Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine, Vol. 132 no. 2

12.7 MB·English

by  Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity

WINTER 2018
BREAKING SERVING
THE CYC LFEOR GOOD
REBECCA MACY,
NAME NAME AND NAME NAME,
NU/HANOVER
(PAGE 18) NU/HANOVER PARTICIPATE IN
DAYS OF SERVICE
(PAGE 16)
to
Site See
The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine (ISSN 0746-
3529) is published quarterly by Kappa Alpha
Theta Fraternity for Women, 8740 Founders Road,
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Theta believes in the power of social media to connect members! Special-interest Facebook CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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groups allow us to virtually meet and spend time with one another.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS/EDITOR
Elizabeth Appel Rinck, G/Butler
Reading Women ASSISTANT EDITOR
Isabella Markovski, A/DePauw
Reading Women is an online book club for Thetas. Members—both 2016-18 GRAND COUNCIL
FRATERNITY PRESIDENT
collegians and alumnae—from around the world share thoughts, ideas, Laura Ware Doerre, DX/North Carolina
and generally engage with one another in a new and unique way. FRATERNITY VICE PRESIDENTS
Jane Shepherd Dick, EM/Princeton
Members can post observations or respond to others’ comments Heather Breuninger Granato, EY/Richmond
Kimi Morris Martin, AO/Oklahoma
in book discussions right on the Facebook group page. Erica D’Angelo Ochs, HN/Lake Forest
Kathy Newman Schweer, AO/Oklahoma
Mandy Burgett Wushinske, ZS/Ohio Northern
Military Thetas FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Mary Ellen Kutsenda Fitzsimonds, BK/Drake
This is a Facebook group to foster friendship and connections among
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Want to know more? Contact Lauren Lewis, assistant director of alumnae tered trademarks of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity.
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© 2018 Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
No part of this publication
For questions about the Theta website, please email [email protected]. may be repreduced in any
form without written
permission from
2 The Kappa Alpkhaa Tpheptaa Maaglapzihneatheta.org Kappa Alpha Theta.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR CONTENTS
IN THIS
“MAY YOU LIVE IN
ISSUE
INTERESTING TIMES”
WINTER 2018
VOLUME 132 • NUMBER 2
PURPORTED TO BE A BLESSING, THE ABOVE SENTENCE IS MOST
FEATURES
FREQUENTLY USED IRONICALLY AND THUS BECOMES A CURSE.
PURPORTED TO BE OF ANCIENT CHINESE ORIGIN, ITS FIRST RECORDED 8
KITES FLYING HIGH
USE WAS ACTUALLY BY AN ENGLISHMAN IN THE 1930s. We celebrate new chapters at UNC
Charlotte and Sacred Heart.
14
We could probably have some lively discussions about whether it’s better to live during periods of STRONGER AND MORE
uncertainty and disquiet because they’re more interesting times or better to live during periods of POWERFUL TOGETHER
The National Panhellenic Conference
contentment and tranquility because they’re more life-enhancing times. But I don’t think any of us
(NPC) works to strengthen the sorority
would argue against the idea that—for better or worse—we live in interesting times. experience.
Since the first issue of the Theta magazine was published in 1885, each edition has reflected the times 16
in which it was produced, and the magazine you’re reading now is no exception. It’s also worth noting FOR GOOD
On October 19, we demonstrated the
that 132 years later we face some of the same challenges faced by our sisters in 1885. widest influence for good in honor of
Bettie Locke Hamilton’s birthday.
In 1885, Thetas still sought equality with their male peers, just as our founders had 15 years earlier.
On many campuses with Theta chapters, there were no women’s sports teams, and women were barred 18
BREAKING THE CYCLE
from leadership positions such as the editorship of the student newspaper. In the wider United States,
Rebecca Macy, N/Hanover, pursues her
there were no female police officers or judges or civil engineers, and married women could not be teach- passion to eradicate gender-based violence.
ers. Ratification of the 19th amendment to the US Constitution, prohibiting denial of the right to vote
based on sex, was 35 years in the future. 23
SEVEN FOR 2017
Memorable social media moments
Today, gender-based inequality remains an infuriatingly current issue. The past 16 months have seen
reflected our thoughts and interests.
multiple men in powerful political and entertainment positions faced with credible charges of sexual
assault and harassment. Such gender-based violence, a highly personal example of inequality, is the 32
A PLACE IN A MAN'S WORLD
focus of this issue’s profile article, which begins on page 18. Distinguished North Carolina University
Members of our Zeta Xi Chapter combat
professor Rebecca Macy, Nu/Hanover, conducts community-based research on gender-based violence, Harvard administrators’ sanctions on
including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sex trafficking. Although she potential new members.
points out that gender-based violence has been with us throughout human existence, Macy sees hope
in the efficacy of prevention intervention, the strength derived from women supporting women, and DEPARTMENTS
an evolving cultural zeitgeist.
2 SITE TO SEE
There is, sadly, no evidence of an evolving culture at Harvard, which doesn’t recognize the Cambridge, 4 FRATERNITY HOUSING
Massacusetts-based Zeta Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta or the Zeta Phi Chapter of Delta Gamma or CORPORATION
the Iota Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi. University administrators—including the first woman to be president 5 THETA MATTERS
of the institution—made the stunning decision to prevent members of single-gender finals clubs and 6 THETA FOUNDATION
10 ASK THE ARCHIVIST
Greek organizations from holding student-group leadership positions, varsity athletic team captain-
11 IN HER OWN WORDS
cies, and certain prestigious fellowships, effective with the class of 2021. Believing that these sanctions
12 GRAND CONVENTION 2018
undermine the choices available to female students on campus and that female students are intelligent,
15 LEADING WOMAN
independent adults with the ability to make their own decisions, the three NPC chapters made the
22 HOW TO DO [SOMETHING]
courageous decision to defy the sanctions and open spring recruitment to freshmen women (the BETTER
class of 2021). You can read more on page 32. 24 SNAPSHOTS
28 CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
Depending on your outlook, social media, like the sentence “May you live in interesting times” could
30 KAQ LIFE LOYAL
be a blessing or a curse. For Theta, it’s one of many communications channels that allows us to share
33 IN MEMORIAM
news with our members and friends, as well as help our members connect with one another. If you’re
35 I AM A THETA
not a social media aficionado, reading on page 23 about Theta’s 2017 social media highlights might
36 VOICES
encourage you to dip your toes into those highly addictive waters. (Spoiler alert: Harvard’s sanctions
against future sorority women aroused intense online interest and conversations.)
Notices:
Also depending on your outlook, the new year can be a time of resolutions and re-evaluation. If you’re Because Kappa Alpha Theta is not an
considering a life-change, empowerment coach Asia Simonelli shares some advice on page 22. If those officially recognized student group at
resolutions involve philanthropic efforts, pages 10, 16, and 17 offer inspiration. Finally, if you’re think- Harvard, Santa Clara, and Georgetown
Universities, these schools prohibit using
ing that the new year might involve reconnecting with some Theta sisters, consider doing so at Grand
“Harvard,” “Santa Clara,” or “Georgetown” in
Convention in Orlando. You can find details on page 12. any published reference to our Zeta Xi, Eta
Lambda, and Theta Iota Chapters.
While we may feel ambivalent about interesting times, we are not at all ambivalent about interesting

magazines. We hope you find this one so, and that you will be intrigued to learn of changes to come
in the Spring 2018 issue (see page 7).
ON THE COVER: Rebecca Macy, Nu/Hanover.
YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW, KAPPA ALPHA THETA EXISTS TO NURTURE
EACH MEMBER THROUGHOUT HER COLLEGE AND ALUMNA EXPERIENCE AND TO OFFER
LIFELONG OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND MORAL GROWTH AS SHE
MEETS THE HIGHER AND BROADER DEMANDS OF MATURE LIFE. TThhee T KKhaaepp Kppaaap AApllapp hhAaal p TThhhaee tTtaah eMMtaaag gMaazaziginnaeez i n33e 13
FRATERNITY HOUSING CORP.
"I'm ecstatic with how the new facility turned out, and tremendous thanks go to the
FHC team for all of their great work. The new building is beautiful, functional, and a
fantastic home for our members! Our alumnae are also thrilled with the results."
- Mary Sipprell Pool, Alpha Xi/Oregon, facility management advisor
W
elcome
ome
H
The FHC is so excited to welcome Alpha Xi Chapter
members to their new home at the University of
Oregon! After nearly two years of planning and
construction, collegians moved into the facility in
mid-September. The exterior of the house makes a
big statement: Ivory Lace exterior paint contrasts
with Caviar trim, while black window frames and
shutters add a dramatic touch. The kite detail in
the concrete columns and the large kite front
doors certainly proclaim “Theta.”
As they walk through the kite doors, Thetas and guests
will feel welcomed by beautiful gray wood-look tile laid
in a herringbone pattern. A subtle kite wainscoting
continues throughout the main floor as well as up the
main staircase, and the Caviar trim color was carried
inside for a bold, yet classic, look. Natural light spills
through the many main-floor windows. The dining
room ceiling treatment, decorative wallpaper in the
buffet area, and sliding barn doors for the chapter room
and coat closet add a little sparkle to these rooms.
FHC volunteer interior designers Karen Albrecht
Ledbetter, GT/Tulsa, and Kim Linin, DH/Kansas
State, sought to create a space consistent with the
“Oregon look” that would also invoke “wow” com-
ments. FHC project manager Leslie Vinton ensured
the project stayed on track and was completed in
time for members to move in before recruitment
started. Facility Management Advisor Mary Sipprell
Pool, Elizabeth Chambers, Silva Chambers,
Natalie Pellitier, Mia Ashley, all Alpha Xi/
Oregon, and Advisory Board Chairman Jessica
Redman, BE/Oregon State, collected and
prioritized ideas from the chapter membership.
Special thanks to the alumnae and collegians who
served on the building committee and the Theta staff,
volunteers, chapter advisors, and local alumnae who
helped make this project an outstanding success!
4 The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine
THETA MATTERS
THETAS IN THE NEWS MANY HAPPY RETURNS WRITE TO US!
Business Insider’s list of 19 powerful people who are Congratulations to the following alumnae and Do you have a comment about
members of fraternities and sororities included Tory college chapters, which are celebrating milestone an article in this or any other
Burch, BH/Pennsylvania, cofounder, designer, and anniversaries in 2018. issue of The Magazine? Do you
CEO of Tory Burch, LLC. The eponymous company know an accomplished Theta
includes more than 200 signature stores worldwide 100 YEARS who would be a good subject
and ecommerce sites in seven languages. Tory Burch for a profile article? Do you have
Washington DC/Suburban Maryland Alumnae Chapter
ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, accessories, watches, a Theta issue on your mind?
home decor, and a fragrance and beauty collection, 75 YEARS Then let us hear from you! We
are also carried at over 3,000 department and Gamma Eta/Massachusetts are pleased to receive letters
specialty stores worldwide. from our readers; we value your
25 YEARS input. Correspondence by regular
An article in 365 Things To Do in Houston showcased
Theta Design Weekend, formerly the Theta Charity Zeta Xi/~ mail or email may be sent to the
editor. (Addresses are listed on
Antiques Show, and run by more than 20 commit- Zeta Omicron/Wake Forest
page 2.)
tee chairman and 200 volunteers from the Houston
Alumnae Chapter. Since its inception 65 years ago,
WHAT’S NEW?
the event has raised more than $7 million to support FOR GOOD
philanthropic efforts, including Theta Foundation. Is there some exciting news
On October 19, Theta’s annual Day of Service about yourself or your chapter
In a Time.com article, Jenna Bush Hager, brought us together in service to honor Bettie that you’d like to share with
AQ/Texas, and Barbara Pierce Bush, Locke Hamilton’s birthday. other Thetas? Let us know!
ET/Yale, discussed their recently published A submission form may be
Dozens of alumnae groups, college chapters, and Theta
memoir, Sisters First. In the interview, found in The Kappa Alpha
sisters submitted photos of their endeavors that day,
Jenna said, “I think it’s really important Theta Magazine area of the
and an impartial panel of judges chose the submission
to get to know everyone’s nuances and to Theta website, or you may
from Shannon McInerney, HU/San Francisco. In
have friends or siblings, like I have in my send items via email or snail
the wake of the devastating wildfires in California wine
sister, see every side of me, the good and the bad and mail to the editor. Addresses
country, she collected supplies, clothing, and food for
the part that nobody else sees, and lift that up.” are listed on page 2. Please
first responders and people who had lost their homes.
include your name and
Another article in Business Insider high- Shannon’s father, uncle, and boyfriend helped her
chapter of affiliation with
lighted Melinda French Gates, BR/Duke, distribute the provisions.
each submission.
and her philanthropic work on behalf of
women’s issues. In 2014, Gates joined her For more Day of Service photos, turn to page 16.
REUNIONS
husband for a speech during Stanford’s
commencement. She gave advice to Learn about upcoming reunions
students and families about hands-on at kappaalphatheta.org/whats
charity: “Let your heart break. It will change what new/events/reunions.cfm.
you do with your optimism.”
PLANNING A REUNION?
Photo credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Place a reunion notice in The
Magazine. Mail a brief notice to
Announced in October, the Laurie McGregor Connor Reunions, The Kappa Alpha Theta
Magazine, 8740 Founders Road,
Award of Leadership honors the achievements and
Indianapolis, IN 46268, and email
service of Laurie McGregor Connor, GD/Ohio
[email protected].
Wesleyan. The award will be given annually to a
Gamma deuteron senior who demonstrates character, Notices for reunions to be
integrity, grace, compassion, and inclusiveness. held May through July must
be received by January 31; for
Connor is a longtime Theta volunteer.
August through October, received
After serving as an educational leadership
by April 11; for November through
consultant after graduation, she served January, received by July 11; and
in many roles, including advisory board for February through April, by
chairman, alumnae chapter officer, alum- October 23.
nae district officer, Theta Foundation
trustee, and director of government
relations, her current position.
TThhee KKaappppaa AAllpphhaa TThheettaa MMaaggaazziinnee 55
FOUNDATION
66 TThhee KKaappppaa AAllpphhaa TThheettaa MMaaggaazziinnee
What? My Theta Magazine will be
even better than before? Yes, it will!
Brighter colors, larger photos, and articles on topics that matter to
you are only some of the surprises to come in the next issues.
What else could we have in store? Wait and see!
The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine 7
KITES FLYING HIGH
UNC CHARLOTTE SACRED HEART

OUR THETA FAMILY IS GROWING! IN NOVEMBER, WE WELCOMED NEW CHAPTERS AT UNC CHARLOTTE
AND SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY.
BY DARIA BISHARAH, ZN/UC DAVIS; MACY BONNIWELL, GF/TEXAS TECH; CAMBRIA LAGANA, ZF/PEPPERDINE; AND ABBIE STASIOR, EL/DICKINSON
QO/UNC CHARLOTTE
“I am so proud to say I am a Kappa
Alpha Theta woman, but I am even
more proud to say I am a Theta woman
from the charter class of Theta Omicron,”
said Sarah Hicks, chief executive officer.
“Breathtaking things will come from this
chapter, and I can’t wait for everyone to
witness them.”
On November 11, the Theta Omicron
Chapter was installed at the University
of North Carolina Charlotte, and 104
women, including three legacies, were
initiated. Haley Gettinger was chosen
to accept the charter from Fraternity
President Laura Ware Doerre, Delta
Xi/North Carolina. Haley was adopted
on November 11, so this date is her
“Gotcha Day,” and the new chapter
members were thrilled to simultaneous-
ly celebrate Haley and their installation.
In a touching speech at the installation
celebration, Michelle Guobadia, director
of fraternity and sorority life at UNC
Charlotte, spoke of the tremendous
support for Theta on campus and of
how pleased university administrators
have been to welcome such a strong
organization to their community.
8 The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine
KITES FLYING HIGH
UNC CHARLOTTE SACRED HEART

QP/SACRED HEART
On November 18, the Theta Pi Chapter was installed at
Sacred Heart, located in Fairfield, Connecticut. Ninety-six
women were initiated, including one by her sister-in-law,
also a Theta, and one by her sister, also a Theta.
At the installation celebration, Director of Greek Life Laura
Osborne Arena, Gamma Zeta/Connecticut, spoke about
the value of the sorority experience and of the Panhellenic
community at Sacred Heart. Theta joins seven National
Panhellenic Conference member groups on the campus
Panhellenic Council.
“It is an incredible honor to be making history at Sacred
Heart,” said Allison Muccioli, chief external affairs officer.
“Initiation was the most amazing experience I have ever
had and something truly special that I share with all
of my new Theta sisters.”
The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine 9
ASK THE ARCHIVIST
THE PEACE CORPS
On October 14, 1960, President
John F. Kennedy spoke on
the steps of the University
of Michigan Union about the
Peace Corps, his plan for a way
to provide community service
on a global scale. It very quick-
ly became a popular program
among college students and
recent graduates.
Thetas, of course, were in this
mix of individuals. The first
Theta that we know of to serve
as a Peace Corps volunteer
was Janet Everett, Alpha Mu/
Missouri. She wrote of her
experiences as a teacher in the
Philippines in the Winter 1962-
1963 issue of the Theta maga- (Left) Carolyn Combs, BR/Duke, and Colombian teachers in a typical classroom. (Right) Carolyn Combs, BR/Duke, in Colombia in 1966.
zine. “Sometimes I am utterly
awed at the new awareness
which has come to me since I
THETA AND THE PEACE CORPS
joined the Peace Corps. This is
very much in keeping with the
BY NORALEEN DUVALL YOUNG, AC/PURDUE
purposes of the organization.
I’m constantly grateful to have W
e recently received an email from Carolyn Utilization workers, such as myself, composed the majority
participated in the founding
Combs Gallaher, BR/Duke. She served in of our group. We worked with school principals to design a
of such an agency.” the Peace Corps during its early years and room for the television and integrate the television courses
asked about other Thetas who might have also served. into their curriculum and also gave workshops for teach-
The second known Theta was
We were so interested in Carolyn’s story that we asked ers showing how follow-up activities could use the most
Susan Hoyt, Beta Omega/
her to share it. And we’re pleased to also share what we common and cheapest of materials. We traveled to ETV
Colorado College. Her arti- learned about additional Theta Peace Corps volunteers. schools to trouble-shoot problems and supervise and observe
cle about her experiences the use of the instructional courses. Another component of
The Peace Corps. The disciplined energy of the name and
appeared in the Spring 1963 the group was the “technicos” who helped install and service
the chance to serve drew US adults (young and old), from
magazine. She, too, served the televisions which were donated by the Agency for Inter-
all classes and walks of life. Most of us were motivated by
national Development and Phillips Corp.
as a teacher, but in Addis idealism and a sense that we could build a better world
Ababa, Ethiopia. In Summer than that handed us by the older generation. We had the Wanting to ensure ETV would continue after the Peace
1963, two other Thetas, Evelyn education, the skills, and mentality. (We felt we were Corps left, I began teaching teachers about the use of tele-
Vough, Mu/Allegheny, and beyond petty prejudice.) After all, it was the Sixties! vision in the classroom. Due to this involvement (plus my
master’s degree in international education from Columbia)
Ann Morgan, Delta/Illinois, A Duke degree, Theta’s dedication to service, and a
I was invited by the National Department of Education to
were identified. By the end strong curiosity to know the world landed me my first
co-write the curriculum and instructional manual for use in
of 1969, more than 20 Thetas job teaching at the American High School in El Salvador. teachers’ schools. This is an example of the opportunities
I became convinced that education was the means to
had served around the world. provided by the Peace Corps to work at highest levels not
provide impoverished people with the skills that would
available to most 26-year-olds in the US.
And Thetas have continued lead them to a better life.
to serve. A current Theta Challenge, opportunity, experience in working with mass
I returned to the US to enter Teachers College,
technology that I felt was going to raise the level of every-
Foundation trustee, Aimee Columbia, to study mass education techniques. In
day people so they could find satisfying jobs that would
Billow Forsythe, Nu/Hanover, my research, I discovered a Peace Corps project using
provide a better life for them and their families (and pre-
served in Mali, West Africa, in television in the public schools, and 1965 found me in
vent a bloody revolution) was not all that the Peace Corps
the 1990s. Barranquilla, Colombia, working with elementary school experience provided. There was adventure, travel, romance
teachers in the implementation of television courses into
… but that is a tale to be told in another context. Although
the curriculum. Producers filmed master classes in music,
I never met another Theta while in the Peace Corps, I hope
language, mathematics, and social and natural sciences.
Want more? they were also “out there” serving with the thoughtfulness
Master Colombian educators introduced new teaching
heritage.kappaalphatheta.org/ and caring that our pansy symbolizes.
techniques and course guides that included motivation
and follow-up activities. Filmmakers went into the coun-
tryside to document historical areas, national treasures, Archivists note: Researching Thetas in the Peace Corps has revealed
that we don’t know about all the Thetas who have served. So, I am asking
and distinct geographical areas. (Children living on the
for your help. Send me an email—[email protected]—
coast for the first time, perhaps, saw what villages in the
with the name, dates, and where they served.
mountains of the Andes or farms in the llanos looked like.)
10 The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine