still loved—can move to the back burner. This doesn’t make a woman any less committed to the values she holds. It just makes her human.

2. The Financial Reality Is Real

Dues. Conference travel. New attire. The gas to get to meetings. It adds up. And in certain seasons, those costs can become overwhelming. Especially in households navigating layoffs, single incomes, or unexpected emergencies. We should never treat financial hardship as a character flaw.

3. Chapter Culture Can Hurt, Not Heal

Let’s talk about it—sometimes the thing that pushes a soror out isn’t external—it’s internal. Maybe it’s cliques, leadership conflicts, or feeling overlooked or disrespected. When sisterhood doesn’t feel safe, disengagement can be a form of self-protection.

4. Many Sorors Want to Come Back—But Don’t Know How

There are women who miss the sisterhood deeply. Who wish they could reengage but feel embarrassed, ashamed, or unsure of the “right” way to return. The longer they’ve been away, the harder it feels to reenter.

5. So What If We Made It Easier and More Often?

What if we created positive space for return? What if our first response to someone expressing interest in reactivation was a hug, not a checklist? What if we had intentional initiatives to welcome sorors back on a monthly basis instead of once a year? If we truly believe that “sisterhood is forever,” let’s model it in how we receive our sisters back.

6. Active or Inactive, Still Our Sister

Sorors who step back are not less than. If you’ve ever gone through all rites of passage taken that oath, you’re still part of the fabric. And while we should encourage active membership, we should never diminish the worth of someone based solely on their current status.

Let’s create a culture that doesn’t just celebrate members who are “always active,” but one that understands, supports, and uplifts those who stepped away—and might want to come back. Because true sisterhood shows up in how we hold each other through every season of life.

How can we make the reactivation process feel more like a reunion and less like a review?

Drop a comment, share this with your chapter, and let’s keep the conversation going.