WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Independent Women applauds U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) for their bipartisan introduction of the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025—landmark legislation that would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to uphold freedom of association protections for students on college campuses, including for single-sex organizations such as sororities and fraternities. 

The introduction comes amid national momentum to preserve single-sex spaces and following on the heels of the Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma appeal to the Tenth Circuit in 2024, led by Independent Women, after female students at the University of Wyoming were forced to initiate a male into their all-female sorority. National attention and interest in the case showcased widespread support across the political spectrum for women’s rights to privacy, safety, and equal opportunity.

By refusing to clearly define the word ‘woman’ as used in its own bylaws, Kappa Kappa Gamma leadership and the National Panhellenic Conference, which filed a brief in support of Kappa, denied women the single-sex sisterhood they were promised. 

Independent Women’s Voice issued a formal letter in support of the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act, emphasizing the urgent need for all senators to work toward the swift passage of this bill. 

In the letter, Carrie Lukas, Vice President of Independent Women’s Voice, stated: “The Freedom of Association In Higher Education Act guarantees that college campuses can never again implement these unfair sanctions nor deny students of their right to associate freely. Independent Women thanks Senator Banks for his leadership on this important issue and urges all senators to work toward the swift passage of this bill.”

Full text of the letter can be found here.

Independent Women ambassadors are also issuing their support for this legislation: 

Allie Coghan, Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma plaintiff and Independent Women ambassador: “Something desperately needs to be done to protect sororities and fraternities. The woke agenda they’re trying to push is completely destroying the original idea behind Greek life. It’s simple — sororities are for women and fraternities are for men. If you don’t feel you fit into one of those two categories then there’s always the option to create your own group. Men made fraternities, when women wanted something like that for themselves they made sororities. Women fought too hard for the rights we do have to backtrack and give away our spaces to men.”

Jaylyn Westenbroek, Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma plaintiff and Independent Women ambassador: “Exciting to see more bills supporting common sense and preserving the traditions of sororities and fraternities that were founded as exclusively male and female organizations. It’s encouraging to see Senators like Banks and Gallego take a step forward to protect the traditions of single-sex organizations and preserve the importance of female and male safe spaces. Passing this bill would mean that college students can have a safe home away from home where males and females can honor traditions of Greek life organizations that have existed for generations without implications of political woke-ness.” 

Hannah Holtmeier, Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma plaintiff, Independent Women ambassador, and senior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln: “Senator Gallego took the words right out of my mouth ‘no student should be penalized for finding a home away from home.’ That’s exactly what I found in Kappa when I was seven hours from home. But that home feeling was taken from me when a man joined. I strongly support and stand with Senator Banks and Gallegos for protecting Greek life for all the millions of students who have benefited from these traditions.”

Maddie Ramar, Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma plaintiff and Independent Women ambassador: ”I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my sisterhood and the opportunity to join a women-only space throughout college. I’ve met my best friends and grown into the young woman I am today because of my experience in Greek life. I am grateful that Senator Jim Banks and Senator Ruben Gallego are introducing the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025 bill to protect Greek life from the grips of a woke agenda. We need to continue to protect women-only spaces like sororities, this is a huge step in the right direction!”

Independent Women has been leading the fight to ensure women have the right to single-sex spaces and to participate in all-female organizations such as sororities, which provide their members with leadership, philanthropic, and networking opportunities. See more of Independent Women’s work to protect sisterhood below:

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www.iwv.org 
Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.