Sorority Moms Break Down What It Took to Support Their Daughters During Rush, from $600 Daily Gifts to 16-Hour Drives (Exclusive)

Sorority Mums Share How They Supported Their Daughters During Rush (Exclusive) People Editorial Guidelines Published on August 28, 2025 05:00AM BST

Sorority recruitment at SEC universities is notorious for its competitiveness and exclusivity, with trends like “Bama Rush” and #RushTok drawing global attention to the process. This year, the focus has shifted to the parents who support their children through rush. Two mothers share their experiences as their daughters navigate Greek life at Southern schools.

Amy Sergeant and her husband, driving back to Maryland after helping their daughter Abigail settle into the University of Mississippi, found themselves pondering the intricacies of sorority recruitment. Being unfamiliar with the process, Amy and her husband could only offer Abigail their moral support as she embarked on Southern sorority recruitment, a world completely foreign to them.

Unlike her mother, Abigail was well-versed in the world of #RushTok, having explored sorority culture through social media during the pandemic. Amy noticed her daughter becoming more conscious of her online presence as a way to appeal to sororities even before arriving at Ole Miss. While Amy had limited knowledge of Greek life, Abigail’s exposure to social media trends shaped her approach to rush.

While aspects of the rush process were at odds with Amy’s values, she remained supportive, navigating the unique challenges of being a “Northern” parent in a predominantly Southern sorority environment. As the Sergeants adapted to the demands of rush, they discovered the hands-on nature of SEC mums during recruitment.

Jane Clair Shettles, an experienced Greek life veteran, noticed changes in sorority recruitment as her daughters ventured into the process at different universities. Despite her eldest daughter’s intense experience in “Bama Rush,” Jane Clair found a more relaxed atmosphere as her younger daughter, Mamie, navigated recruitment at Mississippi State University.

Jane Clair provided support to Mamie in various ways, from preparing outfits for each day of recruitment to writing daily notes packed with snacks and encouragement. The mother-daughter duo maintained communication throughout the process, with Mamie forming personal impressions of each house before meeting its members.

On the other hand, Amy and Becky, mothers to Abigail and her roommate Isabelle, navigated rush with little personal connection to sorority culture. Despite this, they bonded over their shared commitment to supporting their daughters, coordinating packages and gifts to celebrate each day of recruitment.

As Bid Day approached, both Amy and Jane Clair were present to witness their daughters receive bids and run home to their chosen sororities. Mamie secured a spot in Delta Gamma at Mississippi State, while Abigail joined Alpha Delta Pi at Ole Miss. Despite the challenges of being out-of-state parents, both mothers expressed pride in their daughters’ journeys and excitement for their new chapter in Greek life.