The Unmatched Power of Sisterhood
By Anna Claire Howard
As members of Alpha Phi, you understand the value of friendship and sisterhood. It’s what motivated you to join our organization and what has kept you engaged in the years since you graduated. And you’re not alone. Every year, nearly 9,000 new members find a home in Alpha Phi in one of our 174 collegiate chapters across North America. When you join Alpha Phi, you’re welcomed by a community of more than 280,000 members committed to lifelong friendships, leadership, academic excellence, personal growth and community involvement. Alpha Phi’s sisterhood extends beyond the college years; it’s friendship for life. Research from the Harvard Business Review reveals that both men and women gain from networks of well-connected peers across diverse demographics. However, women maintaining close female contacts and friendships are 2.5 times more likely to secure executive positions with greater authority and higher pay. There was no link found for the success of men in terms of the gender composition of their inner circles. Why? Women attempting to rise into leadership roles face cultural and systemic obstacles that make it harder for them to grow, like unconscious (or conscious) bias. The study suggests that a way women overcome some of these hurdles is to form close connections with other women who can share experiences from female peers who have been there encountered that hurdle before (e.g., how to ask for appropriate or higher salaries and pay, request elevated positions in the workplace, etc.). In other words, women are looking out for one another, and we have each other’s backs. (Something we at Alpha Phi understand well.) This supports the Shine Theory, which is the idea that when you help other women succeed, we all shine brighter. Eliminate the element of competition, which so often weighs
women down. Instead, subscribe to this belief of mutual investment where women collaborate and support each other. In addition to female friendship empowering women in the workplace and in our social lives, there are proven health benefits to sisterhood, as well. 1. Mental Health When women engage in positive social interactions — particularly with other women where they feel safe and uplifted — their brains release oxytocin, aka the “love hormone.” No, this doesn’t mean we’re falling in love with our friends. But it does solidify those warm fuzzy feelings you get after a girls’ night or FaceTime session with your besties, further fortifying that connection. Brain imaging studies have even shown that social interactions light up the reward centers in our brain, similar to eating chocolate or winning money. Our brains are literally wired to find friendship rewarding. 2. Emotional Wellbeing Women are typically more comfortable expressing emotions and seeking help or input from friends. This openness creates a safe space for vulnerability, which is crucial for improved mental health. Additionally, women are quick to remind one another of their positive qualities and attributes when they’re feeling down or overly self-critical. This reinforcement builds a stronger sense of self-worth and self- esteem. Women who maintain strong social connections are less likely to experience anxiety and depression. Even better, female friendships are not static. They tend to evolve with time as our lives change, meaning we are there to support each other through all of life’s ups and downs. 3. Physical Benefits The science behind the health benefits of female friendships is robust and growing. Researchers have found that women with strong friendships amongst other women have lower
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