I don’t know how many of you have spent time in Jackson, Mississippi, but I highly recommend it! The weather is great and the area is beautiful. It is rich with culture — writers like Eudora Welty, Willie Morris, and William Faulkner spent time here —and residents are proud of their city.

As sat in the lobby of a hotel talking about the plans for Fraternity Day of Service with another Pi Phi, a woman walked by and recognized by friend. West Virginia Alpha Dana Sharp Stringer is well known in her community. Dana reminds me “you never know who you’re going to meet through networking.”

After she moved to Jackson in 1993, Dana wanted to get involved, because to her, “that’s what you do as a member [of Pi Phi].” She is especially proud that that Jackson, Mississippi is thriving and was thrilled to actively participate at Fraternity Day of Service. Only five cities were chosen this year to host an event, and Jackson was one of them!

Nature of service is strong within Dana. This past year, Dana was awarded the Athena Award for Service to Her Community by the Jackson Area Alumnae Panhellenic Association. She attended the luncheon because she was nominated, but surprised she won the award. Though it was no surprise to her Pi Phi sisters in the Alumnae Club.

Dana enjoys giving back to her church and community. She volunteers at the local Children’s Museum and is a Sustaining member of Junior League of Jackson. Dana is Vice Chair of Rankin County Republican Executive Committee, represents Rankin County on the State Executive Committee for Mississippi Republican Party and in 2012, she was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to the Mississippi Ethics Commission. This year, she begins a two-year term as President of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women.

Whew – I wonder what she does in her spare time?

One thing Dana enjoys is visiting her daughter Mississippi Gamma Grace Stringer, at Mississippi State University. This past fall, she went up to Bid Day in a Pi Phi T-shirt. It was a landmark occasion as it was exactly 40 years since she was initiated.

With all that she is involved in, I am not surprised Dana enjoys working out every day and yoga to help keep stress down. And can you imagine Dana’s favorite activity? It’s to sit on the front porch with her husband every night. After my time here, I would love to do the same.