From Alpha Delta to Harvard Law to Motherhood, This Phi Mu Has a History of Accomplishment

Some folks just seem destined for “big things.” For Julie Grimes Waldorf, Alpha Delta, big things seem almost routine.

After speaking on the U.S. Constitution and winning the state American Legion Oratorical Contest three times in high school, Julie was motivated me to pursue a career in law.

Her senior year, she won the national NATO essay contest. “I took my first trip to Europe and decided that I wanted to study international law. My senior year I was also selected as the first female Newman Scholar at the University of Mississippi,” Julie says.

Since both of her parents were Ole Miss grads, they were very excited about Julie’s decision to attend Ole Miss on the top scholarship even though she was also accepted to Harvard.

“At that time, I decided to go to Ole Miss, but made it a personal goal to attend Harvard Law School,” she admits.

“Toward that end, in addition to maintaining top grades at Ole Miss, Julie was very active in student government, Phi Mu and public service activities as a Truman Scholar.

“I interned in Washington at the NATO Information Office and USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. I also studied French in Avignon and Tours, France and Spanish in Madrid, traveled extensively in Europe and was an AAUS delegate to Russia and Lithuania. After graduating from Ole Miss in 1992 with majors in Philosophy and French and minors in Political Science and Spanish, I achieved my goal of attending Harvard Law School where I focused on international law.”

During summers in law school, Julie interned at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and worked at the international law firm Baker & McKenzie. After graduation from law school, where she was Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard International Law Journal, Julie clerked for Judge Rhesa Barksdale on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

But the day came when she took off for three months, bought an around-the-globe airline ticket and backpacked through Europe as well as Egypt, Kenya, India, Nepal, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia. It was another milestone achieved.

“After that journey of a lifetime, I settled down in New York City were I have lived two blocks from the World Trade Center for the past ten years (including on 9/11). I started my career in New York as an associate at the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop, where I worked on large corporate and international transactions.

“In 1999, I became an entrepreneur and founded a travel media company, TravelCharts, where I served as CEO and General Counsel. I then served as General Counsel of The Vitamin Shoppe which was sold in 2002 for over $300 million. Subsequently, I have worked as Corporate Counsel for the top international model management company, Ford Models. Ford operates all over the world and conducts the SuperModel of the World competition,” Julie said.

In addition to practicing law, Julie has been active in foreign policy groups, participating in conferences on a large number of international topics. She focused on national security issues by going on military trips with the Council on Foreign Relations, which included highlights such as driving a tank, landing on an aircraft carrier and having briefings with NATO forces in Sarajevo.

“I am also a charter member of Network 20/20, an organization that prepares young professionals for leadership roles in foreign policy and gets them involved in debates on international issues. Last year I was a delegate on Network 20/20’s first international trip to Turkey, where we were hosted by the prime minister and met with government leaders, business people and scholars. Upon returning, our group prepared a written report and made presentations to Congress, professional groups, universities, etc.

“I am also involved in mentoring students and providing scholarships through the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy and have been a resource for students visiting New York City for projects through the Barksdale Honors College and for the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park,” she says.

Julie and her husband, Michael, have a wonderful little son, Jonathan. Jonathan was born in September of 2005.

“He is such a sweet baby, and I have enjoyed taking time off to spend with him. Even though Jonathan was born in New York City, I want him to have strong Southern roots and to visit my native state of Mississippi a lot.

“My husband grew up in New Jersey, but he has promised to help work on Jonathan’s Southern accent,” she says.

Julie met Michael during their first year at Harvard Law School, where they were in the same class.

“We dated for 8 ½ years before getting married in 2001, which shows that patience can finally pay off. Michael started his career as a corporate lawyer at Fried Frank where he worked across the street from me. He then became an investment banker at CSFB and is now a money manager with the hedge fund Paulson & Co.”

Julie believes that Phi Mu was a formative part of her college experience and Phi Mu helped her develop many of the social skills that are important to progressing through a career and life.

“The two Phi Mus who have most influenced my life are Shellye McCarty and her daughter Mary Helen, Julie says.

“When I was in high school it was through Mary Helen, who was the Governor of Girls’ State, that I got to know about Phi Mu. After being rushed by both Mary Helen and Shellye, I was impressed with how Phi Mus were so active on campus and in student government and were so outstanding yet down to earth. After pledging Phi Mu, so many of my sisters served as role models and continue to do so. Even now when I’m facing challenges as a new mom, I can look to Mary Helen as an inspiration, since she has five sons. Seeing how busy one newborn keeps me, I am in awe more than ever as to how she does it.

“We all have Phi Mu sisters who paved the way for us, and it is important that we reach out to help those behind us. Supporting the Phi Mu Foundation is a wonderful way to reach out,” she says.

“Shellye McCarty is a great example of someone who has paved the way for me and so many others. Shellye has held many leadership positions as a Phi Mu alumnae, most recently as President of the Board of Trustees of the Phi Mu Foundation. She introduced me to the Phi Mu Alumnae Group in Manhattan, and got me involved in donating for Phi Mu’s new national headquarters, and for the fabulous Phi Mu Fountain, which is now one of the most beautiful spots on the Ole Miss campus.

“I have been lucky to have many role models from my own chapter Alpha Delta, including Kathy Williams, our national president.”

When asked if there was any advice she wished to share with collegians and alumnae, Julie didn’t hesitate. Here are her words for fellow Sisters.

Carpe diem. There’s no better time to pursue your goals than now.

Believe in yourself, be brave and follow your true dreams.

Break the cycle of negative thoughts. Practice letting go of unimportant things.

Don’t worry so much about how you look—just try to eat healthy, exercise and take care of yourself.

Periodically reassess your goals. Experience may reveal that what you thought you wanted isn’t really as important as other things in life.

Get out and see the world—don’t wait to travel until you retire.

Take lots of pictures.

Wear sunscreen, wear your seatbelt and don’t smoke.

Decrease stress and relax in healthy ways. Try yoga or meditation.

Have faith, get attuned to your intuition and seek knowledge that goes beyond thinking