Q&A with Past Grand Archon Louise Kier Zirretta

In celebration of Women's History Month, Grand Archon Tess Stovall sits down with a series of Phi Sigma Sigma sisters to share their stories, advice and how our sisterhood made a lasting impact in their lives. Read more stories, here.

Louise Kier Zirretta served as Grand Archon from 1979-1983 and from 1992-1996. Louise also served as chairman of the National Panhellenic Council (NPC) from 1989-1991. She is an alumna of Phi Sigma Sigma's Zeta Chapter at the University of California - Los Angeles.

Professionally, Louise's career successfully combined healthcare marketing and market research with a passionate commitment to community engagement through board leadership in not-for-profit organizations. As a community leader, Louise has served on boards of local, national and international organizations whose missions focus on leadership learning, community health, marketing and public relations, and higher education.

Tess Stovall: What do you believe is the biggest asset of Phi Sigma Sigma membership? And how has it played a role in your life?

Louise Kier Zirretta: Phi Sigma Sigma membership is lifetime. Very little in life is so absolute. Little did I know that the journey that I began that day as I took my oaths of membership would have a profound impact on the rest of my life.

During my undergraduate years, Phi Sigma Sigma literally was my home and family. Chapter consultant was my first job after graduation! Sisters asked my (now) husband when we first were dating, “what are your intentions with our Louise?” When I moved East from California, I discovered Baltimore alumnae were everywhere in my new home city, and for almost 40 years the Beta Alpha Chapter at the University of Maryland - College Park was my “adopted chapter” as I served as chapter key advisor and house corporation president. And one of the greatest honors of my life was serving as National Panhellenic Conference Chair representing Phi Sigma Sigma. This year, I once again attended convention in a tradition that has not been missed since my first convention in 1970. Whether leading Phi Sigma Sigma from the ritual table or simply sitting in my place in the pyramid, my membership touches my soul.

TS: The lifelong friendships are such an important part of our sisterhood. Tell me about a Phi Sigma Sigma sister who has had a significant influence in your life and why?

LKZ: Past Grand Archon Jeanine Jacobs Goldberg was a mentor and an inspiration. Salutatorian of her graduating class at the University of Pennsylvania, she went on to graduate from Harvard University Law School and was a highly respected corporate attorney. She mentored with few words but deep wisdom. Serving as Grand Archon during the years of great turmoil on college/university campuses during the Vietnam War, she (as other national presidents at the time) juggled the challenges of empty Phi Sigma Sigma chapter houses, dramatic declines in women going through recruitment and joining sororities, disaffected alumnae and antagonistic campus administrations. Yet she pushed forward looking for solutions and building teams in spite of the environment. She founded the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, she drove strategic and long-range thinking, she made possible the pivots that created the groundwork upon which Phi Sig emerged from those years as one of the strongest and most respected NPC groups today. But there was another side to Jeanine: she knit slippers and covers for hangers in blue and gold as gifts to her sisters, she never showed up for a meeting without See's Candy for all to share, she was an accomplished pianist and chef, and she knew how to convey that you were important to her and to Phi Sigma Sigma. She taught me by example: courage of convictions, grace under pressure, calm in chaos, unconditional love.

TS: Phi Sigma Sigma has remained an important part of your life. Why do you believe it is important to stay connected?

LKZ: Each Phi Sigma Sigma sister ascribes to the mission, values and vision of our Fraternity, as timeless as they were in 1913 as articulated by our Founders. The sisterhood to which we pledged fealty at the time of our initiation cannot be torn from our hearts and souls. We are connected to our sisterhood through the memories of sisters we’ve known with whom we are still in touch daily and those now in chapter eternal, through the building blocks of continuous learning, through the platforms on which we stand representing our beloved fraternity, through the melody of Liebestraum as we sway together. Our sisterhood is a lifelong source of strength, unique friendship, and opportunity for service.