CENTENNIAL Celebration

DELTA ZETAINITIATED 1950PENNSYLVANIA STATEUNIVERSIT YJudithH AR D E SPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesI have lived in Phoenix sixty years, but I’m still a Yankee; born in Michigan,educated there and in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia and England, with aBA from Penn State. I married Theron Hardes in 1952 and lost him 38 years later.I was a “depression kid”, but as family finances improved my mother instilled inme the importance of giving back. So now I live a comfortable, economical lifeand share my resources with causes and organizations that matter to me-the arts,politics, education and feminist issues.In 2018 I established the Judith Hardes Endowed Fund at Penn State to providefinancial assistance to outstanding undergraduate women in Women’s Genderand Sexuality Studies. I know it is difficult for many people to comprehend, butwhen I graduated women could not buy a car, open a checking account or evenmake a major health decision without a man’s permission. We’ve made significantprogress since then, but we still have a way to go to protect and advance our rights.I also underwrite an annual scholarship at Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky andsupport the Delta Zeta Foundation Scholarship Program and the AAUW Fund.Currently I am a board member of the Phoenix Theater Company and havea theater on their campus named for me. I was acknowledged at the annualArizona Citizens for the Arts banquet and awarded the AriZoni Max McQueenDistinguished Service Award. I also support Theater Works, Prescott Center forthe Arts, The Arizona Theater Company, Black Box Theater, Phoenix Art Museumas well as public television and radio. In my sixty years here I’ve been active in theDemocratic Party as an officer of both county and state organizations and women’sclubs and inducted into the State Party’s Hall of Fame. I also support many handson-non-profits that assist others less fortunate than we. It’s giving back.13

ALPHA DELTA PIINITIATED 1954ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSIT YJeanM C G R AT HPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesEducation has always been important to Jean McGrath, prompting her to seekelection to the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community CollegeDistrict in 2014. Her second term ends in 2022. Jean has also been an electedboard member of the Central Arizona Project since 2006, where she works towardwater management and conservation issues.Jean is a West Side director of the Arizona and Maricopa County Farm Bureau,a position she has served in since 1998. In addition, she is a member of theMaricopa County Air Quality Pollution board, is a member of the Arizona NurseryAssociation scholarship committee and the Maricopa County Merit Commission.Jean served in the Arizona State House of Representatives for six years, from1994 through 2000. She was awarded an athletic letter at ASU, where she met herhusband George. Now a widow, Jean is the mother of three and a grandmotherof seven.14

DELTA GAMMAINITIATED 1958WICHITA STATE UNIVERSIT YBarbaraBA RTLET T P R O B S TPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesMy Delta Gamma experience includes being elected to serve a total of 12 years(the maximum) on the International Delta Gamma Council. Most rewarding wasmy opportunity for NPC involvement also, where I served NPC for a total of 18years. Being involved that long as a member of our NPC Delegation was an honorand privilege. The Greek women who represented their own groups, were someof the most intelligent, cooperative and admired Greek women in NPC. My DGservice was very rewarding. A Fully Endowed Scholarship was created in my honorby my fraternity sisters, family, and NPC friends. Each year a 1,000 scholarship isgiven to a worthy applicant.Retirement in 2013 was difficult as NPC work had been so satisfying with thisgroup of ladies. Known as the “official NPC Pianist for 18 years”, I received theFIRST EVER Grammy Award given by the conference. What fun that was! Afterour move to Seattle, I became Panhellenic Advisor to 18 national sororities atUniversity of Washington and was honored at WRGC when I received The BettyGilmore Woods Greek Achievement award.My husband and I travel frequently with one of our three sons, Jeff, who isthe Executive Producer and Host of Survivor. These journeys have taken us tomany impoverished countries where we’ve been able to give back to “locals” invarious ways to make their lives a bit better. As a professional pianist, teacher,and accompanist for 40 years, one of my fondest memories is when I played atthe local hospital for the sick children. When we moved away, the children cameto that last session waiting for me with tears in their eyes to tell me goodbye withbig bear hugs. I had loved being able to make the children feel a little bit bettereach week.15

DELTA PHI EPSILONINITIATED 1959UNIVERSIT Y OF TEXA SRisaM AL L I NPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesWanting to see more of the world than Denver, Colorado, I looked south to theUniversity of Texas where I became an active member of Delta Phi Epsilon. Iloved campus life but returned home to graduate from Denver University in 1963with a BA.In 1973 I married Bruce Mallin moving to Phoenix, his hometown, where hepracticed orthopaedic oncology. Phoenix has been a wonderful place to raise ourfour children and six fabulous grandchildren. We have been very fortunate tohave been able to travel extensively. Bruce taught nationally and internationally.We have participated in medical humanitarian missions in South America. Wespent time in Israel as tourists, as representatives of major organizations, studyingand celebrating life cycle events. One of our more unusual trips was visiting theUSSR in 1978 to secretly visit with Jews who were denied their rights because oftheir faith.I have been an active member of the not-for-profit community as both avolunteer and a professional for many of my 46 years in Phoenix. I was Directorof Development for the Alzheimer’s Association, founded a program for theJewish Family and Children’s Service for those suffering from dementia and theircaregivers, and volunteered as an ombudsman for the Area Agency on the Agingto protect the rights of the elderly. One of my favorite volunteer responsibilitieswas Chaplain for the Arizona Medical Society Auxiliary. I was very proud to beasked to be President of the Educational Foundation for Delta Phi Epsilon. Tenyears ago I compiled and edited a book of short stories “Tapestry: Stories Wovenby Jewish Women.”I am deeply humbled to have received many accolades over the years for myservice to the community and am indebted to the Phoenix Alumna for this honor.16

ALPHA XI DELTAINITIATED 1961UNIVERSIT Y OF IOWABobbieR AU C HPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesBorn in Chicago and raised in Elmhurst IL, I joined Alpha Xi Delta at the Universityof Iowa where I received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Married, I workedin public health in Georgia, Maryland and Illinois. After moving to Arizona, myprofession was our two daughters. I immediately joined our alumnae chapter asthe youngest member.I volunteered with the Maricopa County Hospital Auxiliary. I became a singleparent and substituted for school nurses. I was hired as a school nurse inWashington Elementary School District where I worked for 30 years. I was codepartment of Health Services for 15 years. I obtained a state Request for Funding,allowing us to establish a children’s clinic in the Sunnyslope area.After our active chapter was established at Embry Riddle, we worked to helpthem be the successful chapter that they are today. I served as president of ouralumnae chapter twice. Being panhellenic representative for several years, I wasco-chairman of outreach, hosting many informational presentations and teas forhigh school seniors.I volunteered at the Phoenix Open for over thirty years. I am active in my church.I was co-chairman of our Health Cabinet, when we received a grant to establishparish nursing in the Phoenix area. I now co-chair our Careways committee andam a member of our Communicare committee that works with our older andhomebound members. I also assist with our older youth.Lastly, I danced, so now stay active with palates, swimming and walking. I havetwo married, Pi Beta Phi daughters, and seven grandchildren from 11 to 23! Luckilythey are all local! I enjoy retirement, volunteering at school, staying active in myalumnae group and going to my grandchildren’s activities. Thank you so much forthis honor.17

GAMMA PHI BETAINITIATED 1963UNIVERSIT Y OF ARIZONABetseyB AY L E SSPhoto credit: Scott BaxterA third-generation Arizonan, Betsey Bayless has served as Arizona Secretaryof State, Maricopa County Supervisor and President and CEO of the MaricopaIntegrated Health System, now Valleywise Health. She also has devoted hertime and talents to the Arizona Board of Regents, the Arizona Department ofAdministration and the Arizona Department of Revenue. She has worked as aninvestment banker and stockbroker.A one-time Valley Leadership Woman of the Year, Ms. Bayless maintainsmemberships on boards of numerous community, business, nonprofit andpolitical organizations. She was named a 2019 Arizona Historymaker by theArizona Historical Society. She was selected as one of Arizona’s most admiredCEOs and has received many other awards and designations.Ms. Bayless earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies andSpanish from the University of Arizona where she was affiliated with Gamma PhiBeta sorority. She also holds a Masters of Public Administration from ArizonaState University. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degreefrom the University of Arizona.18

SIGMA KAPPAINITIATED 1965EA STERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSIT YCris BA SSPhoto credit: UnknownI was born in Bremerton, Washington, but grew up in Decatur, Illinois, withmy mother, step-father and two younger sisters. Following graduation fromEisenhower High School, I went to Charleston, Illinois and graduated fromEastern Illinois with a degree in secondary education. I taught high schoolbusiness subjects before starting my family.In 1973, I was blessed with a daughter and then in 1977, a son. In 1981, we movedfrom Illinois to Tempe, Arizona where our children grew up. When they enteredschool, I took a job as an Administrative Assistant at Tempe First United MethodistChurch, where I have attended for 38 years. I stayed there 10 years followed by 10years at Red Mountain United Methodist Church.I have been very active in my church and community life, holding many offices inour United Methodist Women, local and district. My daughter has three childrenand lives in the Kansas City area and my son lives in the Dallas area. I have beenan aerobics instructor for 20 years at LA Fitness. I have been an Adviser to SigmaKappa and have held several offices in my Phoenix Area Alumnae Chapter.19

KAPPA KAPPA GAMMAINITIATED 1966UNIVERSIT Y OF ARIZONAMary JaneCR IS TPhoto credit: Bill HuntMary Jane has 50 years’ experience in management in higher education and healthcare. Currently she serves as Senior Partner of Global Healthcare Capital, LLC.Prior to her retirement in 2011 she served as CEO of St. Joseph’s Foundation andBarrow Neurological Foundation at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center,Chair of the Philanthropy Council for Dignity Heath, and CAO of a charity in theUK supporting international education and research in the neurosciences.Professional activities include serving in leadership roles locally, regionally, andnationally with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Association forHealthcare Philanthropy. She has held leadership positions with multiple localcharities as well as leadership development programs including Valley Leadership,Tempe Leadership and Leadership America.Currently she serves as Vice President of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation,a member of the National Leadership Council of The University of ArizonaFoundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of Barrow Foundation UK andPresident of the Warren and Mary Jane Crist Foundation.20

SIGMA SIGMA SIGMAINITIATED 1972ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSIT YChristineL AB AR G EPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesIn 1952, Chris LaBarge was born Christine Elizabeth Perry in Phoenix, Arizona.Chris grew up in the Southwest, graduated from Las Vegas High School andattended ASU. Chris married Don LaBarge in 1977. They moved to Mesa wherethey raised three wonderful children: a daughter and two sons. Since 1983, Chrisand her husband have owned five different businesses. Their current company,AAA Pressure Washers, sells and repairs pressure washers.While raising her children, Chris became involved with Boy Scouts of America.For 25 years she served as Den Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster, mentoringmany young men to become good citizens. For her work in Scouting, Chris washonored with the Silver Beaver Award.For 10 years Chris was in a Rotary Club. During those years, Chris worked withhundreds of valley teens at Rotary leadership camps and helped them set up andmaintain the equivalent of Rotary Clubs in high schools. She also spoke to RotaryClubs asking them to give money and to support these smart, energetic youngpeople. For her service, Chris was given the commendation of Rotarian of theYear 2012.Chris has been busy with her sorority. In the recent past, she co-chaired theirPhilanthropic and Fundraising Committee. Beginning July 1, 2015, she servedfor three years as chapter president. She is currently their delegate to PhoenixPanhellenic. Chris is proud to be a part of the service and support her sororitysisters give to their community.Most of Chris’s time is spent on family, sorority, friends and working full-time.But when it’s possible, she likes to travel, camp, hunt and read non-fiction.Lastly, Chris, knowing they have many incredible women from which to choose,would like to thank Tri Sigma for honoring her with the title: Woman of Impact.21

KAPPA DELTAINITIATED 1973ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSIT YDr. Maria L.H E SS EPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesMaria Hesse serves as a Professor of Practice in the higher education programat Arizona State University. She recently retired as Vice Provost for AcademicPartnerships at ASU. Prior to joining the ASU administration in 2009, Dr. Hesseserved as President and CEO for Chandler-Gilbert Community College, one of theMaricopa Community Colleges. Before her 25 years in the Maricopa CommunityColleges system, she was a high school principal and teacher.Dr. Hesse holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degreesfrom Arizona State University. She has Master and Doctoral degrees in EducationalLeadership from Northern Arizona University and is a graduate of the HarvardInstitute for Educational Management.Maria has served as a volunteer and board member for community organizationsfor more than 45 years. Among the experiences she cherishes are serving on andchairing the ASU Alumni Association Board of Directors; serving on the East ValleyThink Tank, an organization of university administrators, community collegepresidents and school superintendents, for 17 years and chairing the organizationfor three years; and starting a non-profit organization, Positive Paths, which servesEast Valley women who have faced daunting challenges through scholarship,mentoring and professional development programs. Currently, she serves on theboards for Positive Paths, Friendly House, and Experience Matters.In 2019, Dr. Hesse was honored as the Woman of the Year by Arizona Women inHigher Education. She was named East Valley Woman of the Year in 2014, andshe has also been honored with numerous other local and national awards. Mariaand her wife Sharon, a retired federal officer, have been together for 36 years. Theyhave one daughter, Kate, a health care administrator, who is also committed tocommunity service.22

ALPHA PHIINITIATED 1985UNIVERSIT Y OF SOUTHERNCALIFORNIACatherineA NAYAPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesCatherine Anaya is a media personality and a three-time Emmy Award-winningjournalist who you may know from her more than 25 years as a television newsanchor. She spent 12 of those years anchoring the CBS 5 News evening newscasts.Prior to that she anchored and reported in Los Angles, in Phoenix at 12 News,Indiana and Texas. Catherine currently hosts My Home Group TV, a home andlifestyle digital television network that can be seen across the internet and allsocial media platforms. She is also the host of The Women’s Eye podcast, whichcan be heard on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.Catherine has won numerous awards including ‘Anchor of the Year’ by the ArizonaAssociated Press Broadcasters Association. She was recently inducted into theprestigious National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, formore than 25 years of broadcast excellence.Catherine’s career highlights include interviewing President Obama at the WhiteHouse, co-anchoring a post-presidential debate with the legendary WalterCronkite and covering Hurricane Mitch in El Salvador.She is a member of the Make-A-Wish Arizona Board of Directors and is featuredin the 2019 KNOW Book Tribe highlighting 100 Women you should KNOWand do business with. Catherine is a wife, mom to a son and daughter, and a USCalumna. She is the founder of the women’s charitable group Sisterhood of SuperWomen. She’s a self-proclaimed fitness junkie and a three-time Boston Marathonfinisher.23

SIGMA DELTA TAUINITIATED 1988UNIVERSIT Y OF ARIZONACindyCHE R N ET T B R OW NPhoto credit: Steve BrownFollowing a 30 year career in education, Cindy Brown founded Right Now isYour Tomorrow, to empower parents to help their children develop fully andconfidently to pursue their unique passions. Cindy’s methods teach parents to betheir child’s lifelong coach from a place of prevention and love.As a mother of two and having the privilege to work with thousands of childrenand their families across 3 Phoenix area school districts, Cindy embraces theimportance of supporting parents. She understands parents want their children tobe able to navigate life choices and become independent thinkers. Cindy is a strongadvocate for children and families through her dedication to local nonprofits,such as Girls on the Run, Junior Achievement, and The Junior League of Phoenix.Cindy was nominated for MASK Magazine’s Mom’s Making a Difference Award,was a speaker at the 2019 Powerhouse Women Event and a featured in the 2020KNOW Phoenix Book and Tribe. Cindy resides in Cave Creek, Arizona with herloving husband of 25 years, who she met at the University of Arizona.24

PI BETA PHIINITIATED 1990NEW MEXICO STATEUNIVERSIT YLisaR O M ANPhoto credit: Marion RhoadesLisa graduated from New Mexico State University and received a Bachelor’s degreein Management with a concentration in Organizational Theory and Developmentand also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration.Over the past 15 years, Lisa has been a Pi Beta Phi International Officer andhas held mult

7 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Sara Mayer ΑΦ Committee Chair 2017-2021 Lyn Ambrose ΔΔΔ Co-Chair 2017-2018 Linda Allen ΑΔΠ 2017-2020 Kelly Balthazor ΓΦΒ 2018-2019 Maryellen Baxter ΣΣΣ 2017-2018 Mary Jo Carver ΔΓ 2017-2020 Lexy Cromarty ΚΑΘ 2019-2020 Nancy Harris ΚΚΓ 2017-2018 Cheryl McNeill ΔΓ 2018-2020 Ashley Montanaro ΘΦΑ 2018-2021 .