Women's History Month: Q&A with Marsha Luey & Molly Hegwood

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.

While not members of Phi Sigma Sigma, I had to include two of the most important women in my life – my mom and my twin sister – as part of this series. Both women had immeasurable influence on who I am today. This personal Q&A shares their unique perspectives on my Phi Sig experience as well as the lasting impact the sorority has had on our whole family.

My mom, Marsha Luey, joined Alpha Chi Omega at Butler University and transferred to the chapter at Purdue University. Professionally, she spent her career as a school psychologist working in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. My twin sister, Molly Hegwood, joined Pi Beta Phi at the University of Tennessee. She has also spent the bulk of her career working in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and is currently the Executive Director of the Office of English Learners.

TS: While we aren’t all Phi Sigma Sigma sisters, you both joined sororities at college. Tell us a little bit about your sorority experience.

Marsha Luey: I was really shy in high school and college. I started out at Butler University, a small liberal arts college where I rushed and joined Alpha Chi Omega. I transferred to Purdue University in between semesters and the chapter there took me in as a pledge. Being a part of the chapter at Purdue helped me build a friend group on campus and build confidence. Our chapter also had a huge emphasis on academic progress.

During my time on campus, I lived in the sorority house which was a unique experience. We had rooms where our desks and closets were, but for sleeping, we had the choice between the “warm dorm” and the “cold dorm” in which the windows were left open even in the winter. Each dorm slept about 35 people in bunk beds and if there were extras you could help yourself. So sometimes, I would bounce between dorms depending on how I felt that night.  

Molly Hegwood: I joined Pi Phi at the University of Tennessee in the spring semester of my freshman year. As I’m sure you can imagine, my sorority experience and college experience in general was very different from that at George Washington. I joined a sorority for the social aspect and was happy being a general member of the chapter. I didn’t seek out leadership positions within my chapter and didn’t really stay connected once I graduated.

However, I will say it’s interesting the amount of people who I run into in my professional work and life who were also Pi Phis. It’s not something that’s a huge part of my life like it is yours, but it’s always a unique connection when you realize someone else was a Pi Phi, too.

TS: And when I first joined Phi Sigma Sigma, what were your initial thoughts on my involvement?

ML: I was happy for you as I had enjoyed my experiences as a sorority woman in college. It was a nice group of people you met, and I glad you had that support system.

MH: When you first joined, I remembered thinking “she’s not really a sorority person” or at least what my preconceived ideas were of a sorority girl at that time. But you were really excited about it and as your experience evolved, I saw it was a great fit for you!

TS: And now, more than 20 years later, what do you think about my Phi Sig journey?

ML: I admire your dedication and that you want to continue and lead women in your sorority. It’s not something I could see myself doing, but I’m proud of the hard work you’ve put into it.

MH: I didn’t remain actively involved with my own sorority after graduation. But I think you bring an adult side to sorority life that is very different from what members experience at the college level. Volunteers and those who continue to give back are vital for the structure of the organization and it’s been interesting to watch you do that for the past 20 years.

TS: I'm obviously a big believer in Phi Sig's impact, or I wouldn't still be here. But I'm curious, how have you seen it positively influence my life?

ML: Once again, I go back to leadership the leadership opportunities and the opportunity it provides to extend your skillset. In your professional life you’re a leader but that’s a narrow focus. Extending your expertise helps make you a more well-rounded supervisor across the various networks in your life.

Molly: I think the biggest impact has been the lifelong friendships you’ve gained and continue to build. When you move back to the place you grew up, it’s easy for people to remain siloed with the same friend group they’ve always known. However, Phi Sigma Sigma has given you a strong group of friends and created so many more opportunities for you to network and make personal connections. I think it’s especially wonderful how many of those friendships were formed in the post-college years, because it’s not easy to make friends as an adult.

It also created an opportunity for you to continue to grow your formal wear collection, which many of us stopped with in our early 20s. But who doesn’t love a good excuse to dress up!  

TS: I know we’ve been mainly talking about Phi Sigma Sigma and its impact on me, but I want to put the spotlight on both of you for a minute. You’re two incredible women who have had a profound impact on my life and I couldn’t be prouder of all you’ve accomplished in life. As you reflect on your own lives, what is one of your proudest accomplishments?

ML: Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is my children, I'm very proud of them, how much they succeeded and how they always rise to the occasion. But that sounds kind of cliché.

I’m also very proud of my career. I worked with troubled youth and troubled parents. It wasn’t an easy job, but I worked hard, was well respected and I think I really made an impact.

MH: I think as a parent, you’re always proud of how you parented. Professionally, I would say I’m proud of the impact I’ve made in my current role as a leader in a large urban district supporting the children of Nashville. I’ve also had the privilege of growing other professionals in the career field which has been a great opportunity to increase our work’s impact.