A N CHO R
IN THIS ISSUE: IN EVERY ISSUE:
ILLUMINATE REIMAGINED
A familiarly named program to some Sisters, our reimagined Illuminate program kicked off in September! A cohort of 15 junior and senior Sisters will spend the next several months developing professional skills, cultivating their networks, gaining confidence, and more.
GIVING OUR ALL
Just as Sisters have gone All In for Alpha Tau over the past year, now is the time for us to Give Our All to the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation. Announced at the 45 th National Convention, the Foundation has launched a capital campaign designed to support three key pillars of our Sisterhood. See how you can contribute your share and support your Sisters!
CREATE
A RIPPLE EFFECT
AΣΤ s work to empower women and uplift others in their communities—and now we are looking to make an even bigger impact by supporting womenowned businesses at the National, chapter, and individual levels. Learn more about the Sorority’s goals and hear advice, tips, and tricks from Sisters who own their own businesses!
THE ANCHOR STAFF
Director of Communications and Engagement
alphasigmatau.org/updatemyinfo
Jamie Jones Miller (Psi 1995/James Madison)
National Vice
Emily Holloway (Epsilon Chi 2021/Minnesota Duluth)
Nicholle Potter Probst (Epsilon Kappa 2011/Trine)
Joell Sperry (Gamma Theta 2004/Penn State Behrend)
Lauren Bendes Warren (Beta Xi 2005/Michigan Tech)
Tsai-Ann Yawching (Gamma Tau 2013/Lebanon Valley)
Chief Executive Officer
James R. Paponetti
Justina Solties (Gamma Theta 2007/Penn State Behrend)
Communications Coordinator
Regan Hewitt (Epsilon Tau 2015/Kenyon)
Editor
Julia Mann (Beta Mu 2017/Salisbury)
Designer
Melissa Abriola Geibel (Alpha Tau 2014/PennWest Edinboro)
Associate Editors
Cassie Helmer (Alpha 2015/Eastern Michigan)
Mary Reid Howard (Beta Zeta 1988/UAB)
Kelly Rogawski Shelly (Gamma Pi 2017/Lycoming)
Kristi Gdanetz MacCready (Gamma Theta 2009/Penn State Behrend)
Staff Writers
Joanna Barrett (Epsilon Epsilon 2007/JWU North Miami)
Lindsay McDowall Davis (Gamma Mu 2010/WVU Tech)
headquarters@alphasigmatau.org Call: 317-613-7575
send a note to the mailing address below
CONTACT THE ANCHOR:
Do you have a question, response, story idea, or update for The Anchor? We want to hear
Email us at anchor@alphasigmatau.org
Dear Sisters,
There is something special about being in a room full of women. I attended the Dress for Success Worldwide “Women Who Inspire” luncheon in New York City with AΣΤ Foundation Board member Katherine Onyshko (Delta Phi 2006/NYU) in September, and it is hard to describe the energy in the room!
Dress for Success CEO Michele Meyer-Shipp welcomed hundreds of clients, affiliate site leaders, donors, sponsors, and partners to a celebration highlighting the accomplishments of women across the globe.
Special guest Jessica Berman, Commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the world’s premier professional women’s soccer league featuring national team players from around the globe, shared her journey to the top of a major sports league. We learned that 26 players in the Olympic gold medal match where the U.S. beat Brazil 1-0 are members of the NWSL.
That statistic alone, not to mention the impact that athletes like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Simone Biles have had on their sports, indicates the influence women have on and off the field in professional sports! Women are championing equal pay, investing in youth development, landing major endorsement deals, and taking seats at the helm of professional sports teams and leagues.
I was reminded that day of how closely aligned Alpha Sigma Tau’s mission is to Dress for Success. Their mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence and to help women thrive in work and in life. Alpha Sigma Tau’s mission is to invest in women by instilling the skills necessary to navigate life , and inspire members to enrich their own lives and the lives of others. From 1997 to today, Dress for Success hasn’t slowed down in their quest to help more women achieve financial independence. We share that view. There is more work to do.
As each Alpha Sigma Tau works to contribute our share to the progress of humankind, we have an opportunity to lift up other women along the way. Whether through our partnership with Dress for Success or our collaboration with Girls Who Code, Alpha Sigma Tau is committed to investing in women. What if we took that one step further? What if Alpha Sigma Tau, from the National level to the local level, committed to doing business with women-owned businesses? What if we only booked venues, purchased yellow roses, bought supplies, and ordered catering from businesses owned by women? Can you imagine the impact that would have on our communities?
Panhellenics and sororities are often the largest organizations on our campuses. What if we leveraged our collective economic power to take our mission to invest in women to the next level? This could change the lives of the women entrepreneurs, the women with side hustles, and the women-owned family businesses who are at the heart of our communities. How many of you have a business or side hustle? What would it mean to you to know that thousands of your Sisters are behind you?
Our 125 th anniversary is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to our vision to empower women to excel in life. What will you do to invest in yourself and your Sisters?
Jamie Jones Miller Psi 1995/James Madison National President
FLIPPING BACK
THEN NOW NEXT
LAST ISSUE:
In our Spring 2024 issue, we celebrated our 125th Anniversary with 125 reasons why we love Alpha Sigma Tau! Sisters of all ages and from all chapters told us their reasons for loving this Sorority, ranging from lifelong friendship to self-empowerment.
In our Summer 2024 issue, we recapped a wonderful 45th National Convention in Portsmouth/Norfolk, Virginia. This included a peek into our on-site historical display, introduced the newly elected National Council, recognized chapters and members who received awards, and highlighted the educational opportunities available to attendees.
THIS ISSUE:
As we celebrate 125 years this November, we are excited to reflect on the mission of our Founders and marvel at the women who have dedicated their lives to this Sorority between now and then.
We will continue their legacy into the next 125 years—and we’re starting by kicking off an initiative that empowers women and focuses on occupational wellness. Flip to page 13 to find out how we’re encouraging all our Sisters to support women-owned businesses and what the Sorority is doing to participate!
Additionally, you can find collegiate updates from the fall semester, information about our new Giving Our All Foundation campaign, and more!
ON THE COVER
We're excited to feature Yvonne Caole-Sousa (Delta Iota 2007/JWU Providence) as she prepares for an event hosted by her company, Unique Melody Events & Designs.
Photo Credit: Castillo Holliday Photo + Film
COMING UP!
In the spring, we’ll celebrate 100 years of The Anchor, recap our 125th Founders Day and our 9th annual Founders Day of Giving, hear from our collegiate chapters, and explore more stories from Sisters defining excellence!
On November 4, 2024, Alpha Sigma Tau celebrates 125 years of continued Sisterhood! This milestone would not be possible without our Founders and the many women who have taken up the task of ensuring our Sorority’s survival throughout the past century.
As we approach this momentous day, it’s fitting to reflect on words from one of our Founding Sisters. In the first issue of The Anchor , published in June 1925, Harriet Marx Pfeiffer (Alpha 1899/Eastern Michigan) wrote:
“It is good indeed to know that out of so small an acorn such a mighty oak has grown… I hope with all my heart that your prosperity and well being as a sorority may long continue and perhaps the best I can wish you, is that the friendships that are formed and matured… may last as long and be fraught with as much pleasure and happiness.”
GET IN TOUCH!
anchor@alphasigmatau.org
3334 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
FOLLOW US!
@alphasigmatausorority
@alphasigmatau
MARK THE MILESTONE: SHOP OUR 125 TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION BEFORE IT’S GONE!
Have you treated yourself to an item from our exclusive 125th Anniversary collection yet? Need a holiday gift for a Sister or two? These items honoring our Sisterhood’s 125th Anniversary are the perfect place to start:
125 Years - 2021 Rosé - Napa Valley
Perfect for the Sister worth celebrating! $29 for wine club members; $36 for non-members, 510pearlnapa.com
Limited Edition: Alpha Sigma Tau 125th Anniversary Sunburst Necklace
Perfect for the stylish and chic Sister!
$205 for Cavan Gold, kylecavan.com/collections/alpha-sigma-tau
125 Years Emerald Tee
Perfect for the comfy and cozy Sister! $28.50, astemeraldboutique.com
DR. COOK VISITS BETA XI/MICHIGAN TECH
During 2023 Founders Day of Giving, the Beta Xi Chapter at Michigan Tech won the Chapter Challenge, raising over $25,000 and winning a Level 5 VIP speaker prize!
Earlier this semester, Dr. Lauren Cook visited the campus to provide an in-person mental health education program open to ALL members of the Michigan Tech community, not just our Sisters. Dr. Lauren Cook is the creator of Name Your Story, our mental health and well-being program for collegiate members. The chapter helped host, coordinate, and promote the event alongside campus administrators and Headquarters staff. Beta Xi Chapter alumnae were also in attendance!
Alpha Sigma Tau 125 Years Celebration Ornament
Perfect for any AΣΤ’s tree! $27, hjgreek.com/ast
Dr. Cook gives her Name Your Story presentation to Michigan Tech students and community members
AΣΤ SISTERS CONNECTED THROUGH THE YEARS
Submitted by Barbara Perry Fitzgerald (Alpha Kappa 1970/Marietta)
Five sisters from the Alpha Kappa Chapter at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio traveled from Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia for their second annual reunion in Ocean City, New Jersey in early June 2024.
Upon arrival, we enjoyed lunch on the front porch and began a laughter-filled few days with lots of reminiscing. Every day brought long walks along the ocean as we monitored our steps and worked off those fabulous soft ice cream cones from Kohr’s on the boardwalk.
On the first full day at the shore, we made the annual pilgrimage to Brown’s for breakfast, especially the donuts. The owner remembered our group from 2023 and gifted us with a dozen delicious donuts for the second year in a row. As we were leaving she asked for a photo of us along with our names and addresses and subsequently featured us on her Facebook page.
After a lengthy walk down the boardwalk, we headed downtown where we ran into a group of AΣΤ Sisters from the Alpha Phi Chapter at West Chester University.
They were also in Ocean City for a reunion and were quite impressed with our AΣΤ regalia and that we were still getting together all these years after graduation. We encouraged them to do the same and parted after a passerby took a group photo that spans the generations.
Our next adventure took place at Congo Falls for a lively 18 holes of miniature golf on the Solomon’s Mine course. While most were not experienced golfers, the competition was fierce and the results were close (one golfer did better than the others, but our high scorer had the only hole-in-one). This promises to be a new tradition for us.
On our last full day together, we were visited by another AΣΤ Sister who lives nearby who we hadn’t seen in many years. We spent the day getting caught up on our personal histories and concluded with a visit to our favorite Italian spot, Roma Pizza, on the boardwalk for dinner.
And so ended another wonderful get-together for these friends of over 50 years. Plans are already being made for 2025. Certainly, in our case, the bonds of Sisterhood are strong and secure.
Back row, L-R: Elizabeth Thompson Miller (Alpha Kappa 1970/Marietta), Chris Fleckles (Alpha Kappa 1969/Marietta), Barbara Perry Fitzgerald (Alpha Kappa 1970/Marietta), Cherie Gregory Spector (Alpha Kappa 1969/Marietta), and Barbara Poehlmann Moyer (Alpha Kappa 1969/Marietta)
Front row, L-R: Megan Hornberger (Alpha Phi 2019/West Chester), McKayla Rowlands (Alpha Phi 2019/West Chester), Sabrina Weimar (Alpha Phi 2019/ West Chester), Julie Elsesser (Alpha Phi 2019/West Chester), and Ainsley Macrone (Alpha Phi 2019/West Chester)
AΣΤ Sisters pose for an impromptu photo during their reunions!
UNLOCKING LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL WITH ILLUMINATE
In September 2024, Illuminate, our professional and personal development program for collegiate members, relaunched as a national-level cohort with 15 Sisters from chapters across the country.
Illuminate was previously a chapter-based member development program, where each class level had a facilitator and specialized workbook. This version of Illuminate ran from 2014-2020, when it was temporarily discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on feedback from collegiate members, advisors, and Illuminate facilitators, the program was re-imagined to focus more on professional development and occupational wellness, partially inspired by the Women’s Wellness Initiative.
Over the next seven months, our Illuminate cohort will engage in meaningful conversations and activities focused on strengthening skills in five key areas:
• Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
• Healthy Relationships
• Conflict and Accountability
• Confidence and Resilience
• Creating Welcoming Spaces through Inclusiveness and Belonging
Throughout the program, our cohort Sisters will also:
• Get face time with industry experts during the sessions
• Spark their curiosity and passion for continuous personal growth
• Be challenged to practice and build their skills in real-world scenarios
• Become empowered leaders in their chapters, on their campuses, and in their careers
And, thanks to the generous donors of the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation, our cohort participants can grow, learn, and develop themselves for no additional cost!
Learn more about Illuminate, our 2024-2025 cohort, and our facilitators by scanning the QR code.
WALKING FOR WOMEN
On August 24, 2024, Sisters nationwide joined Team AΣΤ to support one of our National Service Partners, Dress for Success, during their annual Virtual Power Walk.
Every dollar raised supports Dress for Success’s no-fee upskilling and reskilling services, digital learning through an online community, and financial literacy programs for unemployed and underemployed women.
Together, Team AΣΤ raised over $6,000 to support Dress for Success and their clients. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Virtual Power Walk and donated to support Team AΣΤ!
Photo: Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter walks together to support Dress for Success
The Giving Our All campaign aims to raise $1.25 million to secure AΣΤ's future.
Dear Sisters amd Friends,
The Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation is thrilled to celebrate the launch of Giving Our All: The Campaign for 125 Years of Sisterhood—an ambitious campaign to raise $1.25 million to support Alpha Sigma Tau’s mission, members, and educational initiatives.
In 1899, our Founders created Alpha Sigma Tau to be a transformative experience in a woman’s life—not for college life merely but for her entire life. They sought true and loyal friendship, academic support, and an outlet to grow personally and professionally.
This legacy lives on in each of us, through our own Alpha Sigma Tau story and the impact our Sisterhood has made in each of our lives. Today, 125 years later, we own the responsibility to carry this Sisterhood onward.
Now, as we embark on the next 125 years of Alpha Sigma Tau, we unite to secure the future of our Sisterhood for the women of today and tomorrow.
The stakes are higher than ever but with each of us Giving Our All, we will ensure this life-changing Sisterhood lives on strong.
Sisters, family, friends – I invite you to join in this historic campaign. Every individual who believes in the power of Alpha Sigma Tau can make a difference in this remarkable moment. Please take part in this pivotal moment in our shared history.
Erika McManus Bukva Delta Rho 2000/Chowan President, Board of Directors Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation
Our Campaign Pillars
Purpose
To support leadership and personal growth education and programming, building members’ confidence and ability to lead and navigate life’s uncertainties
To invest in our Sisters’ academic pursuits, empowering them to reach greater heights Progress
Permanence
To preserve and safeguard the Sorority’s history, guaranteeing Alpha Sigma Tau’s legacy is preserved and accessible for generations to come
Inspired by the Creed of Alpha Sigma Tau
Purpose
For generations, Alpha Sigma Tau has played a vital role in helping women find their voice and create supportive, lifelong relationships. Today, as mental health challenges facing college students are on the rise and the U.S. workforce still faces a gap in women in leadership roles, Alpha Sigma Tau is a critical part of helping women thrive, both in college and beyond.
Through Foundation-funded initiatives, members develop the skills they need to reach their fullest potential and better themselves and the world around them.
This campaign pillar supports leadership and personal growth education and programming that allow participants to grow their leadership skills, build resilience and confidence, enhance their emotional intelligence, practice social responsibility, and navigate life’s uncertainties.
Ensuring our incoming officers are equipped with the leadership skills they need to lead effectively in their chapters today and in their careers tomorrow.
Providing our collegiate members and advisors with the education and resources they need to care for their mental health, and build and cultivate healthy relationships.
These individuals who give $1,899 or more annually to our Anchor Fund empower the Foundation to support the initiatives our members need most. They are the rocks upon which our Foundation is built.
Women’s Leadership Luncheon
Convention keynote speakers
Advisor Academy AΣΤ Excel
Giving Our All for Progress
Alpha Sigma Taus are relentless in their pursuit to support one another.
A scholarship from the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation can be the difference between a Sister finishing her degree, pursuing internship opportunities, and staying involved on campus and with her chapter.
While the cost of education is ever-increasing, and the need for financial assistance has never been greater, the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation can be part of this solution. Our scholarship program has awarded hundreds of scholarships since its inception, helping women achieve academic success and contributing to successful careers.
With support from donors throughout Giving Our All, we will increase our investment in the academic pursuits of our collegiate and alumnae Sisters.
“Alpha Sigma Tau gave me the support I needed to build confidence and connections during my college years. In my Master of Social Work program, I will be balancing a practicum placement, work, and classes.
Receiving this scholarship has alleviated some of the financial stress that comes with managing that.”
– Teanna
Cattani (Beta Eta 2020/SIUE)
We aim to work with donors to establish at least 10 new scholarships and... Support even more deserving Sisters Award more dollars to recipients
Each year, our scholarships impact only 1% of our collegiate members–and so many more Sisters need our help to achieve their dreams.
While donors already fund an impressive $90,000+ annually in scholarships, establishing 10 new scholarships means we can increase that amount to help with ever-growing education costs.
Close the gap from rising college costs
In 2022, the total amount of need indicated by Foundation scholarship applicants was more than $1 million for just ONE academic year. Ten new scholarships would meet 25% of that need.
To discuss establishing a scholarship, please contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at 317-613-7573 or aried@alphasigmatau.org.
Giving Our All for Permanence
We refuse to allow the chronicles of our history to be forgotten as the world changes.
The historical artifacts we’ve collected over the last 125 years are evidence of the strength of our Sisterhood and our mark within women’s history. In 2023, Alpha Sigma Tau began our mission to preserve our archives and make them digitally available to all, forever. In the first phase of the donor-supported project, Alpha Sigma Tau digitally preserved 400 pieces of our history. While this is a wonderful start, we have tens of thousands of artifacts still to preserve.
With this Giving Our All campaign pillar, we will ensure Alpha Sigma Tau’s history and heritage are preserved in perpetuity for future generations.
We’ll preserve materials related to our Founding members and our establishment in 1899, and items currently on display at Headquarters. These pieces of history are among the oldest and most significant in the archive.
Many AΣΤ memories live in scrapbooks and photo albums. Between fragile pages, dried glue, and loose binding, we’re running out of time to save these pieces before they deteriorate further.
MORE SISTERS, MORE FUN
Our collegiate chapters are working to welcome 1,899 new members this year—and our Sisters are off to a great start! So far, we have welcomed more than 650 new members to our Sisterhood this semester.
Upsilon /Central Arkansas welcomed 56 new members on Bid Day and are now the largest chapter on campus
Alpha Lambda /Radford matched to quota during recruitment
Gamma Xi /Grand Valley matched to quota during recruitment and welcomed 22 new members
Beta Rho /Arkansas Tech welcomed new members on Bid Day and through COB
Alpha Gamma /Henderson State matched above quota during recruitment
Phi /Southeastern Louisiana matched above quota during recruitment, welcoming 30 new members on Bid Day
Delta Theta /Moravian welcomed 5 new members via COB to reach campus total
CREATE A RIPPLE EFFECT: SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
From the young woman earning less than her male peers in the same industry to the plight of a working mom trying to balance career growth with childcare, women in business have long faced an uphill battle.
Generations of our alumnae Sisters have worked to shatter those glass ceilings—and in many ways, they have succeeded. There are almost 13 million women business owners in America, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). And, by 2030, a McKinsey & Company study estimates that American women are expected to control almost $30 trillion in financial assets.
Today’s young women are learning from those generations and working to achieve even more, which means they are laser-focused on developing a successful career and secure future.
42% of surveyed Gen Z high school students rank “having a meaningful career/job” in their top 3 hopes for the future after college.
When it comes to their time in college, our Gen Z Sisters are prioritizing their academics, personal growth, and life skills to achieve better employment opportunities and earn more in their future careers.
While these are all important goals, they can also create anxiety for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, contributing to our younger generations’ mental health crises. Many of these young women are searching for organizations on campus that will not only help them professionally but will provide friendships, mental health support, and a community to navigate life with.
If these young women can see that Alpha Sigma Tau supports women in their careers, they will find our Sisterhood as a way to balance work and fun, forming lifelong friendships and cultivating a professional network at the same time. After all, our collegiate members are already learning key professional skills such as managing a budget, social media marketing, effective teamwork, networking, and more.
But how do we get these career-focused young women entering college to understand that our Sisterhood is the place they should be to achieve even more in life? We show them exactly what our Sisterhood’s collective impact on women’s careers can look like.
At our 45th National Convention, National President Jamie Jones Miller (Psi 1995/James Madison) called on the Sorority, our collegiate chapters and alumnae groups, and individual Sisters to
increase the amount that we all shop, order, partner, and engage with women-owned businesses.
Our Sisters have the capacity to make an incredible impact in their community and change the lives of the women around them, whether through financial means or simply by promoting women-owned businesses.
Photo credit: ILLUME by Merissa Conley
“By using our collective leverage, our members can create a ripple effect of impact in their communities,” said National President Jamie Jones Miller. “For example, when our chapters partner with local women-owned businesses, they can form networks and relationships that benefit the business, the chapter, and our members for years to come.”
After all, Alpha Sigma Taus are focused on empowering women and contributing our share to humankind each day. What better way to do so than by uplifting women entrepreneurs, contributing our share by supporting them, and inspiring the next generation of women focused on their careers?
This new initiative to support women-owned businesses across the country at every level of AΣΤ provides our members, alumnae groups, and collegiate chapters with opportunities to:
• Support our National Philanthropy, the Women’s Wellness Initiative, through the lens of Occupational Wellness
• Engage with Sister-owned businesses specifically
• Measure tangible impact on a community in dollars spent with women-owned businesses
• Find new and innovative ways to support women-owned businesses
• Create new partnerships and vendor relationships that benefit our members
• Inspire other members and potential new members to see what a career with the support of their Sisters could look like
• Make our Sorority synonymous with empowering women in their careers
• Find internships and jobs with Sister-owned or women-owned businesses in their communities
• Show the value of Sorority life to others, especially young women entering college who see sorority as a distraction rather than an incredible support system to achieve their dreams
What We’re Doing: Alpha Sigma Tau is working to engage and employ more women-owned and/or women-led businesses when it comes to our National vendors and partners.
As of October 2024, 25% of our vendors and partners are women-owned businesses. These vendors and partners include (but are not limited to):
• MyChapterRoom (MCR), which is used by chapters to share calendars, access AΣΤ-specific resources, and send chapter-wide messages
• Kyle Cavan, a jewelry company that partners with AΣΤ to provide elevated options
• Whova, an event-based app used by Convention and Officer Academy attendees to view the schedule, receive messages from event organizers, and start group chats to share their thoughts
Additionally, 20% of our vendors and partners have women who serve as our primary contact and relationship manager (meaning they are women-led businesses).
“In the coming year or two, I’d love to see the Sorority increase our women-owned and/ or women-led partners and vendors by a reasonable percentage, maybe somewhere around 10% a year,”
said Jamie Jones Miller. “While we have no intention of leaving behind partners and vendors who have been good to Alpha Sigma Tau for many years, we want to work carefully when engaging with new partners and vendors to ensure that we’re supporting the Sorority’s mission to empower women in all our actions.”
What You Can Do:
Collegiate chapters, alumnae groups, and individual women can begin to use women-owned businesses in their communities – and even better if they are also owned by a Sister!
No matter what you are doing, you can find a women-owned business to consider. By doing so, you can empower women and positively impact your community. For example, if a collegiate chapter hosted their formal and exclusively used women-owned businesses and vendors to do so, they could generate an average of $10,000 for their community
And these women business owners are also huge resources! Beyond financial support, you can empower them by inviting them to speak to your alumnae group or collegiate chapter about their business and how they came to be an entrepreneur. Many of our Sisters have passions and dreams that are perfectly aligned with owning a business, and learning from someone can be their first step in achieving that dream.
“The change to primarily engaging with women-owned businesses in your life or within a chapter won’t happen overnight, and I don’t expect it to. But I know our Sisters are up for the challenge to think more carefully and critically about who they are engaging with when it comes to businesses and why,” said Jamie Jones Miller.
To show how women-owned businesses can be a resource for you, we’re highlighting four Sisters (and their businesses) with advice and insights about building a career, running a business, planning an event, and capturing the moment!
When it comes to utilizing women-owned businesses in your community, this can include:
• Shopping at women-owned stores
• Eating at women-owned restaurants
• Hiring women-owned businesses for events in your personal or professional life
• Seeking medical care from women-owned practices
• Ordering supplies, favors, or gifts from womenowned businesses
• Engaging with social media posts from womenowned businesses
• Recommending Sisters to women-owned businesses that are hiring
PERSISTENCE OVER PERFECTION MAKE YOUR BUSINESS WORK FOR YOU
Dr. Kristi Soileau (Phi 1978/Southeastern Louisiana) opened her first periodontal practice in the late 1980s, just a few months after graduating from her periodontal residency at LSU Dental School. Now she is an award-winning periodontist who owns a thriving practice in New Orleans, volunteers to teach and mentor dental students, and sits on the board of the American College of Dentistry.
Along the way, she gained valuable insights into starting a business, managing her career, and overcoming setbacks. Whether you’re opening a new business right now or just considering an entrepreneur era, here is Dr. Soileau’s business advice for her Sisters!
Don’t be afraid to start small To open her first practice, Dr. Soileau sublet a space from another dentist and worked with a dental group to supplement her income. It’s okay if your business isn’t as glamorous as you’d like it to be for your social media posts.
Network, network, network. Meet peers in your industry, develop relationships with other small business owners, and get involved in your community through volunteering. “When you have time on your hands, you need to find something to do and some sort of volunteerism to be involved in. This can help lift you up and keep you going when you’re in a tough spot with your business,” she said.
Align yourself with the right professionals. Opening a new business is no joke! Dr. Soileau said, “Most of us feel like we’re in over our heads, no matter what.” Find friends, family, or other small business owners who can guide and teach you. Be selfaware, identify your weaknesses (payroll, taxes, real estate, etc.), and budget for additional help.
Get field experience beforehand It’s always good to dip your toe in the water instead of diving right in. Whether it’s an apprenticeship or an entry-level job, make sure you feel comfortable in the field and know exactly what you want to do. Dr. Soileau said, “Live in your industry, know your competitors, and make sure you know what twist you can bring to the market to make your business successful.”
Join a national association or business group in your area Becoming a member of an industry-based association can provide you with additional contacts, educational opportunities, and leadership roles to help make a difference on a larger scale. “You have to pay dues and be an active participant to get the most of out these organizations, but much like joining our Sorority, it’s an investment in your future and will come back to you tenfold,” said Dr. Soileau.
Continue to learn and grow with your industry Take advantage of seminars, community college courses, professional conferences, and the Internet to learn all you can about your business industry and what’s coming down the pipeline. “You need to keep learning and growing because once you feel 100% confident in your business, then it’s time to retire,” said Dr. Soileau.
PLAN LIKE A PROFESSIONAL KEY STEPS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT
Yvonne Caole-Sousa (Delta Iota 2007/JWU Providence) knew in high school that she wanted to be an event planner. In college, she focused mostly on corporate events, but when she entered the field professionally, Yvonne found a passion for personal events, such as weddings. In 2015, she opened Unique Melody Events & Designs, which is now a six-figure business with 60 events in a given season.
Her Alpha Sigma Tau collegiate experience helped give her confidence when she was first starting in her industry. Yvonne said, “The Sorority gave me the professional side beyond what I was learning in my degree. From giving me confidence during interviews when I was first entering the industry to showing me how to build relationships as I network with vendors, my chapter experience gave me that first taste of professionalism.”
As an event planning expert, Yvonne has key steps that everyone should follow, whether you’re planning a recruitment event, alumnae reunion, wedding, and more:
Step 1: Research. It sounds boring, but the first step to planning any event is ensuring you have an idea of what you want. Yvonne recommends having multiple options, vendor quotes, and a priority list for what you need to have versus what you want to have.
Step 2: Create a budget and stick to it. Once you’ve done your research, figure out how that fits into your finances. Yvonne said, “Avoid budgeting at your minimum and account for the maximum. There will always be something unexpected, so you should budget for the worst case scenario.”
Step 3: Select your vendors and prioritize those relationships. Don’t choose a vendor just because they are the first result on Google or provide a quote that fits your budget. “Creating relationships with vendors is very important. However, all vendors should still use contracts, despite your relationship with them,” said Yvonne.
Step 4: Think outside the box! When it comes to sourcing food, decorations, favors, and other key elements for your event, get creative. It will also make your event more memorable when it doesn’t look like a cookie-cutter format was used.
Step 5: Be ready for setbacks. As dire as it sounds, something will go wrong before, during, or after your event. “You should have a plan for weather and how that will affect your event, but there’s plenty you can’t plan for. Make sure to stay calm in the moment and use your resources, because there’s always a solution” said Yvonne.
Step 6: Choose a point person. “Collaboration is fantastic and necessary but every event needs a point person who manages the event and calls the final shots,” said Yvonne. On the day of your event, this person will also be in charge of executing solutions to last-minute problems and communicating with all key vendors.
Photo credit: ILLUME by Merissa Conley
Photo credit: Boston Branding Photographer
FLASH ON OR FLASH OFF?
With professionally humble beginnings, Alex Ashman (Beta Mu 2008/Salisbury) spent five years training her photography skills on the Ocean City Boardwalk before being selected for her dream internship with a fashion company. She worked her way up through the company until she became their lead campaign photographer.
When Alex decided to strike out on her own, she worked even harder than she had within the company. “I was doing jobs for free or trade because you have to get your name out there. I was not afraid to ask questions to learn how to be the best and stay connected with people,” she said.
Pay attention to the details. Make sure everyone is smiling, their eyes are open, and that they look their best. “And then tell them to take that hair tie off their wrist! People look more polished, and once you notice it, you can’t un-notice it,” affirms Alex.
Don’t look too much at your photos in the moment. “Take the photos and then take some more. Adjust what’s needed, move quickly but be sure you’re not missing any major details, and then take the time to go through them all later,” said Alex.
CREATE AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
TAKE YOUR PHOTOS TO THE NEXT LEVEL QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Now, she shoots national campaigns, works with big industry names, and wants to aim even higher. “I am continually forcing myself to keep learning how not just to be a better photographer but a better leader,” she said.
Alex considers her Alpha Sigma Tau experience a key component of her current success. “It taught me networking, how to conduct a business and follow a budget, and how to work with a group. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it,” she said. Since 2011, she has given back to the Sorority by serving on the Beta Mu Chapter Advisory Board, encouraging collegians to take on leadership roles and participate in committees.
She was also willing to share this advice with her Sisters as a professional photographer! If you don’t have the budget to hire a photographer for an event or simply want the best possible photos at any given moment, Alex recommends making these adjustments:
Find good lighting. Lighting for photographing people should be even and soft, with minimal shadows. It’s the first thing to consider when taking a photo, even more so than the backdrop of the photo. Steer clear of direct, overhead lighting. “It’s the enemy,” Alex jokes. When in doubt, put the flash on!
Talk to your Sisters when taking the photo. Some people get nervous having their photo taken so you can lighten up the mood with some jokes and words of affirmation for them. “This will make them feel more confident, which you can see in the photos. You can also ask them to change poses or re-arrange them, since they might like a different pose better,” said Alex.
Are you stuck in a rut when it comes to work? Susan Vernicek Berkowitz (Gamma Zeta 2000/Frostburg State) could relate. After several years post-grad of traveling the world, at 25 years old, she found herself loathing her cubicle job as a graphic designer and wanting more for herself. In 2006, she launched Identity Magazine online and learned how to be an entrepreneur on the fly.
Now, Susan is a six-figure speaker and mindset coach who helps other women—especially moms—create multiple revenue streams, balance their personal and professional lives, and go into business for themselves. In addition to one-on-one coaching, she has created digital and in-person programs, launched a podcast, is currently working on her fourth book, and plans to host her second speaker summit (think Tedx) soon.
Her Sisters have been a big support throughout her entire career. “An alumna member helped me fill seats during my first coaching workshops and Sisters attended it. I have a group of Sisters who I see all the time. No matter where I’ve been with my business, a Sister has always been supporting me,” she said.
Now, she’s here to give some advice to those very same Sisters! When women dream of becoming entrepreneurs, Susan shares that there are some key components of the entrepreneurial mindset that they should consider first:
“Are you willing to go all in?” When starting a business, you have to trust yourself, be solution-focused, and make it work however you can. “Don’t be halfway in and halfway out” advises Susan. “Giving yourself an ultimatum at the beginning makes it seem like you’re already quitting on your business.”
“Can you focus on progress over perfection?” Women in particular struggle to launch, promote, or share their business if they feel it isn’t perfect. But businesses are living, growing entities that can evolve whenever you feel like it. Instead, Susan recommends leaning into progress, patience, and persistence. “Don’t wait for everything to be 100% because perfectionism will kill your dream,” she said.
“How will you invest in your mindset?” Susan’s number one tip: You will never lose money when you invest in your mindset. Regardless of whether you’ve just opened a business or worked in your industry for many years, continue learning and growing by finding programs, courses, coaches, and support networks to help you move the needle on your business.
“What can you let others help with?” Entrepreneurs often struggle to ask for help with their businesses, but Susan believes asking others can be the key to further success! “Do not fear that you’re coming across as stupid or weak,” she said. “Your friends, family, Sisters, and others want to help you, so let them.” Find the kind of support and energy you want in your corner and embrace it!
How to find women-owned businesses:
You
might
be wondering, "How can I find womenowned businesses and resources in my community so I can start supporting them?"
There are more than 13 million women business owners in America, which is good news because it means there are plenty of options for you. More amazingly, 63% of those provide the majority of their household income. That’s why when you engage with a women-owned business, your impact is instant and powerful.
Here are a few ways to find and engage with women-owned businesses near you:
• Join a local Facebook group. Many communities have Facebook groups that highlight local small and women-owned businesses. By joining these groups, you can find new-to-you businesses and engage with your community more effectively.
• Keep an eye out for women-owned badges. National businesses like Yelp, Amazon, and Target have “womenowned” symbols on restaurants, stores, and individual products. Local businesses may also have a “Certified Women Owned” sticker from The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) on their windows.
The Alpha Sigma Tau Collection
BY WOMEN-OWNED KYLE CAVAN JEWELRY
• Search smarter. Most individual sites, such as Amazon and Walmart, also offer a way to search for women-owned businesses and products by just typing “women owned” into the site’s search bar. This can pull a simpler list of businesses to shop and products to peruse!
• Talk to your Sisters. Many AΣΤs own businesses—whether online, such as an Etsy shop, or a brick-and-mortar store. Get together with your alumnae Sisters and find out who in your network owns a business and how you could support them together.
• Review a chamber of commerce directory. If you need a specific type of women-owned business in your area, such as an event space, you can find a great list in a chamber of commerce directory. While it's a slightly more intensive search process, you can review each business in specific categories to find a womenowned one.
• Check online product directories. The WBENC and several other business organizations have directories that can help you find women-owned businesses. Here are some websites that can help you out:
• buywomenowned.com/women-owned-directory
• buyfromablackwoman.org
• foundedbyher.org
• sba8a.com
ON CAMPUS: COLLEGIATE UPDATES
ALPHA EASTERN MICHIGAN
We welcomed three new members during formal recruitment and can’t wait to welcome more through COB. During recruitment, we also made and donated goodie bags for Girls on the Run coaches.
For sisterhood events, we hosted a Get to Know Our New Members painting event, a picnic, and more! We’ve already completed the Pin Pledging Ceremony and can’t wait for Initiation in November. We are also planning a Homecoming tailgate with alumnae.
ZETA LOCK HAVEN
Recruitment is always an extremely fun and special process—we worked hard and welcomed five women to meet campus total! We also hosted our 41st annual RockA-Thon Fundraiser earlier this month, fundraised for Treats for Troops, and donated blankets to Roads to Peace, a local women’s shelter.
Earlier this semester, Headquarters Staff hosted our sisterhood retreat. We spent the day connecting on a deeper level and learned how we can become better leaders and empower each other. Thank you to all our 2023 Founders Day of Giving donors who made this opportunity possible for us!
In Fall 2023, our alumnae Sisters helped us start a mentoring program where collegiate Sisters can network with alumnae in preparation for entering the workforce. In October, we hosted our mentor/mentee night virtually!
RHO
SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA
We are proud to announce that we more than doubled in size this semester by welcoming nine new members! Chapter President Sydney Williams and Vice President of Operations Jayden Manous have been working on planning recruitment since the spring semester. Our biggest and best recruitment event was Cards and Cookies, where we gave out question cards and had a playing card assigned to each one. Every potential new member was able to ask a question to a panel of four Sisters and we opened up the floor for group discussion afterward.
UPSILON CENTRAL ARKANSAS
We welcomed 57 new members! During Work Week, we practiced rounds, went over recruitment-related rules, and dressed up each day. This year, our Bid Day theme was “Happily Ever After.”
This semester, we were part of the clothing drive for Dress for Success, a feminine product drive for women on campus, and an Alzheimer’s walk for an alumna. Our sisterhood events include a sleepover, kickboxing, jewelry-making, painting pottery, and more! Each week we also have a challenge for our members to hang out with a new Sister. This can be getting coffee, studying, or going on a walk together! These allow our Sisters to continue to get to know each other better. For Homecoming, we hosted a luncheon for our alumnae to visit with our current members, tour the house, and eat some delicious local food.
We’ve had many Sisters make the Dean’s List or President’s List for their outstanding academics. Our members work so hard, and it has paid off! We also had five members join our Student Government Association and three members were nominated for Homecoming this year.
PHI SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
We welcomed home 35 new members on Bid Day! Our theme was “ AΣΤ just got richer” and we absolutely did with these amazing new members. We met campus total and are looking forward to spring recruitment!
This semester, we are hosting our annual Waffle Night in support of the Women’s Wellness Initiative and our proceeds will be going to Dress for Success.
The sisterhood team has been focused on fostering meaningful connections through biweekly sisterhood events. We aim for a mixture of fun and bonding, like “Dancing with the Taus” night where members were challenged to work in small groups to choreograph a dance routine in 30 minutes. At our annual sisterhood retreat in August, our Sisters visited the Global Wildlife Center and had two days filled with activities.
ALPHA LAMBDA RADFORD
We welcomed 13 new members and are currently working on COB! Our airplanethemed Bid Day was “Fly AΣΤ .”
This semester, we hosted a basket raffle fundraiser and wrote cards for the Women’s Wellness Center in Radford. We also have had a bonfire night, a totebag making event, and a potluck. Coming up, we have a canvas painting night, Big/ Little reveal, and Initiation will be the first weekend in November!
Our alumnae joined us for Homecoming weekend and we look forward to our brunch with them after our Sisterhood retreat. One of our Sisters is Panhellenic President, multiple Sisters made the Dean’s List last semester, and a group of Sisters are now certified in Narcan training. Over the summer, we had a Sister study abroad in Italy and another who had a congressional internship on Capitol Hill.
Alpha /Eastern Michigan
Zeta /Lock Haven
Rho /Southeastern Oklahoma
ALPHA PI
SLIPPERY ROCK
This semester, we held two COB events: a picnic and a game night. We welcomed four new members into our chapter. Our theme for Bid Day was “Sliding home to AΣΤ !”
We recently had our sisterhood retreat where we had various games/activities to empower our Sisters, such as Paint a Sister Who. We also hosted a 5K to support our local philanthropy, VOICE, and a few local alumnae came to our potluck during alumnae weekend.
More than half of our Sisters made it on the Dean’s List, we had several Sisters participate in study abroad opportunities over the summer, and a Sister who is a representative for an organization’s philanthropy on campus raised $1,400.
BETA XI
MICHIGAN TECH
We had a blast recruiting this semester and welcomed eight new members! We hosted a recruitment work event/alumnae reunion over Labor Day weekend and we have our annual retreat coming up. We are also planning an alumnae reunion for next year!
BETA RHO
ARKANSAS TECH
We welcomed 16 new members! Our Bid Day theme was “Admit One to Alpha Sigma Tau.” We’re continuing to meet with potential new members throughout the semester.
In November, we will have a philanthropy week highlighting the Women’s Wellness Initiative. We’ve also had a cowboy hatmaking sisterhood event and did Pearl Pal baskets with our new members. In October, we held Big/Little events: speed dating, making pennants, and charm necklace-making.
Many of our Sisters worked as Orientation Leaders to help welcome the new students of Arkansas Tech, and we had several women invited to join our university’s chapter of the Order of Omega.
BETA TAU UMASS LOWELL
In September, we held our annual “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” philanthropy event, where members of our community gather to spread awareness for sexual and domestic violence. We raised $470 for our local Center for Hope and Healing. Leading up to this event, we held our Women’s Wellness Week, with different events such as yoga and a workshop with local doctors who specialize in breast health and women’s substance abuse. This week was very successful and we all had fun! Other events this semester included a bonfire, a sisterhood brunch, and a BBQ with alumnae. We are also planning for our Thanksgiving festivities with our alumnae and other Massachusetts chapters.
BETA OMEGA MONMOUTH
We had a successful spring recruitment, welcoming home 16 new Sisters. Our Bid Day was NASA-themed because our new Sisters are “out of this world!” We are currently welcoming more new members through COB.
We raised almost $1,000 to support Girls Who Code through an event called “AGOT” where different organizations on campus competed with their different talents. We also held a suicide awareness walk where we raised over $7,000! This cause is very near to many of our Sisters’ hearts.
We have weekly sisterhood events where we do different arts and crafts, have movie nights, karaoke, and so much more! This has allowed us to build closer connections with Sisters we wouldn’t usually see outside of chapter. We are also planning a 125th Anniversary party with our alumnae. We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with all of our Sisters and reunite with them!
GAMMA GAMMA UWA
To prepare for recruitment, we held a workshop day where we learned useful conversation tips and how to be an active listener. For the first time in years, we matched quota and welcomed six new members! After Bid Day, we had a celebration and the Ribbon Pledging Ceremony.
In October, we hosted two COB events: Howdy AΣΤ and FiesTAU. For both of these events, each member brought at least one potential new member. Throughout September, we also collected feminine hygiene products for The WellHouse, a local home for women and girls saved from sex trafficking.
For Homecoming, we had Elyse Dean, Bre Reed, and Madelyn Brasher representing our Sorority. We go to every home football game and tailgate together. In November, we are planning to attend the Birmingham Alumnae Association’s Founders Day celebration!
GAMMA THETA PENN STATE BEHREND
This semester, we welcomed eight new members, decorated notebooks for Girls Who Code, participated in our AdoptA-Highway clean-up, and held several sisterhood events, including a chapterwide dinner party.
Gamma Gamma /UWA
Beta Tau /UMass Lowell
Beta Omega /Monmouth
Beta Xi /Michigan Tech
Gamma Theta /Penn State Behrend
Alpha Pi /Slippery Rock
GAMMA IOTA YORK
Recruitment has gone well—we’ve welcomed five new members home via COB so far. We hosted a s’mores event, bracelet-making for the PEDS unit at York Hospital, and plant pot painting events.
We reconnected after summer break with a picnic and photoshoot. We’re looking forward to planning a pumpkin patch day and hosting an alumnae panel Zoom to learn more about the Sorority’s history! Our alumnae are so eager to help us out with anything we need, so we are excited to connect further. Recently, Kaylin Ryan was able to attend a career-related event hosted by Adobe, the computer software company. She networked with other industry professionals and learned more about entering the workforce!
GAMMA LAMBDA KUTZTOWN
Recruitment was very successful! We achieved total by welcoming eight women home and we are the largest sorority on campus! For the rest of the semester, we are planning our annual Anchor Slam (a philanthropic cornhole tournament), a sisterhood event at an apple orchard, pumpkin carving, and Homecoming with our alumnae.
DELTA ZETA EAST STROUDSBURG
This semester, only 20 women participated in recruitment on our campus. We welcomed five new members and are starting COB events to achieve our campus total! We are also looking forward to hosting a flag football tournament in November to fundraise for our philanthropy.
Around midterms, we will host our favorite sisterhood event, “PowerPoint & Dip Night.” Each Sister brings a sweet, salty, or savory dip to share and makes a funny PowerPoint. It helps our Sisters relieve stress and continue bonding during a busy time.
Crysta Heffner was accepted into Warrior Elite, a student-run philanthropy organization aimed at cultivating a culture of giving one’s time, talent, and treasure in a meaningful way to ESU as students. Crysta was accepted because of her dedication to ESU through campus jobs, volunteer work, and involvement with clubs and organizations.
DELTA THETA MORAVIAN
Through COB, our chapter welcomed home five new members to reach campus total! For sisterhood, we hosted a movie night and an ice cream truck came to the chapter house. In October, we had a retreat where we participated in a restorative circle, Homecoming events with alumnae, and a Sister bonding event at the local pumpkin patch. We also participated in our campus-wide “Heritage Day” where Sisters helped to clean and tend to farm animals as well as read to children in schools!
DELTA SIGMA SAINT JOSEPH’S
Last spring was our chapter’s first formal recruitment. It was overwhelming at times but our advisors were very supportive and we ended up welcoming seven new Sisters! Members of our chapter attended a pre-recruitment workshop (hosted by Headquarters Staff) to help us prepare and know what to expect. This semester, we’ve been hosting COB events and meeting up with potential new members, two of whom we’ve already welcomed as Sisters!
Our main philanthropy event for the semester is Pasta for a Purpose, which offers all-you-can-eat-pasta as well as desserts and raffle baskets to anyone on campus. We donate the funds to our National Service Partners or a local organization in Philadelphia.
DELTA TAU
OAKLAND
We have been preparing for recruitment in October and our alumnae have been helping us, whether it be practicing bump groups or helping us with our Bid Day banner! Our theme this year is Postcards from Alpha Tau, which is Italian summerinspired.
Beyond recruitment, we are busy preparing for our annual philanthropy event and plan to attend HAVEN’s trunk or treat event to support our local philanthropy. So far this semester, we have had craft-themed sisterhood events and taken a few workout classes together to practice physical wellness.
Gamma Iota /York
Delta Sigma /Saint Joseph’s
Gamma Lambda /Kutztown
Delta Tau /Oakland
Delta Zeta /East Stroudsburg
DELTA UPSILON SAINT LEO
We welcomed 10 amazing new members and are currently continuing with COB. We are only two members away from achieving campus total and doubling our chapter size, which is such an exciting milestone for us!
To prepare for recruitment, we held workshops where we focused on refining our communication, presentation, and sisterhood skills. We also made sure to prioritize bonding events to strengthen our connections as a chapter.
In October, we were involved in the “Mary Cannon Cabot Beautification Month,” hosted by the town of Saint Leo. This event is especially close to our hearts, as it honors the memory of one of our founding chapter Sisters who passed away last year. She made a lasting impact on our chapter and the entire Saint Leo community, and we are committed to attending every event to honor her legacy.
EPSILON DELTA ROGERS STATE
We have welcomed nine new members and will be initiating 10 this semester! We worked hard to create events that allowed us to cultivate a valuable experience that everyone on campus can see. The joy of Alpha Tau has been so prevalent in our Sisters and we are so excited to pass that down to our new members.
We have been having weekly sisterhood dates and held our first sisterhood event where we brought snacks to a local park and spent time together off campus. Ashlyn Barney was on the Homecoming court and participated in activities all week. Three of our new members are part of the honor program, Cate Campbell received the Honors Outstanding Freshman Award at the end of the spring semester, and Emily Hoff spent the summer completing an internship in Bulgaria.
EPSILON GAMMA GEORGIA SOUTHERN-ARMSTRONG
We celebrated Bid Day with our largest new member class since 2021 with 10 new members. It’s thanks to our Vice President of Growth Andrea Edwards and the Growth Team that we were able to have such a large class. Additionally, thanks to our Vice President of Member Development Kayla Raymond and the Bid Day Committee, we were able to pull off an extremely successful Bid Day with the theme “So Fresh and So Clean.” It was a really fantastic day for our chapter and we are excited to give our new members the best semester!
Our alumnae were a huge help throughout the recruitment process and we are beyond grateful for their continuous support each semester. They even help make beautiful bags filled with goodies for our new members! Our Vice President of Community Relations, Brayden Bailey, has been doing an excellent job of keeping us connected with our alumnae. Currently, she is trying to organize an alumnae mentorship event where members can connect with alumnae about career goals.
EPSILON XI GUSTAVUS
We had a busy September filled with preparation for formal recruitment. We had a few tabling events, including the Fall Involvement Fair and the Greek Carnival, where our Sisters handed out sno cones to promote fraternity/sorority life on campus. We also collaborated with the other sororities on campus to put on Sororities in STEM, where we tabled and spoke about sorority recruitment in our academic buildings. The goal was to promote sororities to female STEM majors, a demographic we wanted to focus on for recruitment this year.
We also had events where potential new members could come and hang out with our chapter, including Spa Night & Movie, Yard Games & S’mores, and a Finance and Expectations session. During the Finance and Expectations session, we allowed potential new members to ask questions about dues and attendance expectations and it cleared up a lot of misconceptions.
Formal recruitment was a success and a particular highlight was Philanthropy Night, where we worked with potential new members to create tie blankets while talking about our philanthropy initiatives. The tie blankets were donated to a local nonprofit, CADA, which supports survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
EPSILON PI RIC
Our recruitment theme was "Walking on Sunshine"! We welcomed one new member and are looking forward to COB for the rest of the semester. Recruitment made everyone in the chapter closer, and we’re focusing on forming deeper connections. Coming up, we are volunteering at a food pantry and at our local Dress for Success affiliate. We co-hosted First Year Fest with two other sororities on campus and it helped all the sorority women get closer. We have a few socials scheduled soon with the other sororities as well!
Delta Upsilon /Saint Leo
Epsilon Delta /Rogers State
Epsilon Pi /RIC
Epsilon Gamma /Georgia Southern-Armstrong
Epsilon Xi /Gustavus
ALUMNAE CHAPTER & ASSOCIATION UPDATES
BIRMINGHAM ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
We had a busy spring and summer! For Night to Reunite, we went bowling. In May, we had our annual popular Barons Baseball event with Sisters and their families. In June, several Sisters went to Convention where our association won four awards! But more importantly, we connected with Sisters from around the country and renewed our devotion to ΑΣΤ at the Yellow Rose Banquet. Several Sisters met up in August for dinner and we set up our Panty Drive to benefit My Sister’s Closet. We continue to support our Gamma Gamma Sisters and welcome them into the next phase of Sisterhood when they graduate.
CENTRAL INDIANA ALUMNAE CHAPTER
Most recently, we sadly and lovingly shared grief with a member in the loss of her mother. We also gathered for lunch to say “see you later” to a member moving away. We shared in the happiness with two of our members announcing “little ones are on the way.” And finally, we are proud that one of our members has an endowed scholarship that was awarded to a post-graduate Sister.
CIAC was excited to receive an invitation to enjoy breakfast with the National Council. It’s always such a pleasure to interact with these outstanding ΑΣΤ women. We are looking forward to celebrating Founders Day and hosting our event at Headquarters. This event will be posted on our two Facebook pages: Anchored in Indianapolis and Alpha Alpha Alums. If you live in central Indiana, we would love to see you at our events!
DETROIT METRO ALUMNAE CHAPTER
Our alumnae chapter had a great summer with weddings, birthdays, and lots of Sisterhood time, including our annual Summer Night Out and Convention. Now that fall is here, we are looking forward to our monthly get-togethers, Sisterhood events, and philanthropy.
EDWARDSVILLE-ST. LOUIS AREA ALUMNAE CHAPTER
We enjoy including the Beta Eta Sisters in our events and supporting the chapter, including their Pink Week philanthropy event in October.
PHOENIX/VALLEY OF THE SUN ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
Our Sisterhood continues to thrive and grow as more ΑΣΤ s move to the area. We have enjoyed numerous events together including our Gameshow Battle Night; the Barbie Exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum; laser tag, bowling & bumper cars at Jake’s Unlimited; and celebrating Karen Anderson’s Convention award at our annual meeting.
This fall we’ll be getting crafty again making things for the Epsilon Alpha Chapter, which we will bring when we road trip up to Prescott in late November to celebrate 20 years of Sisterhood at Embry-Riddle Prescott and our 125 years of being a Sorority.
We will celebrate the holiday season in early December with brunch and an ornament white elephant exchange at a Sister’s home. To get all the event details and newsletters, please email us at pvos.ast.alumnae.association@gmail.com! We hope to meet you soon!
TIDEWATER AREA ALUMNAE CHAPTER
We started the year off strong with our September meeting at the home of Kacey Hendricks. Several Sisters in attendance shared their experience about 125 Years of Sisterhood and the 45 th National Convention.
In July, the alumnae chapter had our summer social at Hot Tuna in Virginia Beach. In August, we gathered at Lynnhaven Mall for the Dress for Success Virtual Power Walk and an early dinner at Cooper’s Hawk.
We are looking forward to our newest event in October, where Sisters will bring AΣΤ memorabilia for show & tell. Thank you to Elayne Goode Weinbrecht for thinking of such a great idea to engage our Sisters for our love of AΣΤ !
YPSILANTI-ANN ARBOR ALUMNAE CHAPTER
Since our last update, we’ve made valentines for local senior homes and gone bowling with the Alpha Chapter, met up for Night to Reunite at a local brewery, and had a fun night in an escape room followed by dinner. We continued our monthly book club and hosted our first used book sale to raise money for the Joyce Berg Memorial Scholarship.
We’re looking forward to a day at the cider mill, Eastern Michigan’s Homecoming, Friendsgiving, and our annual holiday party! We’re especially excited to be hosting a Founders Day celebration for all of the collegiate chapters and alumnae groups in the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro areas!
HONORING OUR SISTERS: In Loving Memory
We forever remember these Sisters who have entered the Eternal Chapter. Their legacy lives on through their loved ones and their contributions to the progress of humankind. This memorial listing includes all members whose passing was reported to National Headquarters between July 10, 2024 and September 27, 2024.
ZETA TAU /LONGWOOD
Virginia Johnston Francis (1954)
UPSILON/ CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Melia Kilby Garey (1976)
MONET FELTON
PSI/ JAMES MADISON
Kathleen Ruesch Keefer (1978)
ALPHA ALPHA /BALL STATE
Jane Matchette Hiatt (1949)
EPSILON THETA 2018/FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
Earlier this year, Monet Felton passed away from a brain aneurysm at 24 years old. She worked as a public relations counselor for music artists and found her passion in singing, DJing, podcasting, and hosting radio shows.
During her time in the Epsilon Theta Chapter, Monet served as a Finance Assistant and Tau Honor Council Delegate.
BETA CHI/ FERRIS
Karyn Goll Stellino (1995)
EPSILON THETA/ FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
Monet Felton (2018)
Here is what her Epsilon Theta Chapter Sisters shared on social media about Monet after her passing:
SHOP FOR ALPHA SIGMA TAU MERCHANDISE OR FIND CUSTOM
DESIGN INSPIRATION FOR YOUR CHAPTER’S NEXT ORDER!
ANCHORING THOUGHTS
This November, Alpha Sigma Tau will celebrate its 125th anniversary. It’s hard to put into words how truly historic this milestone is but here’s my attempt: Alpha Sigma Tau was founded four years before the first airplane was flown, 13 years before the Titanic set sail, and almost three decades before sliced bread was invented!
When you consider how drastically the world has changed since 1899 and all of the events that have taken place since, Alpha Sigma Tau’s resilience and evolution over the past 125 years certainly feels like something to celebrate!
It’s also exciting to put into perspective our roles—as collegians, alumnae, and volunteers alike—in continuing to write Alpha Sigma Tau’s history and carry on its legacy for the generations of Sisters to come. One day, our contributions will be reflected on as turning points in our Sisterhood’s history.
In this issue of The Anchor , we focus a lot on our mission to invest in women. Investing in ourselves, our Sisters, and the women in our communities can happen within all Six Dimensions of Wellness, but in this issue, we focus on occupational wellness with a commitment to support women-owned businesses and female entrepreneurs. This initiative feels particularly relevant as we approach our 125th milestone because it emphasizes the connection between Sorority and impact.
More often than not, we will be remembered for our contributions to our communities rather than our efforts within the Sorority. Alpha Sigma Tau is a tool for us to develop our skills, connect with likeminded women, and empower one another, but how we use those skills to make the lives of those around us a little happier and richer is what really matters.
Our efforts to enhance our Sisterhood and the support we provide one another, only enhances the impact we’re able to have in our communities and, hopefully, in the history books. Now imagine the potential impact we could have if we all poured into our Sisterhood and went All In for Alpha Tau
As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, I invite you to take just one additional action to help enhance our Sisterhood so that we can continue our legacy of defining excellence for another 125 years and beyond—and so that Alpha Sigma Tau can continue being the best thing since before sliced bread!
Julia Mann
Beta Mu 2017/Salisbury
Editor, The Anchor
