Previous Member Spotlights
June 2022
Angie Quaranta
This month we get to know WDC DG Alumnae Chapter member Angie Quaranta! Angie is an initiate of the Gamma Phi-ASU chapter and has been a DG for 45 years. She is a Human Resources Manager in the DC area. What is your favorite SIG or DG Event? Foundation related activities. How have the skills and experiences you had as a collegiate and alumnae DG helped you professionally? In so many ways, I never realized: ability to relate and care for a diverse group of women, planning and prioritizing skills, managing a budget, speaking to groups and many leadership opportunities. What professional achievements are you most proud of? I'd have to say the time I spent at Intel, which grew from 20,000 employees to 120,000 employees. Tons of hard work, opportunities, great colleagues, and being a part of something so successful. Do you have a favorite community service activity or organization you work with? I am a cancer survivor, so I work along with Komen and the Cancer society. I also love our Delta Gamma philanthropy focus, which we termed Sight Conservation and Aid to the Blind when I was in school. Do you have a favorite place or trip? My daughter lives in New Orleans, so I love me some NOLA. I also very much love my "happy place," Washington DC. Any advice you would like to give to sisters (related to DG, professional, personal, or living in DC): Breathe, relax, self-care and never, ever, give up. Be a life long learner, be kind always, and be curious. Go out and Do Good.
February 2022
Alex Peterson
This month we get to know Alex Peterson, WDC DG Alumnae Chapter's VP Membership! Alex, an initiate at the University of Maryland - Beta Sigma chapter, has been a DG for 12 years and is a real estate agent in the DC area. What is your favorite SIG or DG Event? I have always felt welcomed and at home with the weekday book club! But my overall favorite event has to be our Fall Kick-Off/Champagne Brunch, I love a mimosa! How have the skills and experiences you had as a collegiate and alumnae DG helped you professionally? Delta Gamma reinforced the importance of aligning the decisions I make to my core values. It took me a while to find my path professionally but I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't done this. Do you have a favorite place or trip? In 2019 I took a solo trip to Athens with a pit stop in London, and I had the time of my life! Any advice you would like to give to sisters (related to DG, professional, personal, or living in DC): Don't be afraid to venture outside your neighborhood! DC and the rest of the DMV is such a beautifully diverse place with a lot to offer.
December 2021
Christiana Nisbet
This month, we get to know Christiana (Christy) Nisbet - Alpha Chi, Penn State! Christy has been a DG for seven years and is the chapter's VP: Foundation. What is your favorite SIG or DG Event? My favorite events are the DG book clubs. These clubs provide members an opportunity to not only catch up with their sisters, but also be introduced to new ideas through books that I might have not have selected. How have the skills and experiences you had as a collegiate and alumnae DG helped you professionally? One of the best skills DG honed for me is the importance of communication and remaining open to new ideas. These skills encouraged me to try new things and stay open to new ideas. What professional achievements are you most proud of? I am most proud of my recent graduation from George Washington University. I was a full time student and worked full time. Do you have a favorite community service activity or organization you work with? I really enjoy working with Service For Sight, because we were often paired with veterans organizations. While in college, I helped organize a DG fundraising event that sent K-cups to our deployed troops serving in the Middle East.
October 2021
Prachi Shah
This month we get to know Prachi Shah - Epsilon Psi, Rutgers University! Prachi is a consultant and is new to the DC area. She is also this year's Holiday Tea Chair! What is your favorite SIG or DG Event? Holiday Tea How have the skills and experiences you had as a collegiate and alumnae DG helped you professionally? Time management, networking, and event planning skills. Being a part of DG definitely helped build my time management skills and prioritize work throughout college. I was also pushed out of my comfort zone by having been able to connect with so many wonderful women from diverse backgrounds throughout my collegiate and alumnae experience. What professional achievements are you most proud of? Since very early on in my career, I was given the opportunity to work with senior executives and work on projects that were stretch roles. Working in a male-dominated industry, the pressure to excel and prove yourself is always higher. I am really proud of being able to continue to take on difficult projects, expand my skill set, and mentor other individuals entering the workforce or transitioning into the consulting world. Do you have a founder that you resonate with most? Not really, I resonate more with them collectively rather than individually. Do you have a favorite community service activity or organization you work with? I currently sit on the Young Leaders Board for the Children's Scholarship Fund and that has been a wonderful experience, being able to work with other young professionals to volunteer and fundraise to help provide scholarships to underprivileged children. Do you have a favorite place or trip? I have a lot of favorite places, but Ireland has to be my favorite trip since it was my first (and only so far) solo trip. It was a surreal experience and I met so many wonderful individuals and made some amazing memories. Any advice you would like to give to sisters (related to DG, professional, personal, or living in DC): As someone who always wanted to live in DC and took the leap to move in the middle of a pandemic not knowing anyone (this might be a little cheesy), but don't be afraid to go for what you want. Reach out to people, try different activities, go out to restaurants and bars by yourself, chase the career you want, and just have fun.
September 2021
Kerri Cox
This month we get to know Kerri Cox - Zeta Eta, Texas State University! Kerri, a government attorney, has been a DG for 32 years, and is the Saturday Book Club SIG leader. What is your favorite SIG or DG Event? Book Club and the Holiday Tea How have the skills and experiences you had as a collegiate and alumnae DG helped you professionally? I did not realize I had any program management or leadership skills until I got involved in Delta Gamma. What professional achievements are you most proud of? That I have been able to continue to progress in my career, including leading a federal agency ethics program, as a part-time attorney. I would like to see more part-time federal employees, especially attorneys, and more government offices supporting those employees. This answer is unlikely to be one that most would expect, especially in a high performing city like D.C. where so many can boast greater achievement and awards. But, as Covid has hit the female workforce disproportionately, particularly mothers, I wish there were more flexible employment opportunities and I am proud that I have been able to model a different career path. Do you have a founder that you resonate with most? I don’t. I have always thought of them as a group, not separate from one another. And, their hope for a group of mutual support and to Do Good has always resonated with me more than any individual founder. Do you have a favorite community service activity or organization you work with? Other than DG?!! I am the Committee Chair for my son’s Boy Scout Troop which is the oldest in D.C. founded about the same time as the WDC DG Chapter and I am the Troop Leader for my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. I find both groups to be a continuation (or a precursor) to Delta Gamma as they all have similar values of leadership and helpfulness. Do you have a favorite place or trip? Before Covid, we traveled a lot. And, I think my favorite place is always the one I am about to visit and discover next. Any advice you would like to give to sisters (related to DG, professional, personal, or living in DC): Always reach out. It is amazing how often I hear someone mention they are looking for an opportunity, professional or personal, only to realize there is a DG they have known for some time who can help them. Also, take the unexpected route. You may end up in the same place you would have - but, you will be more interesting when you get there.
April 2021
Helen Young Gordon
Beta Iota 1963 - Purdue University │ 58 years in Delta Gamma Profession: Special Technical Librarian Helen Gordon is a (HSSE ’67) graduate of Purdue University. She has a masters degree in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute (MS’80) Brooklyn, NY. She and her husband John (Kappa Sigma - Purdue) have been married for 56 years and have lived all over the United States and traveled extensively worldwide. Helen was editor of ONLINE and DATABASE magazines. She served in the technology department of MCI establishing their technical library. While living in Atlanta, Helen was a “protocol” volunteer for the 1996 Olympics. Helen served in various Delta Gamma Fraternity roles including: vp:communications, Webmaster and e-Ops ACE; and served on Delta Gamma Cabinet. In 2001, she spearheaded the fundraising for the $100,000 endowment for the Delta Gamma Lectureship in Values & Ethics for Purdue University. (This Purdue Foundation endowment is currently worth more than $250,000 and continues to grow). In 2009 Helen was awarded Delta Gamma Fraternity’s Cable Award. Helen moved to Washington DC in 2005. In 2007 she and John traveled for ten months through India, Turkey, Greece, Italy, England, and France. Helen enjoys the attractions and activities of our nation’s capital and continues her international travels. Favorite SIG or DG event: Lunch Bunch (I brought the concept with me from the Atlanta Chapter of Delta Gamma when I left them and moved to DC and started the group here in 2006). Also love the Holiday Teas and Founders Day. Favorite place or trip/s: In nearly 60 years I have traveled to nearly 40 countries and 49 of the United States. I loved them all. Three favorites: DGs in Provence 2009 for a week with six other DG sisters (see picture with specifics). Paris in 2013 for a week with my pledge sister Tamara Morse for her birthday. London and environs 2007 with two Duke DGs. Professional Achievements: Beta Phi Mu - International Library Science Honor Society as a graduate from Pratt Institute with a Master of Science Degree; Editor of both ONLINE and DATABASE, professional journals to special librarians and university librarians; speaker at professional Library Science conferences. Special Librarian at MCI to create their technical library; Special Librarian at Sleepy Hollow Restorations, NY. Numerous honors through my professional career. Community Service activities and organizations: Delta Gamma Foundation, Rose Circle, Service for Sight; Delta Gamma Cabinet 2006-2008 as Eops Coordinator. Local chapters of Prevention of Blindness; Participated in numerous Gala Fund Raisers for local blindness organizations. Advice to DG Sisters: Stay in touch with your accomplished sisters throughout your life. When you move to a new location, join your local alumnae chapter. The sisters you will meet will befriend you for life. Volunteer to share your talents at the Delta Gamma National level. Attend DG conventions especially if they are in your geographical area.
December 2020
Honorable Janice Law
Chapter of Initiation: Zeta - Albion College Chapter of Affiliation: Xi - University of Michigan Years in Delta Gamma: 61 Profession: Author and Journalist; Retired Judge In the turbulent 1960s, as a journalist at the Houston Chronicle, Janice traveled the U.S. with a group of colleagues from America's major newspapers: Time, Newsweek, NYT, AP, UPI etc. where she covered religion. But because the Civil Rights movement began in churches, she, in actuality, covered Civil Rights too. Her first year she won a major religion journalism award and her second year, was a finalist for another. She transitioned to the Fort Lauderdale News where she wrote features and local politics, eventually becoming in 1974, the first female statehouse Bureau Chief of a major newspaper in Florida. In 1976, Janice entered law school. Her first job was as a state prosecutor: first in Bartow and then in Fort Lauderdale where she was one of the first women to head a felony trial division. She then served as a staff attorney to Houston area federal judges, an Assistant, City Attorney in Houston, and then an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Texas. Janice moved up the judicial ladder from an associate Municipal judge in Houston, to a county criminal court judge, and is now retired. Janice is the author of nine books and has appeared as a featured author or panelist at nearly all major national book festivals. Her first book, detailing her first year on the county criminal court bench, was a nonfiction finalist for the Texas Book Award. She has traveled to about 130 countries. In 2002, along with her husband Don Jansen, she won two Tellys (national award) for Best Jingle and Best Advertisement. For 13 years, she has written a travel column for the Galveston Daily News, Texas' oldest daily newspaper. Nine years ago, she founded a nonprofit to honor America's premier women writers: American Women Writers National Museum. Learn more about Janice on her author website. Spouses of U.S. Supreme Court Justices & guests (L-R): Sue Patterson, President American Lawyers Alliance, Maureen Scalia, Mary Ann Kennedy, Joann Breyer, Judge Janice Law featured speaker, Janet Bullinger, chair. What is your Favorite SIG or DG Event? The “speed” advice event about a year ago, where alums sat in chairs as area student D.G’s visited seriatim, in timed segments, about goals. And the luncheon group and Holiday tea. How have the skills and experiences you had as a collegiate and alumnae DG helped you professionally? Making contacts: Many successful women are DGs. What professional achievements are you most proud of? Winning writing awards as a journalist and author. Serving as a Texas criminal court judge. Do you have a founder that you resonated with most? Anna Boyd Ellington who brought up four daughters and held down a teaching job after her husband’s death. Do you have a favorite community service activity or organization that you work with? American Women Writers National Museum, a nonprofit I founded nine years ago to honor and showcase America’s premier women writers, historic and contemporary. Do you have a favorite place or trip? Over more than 60 years, I have traveled to about 130 countries. I’ve written a travel column for 14 years for the Galveston Daily News, Texas’ oldest daily newspaper. I’ve enjoyed all the countries and their people. Favorites include Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, West Africa (Timbuktu), Easter Island. Any advice you would like to give sisters (related to DG, professional, life, living in DC)? Personal: Try, over a lifetime, to maintain contact with DG sister initiates, and with sisters you meet along life’s journey. When life takes you to a new geographical area, you can always quickly find a new circle of friends with DG. There is no room here to praise all DGs who have helped me over the years. Professional: Persevere. Never give up a goal. If you fail or fall, stumble up and resume going forward. I was the first in my family on both sides, to earn a professional degree and serve in judicial office.
November 2020
Jane B. Boynton
Chapter of Initiation: Beta Zeta - Denison University Years in Delta Gamma: 65 Profession: Pioneer in elementary school computer education in Washington, D.C. metropolitan area; Retired 2011 Any advice you would like to give sisters (related to DG, professional, life, living in DC)? I have lived in 5 cities since graduating from college and in each one, I found friends quickly through the DG Alumnae group in each new place. I recommend this if you move to another location! Living in Washington DC is wonderful. I grew up in Rockford, Illinois, which was a great place to grow up except there were few cultural opportunities, so I cherish living here and always take advantage of the museums, concerts, ballet, theater, and opera. It is exciting to live in the nation’s capital and to come in contact with important people. I encourage everyone to take advantage of all of the opportunities that are available to residents of our area. What is your Favorite SIG or DG Event? My favorite events with the DC DG group are the Lunch Bunch monthly lunches at different restaurants and the Founder’s Day event. In the Maryland Suburban group, I enjoy the Christmas brunch which involves making treat bags for the collegians and gift exchange.
.JPG)
