convention coverage
Distinguished Citizens The Fraternity is pleased to announce that four outstanding sisters were awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award at Convention 2010. This prestigious award was established in 1959 to recognize alumnae for outstanding professional and community achievement.
Shelly Ruttan Jamieson Carolyn Bennett Tau-University of Toronto Distinguished Citizen in the field of Government Service/ Public Service
Tau-University of Toronto Distinguished Citizen in the field of Government Service/Public Service
As the highest ranking civil servant in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Shelly Ruttan Jamieson has certainly earned her spot on the Women’s Executive Network’s list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women. Varied positions in the field of health care and government service led to her appointment as the Secretary of the Cabinet, Head of the Ontario Public Service and Clerk of the Executive Council in January of 2008. In addition to serving Canada through her vocation, Shelly works to give back to the country in whatever way she can.
With a career beginning in family medicine, Carolyn Bennett has dedicated her life to promoting women’s health issues and encouraging the betterment of Canada’s public health system. Dr. Bennett received her medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1976 and went on to obtain her certification in Family Medicine in 1976. After several years as a physician at Women’s College Hospital and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, Carolyn was awarded the Royal Life Saving Society Service Cross recognizing her more than 20 years of distinguished service.
Despite her demanding career, Shelly still found time to be a member of the Tau House Association and uses her educational background in business to provide the House Association with advice on major spending decisions. One of her greatest Alpha Gamma Delta moments came when her daughter, Heather, joined Tau Chapter in 2005.
In 1997, Carolyn was elected to Canada’s House of Commons. As the first Minister of State for public health, she implemented a true public health network, allowing all 13 Canadian jurisdictions to join together in the effort to protect health care for all Canadians. Among her many awards include the coveted EVE Award for contributing to the advancement of women in politics and the National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Leadership and Dedication to Injury Prevention and Safety, of which she was the first recipient.
14 quarterly summer 2010
Elaine Folk Marshall Jani Macari Pallis Alpha Xi-University of Maryland Distinguished Citizen in the field of Government Service
Gamma Phi-Georgia Institute of Technology Distinguished Citizen in the field of Engineering
Numerous awards in technology, government innovation and women’s leadership mark Elaine Folk Marshall’s term as North Carolina’s Secretary of State. Among the most notable is the North Carolina’s Association of Educators’ Women’s Equality Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Business by the Triangle Business Journal. Elaine is the first women ever elected to a statewide, executive branch office in North Carolina and only the third Democrat to hold the position in 70 years.
Even before graduating with a doctoral degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, Jani Macari Pallis was leading research for NASA, the Department of Energy and the U.S. Air Force. She had founded her own company, Cislunar Aerospace, Inc., and was well on her way to creating numerous cutting edge developments. In addition to aiding the world’s space programs, Jani has also created a series of engineering activities especially designed for young women, some of which she taught to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut.
As a former teacher, business owner, judge and Senator, Elaine places enormous importance on the issues of child welfare, women’s issues and economic development, in addition to Alpha Gamma Delta. Once a year, Elaine makes it a priority to reunite with her sisters from Alpha Xi Chapter to rekindle old friendships and cultivate new friendships.
Her drive to initiate change and ingenuity exceeds beyond the world of aeronautics to envelop Alpha Gamma Delta. Over the past five years, her mission has been to locate Gamma Phi Chapter sisters, especially those considered lost in their database. Aptly named “Columbo,” she, along with her team, have located over 570 missing sisters or sisters with incorrect information!