During any history or recognition month, it’s common for people to talk about the household names. We focus on those whose stories are well known, easy to research and thus easy to tell. Black History Month is the same; while we are proud of the notable Delta Gammas who have years of achievements, for this month, we’re honored to tell the story of a younger sister whose name may not be known yet, but whose impact on our organization and the history of sorority is already great. 

Taylor Johnson, Alpha Omega-Arkansas, became Alpha Omega’s chapter president in January 2018. At that time, she unknowingly became the first African-American to become president of a Panhellenic sorority at the University of Arkansas – a school with nearly 125 years of sorority history.

Originally from Oklahoma, Taylor did not know many people at the U of A when she first arrived.

“I really got excited about Greek life, but I got nervous with the whole recruitment process as it was a week long,” she said. “And just being an African-American woman, I wasn’t comfortable necessarily because I didn’t know any others who were going through it as well.”

However, when we were re-establishing our Alpha Omega chapter during her sophomore year, she was encouraged to learn more about Delta Gamma by Allyson Braggs, now a fellow Alpha Omega chapter senior. Taylor remembers Allyson saying, “Hey, DG is coming back, and they’re really different.”

How did Taylor go from reluctant to join a sorority to chapter president? At first, she was admittedly reserved about being in the Panhellenic community at all. But now she’s first to admit, “Yeah, I’m a Delta Gamma!” Her first chapter leadership role was as vice president: social standards and she intended to run for that position for a second year. Then she got the opportunity to attend our Lewis Institute.

“Thanks to my small group, I grew the confidence and courage to try going out for president even though I was nervous,” Taylor shared. 

Her confidence in her leadership ability has also grown thanks to incredible support from mentors and peers on campus. Since re-establishing, Taylor said that Alpha Omega has had a good connection with the other chapters on campus. She also felt supported by the other fraternity/sorority leaders at the U of A upon becoming president: “I don’t think people knew about me being the first African American Panhellenic [organization] president until recently.”

When asked what surprised her most about leading her chapter, she mentioned not realizing the impact she would have as president, “I realized how much influence I had, I guess you could say.” Those meet her agree that she handled that influence with grace and humility. Sisters like Taylor are proof that who we are, and our actions, can have a historical impact and reach outside of our immediate community. 

During our 2018 Delta Gamma Convention, Taylor was asked to present an Inspiration, or brief remarks, before one of the sessions. She chose to share the poem “Human Family” by Maya Angelou. After describing the similarities and differences of people from all walks of life, Angelou concludes with the resounding phrase that, “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” Looking into this poem further, Taylor remembers thinking, “This is the perfect poem for the perfect time.” For her, Angelou’s message exactly described the thousands of individuals who make up the Delta Gamma sisterhood, “Even though we’re all completely different, within DG we’re all still family.”

As for the future of Alpha Omega chapter, “I’ve been thinking about this all semester,” Taylor reminisces.

“I think as we continue on, our leaders will still grow stronger as we pass down the influence to younger members to help lead our chapter. We have a strong alumnae base here, and everywhere; the Alpha Omegas and the other alumnae who help us have been amazing. So I think we have a strong future ahead of us.”

Taylor is set to graduate from the University of Arkansas in May 2019 with degrees in criminology and sociology, and a minor in legal studies. In addition to her Delta Gamma involvement, she serves on Arkansas’ Student Advisory Board, which is the Board of Directors for the Student Alumni Association. Taylor was recently named one of 71 Seniors of Significance for the University’s class of 2019. 

During Convention this summer, we installed a new Council. Wilma Johnson Wilbanks, Alpha Psi-Mississippi, is now the Fraternity President. Wilma has previously served the Fraternity and Foundation in numerous ways, including most recently, as the Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman. Get to know Wilma Johnson Wilbanks!

What is your favorite anchor item you own?

I own the anchor badge of a Psi-Lewis School 1875 initiate, which was a gift from her granddaughter. Unfortunately, her dear little letter H had been lost, but she purchased her replacement badge and wore it proudly throughout her life. (My favorite Delta Gamma item is a nail from the Lewis School encased in lucite that belonged to my dear friend Eleanor Slaughter.)

What are some of your hobbies/do you like to do for fun?

Collecting antiques, playing bridge and backgammon, reading

What did you want to be when you grew up when you were in Kindergarten?

To be an archeologist!

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?

Parliamentary procedure, debate, or to be completely honest.... shoe shopping!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

unkindness (1) and poor grammar (2) [This was a tough choice!]

If you were a type of potato/prepared potato dish, what type would you be and why?

Gnocchi (because it adapts, depending upon the sauce. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?

Venice, having tea at Cafe Florian 

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This is a joke, right? Steel Magnolias, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Quartet, Woman in Gold, The Queen… and so many more!

What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without?

Handbags!!

What is one item on your “bucket list” you’ve yet to complete?

Trip to Antarctica

When you are having a bad day, how do you lift your spirits?

Have a cup of tea and read a bit from a favorite book (probably Helene Hanff or Dick Francis)

What is your favorite family tradition?

Holidays at my mother’s house

What is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?

That Delta Gamma chose me, too, and marrying Bob Wilbanks (a tie)

What do you miss most about your childhood?

My grandmother and my great-aunts

What was the best compliment you ever received?

Being elected Fraternity President

During Convention this summer, we installed a new Council. Susan Eddy Kinney, Beta Psi-Alabama, is now the Fraternity Treasurer. Susan previously served Delta Gamma internationally as Fraternity Director: Housing Resources, and on the regional level as a Regional Housing Specialist and Regional Housing Director. On the local level, she spent many years serving on various house corporations across the Fraternity. Get to know Susan Eddy Kinney below!

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What is your favorite anchor item you own?

My badge. My second favorite is an anchor necklace gifted by my DG sister-in-law.

What is one item on your "bucket list"?

Attend a game in every Major League Baseball stadium.

What do you miss most about your childhood?

My parents.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you choose?  

Eating the fantastic burgers at The Thurman Cafe. 

(A famous spot local to Columbus, Ohio, this is a must-visit whenever visiting Executive Offices!)

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Sabrina

What is your favorite family tradition? 

Our annual 4th of July celebration at the beach.

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During Convention this summer, we installed a new Council. Shari Souser Malone, Gamma Epsilon-Kent State, is our National Panhellenic Conference Delegate. Shari has served as Delta Gamma's NPC Delegate since 2013. Get to know her below! 

Can you tell us about your family?

My husband, Jim, is a retiree of Virginia Tech where he was the director of career services for more than 30 years. He is a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. I have two sons, Matthew and Brandon. Matthew is a chef in Hilton Head, SC. Brandon works for NIKE and lives in Portland, OR, with his wife, Joy. Brandon and Joy have also blessed me with twin granddaughters, Lydia Jane and Zadie Blue. Jake, our 80-pound golden retriever, is the best dog in the world!

Why did you join DG?

It was a highly respected and successful organization at Kent State. I knew nothing about Greek life and wanted to get involved in leadership activities. The DGs I met through recruitment were high profile women on campus.

Favorite DG memory?

I have so many, but one of them was standing at the podium at the 2004 Convention in D.C., when Maureen Hollmeyer, Gamma Rho-Wittenberg, handed me the gavel to preside over the Convention body. There are hardly words to describe what that felt like, and what the responsibility and legacy of that moment meant to me.

What is the one thing that DG taught you that was most unexpected?

That even someone like me could become the Fraternity President. It’s taught me that I always have so much to learn as a leader, as a sister and as a woman, and that DG will always be there to help me grow, to see something in me that I may not have seen and to push me to “Lean IN.”

Favorite Quote?

“Delta Gamma gives us the joy of THINKING, for thought is the source of power.

Delta Gamma gives us, too, the joy of PLAYING, for play is the fountain of wisdom.

Delta Gamma gives us FRIENDSHIP, for that is the road to happiness, and lastly…

Delta Gamma gives us LAUGHTER and LOVE, for both of these are the music of the soul.”

During Convention this summer, we installed a new Council. Staige Davis Hodges, Beta Theta-Duke, is now the Council Trustee: Communications for the Fraternity. Staige has previously served the Fraternity in numerous ways, including as Regional Director for Region 7 and the Fraternity Director: Member Education. Get to know Staige Davis Hodges!

What is your favorite anchor item you own?

Other than my badges, one of the most unique and special anchor items is a marble-top Victorian table my mother gave me for my 40th birthday. The wooden base has carved anchors and the apron beneath the marble has anchors in burled walnut. It most likely came from a ship's captain's home in the mid-1880s. It is in a place of importance in our home and I cherish it!

What did you want to be when you grew up when you were in kindergarten?

While my desire to be Quincy (Google late 1970s tv shows...) and be a medical examiner detective didn't come until later, I think my focus in kindergarten was aspiring to have a lime green Chevy Nova. No joke.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?

Estate saling. I estate sale. See what I did there? I made it into a verb. From the detective work finding great sales burgeoning with antique and mid-century finds, to the thrill of the hunt and the process of listing and selling on Etsy, many a Friday morning finds me racing around town, standing in early morning lines and stuffing my basket with goodies. Vintage Christmas selling would be my gold medal!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

It's a tie, but the same premise. People who stop at the top or bottom of an escalator to decide which way to go. That is easily tied with people leaving their shopping carts in the middle of an aisle or next to someone else's, thereby blocking the entire aisle as they 1) sometimes leave to go farther down said aisle, or 2) stand there and remember what they need!

What is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?

It's going to sound cheesy, but meeting my husband. It was a fluke we met, and I told my mother after our first date, "I just met the man I am going to marry." Twenty-three years later, with two wonderful daughters, and a life filled with precious memories together, we have weathered life storms and challenges of job hunting, grief and loss, and lack of sleep, and still love one another. He balances me, makes me a better person, and I love who I am when I am with him. He is truly my knight in shining armor and an Anchor Man through and through.

What do you miss most about your childhood?

Being an only child, I spent a great deal of time reading, studying nature (I can still name just about any flower or plant), and climbing trees with my neighbor, as I didn't have siblings as built-in playmates. We would ride bikes freely around our urban neighborhood and there was no sense of fear. I spent hours buried in books or in imaginative play, and weeks each summer on a friend's farm raising rabbits, riding horses and helping with their Four-H projects. Life was carefree, without screens, and was filled with tactile learning and the art of conversation. There was not an urgent sense of the demands of technology, and life was truly simple.

Wendy Adams Faust, Epsilon-Ohio State, received the Oxford Award at the Columbus Founders Day in March 2018, presented by Columbus' alumnae chapter president, Molly Peirano, Epsilon-Ohio State.

Wendy is a well-known Delta Gamma leader, having served at all alumnae volunteer levels, including two terms on Council as Vice President: Fraternity Programming. She received the Cable Award in 1998 and currently serves as Director: New Chapter Development, on the Board of Advisers and on the Foundation Advisory Board.

Wendy has a long history of community involvement. In her most recent efforts, Wendy served Equality Ohio, supporting equal treatment of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Wendy serves the Star House Foundation, a safe place for homeless youth to seek support. She also supports LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, a shelter and full-service agency for survivors of domestic violence and their children. As a proud alumna of The Ohio State University Department of Design, she helped the department establish the Professional Advisory Committee, and served as the inaugural committee chair. Wendy also supports the Sorority and Fraternity Life community at The Ohio State University as a judge for Greek Awards and volunteered with NPC’s “Something of Value” program on OSU’s campus. Finally, Wendy serves on the New Leaders Council Advisory Board, advising millennials who are seeking to mobilize progressive leaders in the Columbus area.

Molly, who led Wendy's nomination, said: "Wendy exemplifies the Delta Gamma philosophy of service to her community through volunteer and philanthropic activities and truly embodies our motto, 'Do Good.' Wendy not only brings a sense of pride to our alumnae chapter, but also, she brings a sense of pride to the city of Columbus, Ohio, and our greater Fraternity.

Wendy is selfless in her service to the community and she works to engage a variety of people through hands-on service,fundraising and dialogue both in-person and via social media. She takes on daunting tasks and commits to ensuring the rights and dignity of all people are respected and upheld. Wendy not only serves those she knows personally, but also, she serves those she has never met. Fighting for the rights and opportunities of individuals she has never known personally speaks volumes about her character and compassion for all."

The Oxford Award recognizes alumnae who exemplify the Delta Gamma philosophy of community service through volunteer and philanthropic activities. Recipients bring a sense of pride to their alumnae groups through outstanding community efforts and involvement. You can find Oxford Award instructions here.