Andrea Alexander ’05

The Sisterhood's founder shakes up Dickinson

by Michelle Simmons

February 4, 2011

Andrea Alexander '05

Before the multicultural sororities Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Lambda Gamma became fixtures at Dickinson, there was The Sisterhood. Founded by Andrea Alexander ’05 not long after she arrived on campus, The Sisterhood began as an informal network for female students.

Alexander formed the group partly because she missed the strong support she had as one of four sisters growing up in a vibrant first-generation American family in New York City. “I wanted a space where women—specifically women of color—could get together, chat, network and provide support for each other without judgment or being self-conscious,” explains the former American-studies major. She also wanted to shake things up a bit at Dickinson.

“Gender issues are not unique to Dickinson, nor is the need for nonelitist and socially integrated networking organizations for women,” says Alexander.

By her sophomore year, The Sisterhood’s membership had grown to 28 women and included anyone who could fulfill the group’s commitment to community service. Although The Sisterhood later disbanded, it paved the way for other organizations to form on campus.

A recent graduate of Tulane University Law School, Alexander has returned to New York to pursue her legal career. She also volunteers with Redemption Inc., a nonprofit organization that mentors underrepresented youth and prepares them for college.