ALUMNAE CHAPTER & ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Birmingham Alumnae Association

After our annual Christmas party, the Sisters of the Birmingham Alumnae Association started planning the social calendar for 2023. Our first gathering took place in March, where we were assigned roles in the murder mystery game, “Death By Chocolate.” Sisters brought finger foods and small desserts to pass after each “act.” It was so much fun that we planned to do another one in the fall. We were also excited to receive the t-shirts we won during Founders Day of Giving and look forward to wearing them to an event. Spring events included the Rumpshaker 5K for colorectal cancer and Night to Reunite.

Boston Alumnae Chapter

Our Boston Alumnae Chapter is celebrating Kellie Vehlies Beretta (Epsilon Epsilon 2010/JWU North Miami) as she raised money for The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support The Jimmy Fund and trained for the Boston Marathon in April! Go, Kellie!

Buffalo Alumnae Chapter

The Buffalo Alumnae Chapter kicked off the new year by supporting our Epsilon Mu Chapter from the University at Buffalo as they participated in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk. Held in Buffalo, NY, Sisters gathered for a frozen walk in Delaware Park to benefit Compass House - one of the nation’s oldest shelter and service providers for youth, offering warm beds, hot meals, counseling, and more. In March, we gathered for a luncheon/business meeting. We hosted our annual Mother’s Day Luncheon in April. Alumnae members invited their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and children. We collected feminine care products for our local women’s shelters at the event. We look forward to warmer spring weather and sunshine here in chilly Buffalo!

Central Indiana Alumnae Chapter

Happy times, celebrating our rituals, and supporting each other are all part of the Central Indiana Alumnae …now a Chapter. Our gatherings have included an apple orchard outing, a movie and lunch, and a holiday gathering. We are excited to have added a new member and share the joy of an engagement and soon-to-be-married member. We continue to honor our Sorority with a Founders Day Luncheon. We are proud to have three Legacy Society members and one member who has endowed an AΣT scholarship. To support our Women’s Wellness Initiative, we have contributed to a local charity that supports housing and other needs for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Our chapter is a member of Indianapolis Alumnae Panhellenic, and our chapter president serves as our representative. Caring for each other has never been more evident than this fall and winter when we rallied around our members who needed support after surgeries, kind words after losing a loved one, and “we’re here” messages. We welcome Central Indiana AΣT alumnae to reach out to us on Facebook!

Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter

So far, 2023 has been off to a great start. We recently had our annual Winter Night Out. Every winter, we get together and bring along a plus one (spouse, friend, etc.) to play games. This year the popular games were What Do You Meme and Bananagrams. Dinner is catered and we bring drinks and desserts to share. This spring, we volunteered with the Delta Tau Chapter at DRAW (Disaster Relief At Work) and held our annual Mother’s Day Luncheon.

Houston Alumnae Chapter

Patricia Nayle (Phi 1971/Southeastern Louisiana), Tana Fairfax Wilkinson (Alpha Omicron 1966/PennWest Clarion), and Anita Allred Gradwohl (Phi 1968/Southeastern Louisiana) decided it was time to reactivate the alumnae chapter in Houston, Texas. With the help of Headquarters, a notice to over 120+ alumnae was sent out, and we heard back from 13 Sisters. We held three luncheons to welcome new Sisters.

The core team set up additional events, and Pat Nayle gave Anita Gradwohl and Tana Wilkinson a 50-year membership pin (although they have been members longer than 50 years).

We held a Zoom Trivia Night for Night to Reunite in April and look forward to spurring more alumnae to participate and meet the current active members. Check out our Facebook page at AΣT Houston Alumnae Chapter. We would love to connect!

Lowell Alumnae Chapter

Alumnae ventured into the city on a snowy night for a challenging yet very fun night of painting and laughter at Muse Paint Bar. The group had graduates ranging from 1986 to 2021! Our last event was over the summer, so it was very nice to see everyone in person.

Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter

The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter has focused on the regrowth and rebirth of our alumnae experience. Through 2022, we supported Ellie’s Hats (a local organization that supports children who have been diagnosed with cancer in addition to family support) and Circle of Sisterhood. Continued support of the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation is a core focus of our philanthropy planning. The alumnae chapter raises philanthropic funds through our signature fundraiser – selling the White House ornament. This is our 37th year, and we are excited for the 2023 ornament! Be on the lookout for our announcement!

We continue to support the Northern Virginia Alumnae Panhellenic by fundraising for scholarships for NPC-member students attending a college/university in Virginia. In addition, we have two representatives who serve on various committees and serve as officers of the association. We are excited for our upcoming tea, where we will celebrate chapter women who inspire us! We are pleased to recognize Becky Hobbs Haler (Alpha Lambda 2000/ Radford) as our 2022-23 nominee!

This year, we had a dual celebration for Night to Reunite, as Northern Virigina was founded 75 years ago, which was part of our special gathering! We particularly enjoy celebrating our Sisters. In December, our group had a special luncheon at a member’s home where we celebrated the 98th birthday of our own Charlotte Evans Floyd (Psi 1947/James Madison)!

We look forward to renewing connections and meeting Sisters who have moved to our area. We continue to find ways for us to gather and (re)connect and reinvigorate our alumnae chapter so we can celebrate the next 75 years of AΣT sisterhood in Northern Virginia.

PHOENIX/VALLEY OF THE SUN ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

Spring is a busy time here in the Valley of the Sun, but we always make time to spend with Sisters. In January, we had our “Coffee With the Taus” event at a member’s home in east Mesa. Through February and March, Sisters gathered prom attire for the Coyote Closet at Skyline High School in Mesa. Students experiencing homelessness or who can’t afford attire for prom and other dances throughout the year can borrow items from the closet. We collected over 15 dresses along with shoes, clutches, and jewelry to help these young women have a night they can remember fondly. For our Night to Reunite, Sisters met for dinner at Barrio Queen in Tempe. Finally, in May, we will have our annual meeting, including planning our 25th anniversary celebration as a group here in the greater Phoenix area.

San Antonio Alumnae Association

Our February event was volunteering with the 28th Annual Basura Bash, which helped clean Texan waterways and removed about 22 tons of trash. The March event was focused on self-wellness. Alumnae attended an outdoor yoga class followed by brunch. We had a successful Night to Reunite event.

Southeastern Louisiana Alumnae Chapter

We recently had the new member classes from 1975-1979 gather to celebrate over 40 years of Sisterhood and support a Sister who is currently ill. In support of our scholarship, our alumnae chapter held their annual grilled cheese booth at the Rock n Roar rally at Southeastern Louisiana University to raise funds. The Phi Chapter was able to host a booth next to us and seek an assortment of sweet treats.