BEYOND THE BADGE

from The Anchor: Spring 2022

by Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority

ON CAMPUS

This or That:

SNEAKERS OR HEELS

COMEDY OR DRAMA

EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL

BEACH OR MOUNTAINS COFFEE OR TEA she chose both!

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…

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

JOYOUSLY & VALIANTLY

Our Creed is full of many important ideas, but our Alpha Sigma Tau experience is summed up in the last line: I believe that faithfulness to these ideals will

help me to live joyously and valiantly.

By holding onto the values of friendship, the progress of humankind, and the graciousness of living, we can all hope to live up to the example set by the Sisters featured in this issue. They have been speaking the truth, fighting for what’s right, and bringing hope to their communities. Meet these joyous and valiant Sisters who are the true embodiment of Alpha Sigma Tau:

Photo courtesy of John Kraus

HAYLEY ARCENEAUX

Setting Records Around The World

BY: CASSIE HELMER (ALPHA 2015/EASTERN MICHIGAN)

What would you take with you to space? Historically, astronauts have brought along items ranging from the sentimental (a vial of dirt from the Yankee Stadium pitcher’s mound carried by Garret Reisman in 2008) to the delicious (John Young’s 1965 corned beef sandwich). Astronaut Hayley Arceneaux (Phi 2010/Southeastern Louisiana), who survived pediatric cancer and became a physician assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, brought along something a little more practical to orbit the Earth: the very first internal prosthesis. Hayley's countdown to liftoff officially began just over a year ago, in January 2021, when she first received the call that she had been chosen for SpaceX’s Inspiration4 orbital space flight. She was one of four pioneers in history’s first all-civilian flight crew. Along with Dr. Sian Proctor, Jared Issacman, and Christopher Sembroski, she trained extensively for months. “I was surprised by how much preparation we had,” Hayley observed. “If there were any contingencies while we were in orbit, we had to know how to respond to them.” The team balanced learning about aerodynamics and orbital mechanics and completed exercises designed to help them move around, perform maintenance, and withstand the physical and mental pressures of traveling inside the spacecraft. When orbiting a record-breaking average of 360 miles above the earth for three days, it's important to be ready for anything. “You should say yes to opportunities that scare you,” Hayley recommended in the Netflix docuseries Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space. Involved in several sports as a child, Hayley was known to be up for a challenge. No one expected that at age 10 she would be confronting a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer found in her knee. Shortly after, she would begin intensive chemotherapy at St. Jude. She also underwent surgery to remove the part of her bone affected by the tumor, replacing it with a titanium prosthesis that could be adjusted remotely as she grew older. Now that she works at St. Jude as a physician assistant treating kids with leukemia and lymphoma, Hayley draws on her past to make the overwhelming experience better for others facing similar obstacles. “I love to form really close relationships with these families because I definitely understand the situation they’re in,” she said. Close relationships with family and friends are a key part of Hayley’s journey. She pointed out the importance of community, especially when going through difficult times. “My family was so supportive,” Hayley commented. “Going to space wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done…they helped me get through the harder parts of it.” It should come as no surprise that Hayley says Connections is the Alpha Sigma Tau value most important to her. “Becoming an AΣΤ is one of the best decisions of my life. It gave me more confidence and interpersonal skills,” she said. Over the years, Hayley has remained close with Sisters she met as a collegian. “Joining AΣΤ, I met all of my life soulmates…having good friends makes the good days even sweeter,” she explained. Those friends supported and celebrated Hayley during the emotional build-up to launch day – eight of her Sisters were standing by, wearing matching t-shirts as Hayley left to put on her spacesuit. The ultimate goal of the Inspiration4 mission was to raise awareness and funds for the life-saving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The project has since surpassed the original goal of $200 million raised and closed out at approximately $243 million in February 2022. Hayley remembers the moments in zero-gravity just before her long-awaited video call with several St. Jude patients, some of them children she had personally treated. She said, “I was just so excited, and I was a little nervous. I wanted everything to go really well because this call was what I had been looking forward to the most.” The call happened during a time in the spacecraft's orbit when there was enough daylight to show the participants the spectacular view of Earth from above. Hayley had a message to relay to everyone back home: “We’re doing this mission for you.” Hayley is the first pediatric cancer survivor in space, the first astronaut with a prosthesis, and the youngest American to have orbited the Earth – and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. An avid traveler, Hayley has her sights set on the South Pacific Islands next. “Those are moving way up on my bucket list,” she recalls, describing the view of the turquoise water from space. With the upcoming release of her debut book Wild Ride: A Memoir of IV Drips and Rocket Ships, Hayley invites readers to step into her shoes and reflect on the challenges they have overcome. She said, “Everyone has been through something difficult in their life. My wish is that people who look at my story can take away with them the importance of holding on to hope that there will be better days ahead.”

Photo courtesy of John Kraus

LIZ HELMINSKI

Advocating for Women in the Workforce

BY: CASSIE CRISTEA (GAMMA THETA 2013/PENN STATE BEHREND)

Elizabeth “Liz” Helminski (Beta Xi 1998/Michigan Tech) was drawn to working in the technology field because she loves solving problems. However, Liz’s problem-solving passion goes beyond what she does from 9-5; it also includes advocating against discrimination and pioneering change in her community. Liz was inspired to work in tech after spending years in the automotive industry. She spent several years as a product manager at Nissan North America and realized that she loved understanding customer needs and providing them with the best solutions. This inspiration, along with the desire to be closer to her mother who was diagnosed with cancer, led Liz to accept a position at Gentex in Michigan. Unfortunately, her time with Gentex was not as pleasant as Liz hoped it would be. Her experiences at the technology company shone a light on workplace issues that led to her filing a gender discrimination lawsuit against her employer. (The lawsuit is ongoing, limiting how much Liz can reveal about it.) Liz admits that earlier in her career, she might have been hesitant to speak up against wrongdoings, but she now has the confidence to use her voice to stand up not only for herself but for others as well. “I wanted to be able to drive change so that women who work at Gentex… will have a better experience. For women who are younger in their career and can’t take as big of a risk to speak up, I feel a responsibility to speak up for them. Not just in one company, but in the community I live in too,” she said. Since filing the lawsuit, Liz has been blown away by the communications she has received from other women expressing support and even asking for advice. During this stressful period of her life, Liz is grateful that she has been able to rely on her Sisters for support. She stays in touch with several of her Sisters from the Beta Xi chapter at Michigan Technological University – many of them often go on trips together and have dubbed themselves the “Traveling Taus.” Last year, one of the Sisters, Andrea Merrick Dranberg (Beta Xi 1998/Michigan Tech) passed away from colon cancer. While Andrea was fighting cancer, her Sisters took turns accompanying her to chemotherapy sessions, and to this day they keep in touch with Andrea’s husband and son. This illustrates the beauty of a supportive Alpha Sigma Tau sisterhood. Liz emotionally recalls this example of the strong connection she has with her Sisters, but it’s a reminder for her that she has a reliable support system through thick and thin.

Like she said herself, Liz is a problem solver. But the reality is that problem-solving isn’t always simple. Sometimes it takes years of experience cultivated into wisdom, supportive Sisters, and courage. When asked what message she’d like to give to Sisters in similar circumstances, Liz said, “First of all, know you’re not alone. It’s not your fault. There is a network of people who are available to support you. If you’re afraid… reach out and ask for help. If you don’t know who to reach out to, you can contact me.” While the lawsuit continues, Liz is focused on finding joy and trying new things. She now has a career at Amazon Care that brings her genuine excitement in her day-to-day work. This carries over into her personal life, as she aims to try boxing and plan another trip with the Traveling Taus this year. As Liz continues to pursue a life that aligns with her values, she is showing us all how we can build a more beautiful life in our bravest moments. When one individual speaks out, as Liz has confidently done and continues to do, we make the world a safer place and a more welcoming place for people who are undergoing similar challenges.

DAYNA POLEHANKI

Fighting For Her Constituents’ Rights

BY: JOANNA BARRETT (EPSILON EPSILON 2007/JWU NORTH MIAMI)

Dayna Polehanki (Beta 1991/Central Michigan), winner of the 2019 Child’s Hope Child Advocate of the Year award and twice-named Teacher of the Year in Michigan, represents the 7th District in the Michigan Senate and is focused on supporting public schools and teachers, environmental policies, and healthcare. As of February 2022, she has served three years of a four-year term and hopes to be re-elected in November 2022 for a second (and final) four-year term. After graduating magna cum laude from Central Michigan University, Dayna embarked on various careers, first moving to Hollywood, California, to pursue a career in casting at Paramount Pictures. However, after six years in California, she moved back to Michigan to be with her family. She then took a page from her father’s book - he had been a high school English teacher for 33 years, and she decided to follow in his footsteps. She spent most of her 20-year teaching career at New Haven High School in New Haven, Michigan. In 2016, Dayna became interested in running for political office, so she found a mentor, knocked on 30,000 doors with her political team, and became a state senator. Dayna is known as “a fearless fighter for doing what’s right.” Dayna is a real example of how Alpha Sigma Taus fight for what they believe in every day. As a former teacher, her focus is often on education and how best to help teachers and students in Michigan. She currently serves as the Minority Vice Chairwoman of the Education and Career Readiness Committee, which allows her a substantial amount of influence over education issues. She supports public education by equitably funding K-12 schools, removing the profit motive in education, and making college affordable for working families. She is also passionate about promoting skilled trades in Michigan schools and communities, which can strengthen families with well-paying jobs. During the height of the pandemic, Dayna advocated for COVID-19 safety in schools and communities.

Since students, teachers, and their families are impacted by more than just education policies, Dayna also focuses on preserving Michigan’s water and places high importance on public safety, including common-sense gun safety laws, such as background checks and safe storage laws. In addition to pursuing reelection in 2022, Dayna would also love the opportunity to hold the gavel in the Senate Committee on Education and Career Readiness. Being chairwoman of the committee would allow her to have an even greater impact on education.

For those interested in getting more involved on a state level, Dayna recommends finding a political mentor. “Stay vigilant against imposter syndrome,” she said. “You don't need to know everything about politics right away to run for office. You don't need to become an expert before throwing your hat into the ring.” For Dayna, when doubts creep in, she reminds herself that she is just as qualified and deserving of serving Michiganders as anyone else. Then, she keeps her head down and gets back to work. “I live valiantly by staying true to my values and never hesitating to speak out - most often on the Senate floor in a speech - when the need arises,” said Dayna. “I am definitely no ‘shrinking violet’ here in the Michigan Senate, and I think my constituents appreciate that!” Although her career is vitally important, Dayna said, “I value joy and find much of it with my husband, Jim, and also with my dog, Frankie, and my horse, Oliver.” Dayna also loves spending time with her three adult step-children, as well as three nieces. Since her mother passed away, Dayna spends as much time as she can with her father. She appreciates her personal life alongside her professional one and goes above and beyond to make a difference in her community.

LISA ALLEN DILG

Getting Involved At The Local Level

BY: JOANNA BARRETT (EPSILON EPSILON 2007/JWU NORTH MIAMI)

South Lyon City Council Member and Alpha Sigma Tau alumna, Lisa Allen Dilg (Beta 1986/Central Michigan), considers herself a “walking, talking billboard" for South Lyon, Michigan. Not only does she encourage community involvement, but she also gets involved herself – by serving food at the city's outdoor movie and concert nights, being a member of the Pumpkinfest committee, and joining organizations like the Civilians Club and the Youth Mentors Association.

Lisa stated, “I really enjoy interacting with the community. Since being elected, I have thoroughly enjoyed being so much more involved in our town. It is fun and helps me to get to know people in more relaxed settings.” On City Council, Lisa’s two main focuses are making the city more walkable and bikeable and improving the infrastructure.

As a marketing director with 18 years of experience working with businesses ranging from start-ups to global multi-million dollar public companies, Lisa provides strategy and counsel to her clients and oversees teams who service accounts through strategic planning, media relations, social media support, and content creation. She has a hands-on management style and has maintained solid relationships with journalists and influencers through media and social media channels.

Lisa learned the importance of civic involvement through the number of Greek Life fundraisers and community events she took part in as a college student at Central Michigan University. She reflected, “Joining AΣT and becoming president of our chapter was an important influence in my life, as it helped me to learn leadership, mediation, and responsibility.” “As an elected official, I think it is most important to not vote on something because of how others want you to, but to vote based on what I truly believe is best for the community,” Lisa noted. “It is important to always remember we are representatives of our residents and that we need to avoid voting based on personal biases or pressure from others.” Lisa strives to do the right things for the right reasons, even when that is difficult. “Serving on City Council allows me to have more of an impact on the day-to-day lives of residents, so it is where I want to be,” she explained. Although Lisa does not aspire to be elected as a state or United States representative, she knows many who do amazing work. She encourages women who are interested in political or law-based careers to reach out to their representatives, join a local political group, talk to leaders in local communities, and learn how to get started. Lisa wants other women to get involved and not secondguess themselves. She suggests starting with local boards and commissions to learn more about the local community and how people can help, then running for an elected position. Lisa is currently focused on getting her kids through college. Her daughter, Lizzie (Beta 2018/Central Michigan), will graduate from Lisa’s alma mater, where she was also the president of Alpha Sigma Tau’s Beta Chapter. Her son will graduate within the next year from the University of Michigan. After that, Lisa is looking forward to more travel and more involvement in community activities and political events. “I love where I am at and what I am doing,” said Lisa. “It’s great to finally feel like I am where I want to be. I am really enjoying life and looking forward to the next chapter.”