Accomplished Delta Zetas

Entertainment, Sports and the Media

• Elle Alexander (née Ellen Itkoff Hamilton), Delta Alpha (California State University/Long Beach); actress, stuntwoman, and stunt coordinator; has appeared in such movies as “Confidence” with Dustin Hoffmann and “Bringing Down the House” with Queen Latifah; nominated for an MTV Movie Award in 2004; breast cancer awareness and women’s wellness advocate. Visit Elle’s site at www.ellealexander.com.
• Jeanne Hirsch Blaylock, Zeta Rho (William Jewell College); television reporter – 1st News, UTLV – 12 Jacksonville, FL; developed breast cancer awareness program called “Buddy Check 12;” 1994 Woman of the Year.
• CheVonne Burton, Xi Omicron (Loyola-Marymount University); actress; was the 2000 Miss Michigan and a semi-finalist for Miss America. She has also appeared in episodes of “Mind of Mencia,” “The Great American Dream Vote,” “I Love New York,” “Veronica Mars” and as a reoccurring prize model on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” CheVonne also appeared in the 2010 release of the Screen Gems feature film “Fired Up.”
• Luci Butler, Zeta Pi (University of Georgia), second from right; professional musician and songwriter; as keyboardist, toured with musical artist Moby on his world tour in 2005-06; works with the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function at the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services Hospital, NYC, in their music therapy program.
• Arlene Palsgraff Davis*, Gamma Alpha (Baldwin-Wallace College); distinguished aviatrix; honored as Woman of the Year in Aviation in 1953 by the Women’s National Aeronautic Association; one of the first members of the Air Force Jet Clan; the first woman to receive the National Aeronautics Association’s “Certificate of Elder Statesman of Aviation” in 1961; was named Delta Zeta Woman of the Year in 1960.
• Marti Dodson, Theta (The Ohio State University); musician and composer; founder and lead singer of rock band Saving Jane, most famous for their hit song “Girl Next Door;” the single “Girl Next Door” peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. The video debuted on MTV’s “Total Request Live” countdown on April 24, 2006. Visit Saving Jane’s site at www.savingjane.com.
• Nanette Fabray*, Xi Omicron (Loyola-Marymount University); Actress; Trustee of House Ear Institute; worked to bring sign language and captions to television. Her honors representing the handicapped include the President’s Distinguished Service Award and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award.
• Edith Head (Ihnen)*, Mu (University of California/Berkley); first female head of a movie studio costume design department; winner of eight Academy Awards for costume design including “The Sting” with Paul Newman and Robert Redford; named one of ten outstanding Greeks during the 1976 Bicentennial; 1968 Woman of the Year.
• Florence Henderson*, Alpha Chi (UCLA); Actress on “The Brady Bunch” and spokesperson for the hearing impaired and Speaking of Women’s Health, and most recently on “Dancing With the Stars.” Visit Florence’s site at www.flohome.com.
• Joan Dondrea Lowry, Gamma Alpha (Baldwin-Wallace College); Cleveland talk show host; Board member of the Better Hearing Institute; former Delta Zeta Foundation President; 1995 Woman of the Year.
• Meryl Lin McKean, Epsilon Gamma (University of Central Missouri); produces and anchors “FOX 4 Health,” a nightly segment focusing on health-related issues. Meryl Lin has received numerous public education awards, including a first place Heart of America Award for Feature Reporting in 2000. She was awarded an Emmy in 1997 for Specialty News, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists honored Meryl Lin with its 2000 Media Award. She is the 2002 recipient of the Television Media Award from the Missouri Public Health Association.
• Gail Patrick* (née Margaret Fitzpatrick), Alpha Pi (Samford University, formerly Howard College); actress in movies such as “Stage Door” with Katherine Hepburn and “My Favorite Wife” with Cary Grant; one of the first female television producers in the industry, produced the “Perry Mason” show; 1962 Woman of the Year.
• Pat Priest, right, Alpha Chi (UCLA); actress in “The Munsters” TV show of the 1960s as the pretty blonde cousin, Marilyn; legacy of U.S. Treasurer Ivy Baker Priest, Alpha Chi (UCLA), (see Law, Government and the Military), center. Pat’s sister Nancy, Alpha Chi (UCLA) is on the left.
• Deborah Renshaw, Xi Eta (Northwood University); NASCAR race car driver; competed at the infamous Nashville Speedway USA in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Division, and moved the team up to the top of the championship point standings, making history in the process by becoming the first female to lead the points race in a NASCAR-sanctioned series. Received Northwood University’s Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award in 2003; is a member of Indy 500 veteran Lyn St. James’ “Women in the Winner’s Circle” discussion panel.
• Rebecca Rush, Alpha Beta, University of Illinois; ultra endurance pro athlete, 7x world champion, author, entrepreneur, Emmy Award winner, and motivational speaker whose career has spanned numerous adventure sports including rock climbing, expedition racing, whitewater rafting, cross-country skiing and mountain biking.
• Vee Shakarian Toner*, Omicron (University of Pittsburgh); Internationally known swimming and tennis champion; one of the first women to umpire at the National Open and Wimbledon; first American woman named as Chair Umpire at Wimbledon; elected to Sports Hall of Fame; Donated a bequest for Pitt’s Emergency Loan Fund and for scholarship funds for the varsity marching band and athletics; 1969 Woman of the Year.
• Marcia Wallace*, Delta Nu (Parsons College); Actress; “The Bob Newhart Show, “The Simpsons,” celebrity spokesperson for Saks Fifth Avenue “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.” 2009 Woman of the Year.
• Kay Yow*, Zeta Lambda (East Carolina University); head women’s basketball coach at North Carolina State University; USA Women’s Basketball Olympic Team coach; received John & Nellie Wooden Award for Top Women’s College Basketball Coach in the nation in 2000 and the inaugural Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance in 2007. 1987 Woman of the Year.* Flame Eternal