On Role Models: Nina Tisara Reflects on Inspiring Alexandria Women
Photos by Nina Tisara
Alexandria, VA – I was reminded of the importance of role models when I read an article highlighting the achievements of Christine (Chrissy) Levine, “Extraordinary Alexandria Women,” published in the April 2026 newsletter of Alexandria Celebrates Women. In the interview, Levine says:
“I admire Suzanne ‘Suzie’ Kratzok more than I can say. Over 20 years ago, she held the very role I’m in now and helped create and shape the Fund for Alexandria’s Child into what it is today. So much of the foundation we stand on was built by her vision, her determination, and her belief in what our community could do for children and families…
“For over twenty years, Suzie has supported me, encouraged me, and inspired me in ways she probably doesn’t even realize. I feel incredibly grateful to follow in the path she helped pave and fortunate to still have her part of my life.”
I took my first photography class at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in 1980 and “fell in love with my camera” (my words). I carried my photographs of Alexandria with me in a 5×7 photographic paper box the way parents carry photos of their children in their wallets!
I left my full-time job in 1985 and started my own photography business. In February 1990, we (daughter Lynn, son Steven, and I) moved Tisara Photography from the basement of my Fairlington townhome to rented space near the corner of King and Harvard Streets in the newly developing King Street Metro area. The business, now on South Washington Street, was there for just under 30 years.
I had been photographing people and events in town while still working full time and taking night classes at NOVA. I worked weekends as a part-time freelance photojournalist for the Alexandria Gazette, then the Port Packet. I met some very powerful women who became my role models. To name a few:
Marian Van Landingham*
Marian Van Landingham founded the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which opened on the waterfront in 1974 and was renovated in 1982-83. Van Landingham at the time was looking for affordable studio space for the Art League, of which she had become president. In one of her part-time jobs at the Bicentennial Commission office, the head of the Commission, Jim Coldsmith, then editor of the Alexandra Journal, suggested “Why not consider the torpedo plant? The city doesn’t know what to do with it.” The rest, as is often said, is history.
Vola Lawson*
Vola Lawson was named assistant city manager for housing in 1981. In February 1985 when then City Manager Douglas Harmon left his position, then Mayor Charles Beatley appointed Lawson as acting city manager. In September 1985, after a nationwide search, the council chose Lawson as city manager.
Patsy Ticer*
In 1982, Mayor Charles Beatley asked Patsy Ticer to run for council. Her years of volunteering translated to name recognition and she came in second in a field of 12 candidates. She kept getting reelected, rising to the position of vice mayor in 1984. She was serving as vice mayor when then Mayor Jim Moran left for his new job in Congress on Capitol Hill in November 1990. In May 1991 Ticer was elected mayor for a full 3-year term, the first woman elected as mayor of the city. She was then asked to run for the Virginia legislature. She won the 30th
District and went to Richmond in 1995.
Molly Abraham*
Molly Abraham helped start the Alexandria Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in the mid-70s and served as state coordinator of Virginia NOW in 1976-77. She was appointed to the Alexandria Commission for Women in 1994 and served three terms as chair. She was awarded the Marguerite Payez Leadership Award, the highest award of the Alexandria Commission for Women, for her lifelong dedication to leading, advocating for, and helping women and others needing representation and training others to do the same.
These women became role models who inspired me. It may not be a requirement to witness others’ successes in order to be willing to risk doing new things but it helps. It certainly gave me the courage to move the business to rented space in 1990 and in 1991 to become president of KSMET (King Street Metro Enterprise Team), the fledgling association of businesses in the newly developing King Street Metro area of Alexandria.
Who are your role models? I’d love to know your stories.
*Read more at AlexandriaLegends.org.
Mosaic Artist/Photographer Nina Tisara is the founder of Living Legends of Alexandria.
