Chi Omega Alumnae members celebrate Gerry Porter as Chi Omega's outstanding alummna as part of City Panhellenics 100 year celebration.  Read her outstanding biography and see why Gerry is a treasure to Chi Omega.

                                        Biography for Geraldine (Gerry) Laird Porter - Chi Omega Fraternity Honoree

      Born in El Paso, Texas on August 10, 1930.   The only child of James V. and Dorothy Laird.  As a military family we traveled all over, and I was at 5 different high schools before I graduated from Austin High School in 1947.    I entered Texas College of Mines in the fall and pledged Chi Omega.   I held several offices and was President my senior year.  I had met my future husband at the Christmas dance of 1947 and we married 4 years later.    When we graduated I was a top 10 student and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sweetheart and Tom was a 2nd Lieutenant. I followed him to Germany where our 1st son, Thomas Laird was born.   We returned to El Paso, where our second son Paul was born.  I belonged to the Jr. Woman’s Club and the El Paso Museum of Art before we moved to Sacramento, California.   

                                                                                                                                   

 I began my many years in PTA.  I was awarded a Life Membership in the State of California PTA after having served as both a grade school and the High School PTA president and also on City and District PTA Councils.  I was active in Chi Omega Alumnae groups and was a Charter Member of Assistance League of Sacramento.  We retired to El Paso to be near our parents. I joined Assistance League of El Paso and have been very active with that organization for 28 years.  In 2005 I was named to the Older El Pasoan’s Hall of Fame and received a plaque from the Mayor.  In January 2008 I received a Certificate of Appreciation from the El Paso Downtown Lions Club.  In 2001 my husband and I were the Golden Grad Chairs for our 50th year UTEP graduation celebration. I was the House Corporation President for the Chapter of Chi Omega.

                                                                                                             

We reorganized our Alumnae Chapter and I have just completed a several year term as President.  They were kind enough to nominate me for this current honor for the 100th Anniversary of Pan Hellenic. I recently received  the 25th year certificate of “Retired Senior Volunteer Persons”  (“RSVP)”.                               

 I have been a widow since 2010.  Our sons have both been married twice and there are several grandchildren and one great grandson to add to the family numbers.