Winter 2024 Quarterly Magazine

Check out the winter 2024 edition of the Quarterly!

A Look Inside

Snapshot Check out Alpha Phi’s DEI program offerings made possible by the Foundation and its donors and in partnership with experienced DEI leader Hailey Mangrum. Limitless Meet some outstanding Alpha Phis pursuing limitless excellence in their personal and professional lives. Tune In Need a new podcast to binge? Then don't miss this list! Read Up Looking for a good book to curl up with this winter? We’ve got you covered. Alpha Phi Finds Learn how to apply the Alpha Phi aesthetic through easy style.

Guides Us Home Get an inside look at the updated Gamma Pi house at Arizona State University, along with a guide on what to do and see while you’re visiting Tempe. Being Well Soup season is here! Follow along as we make a creamy and delicious butternut squash bisque. Amongst the Ivy Check in on updates from our collegiate members and chapters. Alpha Phi, Always Catch up on the latest news from our alumnae members and chapters.

Silent Chapter Join us in honoring our sisters’ passings.

Iconic Look back at a moment in Alpha Phi’s history preserved forever through HistoryIT.

1985 S. Josephine Street, Denver, Colorado 80210

Editorial Policy The purpose of the Alpha Phi Quarterly and its content is to provide information and services to the membership of the Alpha Phi Fraternity, in keeping with the Fraternity’s status as a 501 (c) (7) tax-exempt private membership organization. The magazine is devoted to highlighting its members and matters of fraternal and collegiate interest. The views expressed in the articles published in the Quarterly are those of the authors and their contributors, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Alpha Phi Fraternity, its officers or staff. Questions Please direct any submission questions or inquiries regarding advertising or reprint permissions to the editor at quarterly@alphaphi.org.

AlphaPhi.org

@alphaphiintl

@AlphaPhi

On the Cover Saroya Tinker (Iota Chi-Yale) in a hockey uniform skating on a scenic frozen pond with her hockey stick and puck.

Photo credit: Candice Ward

What Makes Saroya Tinker Unapologetically Strong?

Saroya Tinker (Iota Chi-Yale) is no stranger to adversity, both on and off the ice. Learn what led her to pursue a career in ice hockey and where she is now. Page 18

International President Kate Halfon (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay)

Alpha Phi has always strived to push beyond our current limits and see what more we can do. It all started when Martha Foote Crow said this after the Fraternity established the first chapter: “There is work enough for all of us and today is no day to be idle.” Her words – and those from many Alpha Phis who came after her – remind us that there is always more work to do to make ourselves, our communities and Alpha Phi better. Our mission states that “Alpha Phi is a loyal sisterhood of women courageously pursing limitless excellence.” This statement is at the core of who we are as a sisterhood and who we will continue to be beyond our college years. In this winter issue of the Quarterly , you will learn about our amazing sister, youth sports mentor, BIPOC social justice advocate and former professional ice hockey player Saroya Tinker (Iota Chi-Yale), who embodies this mission in all her work both on and off the ice. I hope you find her story as inspiring as I did. Throughout this issue and in future issues, you will also learn about other Alpha Phis who pursue limitless excellence in their career and communities. We are lucky to have so many amazing members working tirelessly to make a difference. Alpha Phi believes strongly in this mission for all of its members and pushes those who take the extra step to volunteer their time for us to always keep these powerful words in mind. We strive to provide meaningful training that can benefit them not only

in their volunteer roles, but also personally and professionally, propelling them to pursue limitless excellence in a variety of areas. We are so fortunate to have almost 2,000 members volunteering for us and look forward to all they will achieve. We are always looking for more volunteers and encourage you to join us in this pursuit. I know many people feel the same as I — that we have gained so much more than we have ever given. Volunteering alongside your Alpha Phi sisters is a wonderful way to give back.

Loyally,

Kate Halfon (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay) International President

Have you seen your Alpha Phi sisters recently? Submit photos to marketing@alphaphi.org.

Ex-officio: Rebecca Andrew Zanatta, Foundation Chair Foundation Directors Rebecca Andrew Zanatta, Chair Jenny Concepciòn Hansen, Vice Chair

Ex-officio: Kathleen (Kate) Boyle Halfon, International President Executive Office Executive Director: Renee Smith Zimmerman Zainer

International Executive Board Kathleen (Kate) Boyle Halfon,

Foundation Office Executive Director: Amy Peebles 1985 S. Josephine Street Denver, Colorado 80210 (847) 475-4532

International President Linda (Allie) Winkelman, Vice President Billie Coskey Battiato, Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Kreisel Bauer Karen Bloch Bavender Stacey Daniel Thulin Keri Miller Van Acker Ex-officio: Laura Malley-Schmitt, Council of Delegates Ex-officio: Renee Zimmerman Zainer, Executive Director

info@alphaphifoundation.org www.alphaphifoundation.org National Panhellenic Conference

Claire Costin, Treasurer Coree Smith, Secretary Janis Coughlin-Piester

1985 S. Josephine Street Denver, Colorado 80210 (847) 475-0663 fraternity@alphaphi.org www.alphaphi.org

Janelle Del Carlo Susan McNeice Shana Goss Smith Barbara Tingley Amy Peebles, Executive Director

Council of Delegates: Laura Malley-Schmitt Chief Panhellenic Officer: Linda Long Boland Alternate Delegate: Laura Lynn Davidson Ellett

“

We're living through a time when we have a lot of tough issues we're dealing with. And disengagement isn't an option. I think being engaged gives you power. It gives you knowledge. It gives you a seat at the table.”

Marie Harf (Beta Tau-Indiana)

Learn more about Marie, her career as an on-air analyst and contributor for Fox News Media (just one of many accomplishments throughout her career) and other Alpha Phis who are breaking glass ceilings in their respective professional fields on page 12.

Building Sisterhood

and Belonging Through DEI Initiatives

The Fraternity recently partnered with learning and development specialist Hailey Mangrum to offer members a series of online DEI workshops made possible by the Alpha Phi Foundation and its donors.

What You’ll Need

of belonging among collegians, volunteers and alumnae members, Alpha Phi has partnered with learning and development specialist Hailey M. Mangrum to offer a DEI-focused online curriculum to further build competence and understanding of topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Through challenging, thought-provoking and high- impact programs suited for engagement, behavior change and learning, this curriculum aims to inspire Alpha Phis of all ages to influence change and learn how to challenge others while remaining respectful, all while equipping them to drive action in their respective communities. I asked Hailey a few questions to get to know her better and to gain a deeper understanding of what she is teaching our members through this DEI curriculum. Here’s what she had to say: Anna Claire Howard: How did you get involved with Greek life and organizations like Alpha Phi? Hailey Mangrum: I have a deep affinity to my undergraduate experience at Western Michigan University. I went on to pursue a master’s degree in higher education from Ball State University because of the positive experiences and opportunities I had with being involved. While there, I noticed a

By Anna Claire Howard

A notebook and pen, computer or tablet to take notes

Alpha Phi has built its robust membership of 250,000-plus sisters, 175 collegiate chapters and 131 alumnae communities upon the foundation of its four High Ideals of Membership – a unique bond of sisterhood, a spirit of generosity, high expectations for character and a drive for innovation. These four ideals define what it means to be an Alpha Phi. And at the core of these ideals is the most important aspect of sisterhood – a sense of belonging. Greek organizations like ours must uphold their end of the deal when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) so they are a place where all members can feel at home and welcome. But true sisterhood doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about joining the same organization, but also making membership more accessible to a wider pool of potential new members (PNMs), sharing core life experiences through the formative undergraduate years, creating a community of unyielding support and forming lifelong friendships.

Questions to ask Hailey at breaks

An open heart and mind to grow as a leader

A desire to create a plan of action moving forward

In an effort to fortify our membership’s sense

impacted my life and career journey so much, I’ve also been able to pour right back into sororities, day in and day out, across umbrella groups. I’m so humbled and grateful to Alpha Phi for allowing me to share my love of sororities and leadership with you all. ACH: What do you hope the main takeaway or benefit is for those participating in this partnership with the Fraternity? HM: Responsibility. We all have a role to play in prioritizing inclusion and belonging. And, truthfully, taking care of your members is the least we could do in our respective organizations. So, it’s my hope that no matter which topic, attendees are always intentional, thoughtful, considerate and kind to other members. Because if we do those things, then we can be inclusive by design. If we do those things, then holding other members accountable is expected and becomes natural. If we do those things, then the true impact of the organization is evident in the way members show up, communicate and interact. ACH: How can Alpha Phi’s members create a sense of belonging, from volunteers to local chapters, collegians and alumnae members? HM: We’ve been taught that belonging is synonymous with being part of a team, group or organization. But the reality is many of us have been part of groups, clubs, teams or organizations where we have felt left out. And that’s because belonging is less about a title and more about continuous feelings and reminders that you matter, connections are present and/or nurtured and there are meaningful interactions taking place. Creating a sense of belonging is less about just being invited to the party. A sense of belonging is curated and woven into the fabric of the party based on the menu, the playlist, the environment being accessible, etc. We all can be more intentional with ensuring others belong by getting to know the folks in the room; including outside perspectives, opinions and preference beyond our own and leaning into curiosity by asking meaningful questions that will lead to action. ACH: What does leadership look like for the sorority member today, and what responsibility comes with that role? HM: Leadership in a sorority is all encompassing. It means you’re a sibling, a coach, advisor, sometimes fashion consultant, hair stylist, the person who has to tell someone what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear, and a host of other “duties as assigned,” right?

need for collaboration, understanding and equity across umbrella groups to create a more inclusive Greek life community, [but] didn’t work in Greek affairs at the time. Instead, I was in campus programming. Because I was the only Black woman in my graduate program, many students of color would connect with me asking me for advice or for help with planning a retreat. From there, I went on to work in fraternity and sorority life with the goal of bridging gaps across differences and removing barriers to access. I’ve also presented at many regional and local student and professional conferences around advancing fraternities and sororities in addition to facilitating leadership retreats and developmental experiences. If you ask my mom, I’ve been holding a microphone since kindergarten I’ve always had something to say, and I find great joy in being able to use my voice for meaningful change.

ACH: Are you a member of a Greek organization?

HM: I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. I was initiated while at Western Michigan University and I’m currently involved in the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter. Additionally, I serve on our sorority’s national taskforce for Undergraduate and University Affairs. I love being a sorority woman. I really do. [And] while Delta has

Take Note

What you'll need:

To me, leadership in a sorority must start with caring. Like, caring about someone enough to hold them accountable because you want them to be better or you know that they are better than their mistake. Caring enough that even when you’re annoyed or frustrated with a member you still decide to help when they’re in need. Caring enough about the future of the organization that you don’t take what’s in front of you for granted and mistreat it. Caring enough to show up, step up, step in and engage in conversations that are needed. Caring enough about the experiences and needs of others and not just prioritizing your own. That’s what sorority is about. That’s what leadership is about. That’s what responsibility is about. Hailey hosted three workshops in 2023 – “Belonging/Inclusion,” “Identity as an Iceberg” and “Supporting the Chapter with DEI.” She will continue this series in 2024 with two more workshops this spring. The first, titled “Show Me Your Practices & I Will Verify Your Policies,” will take place at 7 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. In this collegiate and advisor conversation, attendees will think about policies and practices in the chapter through a DEI lens and reflect on if their daily operations are effective in this effort. The second installment will take place at 7 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and is titled “Equity: The Forgotten Piece of DEI.” This conversation is for advisors and collegians where they will dive deep into what equity means and the role it plays in DEI efforts. During the discussion, Hailey will talk about ways to remove barriers to access from everyday chapter operations. Learn more about this DEI curriculum and register for upcoming events at alphaphi.org/dei- education/. These programs are free for members and made possible by the generosity of Alpha Phi Foundation donors. You can also stay in touch with Hailey by connecting with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ hmmangrum/.

Bring your laptop, tablet or notepad to take notes during the live events and educational offerings.

Discuss these topics with your sisters to share knowledge and gain different perspectives on the material.

Reflect on what effective leadership means to you. What does this look like in action? What has it looked like in the past? How can it be improved?

Convention 2024 Rancho Mirage, California June 26-30, 2024 alphaphi.org/convention-2024

“As we close the book on one era, we embrace the next 150 years with confidence, believing the best story of Alpha Phi may be that which is yet to come.”

Volume III of the Alpha Phi International Fraternity History Series is now available through Amazon. Visit the link below or QR Code to purchase. Thank you to Alpha Phi Foundation donors for their support in the preservation and promotion of our rich heritage throughout this series.

aphifdn.org/IvyForgetMeNot

Excerpt from Author’s Note

“As a historian, writer and Alpha Phi alumna, I was honored and privileged to be asked to author Volume III of Alpha Phi’s history. My research revealed much about our Fraternity I did not know and rekindled an affection for an enduring sisterhood that had lain dormant for many years. Now, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovery — or perhaps rediscovery — of the dynamic, innovative and loving sisterhood of Alpha Phi International Fraternity.”

Thank you to all Alpha Phi Foundation donors for making these endeavors possible. If you are interested in making a gift to Alpha Phi Foundation in support of our mission, please visit aphifdn.org/makeagift.

Loyally,

Jennifer S Gromada (Gamma Rho–Penn State)

Learn More

What is Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction? Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction, or HFpEF, occurs when one’s heart pumps properly but cannot relax as it should. Ejection Fraction specifically relates to the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body from its left ventricle. It is one of two types of heart failure that can be diagnosed and is more highly prevalent in women. Compared to a heart without HFpEF, the left ventricle is too small to contain the volume of blood it needs to continue pumping out to the rest of the body because the heart muscle is too thick. How is HFpEF diagnosed? HFpEF can be diagnosed in patients using an echocardiogram of the heart, which is an ultrasound specific to looking at heart structure and function. On an echocardiogram of a patient with HFpEF, a physician can see the small left ventricle and a stiffness when the heart tries to relax. What are some common characteristics of someone with HFpEF? Typically, HFpEF patients are older females. A HFpEF diagnosis may also be associated with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation (an irregular, rapid heartbeat). Additionally, HFpEF patients can also have noncardiac comorbidities such as anemia, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, cancer or psychiatric disorders. How will the study be executed? The goal of Dr. Keeley’s study is to test for inflammation in the heart of HFpEF patients and see if there is an association between this and omega-3 fatty acids. First, blood samples will be taken to see if there are inflammatory markers and omega-3 fatty acids present in patients. Then, Dr. Keeley’s team will use a novel cardiac MRI technique that involves study participants getting an iron transfusion then an MRI. If inflammation is present in the heart, the iron from the transfusion will light up on the scan.

Heart to Heart Grant Celebration at University of Florida Health

By Alex Goodman , Grants & Scholarships Manager, Alpha Phi Foundation

Improving the care and education of women’s heart health has been at the forefront of Alpha Phi Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors since the inception of the Heart to Heart Grant. 2023 brought the 30th anniversary of the Heart to Heart Grant, and the recipient University of Florida Health joins the ranks of a plethora of prestigious institutions doing vital work in the heart health space. Led by Dr. Ellen Keeley, University of Florida Health’s “Hearts on Fire: Targeting Inflammation in Women with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction” is aiming to better understand HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) to offer new approaches to treatment. On November 15, 2023, Alpha Phi Foundation visited University of Florida Health to celebrate this grant and learn more about the research Dr. Keeley and her team will be performing. Over the next two years, Dr. Keeley hopes to enroll at least 20 women with HFpEF into her study. Using her findings, it is hopeful that this will be an incredible step towards developing new treatments for women diagnosed with HFpEF.

“I was in college and living in the chapter house when 9/11 occurred,” Marie recalled. “I remember so distinctly sitting in our TV room watching the news coverage and knowing that's what I wanted to work on. I can see myself sitting there today vividly. And that really solidified for me what I wanted to do with my career, which is come to Washington and work in the government in some way to help in the aftermath of those terrorist attacks.” After graduating from Indiana University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government with focuses in Russian and Eastern European Studies as well as Jewish Studies, Marie immediately went on to earn a master’s degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia in 2006. After that, she worked in the Washington D.C. area as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) focused on the Middle East – an endeavor inspired by her experience watching the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the Beta Tau chapter house. After being in this

MARIE HARF (Beta Tau-Indiana) On-Air Analyst and Contributor for Fox News Media Executive Director of External Relations and Adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service It takes a certain level of courage to speak your mind, particularly on hot-button topics like politics and global affairs, but it’s something else all together to do that against a panel of experts (mostly men, for that matter) who are making an argument against your opinion. Call it gumption. Call it guts. Call it grit. Whatever you want to call it, there's no doubt that Marie Harf’s (Beta Tau-Indiana) got it. Marie grew up in Granville, Ohio, outside of Columbus. As an only child, she has always been very close to her mother and father, both of whom are professors and do some policy work.

“[Granville] was a wonderful place to grow up, a very idyllic small Midwestern town,” Marie recalled. “I was a cheerleader and played basketball.

role for a couple of years, she moved to the communications side of the agency, serving as a media spokesperson. During her time with the CIA, she witnessed some of the organization’s all-time highs (like the

But because my parents were both either working in policy or academic, in these university-type settings, I had a much broader view of the world and what I was interested in.”

operation against Osama Bin Laden) and lows (including a tragic terrorist attack in Khost, Afghanistan, during which a number of CIA officers were killed).

“I learned how to represent the U.S. government publicly, how a talk about what we're doing overseas and why that should matter to Americans,” Marie said. “And that set me on the rest of my career path.” Since leaving the CIA in 2011, Marie’s primary career goal and focus has been figuring out how to successfully explain to the American people what their government is doing overseas and why that matters to them, from small towns to big cities in small towns across America. Marie went on to work as the associate policy director for national security for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign where she developed the campaign’s national security policy and communications strategies, served as a campaign spokesperson on these issues and ran the campaign's outside surrogate team that amplified its national security message. Following this campaign, she proceeded to work briefly as the strategic advisor and press spokesperson for former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) during his successful nomination to be Secretary of Defense before joining the U.S. Department of State, first as the deputy spokesperson and then as the senior advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry for strategic communications. In this role, she led strategic and legacy- focused message planning for Secretary Kerry and his top policy priorities, built multi-faceted communications plans to promote the Secretary and the Department’s initiatives and achievements, most notably of which was a robust domestic outreach effort by Secretary Kerry to

Marie’s parents ensured she had every opportunity, including the ability to travel internationally. Her mother also took her to political rallies. This combination with her home of a quaint small town gave her a unique view of the world before moving to Bloomington, Indiana, for college, where both of her parents attended Indiana University, as well. In addition to following in her parents’ footsteps with where she went to college, Marie also chose to carry on a family tradition on her mom’s side by joining a Greek organization on campus. And she knew early in recruitment process she wanted to join Alpha Phi. “When I was a freshman, there were 19 other Greek organizations on campus, and I met them all, but I was drawn to Alpha Phi from the start," Marie recalled. "I met women who were involved in social clubs on campus, who played sports, who were brilliant academically and who were interesting people to meet. When all you have to base an organization off of is a 5-minute conversation, that’s a hard way to judge something, but I knew Alpha Phi was a community I wanted to be a part of.” Alpha Phi whas been an integral part of Marie’s life, particularly throughout her college years and especially at 8:45 a.m. on September 11, 2001, when – in one historic moment – everything seemed to change for Americans everywhere.

discuss U.S. foreign policy with the American people in speeches and interviews across the country. Marie also drove the Obama Administration’s

local offices.

Additionally, Marie is an active member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Hamilton Lugar School of

Global and International Studies at Indiana University. In this role, she works with school and university leadership, faculty and students to increase the footprint and impact of the Hamilton Lugar School and to expand its reputation and influence in both the U.S. and abroad. “My career now really lies at the intersection of how foreign policy interacts with domestic politics,” Marie said. “And I believe in the power of trying to reach out to people who might never hear your point of view. I think it's more important now than ever.” Marie has come a long way since her days in the Beta Tau chapter, but she remains in contact with some of her sisters and close friends from the Fraternity, particularly those in the DC area. She even attended a multi-generational reunion in 2016 across several new member classes at IU during which they visited their favorite spots on and off campus. “Alpha Phi taught me so much that still sticks with me today, including the sense of loyalty that comes with being a part of something bigger than yourself and that sense of community,” Marie said. “Women accomplish big things when they work together, and that’s a powerful part of being an Alpha Phi.” And beyond that, Marie is an example of how much of an impact one woman and one voice can make. “The issues and challenges we face today [relating to] our country are so important and so great that we can’t afford to not be engaged,” Marie implored. “We're living through a time when we have a lot of tough issues we're dealing with. And disengagement isn't an option. I think being being engaged gives you power. It gives you knowledge. It gives you a seat at the table.” “We also can’t sit back and wait for someone else who is in power to give us power; we have to take it,” Marie continued. “In foreign affairs and national security, we are seeing more and more women get into positions of power. For me on my own career path, the only way I knew how to succeed was to be engaged, to learn everything I could and to work harder than everyone else to empower myself in those settings so I could then empower other women.” Marie is currently the executive director of Perry World House, a hub for global engagement and policy research at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she served as the executive director of external relations and marketing at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University — a team wholly comprised of women under Marie's leadership. Keep up with Marie at bit.ly/MarieHarf.

communications strategy on the Iran nuclear negotiations from the start of the public diplomatic talks in 2013.

“It is an honor to represent the United States publicly; it really is,” Marie expressed. “It’s probably the greatest honor of my life. And it's a huge responsibility. I’m very grateful to have done it through some very challenging times and some good times, too.” Following her time with Secretary Kerry and the State Department, Marie went on to work in several other capacities related to international affairs, government policy and education while simultaneously operating in what has likely been her most palpable public role yet – as an on-air analyst and contributor for Fox News Media. “I’m clearly a partisan Democrat,” Marie said. “But I firmly believed that the Democratic Party wasn’t talking enough to voters across the political spectrum. So, I went to work at Fox News.” In fact, Marie’s first day on the job at Fox News coincided with President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration, and she has been there ever since. “One of the biggest challenges in our country today is private media ecosystems,” Marie explained. “And I’m doing my little part to try and break those down.” In her role with Fox News, Marie provides analysis on national security and domestic issues. She played a key role in FOX's major event coverage for election nights in 2022, 2020 and 2018; the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries; the Brett Kavanaugh hearings; and multiple State of the Union speeches. She also previously co-hosted “Benson and Harf,” a daily national Fox News Radio program featuring bipartisan discussions on policy, politics, sports and culture. Interviewed senior Members of Congress, including then Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and then Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, as well as prominent policymakers such as former CIA Director Michael Hayden and former Secretary of State John Kerry. In addition to her airtime at Fox News, Marie is also the executive director of external relations and adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service. She also ran Congressman Seth Moulton’s (D-MA) presidential campaign with a focus on foreign policy issues, expanding mental health care and implementing a national service program. From there, she went on to serve as executive director for Serve America PAC, where she ran Congressman Seth Moulton’s (D-MA) political organization that supports military, intelligence community and diplomatic corps veterans who run for federal, state and

MAUREEN SINCLAIR BARTEE (Beta Delta-UCLA) Senior Advisor for Health Systems and Health Security for the U.S. Department of State Not many women can say that they have dedicated their professional lives to global health security that included (but was not limited to) fighting the outbreak of infectious diseases like Ebola and COVID-19, travelled all over the world in this effort, raised a family of their own and fought breast cancer, but Maureen Bartee (Beta Delta-UCLA) can. Maureen was an accomplished college student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she majored in biological anthropology and pre-med. She was also involved in extracurricular activities, including rowing for the crew team her freshman year, serving as captain of the inaugural lacrosse team her junior and senior years and, of course, being an active member of the Beta Delta chapter of Alpha Phi where she held several positions, including chapter vice president her senior year. “When I started college, I didn’t think I would join a sorority,” Maureen recalled. “But I met one of my best friends in my dorm [during our] freshman year who pledged Alpha Phi. [Throughout] that year, I met a lot of her friends from Alpha Phi and realized what I could gain from joining. So, I decided to pledge my sophomore year, and it was one of the best decisions I made during my college years.” Maureen credits Alpha Phi with providing her with opportunities to develop her leadership skills at a young age, which proved to not only be useful during her time at UCLA but throughout her life and career. After graduating from UCLA, Maureen completed social science research with monkeys for two years before pursuing a master’s degree in public health at the University of California, Berkley. While working for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) early in her career, she spent one year in Atlanta and then another two years in Chicago where she connected HIV-positive detainees at the Cook County Jail with services once they were released. She also worked on a program to bring domestic violence prevention and victim support initiatives to residents of that jail. Maureen’s career with the CDC also took her to Bangladesh where she partnered with the World Health Organization for three months to assist with the polio eradication program. “That experience ignited my passion for global health, and I have pursued that [interest] ever since,” Maureen expressed. She went on to work as the deputy director of the CDC’s Central Asia Regional Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for three years, during which she met her husband, Brad, who was assigned to the U.S. Embassy as an Army officer.

They were married in Northern California before they

Where is home? Home is currently the Washington, DC, area (for a 2-year period), but we plan to move back to Atlanta next year, where we have lived since 2014. What are you currently reading? I recently read Michael Lewis’s “The Premonition.” And I have Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” and Elie Mystal’s “Allow me to Retort” on my nightstand waiting to be read. What’s a quote that you love or live by? “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead Where is your favorite place that you’ve visited? I have been to more than 70 countries. I love that the more I travel, the more I see similarities rather than differences. Some of the places I love are the Grand Canyon; the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France; West Africa; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Ireland, where my mom was born and where I have many relatives. What are you most proud of? Definitely being a mom to my three amazing boys.

finished their assignments in Kazakhstan. Then when Brad received orders to take his next assignment in Paris, France, Maureen learned the CDC didn't have an open position for her there. “I decided to resign from CDC and to be an unemployed newlywed in Paris,” Maureen recalled. “I have to say that I enjoyed that very much.” Eventually, though, that honeymoon period had to end, and Maureen accepted a job as the American relations coordinator at the American Hospital of Paris, where she helped Americans who ended up in the hospital during their travels. She later worked for a French non-governmental organization (NGO), L’Agence de Medicine Preventive, where she had the opportunity to visit West Africa for the first time. Eventually, life led the Bartees – now a family of three, including Brad and Maureen’s firstborn son – back to the States, specifically Washington, DC, where her husband completed his 25-year military career. Maureen worked for an American NGO, the International Medical Corps, for a year and then ended upreturning to the CDC again, this time as its liaison to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense at the Pentagon. While she was in that job, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa occurred, and Maureen was responsible for ensuring close coordination between CDC and the military as the U.S. helped with the international response. Later, she moved back to Atlanta and was asked to lead CDC’s new program to increase global health security to help countries around the world prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats. After leading CDC’s efforts to increase global health security for more than six years, Maureen was asked to work at the National Security Council when the Biden Administration began. She spent 15 months assigned to the Global Health Security and Biodefense Directorate within the National Security Council at the White House, working on the global COVID-19 response and coordinating policy related to the World Health Organization. She is currently on assignment at the US Department of State working on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). At the beginning of the pandemic, Maureen deployed to South Dakota to work with the Oglala Sioux Tribe as they prepared for COVID-19. She spent a month there working with the incredible Oglala Sioux Tribe team. “We worked on increasing infection prevention and control within their emergency response and school systems and strengthening data systems,” Maureen explained. “In 2021, I started my assignment at the National Security Council and focused on the global COVID-19 response. It was amazing to help the US government make important decisions about how to help with the global response to the pandemic. It required incredibly long hours, but it gave me the opportunity to work with extremely dedicated people committed to making our country as safe and secure as possible.”

Maureen was one of six members to receive the Ursa Major award for the 2020-2022 biennium. This award was first presented at the 1974 convention and honors alumnae members who have achieved success in their chosen field, whether professional or volunteer, on a local, state, provincial or regional level. Throughout the last two years, Maureen has endured a personal health battle of her own – stage 3 lobular breast cancer. She has recently recovered from a mastectomy, competed chemotherapy and radiation treatments and is, in her own words, “feeling pretty good.” A year into her treatments, she made her diagnosis public and found comfort in the support from her Alpha Phi sisters, some of whom breast cancers survivors or undergoing similar treatments as Maureen. Ductal and lobular breast cancers are two different types of invasive breast cancer that start in different parts of the breast. Ductal breast cancer forms in the ducts that carry breast milk from the lobules to the nipple and is typically spherical or pea shaped. This is the more common type of breast cancer that is more easily detected with self-exams and mammograms. Lobular breast cancer, however, is more insidious and less common. It forms in the lobules where breast milk is produced and forms in single-file lines, like long strands or strings, that eventually clump together to form an irregularly shaped mass. However, this usually takes some time, so by the time this mass is detected, most patients are already in stage 3, like Maureen. Did you know that according to the National Beast Cancer Foundation one in eight women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men would have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. But there is hope. Breast cancer is not the death sentence it once was for past generations. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. This is why it’s imperative that women conduct self-exams at home, advocate for themselves in their doctor’s offices and receive regular checkups and mammograms to remain as diligent as possible. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US. Learn more about invasive breast cancer, early detection and more at www. nationalbreastcancer.org. “During these last couple of years, as I’ve navigated my own diagnosis, I’ve learned that it’s important to open up about a journey like this, if you’re ready to talk about it, so that other women know they’re not alone,” Maureen implored. “Alpha Phi has been a tremendous support through these challenging times.”

Keep up with Maureen on LinkedIn at bit.ly/ MaureenBarteeLI.

How Saroya Tinker (Iota Chi-Yale) advocates for and empowers the younger female BIPOC generation through education, mentorship and ice hockey.

who is White and Ukrainian; both of whom may have experienced discrimination in their own ways raising a family in Oshawa — even told her to shake it off, to just let it go in one ear and out the other. This didn’t happen in the 1950s. It only happened just over a decade ago. And while there were no repercussions for the girl who committed this hateful slur, there could have been very real repercussions for Saroya if she walked away from hockey after that. Hockey isn’t just a youth sport or something kids play for fun in Canada; it’s a lifestyle that can propel top players toward a successful and lucrative career. At the time this occurred, Saroya and her teammates were only a few years away from possibly receiving scholarships to major college programs or invitations to national team selection camps. And Saroya was that good, even then. She and her family knew what the repercussions would be if they spoke up or if she quit hockey altogether. Coming from a lower middle- class family that struggled at times to buy new hockey equipment and cover the costs of playing on the road, speaking up or walking away were not options for her or her three brothers. A common phrase thrown around an ice rink is “shut up and play.” According to Saroya, those four words and the ideology behind them are deeply rooted in the misogyny and racism that has plagued the sport since its inception, but that’s essentially what she had to do at the time. This experience and others like it caused Saroya to grow resentful of hockey, both the sport itself and the culture surrounding it. But instead of letting that hatred poison her, she let it fuel her. From then on, she played like she was forcing the game of hockey and the world to accept her, whether they liked it or not. She was determined to be the best player on the ice and, ultimately, prove those who doubted her wrong. This drive led her to excel in high school both academically and athletically, and ultimately receive an offer from Yale University to play hockey on the collegiate level at an Ivy League institution. “I wanted to play professionally because I knew there isn’t a lot of representation out there for little Black girls who want to play hockey,” Saroya said. In other words, she decided to become the role model she didn’t have growing up that other young women of

Saroya Tinker (Iota Chi-Yale) is not the type of woman who can easily be placed in a box, but one word that comes to mind when describing her is resilient. And it was her resiliency that pushed her into a career as a professional hockey player in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), formerly the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). Growing up east of Toronto in Oshawa, Ontario, Saroya was drawn to ice skating and ice hockey at an early age like most of her Canadian peers. Saroya started out by ice skating at the frozen pond down the street from her childhood home. She recalled her father — who also played and loved the game of hockey and passed that passion onto his children — lacing up her plastic blue and white skates and holding her hand as she navigated the slick ice. “I fell in love with skating right away,” Saroya said. “I actually loved skating first; not hockey. There was a sense of freedom that came with skating. I felt like I could do anything.” Saroya, however, said she did not feel that way with hockey. Being a young Black woman in Oshawa, she stood out, and this was magnified on the ice. Where skating was an inclusive experience, hockey felt exclusive, no matter how good she was. From the time she started playing on organized teams around 6 or 7 years old, Saroya said she felt like she didn’t belong. She expressed experiencing microaggressions regularly, even at such a young age and from her own teammates when they wouldn’t let her sit in a certain part of the locker room or not include her in post-practice activities with the group. However, this adversity didn’t stop her from following in her father’s footsteps and pursuing hockey. In fact, it motivated her to be the best player on the ice. But nothing prepared her for what a teammate said to her in 2010 when she was only 12 years old. “My team was wrapping up practice, and everyone was in the locker room,” Saroya recalled. “Another girl — a teammate — looked me right in the eyes, told me to ‘shut up’ and called me the N-word.” Worst of all, no one did anything about it — not the trainer, the other girls or any adults. Saroya’s parents — her father, who is Black and Jamaican, and her mother,

“I hope that I can provide those experiences for these girls at a younger age so they can become the best players that they can be, reach their full potential and have that same accessibility as their White counterparts.”

color could look up to and aspire to become.

“I really can’t put into words everything I got out of my experience at Yale,” Saroya said. “It was truly life- changing, and my time there will carry me for the rest of my days.” And a big part of her college experience at Yale was joining the Iota Chi chapter. Saroya went through recruitment in the first place to find a supportive community outside of hockey, particularly at a time when she felt like she was reaching a breaking point. “[The mindset of letting the racist comments go in one ear and out the other] definitely led me to a point of frustration in my career where I seriously considered quitting, especially when I was at Yale and already struggling with depression and anxiety,” Saroya recalled. While struggling with her own mental health, Saroya realized she wasn’t connecting very well with her fellow Bulldogs on the Yale women’s hockey team. This led her to Alpha Phi. Iota Chi was where she found the support she was missing. It was her home away from home. Keep in mind that Saroya was balancing a lot at this time in her young life — moving away from home and to a different country, being a full-time student athlete, being a minority member on campus and on the ice, all on top of joining the Fraternity. While that may seem like too much, Saroya recalled the relief she felt when she was able to spend time with her Alpha Phi sisters. “Going to chapter events and private events, doing homework together, living in the house on campus, it was an outlet for me to have fun, be comfortable and feel supported,” Saroya said. However, despite excelling on the ice and in the classroom, Saroya struggled during her senior year at Yale to the point where she considered quitting hockey all together. However, it took another incoming Black female hockey player to encourage Saroya stick around. “We had a coaching change that same year, and I realized I was going to have different opportunities with new coaches to build a different style of program than had been done up until then,” Saroya explained. “I also wanted to keep playing because I knew I needed to be a mentor for my new teammate. After spending time with her and getting to know her, it was clear that she would need me throughout her career at Yale, and I would need her to finish out my senior year.” Saroya became the relatable role model her teammate needed, that Saroya herself never had. Sure, she looked

up to Angela James, the “Wayne Gretzkey of women’s hockey,” who led the Canadian women’s hockey team to four world championships in the 1990s. But her career was over by the time Saroya was born. There are also Blake Bolden and Sarah Nurse — both Black professional hockey players — but they’re in the same age category as Saroya, and they play against each other. Along with Saroya, they are truly the first generation of players that young Black girls in hockey can look up to. And this is a role Saroya takes very seriously. The same year Saroya took her fellow Black teammate under her wing at Yale, her mother connected her with Renee Hess at the Black Girl Hockey Club (BGHC). Founded in 2018, the California-based nonprofit aims to create a community-oriented space for Black women in hockey where it can inspire and sustain their passion for the game throughout their lives. Like Saroya, BGHC proudly advocates for Black women in hockey through education, representation and community building. Philanthropy is a core value in the way Saroya lives her life, like it is for so many of her fellow Alpha Phis. Saroya

GET TO KNOW SAROYA

Favorite Book “The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self- Love" Currently Listening To Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill or Georgia Smith What are you watching? A lot of sports, mainly football and basketball.

Go-To Coffee Order Matcha latte Favorite Snack Probably ice-cream!

"I wanted to play professionally because I knew there isn't a lot of representation out there for little Black girls who want to play hockey."

partnered with the BGHC's scholarship committee to raise three scholarships in the amounts of $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000 to Black girls between the ages of nine and 18 who play hockey to cover the costs of team fees, new equipment, travel costs and more. These scholarships are available to all young Black female hockey players anywhere in the world. With Saroya’s help, the scholarship committee raised $32,000 to start Black Girl Hockey Club Canada, and the club’s Canadian chapter launched in November 2022. Saroya now serves as its executive director. “Through [BGHC], we're fostering a community and making sure the girls have what they need to succeed and friends to move forward with in hockey, whether that's them wanting to play professionally or just having fun with it," Saroya explained. Saroya said she believes this is a tangible way she and BGHC can make a real difference in the lives of young female hockey players and ease the burdens that come with playing this sport. “I hope that can provide those experiences for these girls at a younger age so they can become the best players that they can be, reach their full potential and have that same accessibility as their White counterparts,” Saroya said. Beyond the financial component, to encourage and institute real change in the hockey system to make it more welcoming and accessible for everyone, Saroya said change needs to take place throughout the sport. That’s why BGHC kickstarted the Get Uncomfortable Campaign, which aims to create a set of recommendations and ideas on how all those involved in hockey, at all levels, can meaningfully contribute to the movement against discrimination and the oppression of BIPOC communities in society.

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