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An American Guardian Angel As part of the U.S. National Security Council, a Kappa sister helps keep us safe. - By Janet Pavasko Heyl, Bowling Green

In 1996, when LISA GORDON HAGERTY, Michigan, walked the 1.5 miles from her Washington, D.C., office at the U.S. Department of Energy past the White House, she never thought that in a few short years she would be employed at America's most famous address.

Nevertheless, Lisa, an expert in nuclear weapons, soon found herself breaking the glass ceiling when former President Bill Clinton, via a presidential directive, created her current position as Director, Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness, National Security Council.

These days, Lisa routinely strolls through the White House. She works there now. "I had always dreamed of working for the National Security Council, but didn't think it would happen so quickly," she adds. "This was rare...it was a by-name appointment."

Lisa is quick to point out that she is not a political appointee. "I didn't turn into a pumpkin on January 20," she explains. "The National Security Adviser requested that I move to the White House to serve in this position," she explains. The entire process took about six months. As a career civil servant, Lisa has remained at the NSC and continues to serve President Bush.

Prior to her appointment, Lisa served as Director, Office of Emergency Response, where she managed emergency response programs and assets utilized in support of radiological accidents and incidents in the U.S. and abroad. Lisa also served as a technical advisor for the U.S. Congress, House Energy and Commerce Committee, Minority Professional Staff.

Today, Lisa is responsible for the domestic preparedness, crisis response and consequence management aspects of weapons of mass destruction—chemical, biological and nuclear—directed against the United States.

Lisa describes her position as no ordinary nine-to-five job. "Fortunately there are no bombings or planes falling out of the sky on a regular basis," she explains. "However, when a crisis occurs, such as an embassy bombing or a plane that goes down for no reason at all, like TWA Flight 800, then we alert the president."

Based on the situation, Lisa and other national security staff make recommendations to the president, such as whether to retaliate or to send manpower efforts overseas to track terrorists. "Because national security was of paramount importance to him, (former) President Clinton spent a fair amount of time on terrorism issues," she states. "We also sent him a lot of memorandums."

Lisa believes Americans need to know that each day someone is physically out there combating terrorism in order to make them feel secure. "You can't just assume a project (such as national security) is adequate; it needs constant care and feeding. ...It is a process and I am part of that process," she emphatically states.

Most people probably do not realize the full scope of Lisa's dedication and duties that ensures their continued safety. Lisa, who holds top-secret security clearance and has access to all intelligence data, typically logs a 60- to 80- hour workweek. Her immediate duties and whereabouts remain a secret—even to her family.

"I signed a National Security document stating that I won't divulge any secrets," she explains. "While I can't tell anyone where I've been, I do call my mother and let her know I'm OK so she won't worry."

Lisa, who laughingly stated that the Washington Times once dubbed her as the female James Bond, even keeps a low profile during family vacations. "I'm always aware of my surroundings because it's conceivable that I might be a target. When traveling, I don't even use White House bags so I have total control."

For Lisa, the joy of serving her country far outweighs the long workdays and risks inherent to her position. "There is not a day that goes by that I don't pinch myself - I'm very blessed to have this opportunity," she adds. "It's my chance to serve my nation. By my actions, I hope we (as a nation) can respond to and deter terrorism."

Lisa seeks to make the United States safer for her own family and for families across the country. She is very close with her family, which includes three Kappa sisters, JIL GORDON, GAIL GORDON BOSCH and LYNNE GORDON DUBAN, who are also alumnae of BETA DELTA CHAPTER, Michigan. Lisa, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in health physics, gives credit to Kappa Kappa Gamma for providing a nurturing, family-like environment. "Kappa gave me the opportunity to realize there were other smart women out there in the scientific and engineering fields. ...These women mentored me and helped me realize that women can do anything they put their minds to," she explains. "Perhaps I will be able to mentor others in this way."