Celebrating Zeta Every Day

from Archon Magazine - Looking Back on Centennial

Journey to Macy’s

An Interview with Centennial Finance Director Arlene “MJ” Taylor

By Izetta N Thomas

National Publications and Communications Team Member

Throughout my short 16 years as a Zeta, I’ve been immensely blessed to sit at the feet of some of the most amazing finer women. Of those, my chapter soror and Centennial National Finance Director Arlene Taylor is one of the finest women I know. I’m grateful to learn from her and to be able to bring you a bit of her personal journey to (and through) Centennial.

Arlene “MJ” Taylor began her journey to Finer Womanhood Dec. 7, 1974 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Eta Beta Chapter.

Izetta: Did you ever think of Centennial in 1974?

Arlene: That never even crossed my mind. Just think, in 1970 they had just celebrated the 50th. My sister is a Zeta and had become a Zeta in 1970. So, you know, I got to hear her talk about the 50th and stuff before I became a Zeta. Even listening to her, you never think about the hundredth. We weren’t even thinking about the 50th like “Oooh, we’re almost a hundred years old.” When you’re that young in Zeta, you’re not thinking that far ahead.

Soror Taylor went on to discuss her experience as National Budget and Finance Director during the 75th celebration. She talked about how even during the 75th celebration, the thought of the 50th and the 100th anniversaries of our beloved organization were too far off to consider.

Izetta: How did you become the National Finance Director for Centennial?

Arlene: I served as the National Budget and Finance Director in the early nineties and that was under Past Grand Tearte’s Administration. When she was selected by Past Grand Wright to be the chair of Centennial she reached out to me and asked me to be the finance director.

Soror Taylor shared her initial hesitation. Having held several leadership positions within her 40-plus years as a Zeta, she was at the point in her journey to relax and pass the leadership roles to others. After further discussion and conversation with 20th International President (Past International Grand Basileus) Jylla Moore Tearte, she agreed to accept the position in 2014.

Izetta: How was it working with PIGB Tearte for Centennial versus having worked with her in the nineties?

Arlene: You know, it wasn’t much different. She has always been a person who listens, listens to other opinions, and that is very objective. [PIGB Tearte] has also served as National Tamias, so she very much understands finances and the need to have them under control, to stick to a budget and to also do proper forecasting. From that standpoint it was very good! The difference with Centennial and from when I served as National Finance Director was that we knew how much

Soror Taylor with Sheila Bowers, Centennial Executive Assistant.

money we had in the project for Centennial. We have put together a $14 million budget in 2014, when we had $0, and it was a matter of how we would raise the money. We knew that if we did not secure the funds, we would have to adjust our plan.

Hearing Soror Taylor discuss the different mindset needed for Centennial planning was enlightening. I personally cannot imagine going from the previous experience of allocating funds that are very much guaranteed from dues, to pivoting in a direction of raising funds for a multi-million dollar international celebration. Isn’t that the illustration of how Zetas are an example of every woman? Singularly not one soror would have accomplished this feat, but with the right women working together our organization not only met the $14 million goal - we surpassed, raising $16 million dollars.

Izetta: What would you say was the biggest challenge of being Centennial Finance Director?

Arlene: In the beginning, it was having the plan to raise money, and then having the sorority buy-in. We think now about how hyped people were for Centennial, but six years out, some people may not have been thinking of Centennial. These became non-challenges, because at the end we had people buy into the Visionary plan at levels that we had not anticipated. For the registration we had projected to have 10,000 people registered for June and selling out January… and we actually did. I would think that the biggest challenge was when we cancelled, even though that was not a challenge because we had a plan for it.

During the time of this interview, Soror Taylor and the Centennial Committee were still closing out Centennial amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While we talked, the pride in her voice never wavered. It was amazing to hear the strength in her resolve for what our organization was able to accomplish prior to Centennial and in the throws of a global pandemic. While we all experienced personal crises throughout 2020, Zeta never faltered and never failed. Soror Taylor went into more detail about the plans for closing out Centennial due to COVID-19, but how the intention to hold our Centennial celebration in person had always been the intention. Once the pandemic hit and was seemingly not letting up anytime soon, the team began to brainstorm and plan for what we now know was inevitable.

Arlene: We started thinking about, “Okay - what do we need to do and how do we need to do it?” We were

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able to come together as the core team quickly for the plan [the closing of Centennial] and then it was the execution.

Izetta: What would you say was the most beneficial part of your role as Centennial Finance Director? For you personally and then for the sorority as a whole.

Arlene: First, working with our sorors. Personally, I received an invitation to actually participate in the unveiling of the Founders’ Busts in January. Just that action and being there as a part of it made my Centennial. I mean, I cried. It just was an overwhelming experience. I know that if I had not been a part of the core team, I would likely have not been able to experience that. The unveiling team was made up of the Grand [Val], Past Grands Tearte and Wright, Soror Sawyer and me. I was just overjoyed with that experience. If I remember nothing else about Centennial, I will always remember that.

It was amazing to share this recollection with Soror Taylor. Even via Zoom, I was able to see the tears well in her eyes and the remarkable sense of joy that spread across her face at the thought of her experience. Soror Taylor remarked that experiencing the unveiling was a privilege that she was most grateful for. She went on to talk about the dynamics of the Centennial Core Team and how each soror was willing to step into any role or duty as needed. Soror Taylor talked more about the consistent observation of the budget and monies coming in for the celebration. The funding remained positively consistent, which is a dream for any organization - especially one with a multi-million dollar budget. The one benefit of Centennial to the organization was that it was supposed to be self-supporting and it was.

Izetta: What does it mean to you to be a Zeta during our Centennial year and to see us reach this mark in history?

Arlene: None of us today were here in the beginning, but to have been a Zeta for so long (46 years) and to see us thriving in the organization… When you think of an organization lasting over one hundred years, even with challenges and ups and downs - to see it still thrive is unreal. I was fortunate enough to see and meet some of the Founders. So, to sit and actually talk with them. You look at some of the visions and things that we have actually done, they had know idea of the magnitude then - they just knew that something had to be done.

Soror Taylor discussed her experience as an undergrad and getting to know sorors outside of her state. Her father was a Mason and instilled in her the duty of being active in an organization and not just existing in name only. She recalled her first regional conference and meeting sorors in leadership. Past Grand Francis was the First Anti National at that time and became a supporter and confidant to her and to her chapter— that’s my sister’s chapter. Leadership to Soror Taylor, at that time, was about taking risks and getting involved. She cherishes the relationships of her journey and those that she has met internationally along the way.

Izetta: What would you say to undergrad you in 1974 from the current you having experienced Centennial?

Arlene: You have a lot to learn. Listen. Learn. Execute.

Izetta: If you had to choose one of our beloved Founders whom you connect with the most, who would it be?

Arlene: It would have to be the Tyler sisters, and of the Tyler sisters, Founder Myrtle Tyler Faithful. I saw her more. She was in the Alpha Zeta chapter and that’s my sister. I used to go to a lot of events with that chapter so I got to see her as a regular Zeta. When I think about all of our Founders, all of them had unique qualities, so it’s hard to choose just one. But, because I knew her and saw her more I chose Soror Faithful.

There was absolutely no way to discuss Soror Taylor’s role in Centennial without discussing Zeta’s role in her life. I have the pleasure to see, personally, how Soror Taylor moves, supports and strengthens our beloved organization on a daily basis. To now know and to be able to share with you all her achievements and how she has influenced our Centennial year is an honor and a privilege. In looking forward, Soror Taylor gave the following advice for sorors 100 years from now:

“Do not wait until year 200 to celebrate Zeta. Celebrate Zeta every day. Celebrate your accomplishments in Zeta. Celebrate when you know you’re doing the right thing when everyone else is against you. If you are doing what Zeta is asking of you, celebrate and then when you get to 200... Celebrate more!”