Twenty six of the oldest international and national women's sororities are members of the National Panhellenic Conference. This conference includes groups like Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma, organizations with deep roots at many universities that are continuing to expand their membership. These groups each have their own colors, symbols and badges as well as specific philanthropies and scholarships, but each group exists initially to serve chapters of collegiate women at universities across the country. Each group also has local alumnae associations for women who wish to continue their participation beyond their college years.
There are four national sororities that were founded in the early 20th century to support African-American women. These four groups, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho are all members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council along with five historically African-American fraternities. Initially founded to support the members' academic endeavors and as a social network, these organizations have grown to be primarily philanthropic organizations with a focus on service as well as social support.
As women of all backgrounds, including many different minorities, entered college they founded sororities based on their own cultural heritage to support themselves and other minority women. There are sororities for Hispanic women that are members of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and sororities designed for women of diverse backgrounds that may be members of the National Multicultural Greek Council. There are sororities for women of Asian American background as well as primarily Jewish and Christian sororities. These organizations are both social groups as well as groups that help their members maintain and respect their common heritage and beliefs.
Although sororities are primarily thought of as collegiate social organizations, there are some local high school sororities at high schools across the country. These may be recognized student groups or underground organizations. There are also numerous local sororities at specific colleges and universities. They may have one or two other chapters or may be specific to that campus. In addition, there are sororities for music students and sororities for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.