Beyond The Badge
Meet: Nanalou "Nan" Snow UPSILON 1955/CENTRAL ARKANSAS Nanalou “Nan” Snow has always had a passion for civic engagement. She began her career as a journalist, but after being denied entry to the city room - where local news is handled - of the Little Rock newspaper, she switched tracks to federal service. As the Federal Women’s Program Coordinator for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, Nan conducted upward mobility seminars for female federal employees. In the 1980s and 1990s, she cofounded a management and publications consulting firm, wrote two books, and became actively involved in Bill Clinton’s various campaigns, which led to a visit to the White House in 1993. In the 2000s, she would work on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns. Although she’s retired now, Nan continues to be very involved in and passionate about women’s rights in Arkansas.
I’m passionate about… Women’s equality. Professionally and as a volunteer, I’ve dedicated my life to it. It started when I was in high school, and some girls and I wanted to start a basketball team. We asked if we could start a team, but the superintendent said it wasn’t ‘ladylike.’ Since then, I’ve worked for equality, from being on federal loan to the Arkansas governor’s office to survey the status of women in state government to supporting the Equal Rights Amendment due to my time on the Arkansas Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women.
I’m proudest of… Overall, my work for women’s rights. But as a journalist, I would say the Roberta Fulbright biography I wrote with Dorothy Stuck [a newspaper publisher, civil activist, and government official] because it reached the best seller’s list in Arkansas and won an award from a national historical organization.
The advice I would give my younger self is…
This or That: SNEAKERS OR HEELS COMEDY OR DRAMA EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL BEACH OR MOUNTAINS COFFEE OR TEA she chose both!
Don’t be as intimidated as you were for the first few years [of your career]. When I was turned away from the newsroom, I didn’t do anything about it.
The best advice I ever received was… From Dorothy Stuck. She said to continue to do what you believe in and don’t give up. She was a role model who showed me courage, even in the face of threats we were receiving while working for women’s rights in Arkansas.
Alpha Sigma Tau helped me get where I am today by... Giving me a chance to get involved in college. The college looked to the sororities for leadership, allowing me to participate on campus. Also, it gave me a lifelong association and Sisters who I’m still in contact with that I met on my very first day [at college]. Photos courtesy of Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame, University of Central Arkansas
S PR I N G 2022 • T H E ANCH OR
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