Chi Omega - University of North Carolina

The Perch 2 B lanche Burrus Clark '38 recalls that she grew up wanting to be a pharmacist like her father as she followed him around and worked in his drugstore in Canton, North Carolina. At the age of 16, she was quite a trailblazer when she enrolled in the pharmacy program at UNC in the fall of 1937. Just being accepted into UNC as a female at that time was quite an honor since the total female population was limited to 300 students. She was one of only six females in the entering pharmacy class of 60. By law, women were limited to only 10% of the class. That allowed her to enroll as a freshman at a time when most females could not even apply to UNC until their junior year. Shortly after moving into Spencer Hall, Blanche made a connection that would eventually lead to her lifelong commitment to Chi Omega. At that time, every incoming female student was assigned a big sister to help them get acclimated to college life, and Blanche's big sister just happened to be a Chi O. Recruitment was simpler back then, and Blanche remembers several party invitations being left on her door. She also remembers the fierce competition between Chi O and Pi Phi, the only two sororities on campus. When Blanche graduated from UNC's School of Pharmacy in 1941, she became only the 20th woman to pass the state board exam and become a registered pharmacist. Her first job exposed Blanche to the very low glass ceiling that confronted professional women at that time. She left that job after less than a year because the older male pharmacists never allowed her to fill a single prescription. World War II created a severe shortage of pharmacists and that created opportunities for women in pharmacy. Blanche was one of the first three women recruited to work in the pharmacy at Duke University Hospital. That's where she met Henry Clark, a bright young intern who would become her lifelong partner in service to others. Henry's career took them to service in Holland, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico before returning to Chapel Hill where he served as administrator of the newly formed Division of Health Affairs, comprised of five health schools and a proposed hospital. Blanche and Henry were active members of Chapel of The Cross and enthusiastic supporters of Habitat for Humanity. In the '90s, they were instrumental in forging a partnership between Habitat for Humanity, Chapel of the Cross, Chi Omega, and Sigma Nu to raise enough money and provide all the volunteer workers needed to build their first Habitat House together. That initial effort led to many other joint Habitat projects. To recognize the significance of their efforts, in 2003 Blanche and Henry received the Alice Call Miller Award for outstanding volunteer service by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. Blanche and Henry were avid tennis players and fans. After hanging up their racquets, they continued to enjoy attending the matches played by the UNC men's and women's tennis teams. After Henry's death, Blanche decided to honor him by financing designated handicapped seating in the UNC tennis facility with a plaque bearing his name. That's just another example of their commitment to helping those less fortunate. In recognition of their many contributions to the university community, in 1996 Blanche and Henry were tapped into the Order of the Golden Fleece, the most prestigious honor that can be granted to a UNC student, faculty member, or alumnus. Over the years, Blanche has taken on many roles with Epsilon Beta. She was financial advisor for years, and in 1992 researched and wrote a history of Epsilon Beta. At 101, she continues to be an invaluable mentor and sounding board for the current Chi O leadership. She is indeed an extraordinary Chi Omega! An Extraordinary Chi Omega Blanche Burrus Clark '38 (top left) was one of the first recruited female pharmacists by Duke University Hospital. E psilon Beta has been honored with a rich legacy of exceptional housemothers who have shared thoughtful and memorable relationships with decades of UNC Chi Omega members. Those relationships of guidance, security, and nurturing have been especially important for our Chi Omega women living in the house. Teresa Schlotterer is our amazing house director, as housemothers are now called, who professionally and thoughtfully guides daily life at UNC's Chi Omega sorority house. Teresa lives in the same house apartment constructed internally for a housemother since Chi O's move into 313 E. Franklin Street. Living in the house allows Teresa to assist with sisters' needs, make house repairs quickly, and help with Chapter events. She coordinates all scheduling for our house staff: from Lori and Kip, our kitchen chefs, to Aida and Linda from Triangle Town and Country Cleaning Service—all of whom have been employed by Epsilon Beta for over 22 years. Our Chi Omega sorority has been blessed with longevity of skillful, loyal employees. The mutual respect that Teresa shares with our Epsilon Beta employees continues the superior home environment we maintain at our Chi Omega sorority house. Teresa and our active membership welcome Epsilon Beta alumnae to our sorority house whenever you would like to visit! Chi O Introduces House Director Teresa Schlotterer

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