Distinguished Alumnae Honored by Chi Omega
Chi Omega recognized exceptional alumnae with two of our highest honors in 2016 through the Roselyn T. Dabbs Philanthropist Award, presented to philanthropist and community leader Linda Gregg Fields (Alpha Zeta/Texas State University) and the Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement Award, presented to actress Sela Ward (Nu Beta/University of Alabama).
Roselyn T. Dabbs Philanthropist Award recipient Linda Gregg Fields is an initiate of Alpha Zeta Chapter at Texas State University, where she earned an education degree. This award was named to honor former Chi Omega Foundation President Roselyn Threadgill Dabbs. It is given to a Chi Omega who has demonstrated outstanding fraternal and charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles within the Greek community and in her own community. Linda and her husband, Jerry, are philanthropic visionaries, having donated millions to causes around the globe, including Chi Omega. Her commitment to improving lives reaches many organizations worldwide. The family’s gift of $1 million to the Chi Omega Foundation’s Sisterhood Never Stops Campaign represents one of the largest gifts in Chi Omega’s history, and will be utilized as critical funding to support the emerging needs of the Fraternity in perpetuity.
Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement Sela Ward is an initiate of the Nu Beta Chapter at the University of Alabama. This national award is the Fraternity’s highest honor, recognizing distinguished accomplishment in service to Chi Omega, an individual’s community, and the nation. The Woman of Achievement Award is named in honor of Georgia resident Malinda Jolley Mortin, a dedicated Chi Omega alumna. Sela has received many awards for her performances, including Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Cable Ace Award. Her roles include those in Independence Day: Resurgence, Gone Girl, The Fugitive, Sisters, Once and Again, CSI: NY, House, and many more. Sela is author of the New York Times bestseller Homesick, founder of Hope Village for Children in her native state of Mississippi, and honorary chair of Chi Omega’s premier giving group, The 1895 Society.
Both awards were presented by the Chi Omega Foundation Trustees during Chi Omega’s 61st Biennial Convention in June 2016, with more than 1,200 collegiate and alumnae delegates in attendance. We are honored to be represented by these incredible Sisters and to recognize their impact on Chi Omega and beyond.
Linda Gregg Fields, 2016 Roselyn T. Dabbs Philanthropist Award Recipient www.AlexandersPortraits.com
Sela Ward, 2016 Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement