Nancy O'Neal Tuneski
I pledged Alpha Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta at Syracuse University 46 years ago. I transferred to Syracuse in my junior year. The University was huge so I decided to go through what was then called rush. I felt pledging a sorority would give me a group of friends. After meeting the Alpha Gams, choosing the right sorority was not difficult. What a wonderful group of women I found. Since sisterhood is a lifetime commitment I am still in contact with many of them.
Upon graduation I moved to Connecticut and found few alumnae there. After getting married, we moved to Chicago where there were alums but I was working and it was too difficult to get to meetings. The years moved on and we moved to Atlanta in the early70’s. I attempted to contact the alums here, but the meetings didn’t mesh with my working. When my son, Alexander, went into high school at Pace Academy I would frequently get a call from Sherry Cox looking for recs. I could not have imagined that several years down the road we would actually meet and become the best of friends.
In the fall of 1996 I received an invitation to a reorganizational tea for the Gamma Phi Alumnae Chapter. My son was a freshman at Cornell University, and I was feeling a little lost and empty. My breast cancer seemed to be under control (I was diagnosed in 1992 going through both chemo and radiation) and I needed a change in activities, so I decided to go. When I opened the door one of my Alpha Chapter sisters, Paula Gallop Little was waiting to greet me with open arms. We had not seen each other since graduation in 1966! To make a long story short, all of a sudden I found myself President of The Gamma Phi Alumnae Chapter. My new board consisted of some wonderful sisters from different colleges and universities. We were charged with the responsibility of getting the Alumnae Chapter back on its feet into an active, productive organization. This dedicated group of sisters accomplished that after about 4 years of ups and downs and lots of hard work. We won awards at Convention in 1997 and again at Convention in Denver in 1999. All our hard work was paying off; we were finally a recognized, established Alumnae Chapter.
During my tenure as President I was asked to be on the International Nominating Committee, which I graciously accepted. I saw this as a great way to get to know sisters from all over the country. I was at Alexander’s graduation in New York when I received a call asking me if I would be willing to serve as a PDA. Was I surprised! I had to give this a lot of thought because it meant I could no longer be President of the Alumnae Chapter and I felt like I still had a lot to do. After much pondering I decided I could remain active in the chapter, let someone else take over, and assume the PDA position. After 4 years as a PDA, I served several more years on the Documents Audit Committee.
In August 2006, 5 sisters and I organized and founded the North Atlanta Alumnae Club. I served as President for 4 years, getting it off the ground and rolling. We are a small Club but very active, winning awards at Convention as well as supporting the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation as a Jewel Club every year. This is a dedicated, vibrant group of sisters who make an impact wherever they go.
It absolutely amazes me that I wear the Arc with Diamond. When I graduated from Syracuse in 1966, I never felt that I would do anything to earn such an honor. Well, here I am and I think of what I might be wearing if I had been active all those years. Right now, I am taking a break from leadership responsibilities, but remaining active with The North Atlanta Club.
And yes, I mentioned breast cancer earlier. It has metastasized over the years. I am in my 19th year of fighting, continuing to have chemo treatments several times a month, occasional radiation treatments, fighting the fatigue and side effects, experiencing major surgery 7 years ago, trying different drugs, losing my hair, having it grow back, but none of this has stopped me. I forge ahead with the philosophy that this is the hand of cards I have been dealt and I have to play it out. The support of my sisters has been so wonderful-they are there whenever needed and I can’t thank them each of them enough.
What does Alpha Gamma Delta mean to me? Alpha Gamma Delta has guided me, made me realize I have to live up to my potential, allowed me to use my leadership skills, given me the benefit of countless friends, and the inspiration to move forward no matter what obstacles I encounter. When I stop to think about it I have lived my life by several parts of our Purpose. First, to cultivate acquaintances with many whom I meet; to cherish friendships with but a chosen few and study the perfecting of those friendships; and finally to welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world’s work in the community where I am placed because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied.
Nancy O’Neal Tuneski
Alpha Chapter
Alpha Gamma Delta