Winter 2017 Alpha Phi Quarterly

A L P H A

P H I

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Plus:

The First Woman US Treasurer A look back at the life of Georgia Neese Gray (Upsilon-Washburn)

INSIDE:

Are We There Yet?

Alumna publishes debut novel with Penguin Random House

Alpha Phi Foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant approaches $1 million

Founder and CEO Kathleen Henson (Delta Mu-Purdue) and four other working moms discuss the evolving role of the professional woman

Alpha Phi

Quarterly

Inside this Issue 4

Amongst the Ivy General Fraternity and Greek-letter news and announcements

22 From the Quad Accomplishments from our undergraduate members and chapters

29

PHOTO BY SCOTT THOMPSON

Silent Chapter Honoring our sisters’ passings

Editorial Policy

30 Where We Live Four collegiate chapters move into new facilities

34 Always Alpha Phi Noteworthy news from our alumnae members and chapters

41 Trending Top career resource picks for women

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Ask Martha Relevant, real-world advice from one of the best

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My Daily Routine A peek into the life of a working mom

44 Now & Then Historical data on women’s workforce participation COVER PHOTO BY SCOTT THOMPSON

A PUBLICATION OF ALPHA PHI INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY SINCE 1888

Editorial Advisory Board

Cayce Putnam Blackley Sheila George Bright Heidi Gempeler Kathy Feeney Hiemstra Karen McChesney Howe Denise Blankenship Joyce Lindsey D’Elia Mayo Allison Cink Rickels Jennifer Holsman Tetreault Jordi Tiffany Alpha Phi Quarterly Staff

Kristen Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief quarterly@alphaphi.org Alpha Phi Quarterly Design

Tria Designs Inc. www.triadesigns.com

Articles may be sent by email to quarterly@alphaphi.org or by mail to Alpha Phi Quarterly 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201.

The purpose of the Alpha Phi Quarterly and its content is to provide information and services to the membership of the Alpha Phi Fraternity, in keeping with the Fraternity’s status as a 501 (c) (7) tax-exempt private membership organization.

The magazine is devoted to highlighting its members and matters of fraternal and collegiate interest. The views expressed in the articles published in the Quarterly are those of the authors and their contributors, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Alpha Phi Fraternity, its officers or staff.

Spring 2017: .................Jan. 15, 2017 Summer 2017: ...... April 15, 2017 Fall 2017: ........................July 15, 2017 Winter 2018: .............Oct. 15, 2017

Submissions

Publisher

All persons interested in submitting materials for publication in the Alpha Phi Quarterly are encouraged to send them to the editor at the Executive Office. The editor reserves the right to accept, deny or edit any materials submitted.

Alpha Phi Quarterly (USPS Pub # 14680) is published quarterly by Alpha Phi, 1930 Sherman Ave., Evanston IL 60201-3214.

Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and at additional mailing offices.

Unless otherwise requested, all photos sent to the magazine will become the property of Alpha Phi International and will not be returned.

Submission Deadlines

Questions Please direct any submission questions or inquiries regarding advertising or reprint permission to the editor at quarterly@alphaphi.org.

Postmaster Please send address changes to Alpha Phi Quarterly 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston IL 60201-3214.

Editor’s Note: Page 42 of the Fall 2016 Quarterly incorrectly identified a collegian’s placement in the Boston Marathon. The collegian placed 1,592nd in the women’s 18-39 age group. Alpha Phi regrets the error.

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VO L . 1 2 9 N O. 1 W I N T E R 2 017

Feature

Are We There Yet? 16 12

We chat with five moms about the evolving role of working women.

Alpha Phi Foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant Recipients The Foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant approaches $1 million.

12 Sisters Celebrate Chapter’s Centennial Washburn (Upsilon) collegians and alumnae honor the chapter’s 100th anniversary.

19 23 Alumna Publishes Debut Young Adult Novel

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Penguin Random House publishes alumna Katherine Webber’s (Epsilon Rho-UC Davis) debut young adult novel “The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.”

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A Message from the International President

DEAR SISTERS,

International Executive Board

Deana Koonsman Gage, President Laura Jen Kin Berger Susan Bevan Amanda Minchin Carter Tobi Board Nieland Linda Schnetzer Jacqueline Schools Jennifer Holsman Tetreault Rebecca Andrew Zanatta Ex-officio: Sally McCall Grant, NPC Delegate Ex-officio: Linda Wells Kahangi, Executive Director Ex-officio: Karen McChesney Howe, Foundation Chair Foundation Directors

Karen McChesney Howe, Chair Mary Beth Tully, Vice Chair Nancy Salisbury Trillo, Treasurer Colleen Sirhal, Secretary Gretchen Wilson Alarcon Kim Brown Brannon Jenny Concepcion Hansen Jean Creamer Hodges Coree Christine Smith Ex-officio: Michelle Hektor, Executive Director Ex-officio: Deana Koonsman Gage, International President Executive Office

Executive Director: Linda Wells Kahangi 1930 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 475-0663 fraternity@alphaphi.org www.alphaphi.org Foundation Office

Executive Director: Michelle Hektor 1930 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 475-4532 foundation@alphaphi.org www.alphaphifoundation.org National Panhellenic Conference

Alpha Phi Delegate: Sally McCall Grant First Alternate Delegate: Laura Malley-Schmitt Second Alternate Delegate: Ruth Gallagher Nelson Third Alternate Delegate: Laura Lynn Davidson Ellett

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Our Founders banded together in 1872 because as women, they gained strength by joining forces in a male-dominated society.

Throughout our history, Alpha Phi has provided a welcoming, safe environment for women to share their goals and aspirations with other women who embrace similar values and ideals. We chose each other as college students for friendship and the opportunity to mutually support one another as we navigated the challenges of developing socially and intellectually.

As collegians and alumnae, we each have a story to tell about how Alpha Phi has impacted our lives. But this is 2017, and we cannot stick our heads in the sand: Not everyone understands our experience, nor believes there is a benefit to collegiate Greek life. There are universities that have gone as far as banning sororities and fraternities from campus, or at the very least, imposing restrictions.

The right to join or leave a group of a person’s own choosing is guaranteed by all modern and legal democratic legal systems.

We call that Freedom of Association. We have that right under the United States Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As members of singlegender organizations, we must ensure we do not lose that right. As an organization, we must steadfastly stand up for this together.

We must stand up not only to freely associate with those we choose, but to also continue our exemption under Title IX that allows us to remain a single-gender organization as long as we, the members of Alpha Phi, feel it is in the best interests of our Fraternity to do so.

As an organization, we will not tell you, as an individual, how to exercise that right or fight that battle. Alpha Phis have always heartily debated these issues, and we will continue to respect the views of all sisters, but Freedom of Association is one issue where we all need to understand the implications and work together to preserve the Fraternity. It’s the core of our existence.

So stay alert, be informed, use your voice and exercise your right to vote. The future of Alpha Phi is in our hands.

International President Deana Koonsman Gage unites with Iota Tau Chapter President Ellen Rothschild, who is a senior at Harvard, and other international and chapter presidents of Cambridge Panhellenic chapters.

Loyally,

Deana Koonsman Gage (Gamma Iota-Texas Tech) International President

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Quotable

“

Work will not hug you goodnight.

“

Jennifer Paul Cramer (Zeta Xi-Elmhurst)

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Read the stories of five Alpha Phi mothers in the workforce on page 16.

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Amongst the Ivy

Women Are Still Underrepresented at Every Level 19% WOMEN IN C-SUITE POSITIONS

TALKING POINTS

WOMEN in the Workplace Women in the Workplace 2016 is a comprehensive study of the state of women in corporate America.

The study is part of a long-term partnership between LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company to give companies the information they need to promote female leadership and foster gender equality in the workplace. One hundred and thirty-two companies employing more than 4.6 million people shared data and completed a survey of HR practices. In addition, more than 34,000 employees completed a survey designed to explore their experiences regarding gender, opportunity, career and work-life issues.

These are some of their findings. ďƒ­ Learn more at womenintheworkplace.com

Only 1 in 5 senior executives is a woman 4

24% WOMEN IN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTIAL POSITIONS 9% WOMEN IN VICE PRESIDENTIAL POSITIONS 33% WOMEN IN DIRECTOR POSITIONS 37% WOMEN IN MANAGERIAL POSITIONS 46% WOMEN IN ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS ONLY 43% OF WOMEN think becoming a top executive will significantly improve their ability to impact the business, compared to 51% OF MEN.

Women in senior management are 7 TIMES MORE LIKELY than men at the same level to say they do more than half of the housework.

For every 100 women promoted, 130 men are promoted.

Women who negotiate are disproportionately penalized for it.

Corporate America promotes men at 30% HIGHER RATES than women during their early career stages, and entry-level women are significantly more likely than men to have spent five or more years in the same role.

They are 30% more likely than men who negotiate to receive feedback that they are:

45%

ONLY

The percentage of employees who think their companies are doing what it takes to improve diversity outcomes.

intimidating too aggressive bossy

22% of employees say that progress on gender diversity is regularly measured and shared across the company.

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Fact vs. Fiction The United States ranks last among developed countries when it comes to paid maternity leave.

FACT: Although we wish this weren’t true, the United States is the only advanced economy that does not mandate paid leave for mothers at the federal level.

The closest thing the U.S. offers is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which became law in 1993 and allows qualified employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. Having a baby or caring

for an adopted child falls within this category.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 12 percent of Americans have access to paid parental leave, which is considered a benefit by employers. The International Labor Organization—a U.N.affiliated agency—recommends women be guaranteed at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, and some advanced economies, such as Norway, Canada and Sweden, provide at least 26 weeks of paid leave.

Learn more about how this affects women in the workplace on page 16.

Words that Matter In this recurring section, we’ll explore commonly misused words or phrases to help you say what you actually mean.

Principle vs.

Principal Principle (noun): “Principle” is a moral rule or belief that influences your actions. It is also a basic truth or theory, or an idea that forms the basis of something.

CORRECT: Sarah believed in the principle of equal pay for equal work.

INCORRECT: Sarah believed in the principal of equal pay for equal work.

Equal pay for equal work is a basic theory that Sarah believes in, and is thus a “principle.”

Principal (adjective and noun): As a noun, “principal” refers to a disciplinary, or the head of a school.

As an adjective, it means the most important, consequential or influential.

CORRECT (WHEN USED AS AN ADJECTIVE): Sarah’s principal concern was the lack of resources available to women in the workplace.

INCORRECT: Sarah’s principle concern was the lack of resources available to women in the workplace.

Of Sarah’s numerous concerns about her workplace, lack of resources available to women was the most important, and thus her “principal” concern.

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RETROSPECTIVE

The Woman Who Determined Her Own Worth

An excerpt from the Fall 1975 Quarterly: “First Woman US Treasurer.”

T

HIS FALL, WITH THE EQUAL RIGHTS Amendment (ERA) hanging in the balance, more women than ever pouring back into colleges and offices and the whole position of women in American life being questioned and turned inside out, we can look at Georgia Neese Gray (Upsilon-Washburn), as the woman who got there first.

Under President Harry Truman, himself in the process of beatification now, she was appointed the first woman treasurer of the United States, from 1949-53. Last year at Alpha Phi Convention she received the Fraternity’s Frances E. Willard Award of Achievement for success in her chosen field.

Georgia Gray is not an example or proponent of women’s liberation; she professes little knowledge of or interest in radical feminist movements. Without articulating any theories or supporting them, however, she is still an example of the best principles of those theories.

To quote one biographer, “She has never confused strength with gender, nor used sex as an excuse to avoid responsibility.”

Georgia was originally from the small town of Richland, Kan., where her father owned the bank. The strongest influences on Georgia’s personality as she grew

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up were her father and her elder sister.

Her father had wanted a son, so Georgia learned to ride, shoot and play baseball.

She quotes her father’s advice often, and it is usually practical and pithy.

She gives her father chief credit for encouraging her to be an individual, to try for what she wanted. Her older sister was an indirect influence. The sister was considered quite beautiful, and Georgia would hear people refer to “the beautiful Neese girl and the other one.” This adverse publicity was a spur to Georgia to achieve, accomplish and make her name remembered.

Her decision to go to New York and become an actress caused some stir, but her father encouraged her. In 1921, with a degree in economics from Washburn University, she left Topeka and attended drama school in New York for two years.

She became an actress of moderate success. She describes her type of role as “second lead,” which means she played whatever part was required to support the star. This included everything from ingenues to vampires. Georgia loved the theatre and loved acting; She feels the years in theatre developed her gutsy style, taught her how to deal with people and gave her valuable experience in public speaking. In dealing with big-name

“If a woman wants to be accepted because of brains and ability, she can be. But it takes guts to stand up for yourself and a good opinion of yourself not to care what people say about you.”

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stars, she learned to fight for herself, not to be overwhelmed by anyone.

After the Depression hit, acting jobs became scarce and Georgia’s acting career came to an end. So did her first marriage to a fellow actor named Clark.

Georgia returned to Topeka, Kan., in 1932, and began a new phase of her life, working in her father’s bank. She soon became active in politics, as her family had always been prominent Democrats in Kansas. It was highly unusual for a banker to be a Democrat in Kansas, especially before 1930. “We were looked down on socially,” Georgia recalls. “If you weren’t a Republican you were a nobody.”

But the Depression had given life to the Democratic party in Kansas, and Georgia was encouraged by her parents to work with the Young Democrats. She remembers the Democratic organization WI NTE R 2017

of 1932-36 as one of the best Kansas has ever had. Many young people who had been hurt by the Depression were active. They were convinced that change was necessary and imminent, and they were willing to work hard to effect that change. Georgia was a welcome addition, with education, stage presence and a Democratic background.

In 1936, she ran against eight other women for the position of national committeewoman. She won and was the Democratic national committeewoman of Kansas for 28 years. Her election as committeewoman made her prominent outside Kansas, although she continued to work mainly in the Kansas Democratic party organization.

The high point in Georgia Clark’s political career was her appointment as treasurer of the United States by President Truman. Her selection was

the result of her work as national committeewoman and a combination of other qualifications. She had met the then Senator Truman several times, but was not closely acquainted with him before her appointment. She had once secured Senator Truman as a speaker for the Democratic women in Topeka, arranged to have herself seated next to him and then told him of her scheming. He laughed about the incident, and Georgia thinks perhaps he remembered her for it.

William Julian had been treasurer but was killed in a car crash in May 1949.

Mrs. Indie Edwards, who was vicechairman of the Democratic national committee, called President Truman and requested that position for a woman.

According to Georgia, President Truman said, “Don’t you think we ought to let Julian get cold first?”

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Truman did agree, and Mrs. Edwards began a search through her files for a qualified woman. The name which came up most often was Georgia Neese Clark. She was a woman, the first prerequisite, and she was also a banker, a prominent Democrat and a good speaker. Mrs. Edwards took Georgia’s name to President Truman, who had his brother Vivian, in Kansas City, check it out. Vivian evidently talked to the right people, because Georgia was called to Washington to interview first with the secretary of treasury, then with President Truman. She recalls very vividly her conversation with Truman, which was as follows: “Mrs. Clark, you know why you are here. I have to ask you if you can afford it.”

“Will it cost more than the salary?”

“Double that,” Truman told her.

“Well, Mr. President, since I am the first woman ever to be offered the job, can I afford to turn it down?”

“You cannot.”

Georgia Neese Clark was confirmed as the first woman treasurer of the United States on June 20, 1949. She headed a staff of 1,600, which was responsible for receipt, disbursement and accounting of public money. The treasurer is also in charge of issuance and redemption of coin and currency. The treasurer does not make policy. Georgia’s job was roughly the equivalent to the cashier of a bank. Someone else makes the policy decisions, and the cashier sees that they are carried out efficiently.

She worked extremely hard at the job, especially in the first six months. She was determined to prove herself capable and to give no grounds for criticism of the decision to appoint a woman. She had a few problems, at first, with men who felt demeaned by working for a woman. She felt then and now that these types of situations can only be handled straightforwardly and openly. When the assistant treasurer handed her an inadequate report, she had it corrected by a banker friend and then called the assistant in to go over the report. After pointing out all the information he had left out she said, “Now, if all this information was necessary, why the hell didn’t you tell me?” The man was always cooperative after that interview; indeed, Georgia attributes much of the successful handling of work at the Treasury to his help.

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“Georgia Neese Clark was confirmed as the first woman treasurer of the United States on June 20, 1949. She headed a staff of 1,600, which was responsible for receipt, disbursement and accounting of public money.”

Georgia believes that women can compete successfully with men if they do it honestly, counting on their abilities and not expecting special treatment because they are women. She feels that if you want to be accepted because of brains and ability, you can be. It takes guts to stand up for yourself and a good enough opinion of yourself not to care what people say about you.

Life in Washington was agreeable to Georgia. As a single woman with position, she was in demand socially.

Although there were few unmarried women in government, she thinks it was to her advantage. The opportunity to meet interesting and unusual people was the greatest perquisite of her appointment to office.

One of Georgia’s favorite anecdotes concerns a tea given by Bess Truman.

Georgia had been in Washington about six months and read in the paper that the tea was being given for prominent women. She thought she would be invited, and finally called Carolyn Shaw, who had the “Green Book” at that time.

Mrs. Shaw asked Georgia if she had left her card at the White House. Georgia had not, because she didn’t have any cards or know that she was supposed to have left one anywhere. Direct as always, she called the Trumans and said, “I just found out I was supposed to have left a card for you. Can I come to your tea anyway?” She could and did, and the Trumans were delighted with her for calling.

Georgia stayed as treasurer until the administration changed in 1953. The work at the Treasury was not policy level, but she did enact a few minor changes. For example, she changed the number of currency bills printed per sheet because it is cheaper to print large sheets. She had the gold counted, a project that was never undertaken again until recently.

While she lived in Washington Georgia met and married Andy Gray, then a public relations representative for Lever Brothers. She and Andy returned to Topeka, where she resumed her previous position as director of the Richland bank and as Democratic national committeewoman. She had some offers of support if she wanted to run for public office, but she felt that it was not her ambition to be a political candidate.

When asked her feelings about leaving the position and protocol of Washington and returning to Topeka, she relates the following incident: “When I was an actress in Boston, I had the lead in a play that ran for quite a while. I got wonderful reviews, a whole page in the Boston paper. I got into the habit of thinking I was pretty good, in fact, the best thing they had. One day the director called me in and fired me. I told him that he couldn’t do that, I was the best thing he had. He told me that he had a company before I came, and he would have one after I left. It took me six months to

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get over that, but it was the last time I thought I was indispensable.

Since 1953, the Grays have made their home in Topeka. The Richland bank was moved into Topeka as the Capitol City State Bank. Georgia continued as national committeewoman until 1964 and has kept interested and involved in state and local politics. She takes great pride in being a Democrat and a liberal; the growth of the Democratic party in Kansas has been a pleasure for her to watch and participate in. She feels strongly that women should be active in politics, that often women waste their abilities. Men are often unwilling to do the work required in political life, and women who are willing can gather power by being the ones who get things done.

Luck, she feels, is always dependent on hard work.

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“Georgia believes that women can compete successfully with men if they do it honestly, counting on their abilities and not expecting special treatment because they

Looking back on her life and accomplishments, Georgia feels her successes have been due to several influences. The first is her father and his encouragement of her ambitions. The second to her own determination to be an individual. The third is the theatre and political work, both of which helped mold her personality and taught her the value of working hard. She likes people, enjoys life and appreciates the slogan on her kitchen wall plaque. It says “The time to be happy is now.” In sum, she has achieved more than most because she accepted no arbitrary limitations on herself and determined her own worth. 

are women.”

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NEWSFEED THE WASHINGTON POST

Northwestern (Beta) In September, collegian ANNA WATERS (BETA-NORTHWESTERN) published an article in The Washington Post titled “How Could Sexism Hurt Clinton in the Debates? These High School Students Know.” The article discusses the gendered perceptions taking place on the national stage of the presidential election, and draws parallels between the sexism experienced by female high school debaters.

In addition to being published in the Post, Anna was also featured on National Public Radio (NPR), where she spoke about the issues facing women debaters.

Read more at www.thewashingtonpost.com (keyword: Anna Waters Northwestern).

INSTAGRAM

INSTAGRAM

Indiana U. Southeast (Zeta Epsilon)

@iusalphaphi

Last year Alpha Phi Foundation awarded a grant to the University of Louisville for cardiac research!

We cannot wait for our Heart Walk this Saturday to raise money for such an amazing foundation. #iusalphaphi #moveyourphit #heartwalk2016 #ius #alphaphi

Clemson (Iota Rho)

@yellow_lab_named_huck

Huck supports women's heart health and loves Alpha Phi! #alphaphi #clemsonalphaphi #thelablove_feature #labradors_ #worldoflabs #labrador_class #talesofalab #clemson #alphaphiinternational

FACEBOOK

Texas Tech (Gamma Iota) If you get the chance to travel, go. The only thing better than a weekend getaway is doing it with your sisters! #texastechalphaphi

Texas A&M Commerce (Delta Beta) @AlphaPhi1872

Our sisters advancing women's lives through the power of philanthropy with @alphaphifoundation! #alphaphi #phislovephilanthropy

Let’s Chat!

Alpha Phi International (Executive Office) @AlphaPhiIntl @AlphaPhiIntl

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TWITTER

Alpha Phi Foundation @AlphaPhiFoundation @APhiFoundation

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ONE OF US

Patience, Persuasion and Persistence NANCY K. AUSTIN (BETA DELTA-UCLA), a leading authority and well-known speaker on management and leadership, has spoken before military leaders in countries on six continents and is a frequent guest on television and radio programs. She has served as a contributing editor for Working Woman and Inc. magazines, and co-authored the best-selling book A Passion for Excellence. Her first book, “The Assertive Woman” (Impact Publishers, Inc., 2002. ISBN: 1886230498) was revised into a fourth edition in 2002.

“The Assertive Woman” debunks myths and stereotypes of women bosses and stay-at-home moms and presents a refreshing, positive alternative.

Here, we chat with Nancy about her professional experience, work/life balance and how to overcome workplace challenges.

Why did you decide to write “The Assertive Woman”?

“The Assertive Woman” was the first book about assertiveness written expressly for women, and it sprang to life at a time when women were fuming about barriers they faced every day: She does the work, he gets the credit; She’s more than qualified, but he’s promoted; She’s too emotional, but he’s a born leader. The book gave women a voice where they’d had none.

It was also profoundly

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personal. My coauthor, Stanlee Phelps, and I had been leading workshops for women on this new assertiveness thing, and there we heard the same complaints, over and over: I can’t say no. I feel guilty. My boss wants me to be “nicer.” People treat me like a doormat.

And we knew we were onto something, because we felt the same way.

Work/life balance: Is it possible?

Working women ask me this all the time, and oh, how I wish I had a pretty answer. I once wrote a piece for Inc. magazine titled “What Balance?”, and it triggered a landslide of reader comments. In part, here’s what I said: “When I tell businesswomen that there is no tidy formula and no such thing as real balance—only a series of ridiculously cruel and grinding choices— it comes as a crashing jolt. The chances of ‘having it all’ are about as thin as a pinstripe…I’ve learned that a love of work and a love of family, balanced so that one never injures the other, is only an illusion. It will not save you from

hard choices, and it’s not enough to stand up to most of what life throws at you. I know that because I once left my own sister’s wedding to race to a hastily called business meeting about some crisis (not a life-threatening one) I no longer remember.”

I say all this not to discourage you, but to tell it like it (still) is. There’s no getting around it: Somebody has to go to the last-minute meeting, and somebody dances at the wedding reception, and it’s always a very, very hard call to decide which somebody you are.

How do you see the role of the professional businesswoman shifting/changing in the coming d ecade?

There has never been a better time to be a working woman, whatever profession you choose, because we’re really, really good at “patience, persuasion and persistence,” to borrow a wonderfully descriptive phrase from more recent research about why women leaders are made for these times. For some of you, the toughest barrier you’ll need to crush is the notion that women should stifle the part of themselves that doesn’t approach problems the way men do.

You can trust me when I say: Your own way, your authentic signature style, is always better. It’s wonderful, and it works. Don’t try to be everything to everyone: That road is paved with disappointment. You will need to stand up for yourself and defend your position, often and confidently. And you’ll make it through. When you’ve got the goods and you know you’re right and some know-it-all gets in your face and yells that you’re wrong, imagine how you’d respond and beef it up or tone it down. Support women colleagues. Honor the women who inspired you, who made you think, who helped you along the way. I’m convinced that Alpha Phi bestows superpowers. Go out there and use them. 

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Alpha Phi Foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant Approaches $1 Million The awarding of the 2017 Heart to Heart Grant will put the Foundation over $1 million invested in the fight against heart disease in women.

AS ALPHA PHIS, WE’RE KNOWN FOR OUR dedication to women’s heart health — our philanthropic focus since 1946.

We take this commitment to heart, doing our part to raise awareness of heart disease through the hosting of Red Dress Events on college campuses, and in the partnerships we establish with prominent health organizations throughout the United States and Canada.

We’re facing the No. 1 killer of women in North America head-on, and Alpha Phi Foundation is proud to award the $100,000 Heart to Heart Grant each year to fund research and educational programs that advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women. Since the grant’s inception in 1993, the Foundation has invested nearly one million dollars in

partnership with 26 organizations, including the Cleveland Clinic, University of Washington Division of Cardiology and Texas Heart Institute.

HISTORY

The Heart to Heart Grant has evolved over the years, but remains as central to the mission of the Foundation as it was when we awarded our very first “heart project” in 1960. Only four short years into the Foundation’s establishment, we prioritized a $500 award to the Variety Club Heart Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn. We continued to fund “heart projects” each year until the formal introduction of the Heart to Heart Grant in 1993, which started as a $10,000 annual award. By 2005 the grant had grown to $50,000 and less than a decade later, the Foundation boldly doubled it to $100,000 in 2014. These increases reflect our commitment to raising awareness and contributing to women’s heart health research and education, as well as the generosity of our donors who make this grant possible.

PROCESS

The Heart to Heart Grant awards process takes six months from beginning to end. We’re eager to invest in innovative and impactful projects, and as a result, we diligently recruit the top cardiology programs throughout North America in the months leading up to the application’s launch on Sept. 1 of each year. Applicants have two months to submit a thorough CONTINUES ON PG. 15

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Alpha Phi Foundation has proudly funded 28 heart projects through the Heart to Heart Grant to 26 prestigious organizations for a total of $975,000 since the grant’s inception in 1993.

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Alpha Phi Foundation is proud to award the $100,000 Heart to Heart Grant each year to fund research and educational programs that advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women.

Kimberly Skelding, MD, is a cardiologist with Geisinger Health System and a Franklin & Marshall (Zeta Sigma) alumna. She is passionate about training fellow physicians and patients on the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors that can occur in pregnancy. More than 600,000 women in the United States every year experience pregnancy-related complications which can carry heart implications for over 30 years after pregnancy. Thanks to the 2015 Heart to Heart Grant, Dr. Skelding is taking “the next steps to increase the knowledge about women’s heart disease for both our medical and lay community. It also allows us to add to the data being collected to help improve outcomes for women over time.”

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Funded by the 2014 Heart to Heart Grant, Biswajit Kar, MD, and his team of physicians in Memorial Hermann’s Center for Advanced Heart Failure worked together to create the first national registry so they and physicians worldwide can gain an understanding of onset, risk factors and management of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) — a life-threatening disease of the heart muscle that affects women in the last month of pregnancy and even up to five months after delivery. Dr. Kar and his team were motivated to create the registry because “not a single randomized control trial had been done in such an important disease that affects women in their prime.”

Andrew DeFilippis, MD, is a cardiologist with the University of Louisville and our 2016 Heart to Heart Grant recipient. His work is motivated by the acknowledgment that “prediction in women is not nearly as accurate as it is in men…and most of what we know about things that could lead to heart attacks are from studies that were done in men.” With our $100,000, he is leading ground-breaking research on the link between certain lipids in the bloodstream and their ability to pinpoint women at risk for having a heart attack.

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Alpha Phi Foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant Recipients YEAR

RECIPIENT

2016

University of Louisville Foundation

$100,000

2015

Geisinger Health System

$100,000

2014

Memorial Hermann Foundation

$100,000

2013

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation

$50,000

2013

Texas Heart Institute

$50,000

2012

University of Washington Division of Cardiology

$50,000

2011

St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation

$50,000

2010

American Heart Associate Greater Boston Area

$25,000

2010

Oregon Health Services University Foundation

$50,000

2009

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Women’s Heart Program

$25,000

2008

Events of the Heart

$25,000

2007

University of Colorado Hospital

$50,000

2007

American Heart Association La Jolla (Go Red for Women Campaign)

$50,000

2006

American Heart Association La Jolla (Go Red for Women Campaign)

$50,000

2005

Cleveland Clinic Foundation: Heart Center for Women

$50,000

2004

Mainline Health Heart Center

$25,000

2003

Mercy Medical Center of Northern Iowa

$25,000

2002

Mercy Medical Center of Northern Iowa

$15,000

2001

Allen Memorial Hospital

$10,000

2000

University of Cincinnati Women’s Health Program

$13,000

1999

California Pacific Medical Center / Transitional Cardiac Care Unit

$10,000

1998

Egleston Children’s Hospital’s Sibley Heart Center

$10,000

1998

Sacred Heart Medical Center

$4,000

1997

Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation’s “Women’s Heart Night Out”

$10,000

1996

University of Florida Medical Center, Dept. of Pediatrics

$10,000

1995

Deaconess Hospital, Institute for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

$10,000

1994

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Cardiovascular Division

$10,000

1993

Program in Women’s Cardiovascular Health, University Hospitals of Cleveland

$10,000

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GRANT AMOUNT

CONTINUED FROM PG. 12

project proposal covering their project’s objectives, work plan, timeline, budget and evaluation plan. We then enlist more than 60 alumnae members who have a background in medical research and/or clinical care to serve as Heart to Heart Grant Medical Readers. These special women lend their time and expertise to help the Foundation evaluate the significance, innovation and approach of the proposed projects. Assigning points along defined criteria and providing their written feedback, their work helps determine the top five finalists. From there, the Foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant Advisory Group conducts in-depth phone interviews with each finalist getting to know the ins and outs of each of their projects. Notes from the phone interviews are submitted to the Board of Directors who make the final decision on the Heart to Heart Grant recipient in February.

IMPACT

The awarding of the 2017 Heart to Heart Grant will put the Foundation over $1 million invested in the fight against heart disease in women. We’re proud of the organizations we invested in over the years and the work they’ve done to lessen the impact and incident of heart disease in women. From basic research to community programming, we’ve partnered with top-notch medical professionals to learn more about prevention, risk factors and symptoms of heart disease. These organizations and their teams of talented professionals’ passion for women’s heart health is infectious as they strive to make an impact on women everywhere. 

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Are We There Yet? Five Working Moms Discuss the Evolving Role of the Professional Woman

By Kristen Mitchell (Gamma-DePauw), Editor-in-Chief PHOTO BY SCOTT THOMPSON

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IN FALL 2016, MCKINSEY & COMPANY AND LEANIN.ORG published “Women in the Workplace 2016”—the most comprehensive annual review of women in corporate America to-date. The report surveyed 132 companies employing more than 4.6 million people, and reveals the gender-based barriers women still face in the workplace. For starters, we’re promoted and hired at lower rates than men, so very few of us end up on the path to becoming CEO; we make up approximately half of the labor force, and 40 percent of us serve as the primary breadwinners for our families, yet corporate America promotes our male counterparts at a 30 percent higher rate throughout their careers. In short, the higher up you look in corporate America, the less female representation you see.

Starting a family only complicates women’s positions in the workplace, as we’re often forced to sacrifice career advancements in order to care for our children. The United States is the only developed country that does not mandate any paid leave for new parents, and childcare costs upwards of $15,000 a year in some states— more than in-state tuition at some four-year public universities. Until then, more and more women are opting to stay home. In a 2014 New York Times/aCBS News/ Kaiser Family Foundation poll of nonworking adults aged 25 to 54 in the United States, 61 percent of women said family responsibilities were a reason they weren’t working. Only 69 percent of women return to work a year after giving birth (down from 74 percent in 1999), and of those that do, 41 percent say that being a mother has made it harder for them to advance in their careers.

The future, however, is in our hands. The United States Department of Labor found that policies supporting working families would enable millions more women to contribute to our workforce. If U.S. women’s labor force participation matched other developed countries the potential gains to gross domestic product (GDP) could reach $600 billion per year.

More and more women are finding ways to balance their personal and professional lives, and here, we chat with five Alpha Phi women who are doing just that.

Their experiences are as varied as their careers, but a common thread weaves itself through their responses: As women and mothers, we’re making it work, paving the way for those who will follow in our footsteps. Read on to hear the success stories and challenges these women face as they continue to climb the corporate ladder while fulfilling their duties as mothers.

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The Founder and CEO Kathleen Henson (Delta Mu-Purdue) A self-proclaimed “mompreneuer,” Kathleen is the founder and CEO of Chicago-based PR firm Henson Consulting (HC).

From 1997-2000, she served as senior vice president—one of the youngest in the company—at Edelman Worldwide, the world’s leading independent PR firm. Kathleen admits she had it all by “conventional” standards—a corner office, a leadership role, opportunities for career advancement and interesting clients, in addition to a new family. When she felt her work/life balance teetering, however, she quit her full-time job in the agency world with no plan. In 2001, she founded Henson PR in her home’s basement with an IKEA desk and a printer on top of her sump pump. Fifteen years later, the company has evolved into a thriving Chicago-based PR agency that employs more than 40 talented people, and was recently recognized as the national Small Agency of the Year from PRNews. Kathleen serves as the firm’s CEO, but admits that her family, which includes her six children, will always come first.

How does your company accommodate you as a working mom?

My entire company was built around being a working mom. I am very flexible with other working mothers to ensure that they can accommodate the birth of their babies and natural growth of their families, special needs of their children and their desire to work flex or part time. I want Henson Consulting to be a utopia for other working mothers like me. Life is too short to put work above your family.

Our values support our employees having joyful lives outside of work so they can bring their best selves TO work.

Do you ever have ‘working mom guilt’? If so, how do you address it?

Of course I’ve had working mom guilt—there are days when you wish

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–K ATHLEEN HENSON (DELTA MU-PURDUE) you could clone yourself and be in two places. However, as I’ve become older and wiser, I’ve realized it’s more about the quality time you spend with your kids and good communication. They know mom has work to do and respect that I have to do it… but, I shed a few tears myself about being separated from them when they were babies. It’s hard to feel you’re doing a good job sometimes in both home and work when you’re exhausted and on deadline with a sick or fussy baby! I often wish there were two of me—but that isn’t possible, so I guess it’s understanding that sometimes it is “okay” to not have everything checked off my to-do list each day. I juggle a lot of balls each day at work, at home and in my nonprofit work, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

I love my life, despite how busy it is sometimes.

How do you feel about the way our society approaches women in the workplace—and more particularly, working moms?

I think there is a double standard for working moms versus dads…but I am trying to change that perception through showing both women and men that there is no need to hide or apologize for being a mom. You can be professional, powerful and strong, while continuing to be a loving, nurturing and involved mother.

What advice do you have for working women who want to start a family?

Do not shy away from following your career goals if you want to continue to work after giving birth to your babies. It is possible to find harmony or “balance”—perhaps just not all on the same day! Work is a great outlet to share your mind and knowledge with others. I am glad I am a working mom. My children are more confident and empowered for it. I try to set a good example for other women who work for me every single day and hope to follow in my footsteps. I’m often asked “How DO you do it?” and I always say, “I don’t know, I just do and I’m so thankful I can.”

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The Elementary-SchoolTeacher-Turned-Analyst Rachel Mazoff (Tau-Oregon) Following the birth of her children, Rachel Mazoff decided to stay home full-time, since the cost of childcare would negate her salary as an entrylevel elementary school teacher. After raising her children (now college aged and beyond), she wanted to return to work, but teaching jobs were scarce, so she began temporary work at a hospital.

Her role dealt with electronic health records and project implementations, and after acquiring an entirely new set of skills, she was hired on as a fulltime employee. Four years ago, Rachel moved into an analyst position, and she is now an expert on policy and document management, as well as hospital accreditation readiness.

PHOTO BY REBECCA ROSEN

“Of course I’ve had working mom guilt ... However, as I’ve become older and wiser, I’ve realized it’s more about the quality time you spend with your kids and good communication.”

What is the most challenging thing about being a working mom?

At the end of the day, I can leave my job, but the role of mom never ends. Life was much more complicated when both kids were still home, and honestly, I don’t know how I fit everything into the day before. Sitting in a corporate meeting with leaders from across the organization while worrying about getting home in time to make it to a school conference or knowing that six extra kids could show up for dinner, or getting to the store in time to find a tri-fold board for the science fair, or being able to take the call that your kid needs you is challenging. I can explain to leaders what they need to do to prepare their departments for a survey, but I cannot get a math teacher to give required extra time on a test.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a working mom?

My kids have seen how I have grown. I would never give up the time I had to be home with them, and the flexibility I had when they were younger to be the mom at school, the room parent, the coach, the PTA president and the mom who could pick up the other kids; but as I have changed careers, they have been able to see me learn brand new skills and create a career out of a temporary job. I went from being an elementary school teacher to managing databases for policies and procedures as well as clinical audits for accreditation readiness. I respect myself for what I have accomplished and other people do too, which is rewarding for my kids to see.

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Are We There Yet? The Army Major Nicole Mazikowski Alexander (Sigma-Washington) Nicole is a U.S. Army civil affairs officer and the co-founder of PROMOTE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentorship and leadership development for women in the military. In her former role as a U.S. Army engineer officer, Nicole completed two deployments in Iraq and a 7-month deployment to Afghanistan. She is a mother to a 2-year-old, and following the completion of her second post-graduate degree in December, she welcomed her second child. In the spring, she will face another deployment—just five months after giving birth.

How do you feel about the way our society approaches women in the workplace?

While I haven’t personally felt any overt negativism being a woman in the workplace—and particularly in the military—I am aware that it happens every day and that many women feel they aren’t welcome.

Despite that, our society just witnessed a major overhaul of a policy that kept women at a distance for certain jobs in the military. The lifting of the ban of women in combat positions is a big deal, and it shows our society is making progress to treat women in the workplace equally.

One of the reasons I co-founded PROMOTE was because women are still behind in the military and aren’t receiving equal mentorship and leadership development opportunities. The same can be said for women in all workplaces. My colleague and I built the program to help retain talented women in the workforce. There are many reasons why women leave the military—family is often one of them—but lack of mentorship and leadership development should not be. I am doing valuable work for the next generation of female leaders. I want my daughters to know that there are ways to help meet their professional goals when they get older, and my work in starting this program is going to help form their own paths as leaders in our communities.

Do you ever have ‘working mom guilt’? How do you address it?

This spring, I am going on my first deployment since having kids, and I know it’s going to be tough.

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Our second daughter will be 5 months old, and my husband will be by himself taking care of a 2-and-a-half year-old and a newborn. I do not envy him. But I do know that there is an advantage to having kids older and later in your military career.

I don’t have too many deployments left because there just aren’t a lot of jobs for senior officers overseas. My kids will be young and won’t even remember my time away. When I retire in eight years, my oldest daughter will be 10 and my youngest 8. I can have a second career, but I won’t have to break my back to prove myself, so I can choose something that will give me the flexibility to go to my daughters’ activities and spend ample time with them as they head into those crucial teenage years. My mom was a working mom, and I’m still proud of her today for the things she accomplished while raising me. I am positive my daughters will feel the same.

The Remote Employee Jennifer Paul Cramer (Zeta Xi-Elmhurst) Jennifer Paul Cramer initially began her career as a bilingual customer service representative, but with her husband being active duty military, she took 14 months off to be a full-time mom. After a year, however, she was itching to go back to work. She chose a different career path as a recruiting coordinator, which allows her a flexible and partially remote work schedule.

How do you balance your time at the office with time at home?

I usually wake up 1-2 hours before my son is up to log-in remotely (4:30-5:30 a.m.) and then work during his naptime when I am not in the office. I will also work when he goes to bed, and I try to segment the hours I work to make them productive. I also rely on meal planning (crock pot, or preparing ingredients in advance) to make our days run smoother.

Working moms can certainly do it all, but they shouldn’t need to. I wish our society had more understanding, more affordable care and more accommodations for working moms who balance raising the next generation with helping the current.

What advice do you have for women who are currently working and want to become mothers?

Don’t plan life around work—if you want to start a family, go for it. Work will not hug you goodnight. The work will always be there, and if you are determined enough you can balance it afterwards or you’ll decide that you want to raise your babies for a while. We should start creating a culture where there is no judgment and all love for going back to work or staying home with your children.

Either way, the work is hard and endless.

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The Manager Katy Shumm Tuttle (Zeta Gamma-Santa Clara) Katy Tuttle joined the team at California-based E&J Gallo Winery following graduation, and in the 12 years since, she has served the company as a sales representative, district sales manager, manager of training, manager of college recruiting, HR representative, HR manager and now, manager of training and recruiting for all of Northern California. Katy admits that being a working mom poses its own challenges, but as a family-owned company, E&J has accommodated her schedule by allowing her to work from home a few days a month, use her lunch break to see her two children and bring her family members with on most work trips.

You have two children and another on the way. Who do you rely on for childcare?

My pediatrician (she is also a working mom) gave me the best advice when I was going back to work after my first baby. She told me to find a stay-at-home mom who I could relate to and trust, as she would be my eyes and ears while I was at work. That has been one of my biggest support systems to this day. I have other girlfriends who take my kids home from school and to activities if I need the help while working. It was hard for me to “let go” and feel like I was not a burden to my friends, but that is why they are your friends; they are there for you in good and bad times.

We are also super lucky that we use family in the area for most of our childcare. Honestly, living in the Bay Area and having to find childcare is not an easy task, so without family we would probably not be able to live where we do today.

How do you feel about the way our society approaches working moms?

Working moms always get the backseat.

I have missed a few steps in my career due to maternity leave/knowing that kids do not allow me to “up and move” with a career, which is hard to deal with. I think people try to be politically correct when it comes to

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society views, but actions speak louder than words. Working moms sometimes get looked down on simply because they might miss more workdays than working dads.

What advice do you have for working women who want to start a family?

Work should never determine if you want to grow a family. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a mom. You can do both.

There will always be sacrifices along the way, but understanding what those sacrifices are and realizing they are small compared to the love and joy of a child makes being a mom more important, real and worth it. It’s important for me to show my kids, my daughter especially, that no matter what, as a woman you can do it all. “All” doesn’t have to mean every pick-up or drop-off or volunteering at school recess, but “all” can mean showing that you can grow a successful career as well as a successful family. Every family dynamic is different, and what you put in is what you get out. 

“Work should never determine if you want to grow a family. There will always be sacrifices along the way, but understanding what those sacrifices are and realizing they are small compared to the love and joy of a child makes being a mom more important, real and worth it.”

—K ATY SHUMM TUTTLE (ZETA GAMMA–SANTA CLARA)

SOURCES: PewResearchCenter;

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; United States Department of Labor

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From the Quad

Sister Chosen as 2016 Peace Builder

S

WASHBURN, UPSILON

“My goal is that every citizen who wants to vote in the next election has the opportunity to do so without restrictions.”

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Senior NATASHA MARTINEZ (UPSILON-WASHBURN) has been chosen as the 2016 Youth Peace Builder by the Topeka Center For Peace and Justice. The award, which recognizes county residents who have made a positive impact on social injustice in the community, was bestowed at the organization’s 4th Annual Peace and Justice Party on Sept. 22 in downtown Topeka.

Natasha is currently sharing her passion for informed citizenship as an intern for the League of American Voters of Kansas. Most recently, as the founder of the Washburn League of Women Voters, she organized a voter registration drive for the university. The event was co-hosted by the women of Alpha Phi and open to the entire Washburn community. It registered more than 400 students.

“My goal is that every citizen who wants to vote in the next election has the opportunity to do so without restrictions,” Natasha said upon accepting the award. “Voting is important because it gives citizens a right to have a voice.”

Natasha, a political science major, plans on attending law school following graduation. 

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SANTA CLARA, ZETA GAMMA

$86,000 Raised for Women's Heart Health

WASHBURN (UPSILON) CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY The Upsilon chapter celebrated its centennial year on Sept. 16. Collegians and alumnae joined for a cocktail hour on Sept. 24 and a formal dinner on Sept. 25. The chapter is currently home to 92 collegiate members, the largest in Upsilon’s history. These collegiate members attended the formal dinner and socialized with alumnae from 1945 to present.

In 2016, the Zeta Gamma chapter raised more than $85,000 at its annual Red Dress Gala. Red Dress Chairwoman Julia Good organized an event that educated attendees on the importance of women’s heart health and the impact Alpha Phi Foundation has on funding women’s heart health research. Hosting a live and silent auction for more than 500 guests, Zeta Gamma also featured Alpha Phi Foundation staff member and speaker Crista Cate Vasina (Delta Gamma-Northern Colorado). Her moving speech helped to unify the event and kickoff the live auction.

During the weekend’s events, Alumnae Engagement Manager Judy Kay Mead (Delta Gamma-Northern Colorado) gave a heart-warming speech about sisterhood and the love of Alpha Phi, and both alumnae and collegians shared stories about the chapter house over the years.

The chapter looks forward to another 100 successful years on Washburn’s campus.

WESTERN UNIVERSITY, THETA ETA

Canadian Chapter Celebrates Milestone Anniversary The Theta Eta chapter at Western University celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Nov. 12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Alumnae and collegians celebrated this milestone anniversary with a gala and formal dinner.

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From the Quad

Sisters Host Move Your Phi’t In Honor of Late Alumna

I

Alison Parker

JAMES MADISON, THETA IOTA

In October, JAMES MADISON (THETA IOTA) collegians hosted a Move Your Phi’t 5k to commemorate fellow sister Alison Parker (Theta Iota-James Madison). Alison, who graduated in 2012, was killed on Aug. 26, 2015, during a live television report for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Va. As an undergraduate member, Alison served as vice president of marketing for Theta Iota and worked to organize events such as the Red Dress Gala, which raised thousands of dollars for Rockingham Memorial Hospital’s women’s heart health department.

The event kicked off with a speech from Alpha Phi’s Historian Terri Brooks (Gamma Tau-Willamette) discussing Alpha Phi’s history and how Alison emulated the beliefs our Founders stood for.

Current Vice President of Marketing Stephanie Smith had the following to say about Alison: “She was such a role model to me as one of the first people that I met in the sorority. She resembled everything that I ultimately wanted to be.”

Alison’s parents Barbara and Andy were proud of the turnout at the 5k and expressed their gratitude to JMU’s school paper: “We are so proud of JMU’s commitment to her memory, and the Alpha Phi Move Your Phi’t 5k memorial to Alison means so much to us. Our goal is to remember Alison for the way she lived, and not the way she died. She will live on through those who knew her and future generations who learn about her legacy.” 

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SOUTH DAKOTA, PSI

Sister Is Winner of Character Essay Contest

CHAPTER FUN FACTS 3.602 GPA

NEBRASKA KEARNEY, DELTA XI

In October, junior MAGGIE SQUYER (PSI-SOUTH DAKOTA) won first place in the 2016 Character Essay Contest sponsored by Tri Sigma and the Josephson Institute of Ethics. Winners were announced during national CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, which encourages participants to practice the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. Maggie’s essay—which addressed the question, “What does it mean to be compassionate and how will compassion change the world?”—told of her father’s passing from a sudden heart attack, and how she learned the true meaning of compassion through the reactions of those around her.

Maggie is double majoring in biology conservation and sustainability with a minor in political silence. She serves as Psi chapter’s director of new member education, a morale captain for South Dakota’s Dance Marathon, a teacher’s aide at a local elementary school and a research assistant for the university’s biology department.

After graduation, she hopes to pursue her master’s degree in public policy and work for an environmental nonprofit or in local government.

Delta Xi sisters set the record for highest overall Greek GPA on campus with a cumulative 3.602. Seventy of 122 members earned a 3.5 GPA or higher, with 34 of those members earning a 4.0 GPA.

SAN JOSE STATE, BETA PSI Sisters at San Jose State (Beta Psi) raised more than $30,000 this past year during their “Heart to Heart” week of philanthropy events, and nearly $15,000 from their Red Dress Gala in the spring. Heart to Heart week events like bake sales, raffles, coin wars and a pasta “Phi-d” dinner helped raise money for Alpha Phi Foundation and women's heart health research. Their annual Red Dress Gala, held at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club, provided guests with a three-course meal and helped raise money through ticket sales, silent auctions and games.

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YALE, IOTA CHI

Collegian Speaks at Prestigious Conference OLIVIA SCHARFMAN (IOTA CHI-YALE) was invited to speak at the prestigious Mars Society Convention in Washington, D.C., in September.

The four-day conference brought together leading scientists, engineers, policymakers, government officials, entrepreneurs and journalists to address the significance of the latest scientific discoveries, technological advances and political-economic developments that could open the way to the human exploration and settlement on Mars.

Olivia serves as the vice chair of the board of directors for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) and recently spoke at the first Robotics Women in Science and Technology Conference.

She currently studies engineering, applied math and physics, but has not declared her major yet.

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From the Quad

Volunteering Abroad SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, EPSILON XI

JAMAICA

CONNECTICUT, IOTA LAMBDA

SOUTH AFRICA While studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, collegian GRAY PENDERGAST (IOTA LAMBDACONNECTICUT) organized a fund to raise money for toys in hospitals.

Sister Chrissy Lavallee (Iota LambdaConnecticut) collected donations from every sister in the chapter to send to Gray.

In March of 2015 and 2016, collegian JAELEN DETERS (EPSILON XISOUTHERN ILLINOIS) traveled to Negril, Jamaica, through the university’s alternative spring break mission trip. The trip focused on poverty relief and community restoration. Following her successful experience, she continued her service abroad with a two-week trip to northwestern China in May 2016. During her time in Lanzhou and Beijing, she took an education course, which focused on special education and culture.

Jaelen notes that volunteering with Alpha Phi sisters in her local community is what sparked her to give back on a global level.

NORTH DAKOTA, PI

INDIA During the summer, KIM LAYMAN (PI-NORTH DAKOTA) traveled halfway around the world to Kolkata, India, with the Missionaries of Charity, where she spent a month serving others.

to inspire sisters in her chapter and those with whom she works.

surrounding sexual health, drug abuse, environmental health, injury prevention and general hygiene.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, EPSILON XI

Collegiate member ALISON NEELY (ZETA GAMMA-SANTA CLARA) also spent time volunteering in Ghana

GHANA During the summer, collegian MICA COLEMAN (EPSILON XI-SOUTHERN ILLINOIS) traveled to Takoradi, Ghana, to participate in a sixweek internship. While in Ghana, Mica gave health presentations at primary and junior high schools, which included discussion

with her university. She worked with Bright Generations, a company dedicated to building infrastructure in villages across Ghana.  See how other other Alpha Phi sisters are making an impact in their communities and beyond by searching #alphaphicares on Instagram.

SAN JOSE STATE, BETA PSI

NICARAGUA NICOLE FAKER (BETA PSI-SAN JOSE STATE) volunteered for two months this summer as a Spanish teacher for kindergarten through second grade in the Barrios of the city of Granada in Nicaragua. She also taught basic math and literary skills to 50 children. She continues 2 6

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MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH PHILANTHROPY AND SERVICE

CSU LONG BEACH, GAMMA KAPPA

In September, Gamma Kappa collegians (above) volunteered at the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk in Long Beach, Calif. In 2017, the chapter will participate in the walk to honor Alpha Phi Foundation and Gamma Kappa’s Vice President of Chapter Affairs Shelby Davis, a heart disease survivor.

DEPAUW, GAMMA

Gamma chapter held its first "Coff-Phi" philanthropy event on campus. Students and professors enjoyed free coffee and donuts on the way to class, as well as the opportunity to learn about women’s heart health.

CASE WESTERN RESERVE, ZETA PI

Sisters hosted the chapter’s second annual Carnival of Hearts.

WILLAMETTE, GAMMA TAU

NORTHERN COLORADO, DELTA GAMMA

In October, Delta Gamma chapter kicked off a new fall philanthropy event: Alpha Phifa. Ten teams participated in a soccer tournament, which also featured a DJ and concessions.

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CENTRAL MISSOURI, THETA LAMBDA

In the fall, Gamma Tau collegians held their first-ever Red Dress philanthropy event, “A Red Carpet Event.” Sisters raised $1,500 for Alpha Phi Foundation, their largest donation yet. 

Theta Lambda sisters participated as a sponsor in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk in Johnson County, Mo.

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From the Quad

Extension Alpha Phi Joins SEMO Panhellenic Community

A

ALPHA PHI IS OFFICIALLY PART OF THE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

State (SEMO) Panhellenic community! The new colony celebrated Bid Day on Sept. 29, as Alpha Phi new members ran home to Parker Field and the awaiting Panhellenic community. Following the campus event, they celebrated as a group at the University Rec Center.

In the time since Bid Day, the group has held weekly meetings filled with both new member education and SEMO-specific content. They have participated in social events with fraternities, including a movie night and barbecue. In late October, they participated in a new member retreat that included a ropes course and their Phi family reveal. These new Alpha Phis first organized themselves into committees to build the chapter’s foundation and held elections in November. In January, sisters will kick off 2017 with a weekend team retreat and officer training.

Thank you to our educational leadership consultants Lizzie Archer (Theta Phi-Christopher Newport) and Marissa Muzik (Delta ThetaWestern Michigan) and Team SEMO, which includes Extension Team Lead Sherry Wilcher (Gamma Gamma-Drury), Amy Tvrdik (OmicronMissouri), Sarah Benoist (Theta Delta-Creighton), Michelle Stevens (Epsilon Phi-North Carolina State), Jaime Ryberg (Theta Gamma-Truman State) and Julie Weathers (Gamma IotaTexas Tech).

Things are looking great for Alpha Phi in Cape Girardeau, Mo.! 

SEMO colony members celebrate Bid Day on campus.

The SEMO Panhellenic community welcomes Alpha Phi’s new members.

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Silent Chapter

“ This is goodnight, but not goodbye.”

Alabama (Beta Mu) Ida Wiggins Florey (‘48), Sept. 24, 2016 Lela Lewis Locklin (‘47), Oct. 2, 2016 Arizona (Beta Epsilon) Joanne Wagner Cheney (‘53), July 22, 2016 Lynn Siergiej Crawford (‘58), July 18, 2016 Patricia McKim Dinsmore (‘52), Oct. 7, 2016 Joyce Merrill Hutchinson (‘43), Aug. 3, 2016 Jean Pettis Reed (‘36), Sept. 19, 2016 Bowling Green (Beta Omicron) Mary Miller Rudolph (‘45), Oct. 24, 2016 Mary Werner Zimmerman (‘46), July 16, 2016

Idaho (Beta Zeta) Cynthia Huguenin Samms (‘52), Oct. 2, 2016 Iowa (Delta Epsilon) Heather Goforth (‘05), Aug. 25, 2016 Susan Evans Phipps (‘61), Sept. 3, 2016 LSU (Delta Tau) Joyce Brock Higgins (‘64), Oct. 25, 2016 Violet Blakewood Lux (‘64), Sept. 15, 2016 Maine (Delta Nu) Susan Chadbourne (‘64), Sept. 29, 2016 Michigan (Theta) Rebecca Knowlton Dickson (‘75), July 21, 2016 Catherine Roney Meik (‘50), Aug. 16, 2016

Colorado (Beta Gamma) Mary McIlwain Dodson (‘50), Sept. 19, 2016 Kathryn Epperson Resseguie (‘55), Oct. 13, 2016

Michigan State (Beta Beta) Virginia Klinedinst Neal (‘55), Aug. 9, 2016 Barbara Goddeyne Wolf (‘51), Sept. 17, 2016

Denison (Beta Kappa) Patricia Huey Carey (‘52), Oct. 25, 2016 Geraldine Twyford Ferguson (‘44), Aug. 16, 2016 Ann Spiker Foster (‘50), Aug. 21, 2016 Anne Mathias Schenkel (‘55), July 23, 2016

Minnesota (Epsilon) Janet Archambo McMillan (‘52), Aug. 13, 2016 Nancy Vollum Swanson (‘58), July 29, 2016

East Carolina (Delta Alpha) Melissa Langham (‘96), Sept. 26, 2016

Montana (Chi) Mary Swearingen Mulligan (‘53), Sept. 15, 2016 Nebraska (Nu) Lois Christie Hudson (‘41), Oct. 24, 2016 North Dakota (Pi) Lois Anderson Newgard (‘50), Sept. 30, 2016

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— “Linger”

Silent Chapter announcements may be submitted at alphaphi.org (keyword: silent chapter) or to quarterly@alphaphi. org. Please note: year listed in parentheses is year of initiation.

Northwestern (Beta) Elaine Nish Stolt (‘46), Sept. 23, 2016

UC Berkeley (Lambda) Betty Hutchison Shelley (‘35), Sept. 16, 2016

Oklahoma (Phi) Jan Puckett Jacobs (‘59), July 20, 2016 Sherry Bowman Melberg (‘63), Aug. 26, 2016 Donna Mann Ryan (‘50), Oct. 18, 2016

UC Santa Barbara (Gamma Beta) Marjorie Callow Evenson (‘71), Oct. 1, 2016

Oregon (Tau) Beverly Kreick Beall (‘51), Nov. 5, 2016 Penn State (Gamma Rho) Dana Wolff Waugaman (‘92), Oct. 10, 2016 San Diego State (Gamma Alpha) Patricia Larrabee Gibson (‘49), Aug. 31, 2016 Cynthia Cook Hunter (‘55), Oct. 24, 2016 South Dakota (Psi) Karen Runge Molstad (‘57), Nov. 7, 2016 Martha Brodie Severance (‘43), Aug. 4, 2016 Texas (Omega) Mary King Gude (‘52), Oct. 25, 2016 Marion Gauldin Shaw (‘45), Oct. 12, 2016 Texas A&M Commerce (Delta Beta) Susan Atkins Carnes (‘66), Nov. 11, 2016 Connie Russell Holley (‘60), July 20, 2016

Washburn (Upsilon) Karen Messer Becker (‘72), Oct. 18, 2016 Washington (Sigma) Nancy Andrews (‘60), Oct. 9, 2016 Anne Gilmer Berg (‘49), Sept. 22, 2016 Roberta Kelley Mooers (‘47), Sept. 22, 2016 Lexie Spafford Robbins (‘51), July 20, 2016 Washington State (Beta Rho) Noreen Lee Bradbury (‘49), Aug. 2, 2016 Nancy Roberts Halin (‘55), Sept. 30, 2016 West Virginia (Beta Iota) Phyllis Johnson Grimm (‘41), Oct. 18, 2016 Whitman (Beta Phi) Evelyn Johnson Chapman (‘54), Nov. 19, 2016 Wisconsin (Iota) Mary Zeratsky Conder (‘44), Sept. 1, 2016 Laurie Leach Geddeis (‘58), July 23, 2016 Ida Altman Hunt (‘38), Sept. 27, 2016 

Texas Tech (Gamma Iota) Martha Novak Neuens (‘55), July 23, 2016 Julia Redding Weber (‘58), July 28, 2016

Alpha Phi Quarterly

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Where We Live

Welcome Home!

Four Alpha Phi Collegiate Chapters Begin the 2016 Academic Year in New Facilities

LSU (Delta Tau)

Delta Tau chapter moves into its permanent home in Baton Rouge, La.

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After living in a transformed universitybuilding-turned-sorority-house for a year, the Delta Tau chapter—recolonized in fall 2013—moved into a newly built permanent facility sleeping 52 members at the beginning of the fall 2016 semester. Director of Collegiate Housing Tonya Ryan (Phi-Oklahoma) communicated with the university during the process of building the new facility. Furniture from the previous house was transitioned for use in the new facility.

The chapter celebrated its new home during a ribbon cutting ceremony held on Oct. 1. International President Deana Gage (Gamma Iota-Texas Tech), Extension Team Lead Jandy Thompson (Delta Beta-Texas A&M Commerce), Tonya Ryan, volunteers and collegians celebrated the new facility during LSU’s homecoming weekend.

Alpha Phi Quarterly WI NTE R 2017

Bowling Green (Beta Omicron) Beta Omicron moved into a newly built townhome at the beginning of the fall 2016 semester. The university created a Greek Village for the 33 Greek groups on campus and offered three different floor plans. Alpha Phi’s new facility sleeps 18 with a variety of single and double rooms throughout the house. Beta Omicron’s House Corporation Board President Jan Schaeffer (Beta OmicronBowling Green) assisted the chapter throughout the planning process.

The chapter hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 1 to dedicate the new facility. Special guest and International Executive Board (IEB) Director Linda Schnetzer (Beta Omicron-Bowling Green) was in attendance to celebrate the opening of her own chapter’s new home.

The Beta Omicron townhome is one of 33 newly created facilities in Bowling Green’s Greek Village. Pictured are (clockwise, from left): the formal living room, informal living room, kitchen and facility exterior.

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Alpha Phi Quarterly

31

Where We Live

Akron (Eta Gamma) Eta Gamma recently acquired a university apartment building and transformed it into a sorority house.

The facility is in a prime on-campus location near other Greek facilities.

Alpha Phi’s home is a mix of many single and double rooms and currently sleeps 14. This past summer, Program Coordinator of Chapter House Design Amber Harris (Beta Zeta-Idaho) assisted the local chapter property committee in updating the facility with new flooring in the first floor common area and new furniture.

On Oct. 8, International Executive Board Director Amanda Minchin Carter (Gamma Nu-Miami University) attended Eta Gamma’s ribbon cutting ceremony on behalf of the Fraternity.

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The Eta Gamma facility is a university-apartmentbuilding-turned-chapter-house. The home, which sleeps 14, is in a prime on-campus location.

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Christopher Newport (Theta Phi)

Theta Phi’s new chapter house is one of the first on-campus facilities in Christopher Newport’s new Greek Village. The home features single and double rooms, study spaces, a kitchen and a chapter room.

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After many years of planning, Christopher Newport University has begun the building process for an on-campus Greek Village. The first phase, including a facility for Alpha Phi, wrapped up in fall 2016. The Greek Village will eventually be home to a total of 10 fraternities and sororities centered around a common green space. The Alpha Phi facility offers a combination of single and double rooms with shared bathrooms, laundry rooms, study spaces, a kitchen and a chapter room.

The university welcomed students back to campus with a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 1. 

Alpha Phi Quarterly

33

Always Alpha Phi

Alumna Is Mechanical Engineer for NASA

S

SISTER JENNIFER STEIN STORCK (ETA OMICRON-VIRGINIA TECH)

currently serves as a NASA contractor for ZIN Technologies, Inc., in Cleveland, Ohio. In her role, she develops small experiments for the International Space Station (ISS), trains astronauts on the experiments and works with them at a mission control. In Nov. 2015, Jennifer was recognized with the Silver Snoopy Award on behalf of NASA, an award received by less than one percent of the aerospace program workforce.

Jennifer was recognized for her work on the Observation Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS) experiment, which hopes to better understand the unique behavior of liquid crystals in microgravity.

Currently, she serves as the lead systems and operations engineer on the liquid crystal facility, a series of liquid crystal experiments that will be performed on the space stations through 2024. She has also supported three parabolic flights (Sept.

2013, June 2015, Dec. 2015), works as a systems engineer on the new exercise device for the ORION spacecraft and serves on the project responsible for crew training on the Fluids and Combustion Facility.

Jennifer is excited to continue working on fluid physics experiments for the ISS, training astronauts in support of the experiments and contributing to crew health with the exercise device program. ďƒ­

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Jennifer was recognized with the Silver Snoopy Award on behalf of NASA, an award received by less than one percent of the aerospace program workforce.

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TOPEKA, KAN.

Alumnae Celebrate Chapter’s Centennial

OKLAHOMA CITY, DELTA DELTA

Alumna Tours the U.S. and Japan with Disney Live!

UC DAVIS, EPSILON RHO

Recent alumna CYNTHIA THORNE (DELTA DELTA-OKLAHOMA CITY)

is currently touring the United States and Japan on a yearlong contract with Disney Live!

Disney Live! is a series of Broadway-quality, interactive touring theatre productions featuring Disney-themed stories for families with young children.

As one of 15 cast members, Cynthia performs as multiple characters and has spent 2016 traveling the country on a tour bus. She also traveled internationally to Japan, where she and other cast members performed for children at orphanages.

alumna KATHERINE WEBBER’S (EPSILON RHO-UC DAVIS) debut young adult novel “The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.” The book follows the story of Wing Jones, a biracial teen growing up in 1990s Atlanta who is reeling from her older brother’s drunk-driving accident. When she discovers running as a way to cope, she realizes her speed might contain the answers she and her family need.

Katherine studied comparative literature at UC Davis, where she also served as social chair for the literature and language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and worked at an international

Legacies in Kansas

translation company, a technology startup and most recently, a London-

Alumna Della O’Hara Lickteig (Gamma Xi-Wichita State) was proud to welcome another daughter into the Alpha Phi sisterhood during fall recruitment season. Her daughter Jane Lickteig (Gamma Xi-Wichita State) is the fourth Alpha Phi in the family, alongside sisters Deanne Lickteig De Lima (Nu-Nebraska) and Susan Lickteig (Gamma XiWichita State).

In spring 2017, Penguin Random House will release

Epsilon Rho chapter. Katherine has studied Chinese

WICHITA STATE, GAMMA XI

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Sister Publishes Debut Young Adult Novel

Members of the Topeka alumnae chapter, along with Washburn (Upsilon) alumnae and collegians gathered for Upsilon's Centennial Celebration Weekend Sept. 23-24.

Commemorative events included a "Let's Flamingle"themed cocktail hour, tours of the chapter house and campus and a formal dinner. Snapshots of the event were shared on social media using the hashtag #WashburnPhi100.

based reading charity.

She was born in Southern California, has lived in Hong Kong, Hawaii and Atlanta and currently resides in London with her husband.  Follow Katherine's writing journey at www. kwebberwrites.com and on Twitter @kwebberwrites.

Photos by Scott Stormann

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Q

Always Alpha Phi

PEPPERDINE, IOTA ALPHA

T

Alpha Phi Weddings PEPPERDINE, IOTA ALPHA

Alumna CORINNE SCHLACHTER BENNETT (IOTA ALPHAPEPPERDINE) married her

ALABAMA, BETA MU

In June, Alpha Phis from all walks of life celebrated the wedding of AMANDA PHILLIPS MCVICKER (BETA MUALABAMA). In attendance

were sisters from her initiating chapter (Beta MuAlabama), the chapter she now advises (Gamma Eta-North Texas) and her mother Joni Robson Smith’s chapter (Omega-Texas). Each sister also carried an ivy/forget-menot bundle tied with silver and Bordeaux ribbon to signify her sisterhood with the bride.

college sweetheart and Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus this summer in San Diego, Calif. Of her six bridesmaids, four were Iota Alpha sisters and two were biological sisters. Corinne served as chapter president while at Pepperdine, and notes that Alpha Phi gave her some of her best friends and memories to last a lifetime.

CARMEL VALLEY, CALIF.

Three Generations Reunite at Wedding Three generations of Alpha Phis gathered at a family wedding in Carmel Valley, Calif. NANCY HOCKENBEAMER SHURTLEFF (LAMBDA-UC BERKELEY) and her daughter-in-law CINDY GARRETSON SHURTLEFF (EPSILON CHI-CAL POLY) celebrated with

Nancy’s granddaughter and Cindy’s niece AMY ZUCKER (BETA TAU-INDIANA).

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Sister Named One of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 Alumni TARA LAWRENCE BRACHER (IOTA ALPHAPepperdine) has been named one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 alumni.

At age 14, Tara founded the national nonprofit organization Hats Off For Cancer to focus on improving the quality of life for kids and teens battling cancer. Hats Off for Cancer collects and donates hats for young people who lose their hair during cancer treatments. In the past 20 years, the organization has collected and donated nearly three million hats and sent them to deserving kids and teens battling cancer around the world. The organization is 100 percent volunteer-based and invites schools around the country to participate by holding drives in their communities.

Tara began volunteering with the American Cancer Society in 1994, two years after losing her grandfather to prostate cancer. During this time, she met and talked with children battling cancer and survivors, and although their experiences varied greatly, they shared one commonality: they hated losing their hair during treatment.

In 1996, Tara began a national letter writing and telephone campaign asking for donations from local and national companies, public officials, celebrities, schools and civic organizations, and Hats Off For Cancer was born.

Today, Tara serves as president of the organization, in addition to working as a development and stewardship coordinator for Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Maryland Heights, Mo.

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WICHITA, KAN.

Alumnae Chapter Continues Annual Program Every year, the Wichita alumnae chapter pairs alumnae and new members together through the “Alpha Phi Auntie” program. This year, the chapter paired all 34 new members with an alumna. To welcome new members to Alpha Phi and introduce them to their aunties, the alumnae chapter hosted a reveal event and fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings, in which 10 percent of purchases from members went back to support Alpha Phi.

Sherry “Angel” Acanfora-Ruohomaki (Theta Zeta-Florida Tech) (second from right) poses with SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, her daughter Bella, husband Davin and Mark Cuban (far left).

FLORIDA TECH, THETA ZETA

Sister Recognized as 2016 Florida Small Business Association’s Business Person of the Year SHERRY “ANGEL” ACANFORA-RUOHOMAKI (THETA

Zeta-Florida Tech) was awarded the 2016 Small Business Association’s (SBA) Business Person of the Year for the State of Florida and for the Florida South District. She joined other state award winners in Washington, D.C., alongside guest speaker Mark Cuban (“Shark Tank” and “Billionaire”) and Small Business Association Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.

Throughout her professional career, Sherry has worked in engineering, business development and consulting.

After nine years of research while

NORTHERN IOWA, EPSILON THETA

assisting others in starting their own businesses, Sherry followed her own dream and opened K9 Kampus—a luxury dog daycare, boarding, grooming and training facility. Since 2010, K9 Kampus has continued to grow, its success recognized by the Local Best of Brevard Awards (three years in a row), Hometown News Readers Choice Awards (more than 20 awards), Top 10 Nominee for Bright House Regional Business Awards two years in a row, and most recently, the SBA Awards.

Learn more about Sherry and her business at www.k9kampus.com.

NICF Board consists of nine members who are executive

Sister Elected Vice President of the North-American Interfraternity

directors/CEOs of fraternal foundations or corporate

ALLISON CINK RICKELS (EPSILON THETA-NORTHERN IOWA) ,

is the fourth year Allison has served on the NICF

executive director/CEO of the FarmHouse Foundation, was reappointed to a two-year term and elected as vice president of the North-American Interfraternity Conference Foundation (NICF) Board of Directors at the organization’s annual meeting in August in Indianapolis. The vice president position is a new executive leadership role for the NICF Board. The NICF advances the fraternal movement by cultivating a culture of philanthropy and enhancing the sophistication of associated professionals. The

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partners. The NICF represents 74 men and women’s fraternity and sorority educational foundations. This Board of Directors.

Allison is the first woman CEO of a men's fraternity educational foundation. She began this role in June 2007 and has been on the FarmHouse staff for 15 years. She also serves as chapter president of Alpha Phi’s Greater Kansas City alumnae chapter.

Alpha Phi Quarterly

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Q

Always Alpha Phi

Founders’ Day

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

COLUMBUS, OHIO

Members of the San Antonio alumnae chapter celebrated Founders’ Day at Oak Hills Country Club in September.

Columbus alumnae members attended Ohio State’s (Rho) Founders’ Day celebration, where they enjoyed a ceremony, desserts and a Kendra Scott trunk show.

SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER, LA.

Sisters met on Oct. 8 at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Shreveport, La., to celebrate Founders’ Day.

SEATTLE, WASH .

In October, the Seattle alumnae chapter celebrated a landmark Founders’ Day with the highest alumnae attendance in years.

Through the sale of VIP tickets and raffle tickets (to win generous prizes, made possible through alumnae and local businesses), Seattle alumnae raised more than $900 to further their mission and support local sisters. The chapter looks forward to partnering with Washington (Sigma) collegians to ensure a successful Red Dress Gala on March 4, 2017.

INDIANA, BETA TAU

Sister’s Team Wins Emmy Award In September, alumna and producer

presidential election will have on the

VALERIE JONES (BETA TAU-INDIANA)

direction of the nation's highest court.

and her team from “The American Law Journal” were recognized with two Emmy awards from the National

Learn more about the series by visiting www.lawjournaltv.com.

Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences

Alumnae Chapter Fun Facts

330

TOPEKA, KAN.

The percentage by which the Topeka alumnae chapter increased its local dues paying membership this year.

55

(NATAS) Mid-Atlantic Chapter. This is the second consecutive year “The American Law Journal” was selected from a highly

DUPAGE VALLEY, ILL.

competitive field of nominees from

The age difference between the DuPage Valley alumnae chapter’s oldest and youngest alumnae chapter members.

network affiliates and public television stations. The program's 27th season began in October and examines key cases in the new U.S. Supreme Court term and the likely impact this year's 3 8

Valerie Jones (second from left) poses with her team at the awards ceremony.

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ARIZONA STATE, GAMMA PI

Sister is Reigning Ms. Senior USA

A

At 62 years old, CAROL SCHUH THOMAS (GAMMA PI-ARIZONA STATE) competed and was chosen from more than 150 contestants to represent Ms. Senior USA 2016. She was previously crowned Mrs. Michigan in 1988 and Ms. Senior Michigan in 2014.

Carol pursued a degree in secondary education, and although she had dreams of becoming a lawyer as an undergraduate member, her father was against it. At 40, Carol fulfilled this lifelong dream and attended law school. She is now a member of the State Bar of Michigan; including the Estate and Probate Section, the Elder Law Section and the Healthcare Section. She is part of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is accredited with the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Carol was also previously elected to the Board of Governors at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

She has proudly owned a family law firm in Michigan for almost 20 years. ďƒ­

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Always Alpha Phi

REUNIONS

WISCONSIN LA CROSSE, DELTA KAPPA In July, 13 Wisconsin La Crosse (Delta Kappa) alumnae met in New Buffalo, Mich., for their first girls’ weekend since graduating college. The women spent the afternoon lunching, where they met a Drake collegian and her mother (an alumna of Beta Alpha chapter at Illinois). They also shopped at a store that happened to be co-owned by a fellow Alpha Phi sister from Dayton (Zeta Psi).

IOWA, DELTA EPSILON

In September, more than 30 Iowa (Delta Epsilon) alumnae met at Fillenwarth Beach Resort on the shores of Lake Okoboji in Iowa.

Sisters enjoyed boat rides, shared meals, a Hawkeye football game viewing party, the renewal of friendships, a candle passing for Julie Fillenwarth and fundraising for two causes

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MISSOURI, OMICRON

through the University of Iowa Foundation: one in memory of

Missouri (Omicron) alumnae gathered in Oregon to

sister Georgia Reithal supporting cancer research (with Robyn

celebrate a 50-year history of friendship that began

Emerson Ross donating 100 percent of her handmade jewelry

with Alpha Phi. This was their second time in five years

sales to the Foundation), and one for the Hawkeye Sparkle

reuniting; they vacationed together three years ago with

Chapter, a spirit squad set up to include students

an Alaskan cruise.

with disabilities.

Sisters reunite in Oregon. Pictured are (back, from left): Jean Ann Tyhurst Ferguson, Gloria Rottmann Olson, Jane Eyre McDonald, (front, from left), Martha Stone Brown and Marcia Walker Rankin (all Omicron-Missouri).

SANTA CLARA, ZETA GAMMA

Santa Clara (Zeta Gamma) alumnae enjoyed a reunion in October. ďƒ­

Alpha Phi Quarterly WI NTE R 2017

Trending INSTAGRAM:

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BOOK:

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PODCAST:

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VIDEO:

TEDTalks Featuring inspiring talks from a wide range of professionals, ted.com is the ultimate online destination to stir your curiosity. Start with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s talk titled “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders.”

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WEBSITE:

theeverygirl.com The ultimate resource for creative, career-driven millennial women.

Alpha Phi Quarterly

41

Ask Martha

I serve in a managerial position and work primarily with men. I’ve noticed a pattern of my supervisor (a male) asking me to handle food ordering for our past few lunch meetings. It bugs me that as the only female, I’m being targeted for more “domestic” tasks than my male counterparts in the office.

How do I handle this?

— Bugged in Boise

If you’re constantly being asked to grab coffee, take notes during meetings or in your case, order meals, keep a record of it, including dates and tasks. You’ll first want to ask your supervisor “why?” without bringing gender into the conversation. You can approach him by saying: “I’ve noticed that I’ve been asked to order lunch for the past month of midday meetings. I understand everyone has responsibilities outside his or her job description, but is there a reason none of my colleagues ever get asked to do it?” By asking directly, it may force your supervisor to realize he isn’t being equitable in the distribution of these more “domestic” office tasks.

And whether it’s overt or subtle, if you’re experiencing sexism over a long period of time, have addressed it with your supervisor and still aren’t seeing changes, it’s time to take that aforementioned ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

list of dates and tasks to human resources and make your case.

— Martha

DEAR MARTHA,

Martha Emily Foote Crow The first National President of Alpha Phi International, Martha was also an education administrator and the fourth Alpha Phi to serve as dean of women at Northwestern University.

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I’m a stay-at-home mom with an 8-month-old daughter.

Lately, I’ve been fielding questions about when I plan on going back to work (I don’t), in addition to comments like, “You must be bored at home all day.” I’m not bored, and being a mom is very much a full-time job for me. How do I address these comments and questions without being rude?

— Home in Houston

It’s hard to respond to unsolicited advice or questions on such a personal manner: You are making the right decision for you and your family, and no one else should make you feel otherwise. For the individuals nosy enough to insert themselves in your personal life, address them head on next time they broach the subject: “I feel really lucky to be able to spend time with

my daughter, and right now that’s a higher priority than going back to work outside the home. I hope every family is able to make the ideal decision based on what works best for them.” If he or she continues to press the issue or make judgmental comments, know that it is likely stemming from insecurities about his or her own life decisions.

– Martha

Alpha Phi Quarterly WI NTE R 2017

My Daily Routine What inspired you to launch Modernae?

My friend and co-founder, Erin Quinn-Kong, a brilliant editor, and I shared a frustration with women’s websites. We are both accomplished professionals, new moms and do at least half (usually more) of the decisionmaking in our homes, yet content being directed at us was either fluffy (nail polish or pop culture); too young or too mature and totally non-relatable. We wanted a source we could go to that would be like going to our most trusted, educated, accomplished down-to-earth friends sharing their experiences while also getting access to experts on the issues impacting our lives—from sex to parenting to finances to marriage, divorce, ascension plans and everything in-between.

Why not us? WE ARE the women in the trenches. So we set out, somewhat naively, to create it. It’s been one of the most exciting, challenging, rewarding experiences of my life.

How she spends her 9–5

Meet alumna BROOKE BOTELLO GOGGANS (TAU-OREGON), the co-founder of modernae.com, a pop culture-free website dedicated to smart, original content for the 21st century woman.

A site for “the woman who wants to keep up with the world—not the Kardashians,” Modernae speaks to the decision-making, breadwinning and multifaceted modern woman. Here, Brooke shares the details of how she spends her 9-to-5 and her favorite career-related content on the site.

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I have two small kids, ages one and three. The mornings are about getting the kids dressed, fed and off to daycare and school. Throughout the day I’m regularly talking with my co-founder planning our editorial calendar, pitching ideas, reviewing pitches we’ve received, doing research for interviews, doing the interviews, writing stories and promoting the site, securing strategic partnerships and trying to grow our “tribe” of readers. I try to get a workout in most days, whether it’s 30 minutes or a long run. Evenings are generally reserved for family time, dinner, tubs and story time.

Once the kids are in bed, I start what I call my “fourth shift,”

working primarily on the overall business, looking at data and preparing collateral materials.

Details of her favorite career-related content on the site There are a few career articles that are high on my list and all for the same reason: we’re honest about what women in their 30s and 40s are facing in their lives and we offer realistic insight from experts and other women who speak from experience.

There is a community of smart, accomplished multitasking women who want to share and learn from each other. Some of my favorite articles on the site are:  “ What Returning To Work After Maternity Leave Is Really Like”  “How to Navigate Tough Work Conversations”  “Hey Ladies, Let’s Stop with ‘Girl Boss’ Already”  “ What It’s Like to Be Wife, Mom and Primary Breadwinner”

Coffee order?

Venti unsweetened coffee with almond milk and two stevia.

I couldn’t live without…

Easy: my phone.  Learn more about Brooke and Modernae by visiting modernae.com.

Alpha Phi Quarterly

43

Now & Then

A Look Back at Women in the Workplace

W

We explore the historical data on women’s workforce participation, earnings and characteristics since 1949. Although women have made great professional strides, as of 2015, the female population made up less than half of the labor force and earned approx. 70 percent of men’s earnings. Data also shows, however, that the participation rate of women with children under the age of 3 has nearly doubled since 1975, and the percentage of women working into their mid-60s and later has increased 7.1 percent. 

ISTOCKPHOTO

For more information on women’s participation in the workforce, please visit dol.gov (keyword: women in labor force).

1975

Women in the Work place

2015

40%

Share of the labor force who are women

46.8%

$30,033

Median annual ear nings for women

Approx. $40,000

60.9%*

Ear nings ratio of women to white, non-Hispanic men

68.5%

34.3%

Wor k force par ticipation rate of mothers whose youngest child is under 3

61.4%

54.9%

Wor k force par ticipation rate of mothers whose youngest child is 6 to 17 years old

74.6%

8.2%

Wor k force par ticipation rate of women over 65

15.3%

*D ata as of 1987 according to Annual Social and Economic Supplements, Current Population Survey, U.S. Census Bureau. Data unavailable prior to 1980s.

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Iconic

Woman Power Louise Leonard Wright (Epsilon-Minnesota) was active in the League of Women Voters, where she served as secretary from 1932-34 and headed its government and foreign affairs department when the United States entered World War II. Pictured here, in testimony before the Senate on the country’s neutral status in 1939, she also spoke for the American Association of University Women, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the National Board of the Young Women’s Christian Association, the National Council of Jewish Women and the National Women’s Trade Union League.

Louise was a past executive director of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, and in the 1950s she directed the Midwest office of the Institute for International Education. She was a former president of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and was also active in the Institute of Pacific Relations.

PHOTO: HARRIS & EWING VIA LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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