Chapter History

The Triangle Area Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota was first chartered on April 13, 1983. The chapter maintained active status in the community until the early 1990s. At some point during that decade, the chapter went inactive. In the spring of 2008, Christy Walker, who was initiated as a Patroness Member by the Richmond (VA) Alumnae Chapter, relocated to the Raleigh area and longed for the camaraderie of sisters. She requested a list of area members from National Headquarters and recruited Lindsey Hales, a 2000 initiate of Kappa Gamma chapter. The pair then recruited Carol Carawan who assisted the group in establishing space for meetings at White Plains United Methodist Church.

Events were held that successfully enlisted the involvement of Elizabeth Huss and Anne LeGarde, both whom were members of the previously active chapter. The second year of formation brought new ideas for community involvement and members. Cindy Chastang, Kelly Hood, Megan Richey, and Johanna Wolf joined the group during the 2009-2010 year bringing the total membership to nine. Meetings and activities continued while sisterly bonds grew among the members. The 2011 year was a turning point for the group. Carol Carawan, who had been a driving force in the beginning, had to limit her involvement due to family obligations which caused the group to lose one member on the roster. 

But when the sisters attended the initiation and installation of the Lambda Omega Chapter at NC Central University in March of 2011 a supportive relationship began between the collegiate chapter and the alumnae group. In the Spring 2011 issue (Vol. 103, No. 3) of Pan Pipes, the interest group was featured in an article about alumnae involvement. Christy Walker, Lindsey Hales, and Johanna Wolf were interviewed for the article written by member Kelly Hood and pictures of the group were included. This spotlight was just what the group needed to kick-off the road to chartering.  

Jessie Vance, Mary Beth Heine, Sandra Svoboda, and Camilla Peterson joined the group following the Pan Pipes article bringing the total membership to 12.  Angela Darrow Flynn had also seen the article and was successfully recruited at the 2011 Tau D Province Day, bringing the official membership to 13.  In May 2011, when Lauren Cohen graduated from North Carolina Central University, she joined the group and also recruited fellow Lambda Omega initiate Keishauna Turner. It was at this time, with 15 members, that the group began the official proceedings to charter.      

During the pre-petitioning period, the group continued community involvement through participation in various fundraising and philanthropic events including instrument petting zoos and musicales in Wake County libraries, coupon collections for the military, and Belk Charity Days. During the petitioning process it was discovered that Jessie Vance would be unable to attend the installation of the chapter, bringing the official membership to fourteen—just one short of the charter requirement. The NEB was notified of this and met in January 2012 to officially discuss the petition. 

On January 31, 2012, the group received notice that our petition to charter was approved and that we were granted special permission to charter with 14 members. This was due, in part, to our continued perseverance and work for Sigma Alpha Iota during our formative years. Jessie Vance had also signed the petition and committed to affiliate, though recognized she would not be able to attend the installation. The group excitedly began preparations for this momentous occasion! Finally after four years, the Raleigh/Durham Alumnae Chapter was reinstalled on May 5, 2012 in Durham, NC becoming the first chartered alumnae chapter in the state and the only chartered alumnae chapter in Tau D Province. Christine Bruns, National Vice President of College Chapters and Nancy Durling, Tau D Province Officer, presided over the ceremony.