Soror Kelly Price - Amazon Web Services

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Soror
Kelly Price
This Is Who She Is …
Expanding
Our Horizons …
Sigma Meets Seoul
Sow A Seed
to bloom a blessing
Make a donation of $1,000
or more to become a part
of the tree of golden leaves
located in the
International Headquarters
Be a Part of the Foundation
Send your $1,000 individual or chapter donation to:
Seven Pearls Foundation
1000 Southhill Drive, Ste 200
Cary, North Carolina 27513-8628
Volume 76, No. II
The official organ of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Inc., founded at Butler University, Indianapolis,
Indiana, November 12, 1922.
1000 Southhill Drive, Suite 200
Telephone: 888/747-1922
Fax: 919/678-9721
www.sgrho1922.org
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., EST
Dr. Mynora J. Bryant
International Grand Basileus
Rasheeda S. Hakeem
International Editor-in-Chief
Jennifer Jones
Executive Director
Creative Consultant
Davina Powell, Southeast Region
Design
Powell Graphics & Communication, Inc.
Printer
JS Direct
PO Box 661, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0661
The AURORA is published three times a year. All
materials for publication should be addressed to
the attention of The AURORA at the International
Headquarters or sent electronically to theauroramag@
sgrho1922.org. The Editor assumes no responsibility
for unsolicited photographs or manuscripts. Such
documents, if to be returned, must be accompanied
by a SASE. All Rights Reserved, postage paid to
Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Postmaster.
Deadlines
Fall-Winter
Winter-Spring
Spring-Summer
July 15
November 15
March 15
Table of Contents
Departments
Dear Editor 3
International Grand Basileus Speaks 4
A Word from the Editor 6
Directory of Officers 9
Beacon of Light 10
Significant Sorors 12
International Program Spotlight
13
From Him
18
Region News 20
In The News 23
Message from 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus 24
Conference Watch 25
Outstanding Undergraduate 26
Undergraduate Pulse 27
Alumnae on the Move 37
Affiliate News
52
Omega Rho 55
Certified Vendors Listing 63
Submission Guidelines for The AURORA 64
Spring/Summer 2007 •
The
Aurora Upcoming Features
Soror Kelly Price
Page 14
Expanding Our Horizons …
Sigma Meets Seoul
Seo
uth K
S
ul, o
orea
Page 23
In the Next Issue
Be A Part of The Action
Best Practices for Managing Sigma Business
Real issues face our chapters on a day to day basis – growing membership, managing different
viewpoints, building visibility and insuring financial viability. Learn the best practices for
managing Sigma Business from the best resources, our sorors. If you have a best practice you
would like to share, please submit your name, your position if applicable, chapter name and
location to [email protected].
Honoring Women of the Cloth
If you or one of our fellow, active sorors, is a woman of the cloth. We would like to meet
them in a special feature highlighting their precious gift of ministry. Submit the following
information – color headshot, chapter name, ministry role, organization name, a 50-word or
less paragraph introducing them. No resumes, please.
Dear Editor …
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To assist with this, chapters are asked to be
mindful of the publish date when submitting
items. There is always a recap of the detail in
the back of each AURORA. However, here is the
schedule for the remaining issues:
Deadline Date
November 15
March 15
July 15
Estimated Publish Date
March 15
July 15
November 15
Rasheeda S. Hakeem
International Editor in Chief, The AURORA
The Editor invites feedback on your publication, whether positive or constructive.
Confidentially offer feedback by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or
via mail to the International Headquarters.
The
Aurora POWER OF VISION:
INNOVATION, COLLABORATION
AND IMPLEMENTATION
Greetings from the
International
Grand Basileus
S
igma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. continues to increase
its visibility internationally and foster positive
relationships abroad. The mobility of our members
allows our organization to maximize the implementation of our
mission through global outreach, development and service.
As women of color, we must realize that the most important
thing we can do to maximize the sorority’s impact is to ask
ourselves what we really want to project. We must know who we
are and what we want to do and then do it! We must constantly
be futuristic thinkers, confident doers and optimistic planners
who exhibit a sense of community and self-worth. When we add
our voice to others, we begin collectively to become stronger
and more determined to achieve.
Soror
Mynora J. Bryant,
Ed.D.
we must believe in the world today as we wish everyone to live
20 International
Grand Basileus
waiting for others to do what we are not doing; and they are
th
To paraphrase Alice Walker, “To the extent that it is possible,
in the world to come. That can be our contribution. Otherwise,
the world we want will never be formed. Why? Because we are
waiting for us, and so on.”
To this end, let us remember that our lives are not determined
by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens;
not by what life brings to us but by the attitude we bring to life.
A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts,
events and outcomes. It is a catalyst … a spirit that creates
global understanding.
Thank you sorors for your commitment to the sorority’s
international initiative and positive image
Our Thoughts and Prayers
are with our Past Grand Basilei
Dr. Katie K. White
&
Evelyn Hawkins Hood
during their time of loss.
International Board of Directors of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
The
Aurora E
veryday, I watch my twelve year-old daughter working on
projects, homework assignments with such diligence. She
often tells me, “Mom, this is my job” whenever I tell her she
needs a job jokingly. When I receive her report card, I am reminded that
she is an important investment in my life. When I get the tuition bill, I
often convince myself of the same – she is an investment.
A Word
from the
Editor
When we look around our home and our communities, we can easily
identify what is important to some by what they invest in. Of course,
it is a personal decision for each and every one of us. However, when
we all stood at our induction, we vowed that we would be invested and
committed to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
No matter what life brings to us, we must remember that Sigma
Gamma Rho is something that we must cherish, nurture and invest in.
This does not mean that you must sacrifice family, but it may mean that
you forego a manicure to donate to Project Big Book Bag or postpone
your hair appointment to make it to the chapter meeting.
Soror
Rasheeda S. Hakeem
International
Editor-in-Chief
We are at a pivotal point in organization. Our administration has
outlined a platform – The Power of Vision: Innovation, Collaboration
and Implementation. The message is direct. To be a visionary, you
sometimes have to think and do things above and beyond the norm.
The status quo will no longer do. Dusting off the same Founders’ Day
program each year will not do. We need to step it up. Going to the same
school volunteering each year will not do. We need to add another
school to list. Sending the same representatives to conferences will not
do. We need to challenge ourselves to not only send the entire chapter,
but sponsor our undergraduate members too. Sitting back thinking of
strategies to upset the plans will not do. We need to strategize on how
to enhance the plans.
Just like my daughter looks at school as her job. I look at my
motherhood as stepping out of the box to expose and develop her into
something greater than I. I am committed to that. At the same time, I
am committed to Sigma Gamma Rho and encourage all of my sorors
to be. In this parable, our leaders are like my daughter – committed. In
this parable, the report card is comparable to the news coverage that
we have gained, the arenas that we are now in and the partnerships we
continually announce. In this parable, the tuition bill is a representation
of your dues, your building donations, your attendance at regional
and national events, etc. Will you invest? We made a commitment
and we are being challenged to adhere to that commitment with the
investment of our time and our resources to go above and beyond. I
challenge each of my sorors to do so.
Enjoy another “report card” – this issue of The AURORA.
It’s that time again to showcase
the Top 20
Under 40
The editorial committee will be reviewing submissions for the
young, up and coming financial alumnae members of Sigma Gamma
Rho Sorority, Inc. The following criteria should be submitted for
consideration:
Premiering Sigma’s
Top
Under 40
Centennial Unveiling of Dr.
Mary McLeod Bethune Bronze
Statue
The Silent Struggles
Coping, Surviving and
Overcoming Health
Challenges
• Full Name
•Date of Birth
• Chapter Name and Location (City, State)
• Job Title and Employer (NO RESUMES)
• Color Headshot (Clear & Concise)
• 50 words or less (why this person should
considered)
• Sorority Offices Held
• Community Participation/Titles Held
•Nominator’s Full Name or Name of
Endorsing Chapter
This information is due in its entirety to [email protected]
by June 3, 2007. Photos should be mailed through headquarters with a
copy of the electronic submission. Please be advised that if all criteria is
not met above, the submission may become void.
The
Aurora Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Partnerships
The members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority will have direct access to
discounts with the strategic partners as listed.
As a member, you will get Liberty Mutual’s lowest possible
rate for car and homeowner’s insurance. To start saving,
simply call Liberty Mutual at 1-800-524-9400 MondayFriday 7AM-11PM (ET), Saturday 7AM-9:30PM(ET) for a
free no obligation quote. Please mention your affiliation with
Sigma Gamma Rho and see how much you can save.
The AFLAC ducks were a big hit at the Boule. In order for
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to receive the benefits of the
partnership and member benefits, our AFLAC representatives
have asked that all inquiries be routed through a central
location so they can arrange local representatives and
enrollments. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s AFLAC
contacts are:
Wilfred Coger, 212-908-2577 • E-mail: [email protected]
Soror Grace Powell, 917-748-4511 • E-mail: [email protected]
1-800-flowers.com – As a special benefit for members and
family you can save 15% on your floral purchases by using
our promotional code SGRHO. Just call 1-800-FLOWERS
and save.
Heart and Soul Magazine – Subscribe
now to Heart and Soul Magazine for as
little as $7 per year. The magazine will
include articles on health initiatives. Lets
not be left our by not subscribing. We
can access our subscriptions by clicking
on the banner of the sorority’s national
website. Please use the code SGR07 when
completing your subscription application.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
International Board of Directors 2006–2008
INTERNATIONAL
GRAND TAMIOCHUS
Jennifer A. Carter
Denver, Colorado
Western Region
International
Grand Basileus
and Board Chairman
Mynora J. Bryant, Ed.D.
Silver Spring, Maryland
Northeast Region
INTERNATIONAL FIRST
GRAND ANTI-BASILEUS
Joann Loveless
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Northeast Region
INTERNATIONAL
GRAND ANTI-GRAMMATEUS
Tiffany Hightower
Chicago, Illinois
Central Region
INTERNATIONAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE AURORA
Rasheeda S. Hakeem
Brentwood, Tennessee
Southeast Region
INTERNATIONAL SECOND
GRAND ANTI-BASILEUS
Tiana Trimble
Peoria, Arizona
Western Region
INTERNATIONAL
GRAND GRAMMATEUS
Joan Wingo
Chicago, Illinois
Central Region
INTERNATIONAL
GRAND EPISTOLEUS
Gwenette J. Parker, Ed.D.
Los Angeles, California
Western Region
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ADVISOR
Doris A. Randle-Holt
Germantown, TN
SOUTHWEST REGION
Brenda Brenda Canty
Baton Rouge, LA
INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN
Frances Jackson, Ph.D., R.N.
Detroit, MI
WESTERN REGION
Roshoune Franklin
Los Angeles, CA
SYNTAKTI
YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATORS
CENTRAL REGION
Deborah Catchings-Smith
Florissant, MO
NORTHEAST REGION
Amneris Rodriguez
Philadelphia, PA
NORTHEAST REGION
Felicia D. Blakeney
Falls Church, VA SOUTHWEST REGION
Teresa Segars
Baker, LA
SOUTHEAST REGION
Jennifer A. Gunn
Jacksonville, FL
WESTERN REGION
Patricia R. Kindred
Glendale, AZ
SOUTHWEST REGION
Brenda Sloan Johnson
Houston, TX
INTERNATIONAL PHILO COORDINATOR
WESTERN REGION
LaTonya Theus Nelson
Palmdale, CA
UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTER
COORDINATORS
CENTRAL REGION
Pamela D. Lee
Detroit, MI
NORTHEAST REGION
Vi Engles
Peekskill, NY
SOUTHEAST REGION
Griena H. Knight
Birmingham, AL
Mae Frances Frazier
Capital Heights, MD
INTERNATIONAL RHOER COORDINATOR
Mary Ann Golliday
Fayette, MS
INTERNATIONAL SERGEANT AT ARMS
Sophia E. Atkins
Memphis, TN
Boule Chaplain
VACANT
IINTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
COORDINATOR
Henry Etta Johnson- O’Neal
Carrollton, TX
CORPORATE LIAISON
Carolyn Williams
Washington, DC
DEPUTY LEGAL ADVISOR
Tezra Woody
Cordova, TN
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF
PAST GRAND BASILEI
Cleo S. Higgins, Ph.D., 10th
Jacksonville, Fl
Southeast Region
Annie L. Lawrence-Brown,
R.N., Ed.D., 13th
Chicago, IL
Central Region
Evelyn H. Hood, 14th
Atlanta, GA
Southeast Region
Katie Kinnard White, Ph.D., 16th
Brentwood, TN
Southeast Region
Corine J. Green, 17th
North Las Vegas, NV
Western Region
Helen J. Owens, 19th
Jackson, TN
Southeast Region
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jennifer Jones
International Corporate Headquarters
1000 Southhill Drive Ste 200
Cary, NC 27513-8630
The
Aurora Beacon of Light
By: Soror Karen Y. Williams
Sisterhood
I was recently asked to write an article and present
a workshop on the topic of sisterhood. I got these
requests before I found out that my brother was
terminally ill. My brother passed away on February
9, 2007 and I was told to come home and see him
for what would be the last time on Friday, February 2,
2007. I learned more about sisterhood in those seven
days than at any one point in my life and I’d like to share
some of my lessons with you.
1. Sisterhood is a privilege.
I love being a sister. It is nice to be a part of a family
and hold the position that many women hold as a sister:
confidante, encourager, financier, caretaker, partner-incrime, motivator, and the list goes on.
Often times when a sister does her job well, it looks
so easy, it seems as if she is doing nothing at all. In our
sorority, we sometimes take our sisters for granted
and allow them do their assigned job with little or no
support, very little encouragement, and sometimes not
even a thank you.
Sisterhood is a privilege, a special gift that God bestows
on families. And whether those family ties are biological,
adoptive or fraternal, the relationships are special and
precious and should be treated as such.
2. Sisterhood requires forgiveness.
Mark 11:26: But if ye do not forgive, neither will your
Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
My brother knew the severity of his illness and for his
own personal reasons chose not tell me. Well, when I
got to him, I wanted to fuss at him about his choice, but
since our time was limited and we wanted to enjoy it,
there was only one option: FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness
was a critical decision that needed to be made right
away in order to take advantage of the time that God
had gifted us.
10
Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, we have
a limited amount of time in which to make an impact
in this organization. When we harbor unforgiveness,
we impede progress. Everyone makes mistakes, drops
the ball, and messes up. Do we penalize that person
forever? When our sister/soror forgets to send her
report, drives members away, speaks too harshly at the
meeting, do we belittle, berate, and chastise her to no
end? Do we choose to forgive or do we decide to hold
a grudge that will ultimately destroy the family?
I know that often times we pick the latter and hold
the grudge for so long that everyone who remembers
the offending incident has changed chapters, become
inactive, moved on, or wishes you would simply let it
go. Forgiveness is not easy; it is an act that mimics our
Creator. It is a BIG thing to do, but it is necessary for
your own personal spirit to soar and it is also necessary
for you to do because if you live more than a day on
earth, you will at some point need forgiveness for
yourself.
Sorors, I implore you that our greatness lies in our ability
to forgive; forgive ourselves and forgive our sisters for
past mistakes and blunders. Error is what makes us
human; forgiveness is what shows the divine nature
that resides in us. Forgiveness doesn’t come easy, it
has to be massaged and practiced, rehearsed, and
sometimes swallowed, but the benefits far outweigh
the short-term discomfort that comes along with it.
3. Sisterhood requires love.
Love your neighbor is not a piece of advice, but it
is a command. -Bono
Unconditional love is truly hard to find. I loved my
brother unconditionally. We agreed on seemingly
nothing and also agreed on everything. Love requires
all of you, all the time knowing you may not ever
get what you gave back. Isn’t that what makes your
favorite sister great? She will send you a Christmas
card faithfully every year knowing that she never gets
one from you. You never have to ask for love, it simply
does.
Love is defined in so many ways and is a critical ingredient
in so many relationships, but for the purposes of Sigma
Gamma Rho, let’s use the love definition below.
Love- the unyielding commitment to Sigma Gamma
Rho Sorority, Inc. that manifests itself through a tireless
commitment to the organization, an unbroken financial
commitment, service to whatever community we can
help, and the decision to treat each and every member
with kindness and respect regardless of age or position.
Do you LOVE Sigma Gamma Rho? Prove it.
4. Sisterhood requires service.
“Greater Service, Greater Progress”-Bertha Black Rhoda
Great slogan. I think they meant for us to do it. We
can never become satisfied with OK. We can never
become content with the mediocre. We were designed
and created for service. It can no longer be accepted
that more sorors show up for a luncheon or meeting
than the community service project. We can no longer
tolerate good, the founders said great and I believe they
meant it.
We must show up in droves to build the house, pass
out the food, tutor the children. If we are to ever
realize our greatness, we must SERVE. Service when its
inconvenient, annoying, challenging and service when its
new, fun and exciting.
Looking for
A Few Good
Women …
We are currently looking
for active members of
Sigma Gamma Rho to:
✏
Solicit and Follow Up with
Advertisers
✏
Coordinate Special Sections
(i.e. From Him, Dollars & Sense)
✏
Manage Features
Matthew 23:11: But he that is greatest among you shall
be your servant.
The Bible tells us that the greatest among us shall serve.
I have never met a soror who didn’t want greatness
associated with our sisterhood. The equation for what
we need to do as sisters is simple.
SISTERS + SERVICE = GREATNESS
Dedicated to Rodney Vernell
Soror Karen Y. Williams is a
dedicated life member of
Gamma Phi Sigma chapter in
Houston, Texas. In addition to
her duties as the Southwest
Region Anti-Grammateus, she is
proud to serve Harris County as
Volunteer Deputy Registrar.
If interested, please contact:
Soror Rasheeda Hakeem at
[email protected]
Indicate in the subject line “Editorial Assistance”
The
Aurora 11
Soror Oreitha Benion
(Delta Sigma, Chicago, Illinois)
Soror Patricia Johnson
Elected president of the Chicago Area Alliance of Black School
Educators (CAABSE) which is an affiliate of the National Alliance
of Black School Educators (NABSE), a network of professionals
committed to furthering the academic excellence of Chicago Public
School children, particularly the children of African descent.
(Beta Omega Sigma, Shreveport, Louisiana)
Received her doctorate in Urban Higher Education from
Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. Dr. Johnson is currently
employed at Grambling State University as a PK-16+ Coordinator;
Coordinator of Master’s Program/Educational Leadership;
Assistant Professor. She is also the chapter basileus.
Soror Aisha Braveboy
Soror Alice Sue Cooper Lee
(Zeta Tau Sigma, Mount Rainier, Maryland)
Elected Democratic State Delegate in District 25 in
Maryland.
(Alpha Alpha Sigma, Baltimore, Maryland)
Received the 2006 “SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD”
presented by the Rotary Club of Woodlawn-Westview.
Soror Paulette D. Caldwell
Soror Ebony Y. Smith
(Delta Kappa Sigma, Plainfield, New Jersey)
Received her Masters in Human Resources Management from
Rutgers University.
(Theta Zeta Sigma, Aurora, Colorado)
Graduated from Regis University earning her MBA in Marketing Analysis.
Soror Vanetta Cheeks-Reeder
(Alpha Eta Sigma, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Elected Assistant Director of the Eastern Region National Pan
Hellenic Council.
Soror Carlee Doggan
(Eta Xi Sigma, Oak Lawn, Illinois)
Featured at Amazon.com as the author of PRINCIPLES. The
book is a compilation of three individuals who happen to be in
the same family and the impact three different institutions made
in their lives. Soror Doggan is an accomplished author and retired
educator from Chicago Public Schools who believes that “All
children can learn, given time, opportunity and patience on the
part of their teachers”.
Soror Frances Carter Jackson
(Rho Sigma, Detroit, Michigan)
Appointed as the Director of the
Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP)
program at Oakland University School of
Nursing, located in Rochester, MI. Soror
Jackson will have overall responsibilities
for admitting students, scheduling
courses, chairing dissertation committees
and general oversight of the program. The
DNP is a clinical doctorate for nurses who
want advanced research training that can be clinically applied.
12
Soror Laurana Springer
(Kappa Sigma, New York, New York)
Performed at the Gospel Superfest where Clifton Davis and Vivica
A. Fox served as guest hosts.
Soror Angela Tucker, MD and
Soror Trever Thomas
(Epsilon Lambda Sigma Cincinnati, Ohio)
Mentioned as one of the “Who’s Who of Black Cincinnati” for
2006. This recognition highlights those as the ones to know
throughout the Greater Cincinnati area; Dr. Tucker is a 3rd year
resident for Bethesda Family Practice and Soror Thomas is the
National Recruiter for INROADS.
Soror Pearlean Williams
(Beta Omega Sigma, Shreveport, Louisiana)
Received a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Nova
Southeastern University. Dr. Williams is currently employed at
Booker T. Washington in Shreveport, LA as a Magnet Program
Coordinator.
International
Programs
Spotlight
Welcome Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers to our new “International Programs Spotlight” section.
In future AURORA magazines, you will see where our various regions have placed a spotlight on one
or more of our national programs in their communities. This section will provide our organization with
recognition for those that support our programs.
Below is a list of our sorority programs:
Project Reassurance
Mwanamugimu
Theme: “Africa, the foundation of many nations … from Creation to Infinity.”
Project Wee Savers
Project Africare
National Marrow Donor Program
Rejesta V. Perry Birthright Program
Operation BigBookBag
Hattie McDaniel Cancer Awareness and Health Program
Re/Max Supreme Properties, Inc.
Buckle Up America
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
With the assistance of your regional programs chairperson over the next few months we will work to
compile the criteria for all of our programs in one document. As themes, deadlines, etc. are updated or
changed you will be notified.
Please work with the following sorors to assist in getting your articles to this section of the Aurora:
Northeast – Soror Roz Dreher
90 Telford Street
East Orange, NJ 07018
[email protected]
Southwest – Soror Brenda Smith
3244 Lambert
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
[email protected]
Western – Soror Rhonda Wilson-Knox
13620 Cerise Avenue Unit 9
Hawthrone, CA 90250
[email protected]
Soror Henry Etta O’Neal
2410 Manchester Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
[email protected]
As always, your input/suggestions are always appreciated.
Look forward to seeing your featured articles.
Sisterly,
Soror Henry Etta O’Neal
The
Aurora 13
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K
elly Price, the Daughter of the late Rev. Joseph Price
and Evangelist Claudia Price is the 2nd of three
children born and raised in Queens, NY. Under the
watchful eye of her mother and the pastorate of her grandparents
Bishop Jerome and Evangelist Joni Norman Kelly was nurtured
and developed spiritually by being taught the word of God and
the importance of a sustained prayer life through the special
prayer services her grandfather held weekly in addition to Sunday services and bible study.
At an early age Kelly’s musical talents began to dominate
her life. While most babies have to be taken from the crib
and calmed from crying in the middle of the night, Ms Price’s
mother has been noted telling of the times when the entire house
would be awakened at the sound of a young Kelly singing out
in her crib while the rest of the family tried to sleep. AS a young
child Kelly knew that music was more than just something that
happened on the radio, in church, or even during the commercials on TV. For her it was a part of life that quickly became a
necessity for life. She became emotionally dependant on the
music inside of her and quickly learned how to use the music as
an outlet to express what she was feeling even when she couldn’t
speak about it. One day after experiencing deep sadness from a
book she read for a black history project in school, Kelly wrote
a song to express her unexplainable emotions. This was her first
song. She was 7 years old.
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14
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Soror
Kelly Price
Kelly sang on her first recording before the age of 10 and by the
time she was 18 Kelly was recording and touring the world with
multi-platinum pop diva Mariah Carey. Always a quick study,
Kelly watched and learned the intricacies of studio and production work and soon after began to expand into areas other than
just background singing. It is these early years of her professional
career that Kelly refers to as her formal education. While her
classmates attended college to prepare for their careers she went
to work everyday and studied with the entertainment industry’s
best to prepare for what would soon be her own amazing career.
During these years and beyond Kelly has shared her multiple
musical gifts with many artists and reached the number one spot
on billboard several times before anyone even knew what the girl
behind the voice and the pen looked like. Throughout her career
Kelly has sung for, recorded with, toured with, wrote songs for,
arranged and produced music for Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Brian McKnight, Ben Tankard, Mary J Blige, Puff Daddy,
Brandy, The LOX, Donnie McClurkin, The Williams Brothers,
Faith Evans, Karen ClarkeSheard, Yolanda Adams, MASE,
Whitney Houston, Mary Mary, The Notorious B.I.G, Richard
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Smallwood, R. Kelly, Eric Clapton, Wynona Judd and the
legendary Ronald Isley just to name a few. Though many record
labels initially pursued Kelly as a recording artist it was her connection with Isley and his relentless persistence that convinced
her to begin to use her musical talents for herself resulting in a
formal alliance between Isley and Price that birthed her solo career with the album Soul of A Woman in 1998 that featured the
#1 smash women’s anthem of the year “Friend of Mine”, penned
by Ms Kelly Price. She would follow with the platinum success
of Mirror Mirror in 2000, One Family: a Christmas Album in
2002 and the critically acclaimed Priceless in 2003.
Out of the box Ms Price broke records by reaching Billboard’s
top spot twice with the same song and having achieved that
initial # 1 victory with no music video at television. This had
never been done by any artist since the format of music videos
became the major marketing method by which record companies
promote and sell music. Kelly also helped to usher in the rebirth
of the Gospel sound in mainstream and R&B markets making
the sound of a full voice acceptable among younger artists again.
This, while also fighting the very real battle of imaging and acceptance in an industry that said “no one wants to look at a fat
girl no matter how good she sounds”.
Millions of albums later this award winning, Grammy nominated, singer, songwriter, producer, actress and now author has
only shown the beginning of who the world will come to know
Kelly Price to be. With a new year brings new dimensions and
depths of life. Now with her newly formed label EcclectiSounds
Records, new author Kelly expands her reach again through
her first gospel LP entitled THIS IS WHO I AM and the first
installment of her new book series entitled Inscriptions of My
Heart both slated for release later this year.
Meet Soror Kelly Price
Interview Exclusive courtesy of
Soror Passé-Rodriguez
Perfecting her “Ee-yip” isn’t the only activity Soror Kelly
Price has been working on since her induction at our 51st
Boule. Since her induction, Soror Price has been traveling
throughout the country performing a concept called “Kelly’s
Café” to promote the release of her latest gospel album, “This
Is Who I Am.” Because Soror Price believes that messages can
be delivered through various vehicles, she has been singing
songs from her new album, including the first release “Healing” and a soulful remake of Al Green’s hit, “Heaven’s Best
(Love and Happiness)”, accompanied by painter Jalani Taylor,
and spoken-word artist, Messiah. With the release of “This
Is Who I am”, it is Soror Price’s intention to change the way
people perceive churchfolk, and ultimately touch the lives of
everyone, regardless of their background.
In addition to promoting her new album, Soror Price has
begun writing a series of inspirational books with the first
installment titled Inscriptions Of My Heart currently available
on her website and bookstores nationwide. But, I Just Want
to Sing!, a guide to pursuing a career in the entertainment
industry, is slated for release this year.
I was privileged to speak with Soror Price in New York City
as she spent the evening in preparation for 98.7 Kiss FM’s “A
Night of Healing,” a benefit concert held to commemorate
lives lost five years ago. Here, Soror Price speaks candidly
about becoming a Sigma, releasing her new album, and being
an old Southern cook – her alter ego.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: I remember being at your induction in
Dallas this past July and seeing how humbled and sincerely excited
you were about joining Sigma Gamma Rho. With as much pride
as I have in my sorority, I know that there are other international
sororities from which you could have accepted honorary membership. What made you decide to accept membership into Sigma
Gamma Rho?
Soror Price: My cousin! My cousin, Bridgette, is a Sigma Gamma
Rho. She’s been after me for years, but my schedule never allowed.
I’m also a very, very calculated person. For me it’s not just about being a part of something. It has to exemplify who I am as a person.
Because I trust my cousin and I know who she is, everything she
told me has rung true. I’ve run into so many amazing women who
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The
Aurora 15
all seem to live by the same standard, which is really important to
me. In all honesty, that’s the reason why I was so overwhelmed. I
think I’ve told so many people since the day of my induction, that
it was the most amazing thing for me to be in a room with that
many women and the emotion for each other; for it to be so pure
and so real.
I think that overall, we’ve been pitted against each other for the
most part and it starts as little as when you’re a little girl. You’re
taught to look at another little girl … When I say “taught,” I don’t
necessarily mean your mom or older women in your family are
telling you, “look at that little girl. Hate her because she thinks
she’s cute.” Certain actions. We learn by what we see and things
that we hear.
I didn’t cry there but I actually broke down when I got off to myself
because it was so overwhelming.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: Trust me the response to you becom-
ing a Sigma was sincere. We were totally surprised. Between your
inner beauty and your outer beauty, you’re just so cute.
Soror Price: I’m just a big kid. It was a dream come true for me
because I always thought growing up that I would go to college. I
was going to matriculate. I was going to teach English, though I
really wanted to be a lawyer. I knew I was going to do something
that had me running my mouth all the time because I just love to
talk, but it didn’t happen like that. I’ve been singing all my life, but
I started singing professionally at the age of 18. I ended up with an
opportunity to go back and do something that I always wanted to
do. I missed my prom. So I’m thinking for my 34th birthday, I’m
going to have a prom.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: On another exciting note, how did
you partner with 98.7 to perform at the “Night of Healing Concert” featuring gospel legends like Andre Crouch and Richard
Smallwood?
Soror Price: They just asked. Interestingly enough, the first single
from my album is called “Healing” and from what I understand
they’ve been using the song to promote the night which I’m really
excited about. That’s a big deal. To be a part of this; to promote
healing for people that lost so much on 9/11.
16
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: Were you affected by the events of
September 11th?
Soror Price: I didn’t lose any family members. We were affected
because this is of course where my family is. That day, I was scheduled to be on a plane coming into New York and that flight would
have been landing right around the same time that the first plane
hit the towers. I know everybody has their 9/11 story, but I literally
remember it being so poignant because at about 4 o’clock in the
morning, I woke up and told my husband, who’s also my manager
that “I’m tired. I don’t feel like getting up. I’m not getting on the 6
o’clock flight.” And generally if I do that, he’d tell me “No, Kelly.
You have to go. You’ll get over it. You gotta do this or you gotta do
that.” I expect to have to argue with him at 4 o’clock in the morning
about getting on a plane, but he said “I’m tired too. Don’t worry
about it. I’ll call New York and we’ll have to cancel the meetings.
We’ll reschedule for a couple of days.” And at about 8:20, every
phone in my house started ringing. His cell phone started ringing.
My cell phone started ringing. I’m looking at the tv and we’re both
saying at the same time, “Oh my God. The towers are burning.” It
was just the craziest thing.
Sometimes we get too comfortable in our own skin. As Americans,
in particular, we feel like “we’re in the land of the free, the home
of the brave” and we don’t have to worry about a lot of things that
people who live in the so-called third world countries worry about,
but I just think that overall we’re being reminded that we’re all subject to anything and we need to live knowing that. Not live in fear,
but if we live knowing that, we’ll live life better. We’ll be careful
about how we treat each other. We’ll make sure that we take care of
ourselves better too if we want to get anything out of our lives.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: You’re reminding me of when you
spoke about growing up in your grandfather’s church.
Soror Price: Yes, my grandfather’s church, Full Gospel Mission
COGIC, has been there for more than forty years at the same location in South Ozone Park, Queens, NY. I grew up in his church
and I did everything from sweeping church floors to cleaning
toilets in the church to directing choirs to singing in the choir to
leading devotional worship. Believe me, I did everything you could
possibly think of. That’s what always happens in a pastor’s family:
you have to do whatever needs to be done that nobody would dare
to do. We didn’t have a whole lot growing up either. Life was just
very real and very deeply rooted in faith in God. And I believe. No,
not “I believe.” I know that that’s the reason why even going into
entertainment, that I was able to stay rooted.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: You’ve proven that over and over in
your lyrics and the image you portray. You bring up a crucial point
as we’re living in this day and age of all the overt vulgarity we see
in entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, it’s almost like your
musical career has come full circle as you’re about to release “This
Is Who I Am” on. What inspired you to record an album solely
featuring gospel music?
Soror Price: The gospel album is what I believe I owe God even
though every album of mine had a gospel song on it because I never
wanted for people to not know where I come from. It’s still so very
much a part of who I am. I never believed that being an R&B singer
meant that I couldn’t be a Christian because I don’t think that my
job dictates that. I think that you can be anything and have any job,
but if you don’t live your life right, you’re just not who you say you
are. If I wore a clergy collar and I lived a riotous life, then I’m not
who I say I am. But I can be a Christian and I can be somebody who
loves God and loves Jesus Christ and sing R&B music. I don’t do
drugs and crazy things. It’s just a set standard that I have for myself
and I believe that anything that I can’t do in front of my children or
puts God or my grandparents to shame, I don’t need to be doing at
all. And I feel that if I live by that, then I’m doing all right.
We are coming to a time where there is a deep rooted cry from
people all over the world for truth. Anyone that is not willing to
be truthful and be transparent in their ministry or whatever it is
that they want to call it… It’s gonna come to an abrupt end. When
you have people who by age 20 have experienced death up close,
misery, turmoil, who have lived a life in 20 years that people before
them never lived in 85-90 years, they need someone who is willing
to be truthful and transparent with them about the things they’ve
been through. They need to understand that even though they’ve
been through all this hell, that they can come out of it and be okay.
I can’t get that from you if you want me to look at you and see
someone who’s smiling all the time and happy all the time, who says
that they’re saved and believes in Jesus Christ and because of that,
nothing will go wrong in their life. That’s not realistic and that’s
the reason why you have a lot of people that won’t even bother with
church because they feel that church people are phony, which is why
I go overboard to tell people that I’m just human like you are. I am
by no means perfect. I sing R&B, I believe in Jesus Christ, I’m a
Christian, I go dancing, and I have a good time. I think people have
the wrong perception of what life is supposed to be and it’s my intention that if I can change somebody’s mind about that, by who I am,
hence the album “This Is Who I Am”, then I have done my job.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: I read your letter addressed to several
church leaders where you share your thoughts regarding the unethical ways you feel musicians are sharing the Lord’s word, like musicians who are known for singing R&B and hip-hop, cross over to
sing hit gospel songs. Do you see a remedy in the near future and
what do you think will help these musicians be honest with themselves and their ultimate purpose for delivering the Lord’s word?
Soror Price: I think that the standard first has to be set inside the
church. I’ll never make any excuses for anybody that does anything
wrong, but if my example of Godly living is you because you tell
me that you live this everyday and you’re a preacher, a minister or
an evangelist, and I can clearly look at you and see that it’s in word
only and you really don’t live it, then my attitude becomes “who are
you to judge me?”
I don’t want to misquote the Bible, but I do believe that judgment
starts in the house of God. A lot of times people will take that and
misconstrue it and think that that’s their free pass to judge everything and everybody and that’s not true. It starts with those who
call themselves believers. We have to judge ourselves first and if you
can find something in you that’s not right, then it’ll keep you from
putting your mouth so fast on other people.
I think that there has to be more love shown to people so that they
will be willing to hear you. You can’t go to a homeless man who’s
hungry and the whole time you’re feeding him, you’re berating him
about how he ended up homeless in the first place. Our methods
have to change.
Being able to grow up in a preacher’s family has given me the opportunity to understand things from that side and while being a part
of mainstream entertainment, I can talk about it from this side of
it too. I’ve gone into churches where people didn’t know that I’m a
preacher’s kid and saw the way they treated me. I know how people
should be treated. I know what it feels like to be mistreated, misjudged, and to be labeled. It’s just not a good thing and if nothing
else, people ought to get love from us and I’ve felt like that from the
beginning of my career. Whether it was gospel or R&B, I wanted
to make music that people can feel and felt did something for them
after they heard a song. I always think about people like Marvin
Gaye and his song “What’s Goin’ On?”. It had a wonderful groove,
but when the song was over, you heard something too and I always
wanted to make that kind of music. I call it the gospel of life.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: Because God has truly blessed you
with the gifts of singing and speaking so articulately, have you ever
considered acting or doing Broadway?
Soror Price: I want to do Broadway so bad. That would be a
triumphant return to New York. If we get the right opportunity,
I’m gonna come stompin’ my way back to New York.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: What about modeling?
Soror Price: Yes. We need somebody that looks like me on the
runway. I fluctuate between a size 14 and an 18. I know what to do
and how to do it. I’ll never let myself get to where I was before. I
promote healthy living for men and women. A healthy body image
is not trying to be what everybody else looks like, but we do need
some positive full-figured role models who are healthy.
Soror Passé-Rodriguez: In addition to working with your
husband/manager and raising 2 children, what you do in your
spare time?
Soror Price: I don’t have much spare time, but I love to cook. I
hate to talk about myself like this, but I cook like an old Southern
woman. I’ve been cooking my whole life. Growing up and being
in the house with just the girls and my mother working two and
three jobs, I was cooking dinner for the family at 7 and making
Thanksgiving dinner by the time I was 13. The only thing I love
more than cooking is watching people eat my food. I get high off
of watching people eat my food; where they get so stuffed that they
can’t move.
Be sure to visit Soror Price’s website at www.kellyprice.com to
obtain information on “This Is Who I Am,” her books, and her
photo gallery. Before you leave her page, show this Soror some
love by dropping her a line and joining her fan club. Yes, she
reads every single email that comes her way.
The
Aurora 17
You’re the Key to
our Health
(and more)
Running households, companies,
organizations and countries; serving as breadwinners, nurturers,
confidants, and lovers. As if sistas
didn’t have enough responsibilities, unfortunately, there is more.
African-American men, your
grandfathers, fathers, husbands,
grandsons, sons, brothers, cousins,
uncles, nephews, beaus, friends
and all other males in between, are
desperately in need of your help,
quite frankly in saving our lives.
It is now common knowledge
that African-American males are
the least healthy of all groups.
With the rise of prostate cancer,
hypertension and cardiovascular
diseases, HIV/AIDS and obesity,
we are threatened with healthrelated issues even more. Yet,
with all of this, African-American
men still are the least likely of all
humans to visit a physician. As
educated women, you are well
familiar with some of the reasoning: the distrust based on some of
early experiments, the undeniable
machismo associated with black
males, the high level of uninsureds, you’ve heard them all. The
fact remains, however, that we are
dying in record numbers from illnesses and diseases that are preventable, treatable, and, in many
cases, curable. Some would think
18
that this phenomenon is limited
to undereducated and underprivileged Brothers; that is simply not
true. The mystery as to why Black
Men do not seek routine medical
treatment runs across all ages, all
incomes, and all education levels.
In 2000, Kappa decided to make
prostate cancer education its top
health issue. After a chance meeting with famed actor and humanitarian, Harry Belafonte, himself
a prostate cancer survivor, the
fraternity was prepared to commit
the resources necessary to make a
meaningful difference in this area.
The facts were overwhelming:
•It is the second leading cause
of death among AfricanAmerican men; approximately 6,100 were expected to die
from it in that year alone.
•African-American men have
the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world.
•African-American men die
from it at a rate of almost 3
times that of Caucasian men.
Yet, the most alarming fact was,
with annual examinations and
early detection, the dreaded disease was almost 100% curable.
That is, if we had routine physicals. The sad fact is, by the time it
is detected, it is usually too late.
So with Mr. Belafonte on board
as our national spokesperson and
considerable funding from Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Kappa took to
the road visiting more than a dozen
cities across the country, providing education regarding prostate
cancer. The plan was simple:
spread the word via barbershops,
pool halls, bars, and simply, neighborhood corners for men to join
us at town hall meetings at area
churches to “chat and chew” about
the disease and how it can be
prevented. We expected to gather
2000-2500 men per session as we
rotated to targeted major cities
across the country.
Our first session produced about
500 men, the next 300, before we
moved to the third location, we restrategized; our plan wasn’t working. Then it hit us, we needed to
involve Sistagirls! So we called
on our sorors and other women to
help us get their men out to these
invaluable gatherings. Mr. Belafonte went even further asking
our sistas to “just say no” until
their men said “yes.” At our next
session there were nearly 2000
men in attendance and that trend
continued throughout our travels.
Once again, by finding it out the
hard way, we realized we simply
could not do it without our fierce
and ferocious (when need be) Black
Women. The reason for the black
man’s dependency on our women
may never truly be known, but the
facts are clear: You’re the Key to
our Health; You’re the Key to saving our lives.
And so I offer this heartfelt
appeal from a concerned brotha
to the sorors of Sigma Gamma
Rho Sorority, Inc. You are our
grandmothers, mothers, wives,
grand daughters, daughters, sisters,
cousins, nieces, boos, fiends and
all other lovely black women in
between, do what you do, what
you always do, what you have
done since 1922 … take care of
your men. We wouldn’t have it
any other way! In the end, it will
be best for us all, and that, simply
put, is “All Good!”
Richard Lee Snow is the 8th,
and current, Executive Director and
Chief Operating Officer of Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. As such,
he is responsible for managing the
day-to-day operations of a staff of
thirteen (13) and an annual operating
budget of 2+ million dollars. Snow
is the only person to serve on both
the North-American Interfraternity
Council, Inc. and National Pan-Hallenic Council. He is the immediate
past Chairman of the Board of the
National Coalition of Black Meeting
Planners, Inc. and sits on the Boards
of the Urban League of Philadelphia,
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Advisory
Boards of Washington (DC), Little
Rock, and Milwaukee Conventions
Bureaus.
The
Aurora 19
Regi on News
NORTHEAST REGION YELLOW TEA ROSE NEWS
Submitted By: Racquel Dozier, Northeast Region Epistoleus
The Northeast Region started off the new Sorority Year running strong. Each chapter has worked
diligently to get the Service train running with Love and True Sisterhood. As a region sorors have
also worked to have fun at what they do. The Northeast Region has worked together in efficient and
positive action to support one another and work towards the Power of Vision.
The Northeast Region Syntaktes has traveled high and low to support
the sorors of the Northeast Region. Syntaktes Blakeney traveled to
the Alpha Alpha Sigma Chapter Annual Crab Feast. Here Sorors of
Alpha Alpha Sigma and Syntaktes Blakeney met Kweisi Mfume.
What a great time all had in Maryland at this fun occasion.
Syntaktes Blakeney and Sorors
of Iota Sigma and Epsilon Zeta
Chapters welcomed R&B/
Gospel singer, Soror Kelly
Price to Richmond, Virginia.
Soror Price attended an event
honoring the pastor of St. Paul’s
Baptist Church, one of the
Syntaktes Blakeney with Kwesi
largest churches in Richmond,
Mfume Alpha Alpha Sigma
and shared her amazing
Crab Fest
testimony through the gift of
song. Soror Price let all in attendance know that she is a proud
Sorors of Iota Sigma Chapter
Sigma Woman. Sorors from Iota Sigma, Kappa Sigma, Delta Nu
and Epsilon Zeta Chapter with
Sigma and Eta Nu Sigma along with Syntaktes Blakeney joined Syntaktes Blakeney & Soror Price in
Richmond, Virginia Event
together in NYC for a stomping good time with Soror Price.
Supporting once again and serving as hostesses at Kelly’s Café
right before Soror Price’s CD dropped. The crowd was stunned by the Royal Beauty of the Mighty
Sigma Women. All who were present showed true grace and poise at the event.
Kappa Sigma, Eta Nu Sigma, Delta Nu Sigma and all the undergraduates and affiliates of New York
City, participated in the African American Day Parade in Harlem, NY. This parade is recognized
as the largest Black parade in America and covers more than twenty-eight blocks from 111th street
to 142nd street on Adam Clayton-Powell Boulevard.
The event show-cases music, poli-tics, art, social
con sciou sness,
literature, history
and more. Sorors
were out in full
force to represent
the Royal Blue and
Gold in a Mighty
way.
Sorors served as Hostesses at NYC Kelly’s
Café Event
20
NYC Sorors at the African American
Parade, Pictured with Past Regional
Syntaktes Inez Vanable
Regi on News
Breast Cancer Awareness NE Region
Sorors of the Northeast Region did not forget about service to our communities. Chapters across the
region supported their local Making Strides Breast Cancer Walks. Walking for sorors, family and friends
chapters walked for the cause in Sigma Stride. Members of Pi Alpha and Delta Nu Sigma Chapters
raised $1200 when they participated in the Westchester County, NY Breast Cancer Walk. Members
and affiliates of Iota Sigma, Tau, & Epsilon Zeta chapter raised over $500 when they participated in
the Richmond, VA Breast Cancer Walk. Iota Alpha Sigma, Theta Phi
Sigma and Gamma Nu Sigma Chapters walked together for the Breast
Cancer Walk in Newark, NJ; Iota Alpha Sigma exceeded their original
goal of $1112.22, and raised 2,000.22. Other chapters who participated
in local walks include Delta Beta Sigma and Eta Iota Sigma Chapters.
The Northeast Region is ready to continue in positive and efficient
action using a Strategic Vision as a Gateway to Excellence. Join us for
our events region wide. Find out more information about Northeast
Region activities and accomplishments by visiting our website at http://
www.sgrhoneregion.org.
Sorors walked all over the
NE Region for Breast Cancer
Research
SOUTHWESTERN REGION NEWS
Efficient and Effective Leadership Brings Positive Results
Submitted by Shirley Hudson-Bell, Southwestern Region Epistoleus
Excitement abounds in the realms of the Southwestern Region, as the Regional Syntaktes, Brenda S.
Johnson worked efficiently and effectively bringing about positive results at the Executive Committee
Meeting/Training. The meeting was held at the Hilton Hobby Airport Hotel in Houston, Texas.
The Summer Executive Committee Meeting/Training was targeted for T.O.R.C.H. Trainers, Area
Coordinators, and Regional Committee Chairpersons. Members of the Southwestern Region Leadership
Team were in attendance at the meeting as well.
This meeting helped to build and solidify the foundation that Sorors have to be productive and progressive
members of the Sorority. The implant to be productive members was placed in the mind of each Soror
from the individual workshops. The workshop highlights included Budget Forms, Responsibilities of
Officers, Committee Chairman, and Area Coordinators, T.O.R.C.H. Certification, and Protocol. The
facilitators were Brenda S. Johnson –Regional Syntaktes, Brenda Canty -Undergraduate Coordinator,
Deborah Daniels- Regional Tamiochus, LaShonda Johnson- Regional Grammateus, Karen Y. WilliamsRegional Anti-Grammateus, and Janet Armand- Protocol Chairperson.
Positive results were explicit at the Area Meetings. Seven area meetings were conducted as leadership
workshops where time was spend in training. The area coordinators are Deidre Harris, Loretta Jernigan,
Daphne DeBeau, Alta Heggins, Daisy Hall, Vivian Johnson, Shirley Roland, and Deneisha Johnson.
The area meetings focused on the Syntaktes Update, T.O.R.C.H. Training, Finance, and Advisors
Workshops. Philos interacted with one another in their workshops at the area meetings. At this time,
Sorors and Philos fully utilized yet another opportunity to donate baby items to Project Reassurance.
The Executive Committee Meeting/Training and the Area Workshops were very successful, effective,
and productive. Attendance at each workshop could be seen in the number of sorors and philos that
participated. Sorors and philos expressed how educational and informative each workshop was and
that this experience will be placed in their “memory bank”.
Accolades are given to the sophisticated ladies of the Southwestern Region.
The
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Plan Now for the
52nd
International
Boule
Detroit, Michigan
Summer 2008
22
Distinguished Honor Bestowing On Past Grand Basileus Evelyn H. Hood
Among hundred of Sigma sorors
and friends during the 2006 May
Weekend at Clark Atlanta University,
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority’s Past
Grand Basileus Evelyn H. Hood,
was honored by the Clark Atlanta
University Alumni Association as
its Wall of Fame Inductee. This
prestigious community service
award was presented at the Alumni
Service Awards Luncheon.
Past Grand Basileus Hood served as Grand Basileus of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority from 1976-1980. It was for this
national service that she was awarded a place on Clark Atlanta
University Alumni Association’s Wall of Fame. During the
program, on behalf of the Sigma
Sisterhood, Soror Effie Turner
eloquently read a resolution of
praise and thanks from our own
International Grand Basileus, Dr.
Mynora J. Bryant. Dr. Bryant
wrote of the total dedication of
Soror Hood to the principles
of Sigma Gamma Rho and the
noteworthy accomplishments of
her administration.
In Soror Hood’s acceptance
remarks she described her life
as a journey centered around
making a positive difference
in the world. She thanked
especially her husband, family,
sorors, and friends for their
encouragement as she traveled
toward her goals.
Today, we her Sigma Sisters
acknowledge the outstanding
accomplishments made during
her tenure and celebrate with her the place of honor awarded
her on the Clark Atlanta University Wall of Fame. Her portrait
hangs in the Carl
and Mary Ware
Academic Center
located on the
campus of ClarkAtlanta University,
Atlanta, Georgia.
Written by:
Soror Annette Hampton- Eta Sigma Chapter &
Soror Anita Bartlett Spann- Upsilon Sigma Chapter
Expanding Our Horizons … Sigma Meets Seoul
Kappa Theta Sigma Chartered in Korea
On January 6, 2007, the Kappa Theta Sigma Chapter of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc was established in Seoul,
South Korea. Presiding over the chartering ceremony was
the Grand Basileus Dr. Mynora J. Bryant, lst Grand AntiBasileus Joann Loveless, Executive Director Jennifer Jones,
and the Northeast Region Syntaktes Felicia Blakeney.
The founding Sorors are Basileus Mattii Minor of Seoul,
Korea, Anti- Basileus Hazel Johnson of Seoul Korea,
Anti- Grammateus Djuna Underwood of Tokyo, Japan,
Parliamentarian Marlischa Thompson of Osan, Korea and
Epistoleus Rosalind Jones of Daegu, Korea. Currently Soror
Courtney Jenkins, who is working in Seoul, Korea, will
become the first to transfer into the chapter upon completion
of her studies. The newly established chapter will come
under the auspices of the Northeast Region. The chartering
event was followed by a reception and attended by all Greek
Organizations in the area.
Submitted by Soror Rosalind Jones
(Front L-R Chapter Basileus Mattii Minor, Grand Basileus
Dr. Mynora J. Bryant, 1st Grand Anti-Basileus Joann
Loveless, Northeastern Regional Syntaktes Felicia Blakeney
Rear L-R Chapter members Soror Rosalind Jones, Soror
Djuna Underwood, Soror Hazel Johnson, and Executive
Director Jennifer Jones) (Not pictured is Chapter charter
member Marlischa Thompson)
The
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Greeting Sorors,
Message from the
International
Second Grand
Anti-Basileus
It is my honor to congratulate you on another successful sorority
year of great community service and fundraising. Like always we
know how to get DOWN TO BUSINESS! I hope you have chosen to use
your H.E.A.R.T. through honor, education, action, representation, and
training. Remember if we adhere to these five values then we will
continue to further bring the HEARTS of the undergraduates together
because we “are as one.” To further our aim of Greater Service, Greater
Progress in community service, I would like to share with you some of
my favorite community service projects and fundraisers. Please bring
these ideas back to your chapters, for these could be great options for
your chapter to succeed in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Community Service
- Big Brother, Big Sisters: Mentor youths around your area.
- Feed the Homeless: Put together sack lunches.
- Hygiene Kits for the Homeless: Put together bags of toothpaste,
toothbrushes, travel size hygiene products. You could also request
donations for these products from different organizations or
stores.
-Children’s Hospitals: Possibly reading to the children or helping with
their community services.
Soror
Tiana Trimble
- Food Banks: Help put together groceries for families in need.
- National/ Local Walks and Marathons: Help clean, run booths/
check-in, or pass water out to the participants.
Fundraisers
- Collect Change at your campus: A “Change Drive,” for local, regional,
or national community services.
- Entry fee events: Parties, pageants, etc..
- Partnering with local restaurants: If you help advertise and bring in
customers to a particular restaurant they will give a percentage of
what they make during a given time frame.
- Car Wash: Clean cars for donations.
Make sure you join [email protected] so that your chapter
can share events, community service projects, and fundraisers that
have proven successful.
Again, thank you all for your hard work.
In Sigma,
With all of my H.E.A.R.T!
24
Conference Watch
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Regional Conferences
Central Regional Conference
June 8-10, 2007
Kansas City, Missouri
Southeast Regional Conference
June 15-17, 2007
Jackson, Mississippi
*Please note the board meetings and special committee meetings may be held the
Thursday prior to conference dates
SAVE THE DATE
Sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and
Fraters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Joint Founders’ Day Celebration
November 2007
More details to come …
NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL
64th Biennial National Convention
October 16-21, 2007
Hyatt Regency, Deaborn, Michigan
The
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f
Outstanding
Undergraduate
Sigma Soror
Alexandria Crumble
Since the 2005 reactivation of Alpha Chapter, reintroducing Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to the campus
community has faced much opposition. Now the sole
member of Alpha Chapter, Soror Alexandria Crumble
continues to strive for Sigma in her heart and on her campus, to uphold the foundational principles of the sorority,
and to exhibit the excellence that the founders so humbly exuded. A 5th Year Professional Doctor of Pharmacy
Candidate, she has held several executive positions, served
in several leadership roles on campus, and made countless sacrifices to help ensure the viability and longevity of
Alpha Chapter.
Submitted by: Soror Shurika Perry, Advisor
Soror Alexandria Crumble: An Accomplished Soror
•Black Student Union~5th Year, Past
Executive Member
•Butler University Gender Commission,
Campus Climate Sub-committee~2nd Term
•Butler University’s Voices of Deliverance
Gospel Choir, President~3rd Term
•Coca-Cola Foundation Scholar
•Dr. John Morton Finney Scholar
• Lilly Endowment Scholar
•Mattie Rice Coney Scholar
•National Society of Collegiate Scholars
•NFL/Sargent Jeanette L. Winters Scholar,
•Phi Eta Sigma Leadership Fraternity
f
26
•R. Efroymson Scholar
•Ralph M Reahard Scholar
•Urban League Scholar
•Top 10 Outstanding Woman~2nd Year
•Reaffirming Ethnic Awareness and
Community Harmony, Past President
•Student Government Association. Former VP
of Diversity
•University Terrace Apartments~Residence
Life, Staff Assistant~4th Year, Past Resident
Assistant
•Volunteer Center, Web Developer~2nd Term
Undergraduate Pulse
Alpha Phi
Howard University, Washington, DC
Exemplifying Success
The lovely ladies of Alpha Phi began the year
with welcoming new students to the university
at the freshman move-in. With the high vibe
of school spirit, music, a table with sorors
greeting new students with smiles and cool
refreshments, the day was a success. Many
events have been implemented such as Movie
Night. A book club has been started in which
students were able to discuss the new genre of
urban books and selected a book to read and
discuss at the next book club meeting.
Alpha Phi was able to hold an “Indiana Luv”
hospitalit y suite during Homecoming to
welcome all sorors and Greeks to the university.
The step team dazzled the audience that week
stepping in 1950’s Rhoyal Blu and Antique Gold
poodle skirts which placed the team in second
Alpha Phi members in their 1950s step
place at a step show at Frostburg University.
show gear
Nonetheless, the chapter is celebrated Founders’
Week, entitled 84 years of amiable essence with
programs geared to enrich the minds and the
souls of individuals. Some of the programs are
“RhOad to Graduate School”, “RHOlax with
Yoga”, and “Sigma Euphoria” which focused on
nutrition.
Alpha Phi chapter has exceeded since 1939 and
will continue to uphold the legacy of the chapter
and the organization.
A lpha Phi Chapter has plot on Howard
University’s yard decked in Blu and yellow.
Every first Friday of the month sorors relax,
chant, and step around the plot while sporting
paraphernalia and relaxing with fellow members
of the NPHC.
Contact: Soror Rashida Walters, Anti-Basileus
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Undergraduate Pulse
Epsilon Nu
San Antonio, Texas
Welcomes New Members
The Epsilon Nu chapter welcomes two new members into Sigma sisterhood, Janice
Gaiter and Suh Hughart. These ladies are excited and ready to bring their dedication
and Sigma spirit into the chapter. The chapter has had the experience of attending
their first Southwest Regional Conference in Austin, Texas and Boule in Dallas, Texas
during this past summer to gain valuable knowledge about the different business
operations of the sorority on a regional and national level. The ladies are looking
forward to establishing Sigma presence throughout the San Antonio community and
college campuses.
Contact: Monica Pete, Advisor
Epsilon Zeta
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Service in Sisterhood
The Epsilon Zeta chapter has had an exciting semester, beginning with taking second
place in Virginia Commonwealth University’s block step show. Epsilon Zeta continues
to show that we truly are “The Last Created, Best Designed.” The ladies of Epsilon Zeta,
in the true spirit of Greater Service, Greater Progress, have put on many successful
programs including their first Greek Unity Cookout, which was designed to unite
the Greek community, and a program tastefully called Sex for Chocolate, which was
designed to educate college students on the issues surrounding sex education in a way
that they could have fun and attain knowledge simultaneously. These ladies have
also been involved in several ventures to enhance the Richmond community from
volunteering for Habitat for Humanity at the Central Virginia Food Bank to helping
the freshman move onto campus.
In celebrating Founders’ week, Epsilon Zeta celebrated the 84th anniversary of Sigma
Gamma Rho by having church service with their very own charter member, Soror
Lynda D. Moore. Epsilon Zeta also sponsored a program called Education 101: Back to
the Basics which is geared towards helping college students build on the fundamentals
of college life such as stress management, time management, the cost of skipping class
and college cooking. The women of Epsilon Zeta continue to embody all that Sigma
women are and should be.
Contact: Soror Danielle McManus, Epistoleus
28
Undergraduate Pulse
Eta Upsilon
Rutgers University, Brunswick, New Jersey
Electrifying Eta Upsilon
Five dynamic young women were born into Sigma by way of the Electrifying Eta
Upsilon Chapter. These five young women are Kanika Roberts, Afua Antwi, Lauren
Young, Nadege Joseph, and Ashley Green. Sorors Roberts, Joseph, and Green are
legacies and Soror Antwi is a former Delta Kappa Sigma Rhoer. Since being inducted
into the sisterhood, the ladies have achieved a cumulative chapter GPA of 3.0. Twice
a month the chapter volunteers at the local food bank. The ladies of Eta Upsilon
continuously seek to provide service through various projects to Rutgers University and
the surrounding community. The chapter advisor is Nikkol Green and the sponsoring
graduate chapter is Delta Kappa Sigma of Plainfield, New Jersey.
Contact: Noah Joseph
Gamma Epsilon
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
The Alumni Soror Reunion
Alumni sorors from Gamma Epsilon Chapter at Kent State University (KSU) reunited
during Homecoming 2006. Alumni
sorors attended and supported the
Black Alumni event on Saturday
October 14 in Kent, Ohio. The
Black Alumni event was held at the
11th Frame / Kent Lanes on South
Water Street. This event provided
alumni sorors the opportunity for
some fun, relaxation, and catching
up with old friends
Contact: Nicolette Warren-White
Gamma Iota
Paul Quinn College, Dallas, Texas
Two Is Company, Threes A Crowd
The Glamorous Gamma Iota chapter wanted to make sure the students at Paul Quinn
College were not “dum-dums”. Soror Kamisha Knight-Johnson and Chenae Washington
handed out dum-dums and lifesavers candy as they talked to the students about the
“Buckle Up America” campaign. The theme for the program was “Don’t be a Dum-Dum,
The
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Undergraduate Pulse
Be a Life Saver – BUCKLE UP!” Soror Knight-Johnson represented the NPHC-Paul
Quinn Council at the NPHC Southwest Regional Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. She
was one of the two delegates from her school and served on the elections committee.
The hardest working undergraduate in the Fallas area will have etiquette seminars,
fundraisers, and a make-up workshop during Founders’ Week. They are striving to
help boost the self-esteem of the ladies on campus and prepare the peers for life after
graduation.
Gamma Mu
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Sigma at its Best
The Glamorous Ladies of the Gamma Mu have represented the sorority in many ways
during this school semester. They began the school year by helping students at The
Johns Hopkins University move back into their dorms. They were the only NPHC
organization to signup to help with the move-in process. Soror Fornati Bedell and
Soror Darcella Bland participated in the Walk for Diabetes in Baltimore, Maryland. In
addition, Soror Darcella Bland participated in the BELIEVE Project at the College of
Notre Dame of Maryland by helping to paint bathrooms, hallways, and stairwells at
Lake Clifton-Eastern High School. They also hosted a party to kick off the school year
at The Johns Hopkins University, which was a great success.
To celebrate eighty-four years of excellence, the Gamma Mu hosted various events for
Sigma Gamma Rho Founder’s Week. It all began when they participated in a tribute to
the beautiful founders at a celebration given by Alpha Alpha Sigma chapter in Baltimore,
Maryland. They hosted a “Sigma Treat Giveaway” where they gave out delicious sweets
and information on influential sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho. They also held an HIV/
AIDS awareness forum that was open to the surrounding college community to discuss
the global AIDS crisis. They represented Sigma Gamma Rho by hosting the Second
Annual Multicultural Greek Block Show at The Johns Hopkins University.
Also, the members of the Gamma Mu at The Johns Hopkins University have been
involved in the protest of a racist themed Halloween party entitled “Halloween in the
Hood”. The Black Student Union (BSU) has decided to take action against this event
and other incidents of racism that have happened on campus. Soror Morgan Fletcher
is a member of the Executive Board for the BSU and the Gamma Mu chapter has been
in full support of her and the efforts of the BSU.
Contact: Morgan Fletcher
30
Undergraduate Pulse
Gamma Zeta Indianapolis, Indiana Metro Chapter
Upholding Sigma
The Sigma women of Gamma Zeta are exemplifying progress in sisterhood, scholarship
and service on their campus, in addition to their community. Gamma Zeta started the
year with events that show the exuberant side of a Sigma woman. These ladies hosted
such events as a Bowling Night and a Carwash, which rose over $130 for the chapter.
Gamma Zeta also takes pride in giving back to their community. For instance, Gamma
Zeta has been involved in several community service initiatives such as Covering for
Kids, the Julian Center, and the Walk for Diabetes. The ladies provided helping hands
wherever they were needed. Gamma Zeta also participated in other various events,
including a university hosted Involvement Fair, Undergraduate Summit hosted by Alpha
Sigma Chapter, Black Greek 101 hosted by the University of Indianapolis, and the Area
VII Meeting in Frankfort, KY.
Gamma Zeta had its Illustrious Founders’ Week. The week consisted of a Movie Night,
Friday Fun Night, Community Service at the Coburn Place and a Sorors Only Day with
our Graduate Chapter Alpha Sigma. The chapter also hosted a Banking Investment
Seminar, a Night Out with Gamma Zeta, and an Adopt-a-Family Christmas collection.
The week was a success and could not have happened without the women who started
it all.
In addition to Founders’ Week, Gamma Zeta helped their campus and community
by participating in the “Jam the Jaguars Bus Event,” here the ladies helped load and
unload canned goods to give to the unfortunate. Gamma Zeta will continue to uphold
Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service.
Soror Endia Scalan, Epistoleus
Lambda Tau
Stony Brook University, Stonybrook, New York
The Joy of Originality - Lambda Tau wins StRHOlling Competition
On the campus of Stonybrook, Delta Sigma Theta challenged all Greek lettered
organizations to compete in a stroll competition. This competition featured two
rounds and two first place prizes (first place fraternity and first place sorority). The
sophisticated sorors at Lambda Tau “rhose” to the occasion.
In round one, Lambda Tau averaged 10 points above their competition and eliminated
a local sorority with the infamous “table top” stroll.
In round two, SoRHOrs brought the drama. With a quick reworking of their rhoyal blue
and gold outfits, sorors pinned up their hair and got ready for war. Sorors strolled to a
The
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Undergraduate Pulse
mix of reggae, hip hop and R & B and figuratively slaughtered the competition.
The judges deliberated and it was a unanimous decision that the Strolling Crown
belonged to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Lambda Tau Chapter.
Contact: Shola Akintobi Area IV Coordinator
Nu Eta
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
HBCU Homecoming Experience 2006
Last year over 400 students along with their families, faculty, and staff participated
in the 1st HBCU Homecoming Experience celebration. This event initially began
as a mere concept when members of the Nu Eta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho
Sorority, Incorporated decided they wanted more out of their homecoming experience.
They envisioned a homecoming where the events showcased included those found
at the homecoming events of black college and universities such as Howard, and
Grambling.
The HBCU Homecoming Experience was patterned after the traditional homecoming
experiences found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Last year’s
events included the Mr. & Miss HBCU Homecoming Pageant and Fashion Show, Soul
Food Café, and the Black Arts & Goods Market. The success of these events spread
quickly throughout the community and has elicited much anticipation from past
participants as well as newcomers.
This year’s HBCU Homecoming
Experience focused on its signature
events: the Mr. & Miss Pageant and
Fashion Show and the Sigma Soul
Kitchen. The Mr. & Miss Pageant
and Fashion Show featured clothing
by local vendors, as well as models
from the UNLV community. The
Sigma Soul Kitchen featured an
awa rds ceremony that honored
Nu Eta Sorors past and present (l to r): Ramona
businesses and organizations who
Sanders, Zarinah Washington, Quortni Scott,
Denesha Stamps, Shaneka Giscombe, Carmesha have contributed to the success of its
events.
Thompson, and Kimberly Evans, Nu Eta advisor
Contact: Soror Shaneka Giscombe Epistoleus
32
Undergraduate Pulse
Omicron Rho
California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, California
Continuing the Legacy
“Sigma Gamma who?” is no longer a question on the campus of California State
University, Dominguez Hills. The Omicron Rho chapter is RHOllin out the RHOyal
blue carpet for community service, fundraising and neos.
Omicron Rho welcomed Sabrina Escobedo and Raina Neal into the sisterhood.
The admirable ladies of Omicron Rho kicked off Founders’ Week with two fundraisers.
Their “Sigma Sweets” bake sale satisfied the sweet tooth of campus students before, in
between and after classes. The undergrads had plenty of support from their advising
chapter Theta Epsilon Sigma, fellow Greeks and friends at their second fundraiser
“Shakey’s Night.”
Celebrations continued with a Skate Night at World On Wheels in Los Angeles in
conjunction with 100 Black Men. Sorors skated to old and new school jams. The week
ended with a successful informational with bountiful inquiries and compliments from
young ladies interested in the RHOyal blue and gold.
Founders’ weekend included a bluetiful luncheon in collaboration with the Joint
Council, where sorors rededicated themselves to Sigma. Founders’ Week was a fabulous
celebration filled with fellowship, dedication and remembrance. Omicron Rho isn’t
finished yet, as the ladies gear up to serve their fellow students during finals week by
offering a study night, Coffee Breaks, and study kits.
Contact: Briahna Baker
Pi Epsilon
University of Louisiana, Lafayette
The Universit y of Louisiana at
La fayet te’s Pi Epsi lon Chapter
welcomed six new members – Lacey
Anglin, Isa’ Martinez, Toni Semien,
Sarhadia Luxeus, Christina Bashful,
and Kolby Robinson. They were
welcomed into Sigma by Basileus
L ad av i a S avoie, A nt i-B a si leu s
Bernadette Marks, and members of
the advising chapter, Epsilon Alpha
Sigma.
Through long hours of hard work and
Pi Epsilon Inducts New Members
The
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Undergraduate Pulse
endurance and the help of Soror Daphne DeBeau and Epsilon Alpha Sigma Chapter,
Sorors Brenda Sloan Johnson, Brenda Canty and LaShonda Johnson, the chapter had a
very successful year.
With eight active members, Pi Epsilon kicked off Founders’ Weekend with participation
in the annual Heart Walk, church service and a dinner celebration in Opelousas,
Louisiana hosted by Epsilon Alpha Sigma Chapter.
The chapter implemented the Sis Program that helps college females who are in
college and having difficulties in academic areas. This program is geared towards the
improvement of academics in African American women. The chapter is looking forward
to planning and implementing future events in the Southwest Region.
Contact: Ladavia Savoie, Basileus
Tau Chapter
Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia
One Soul Soror Working Hard in the Name of Sigma
Tau Chapter was chartered on the campus of Virginia Union University on Tuesday,
January 29, 1929. As the oldest chapter in the Northeast, Tau was brought back to life
on April 28, 2006 with the induction of Soror Tinia R. Sealey. Since the beginning of
the school year, Soror Sealey has been very hard at work and with only ONE current
member, it has been challenging but productive. Soror Sealey revamped the sorority
plot and provided snacks and water to those registering for classes.
Tau Chapter completed a meet and greet and participated in the breast cancer walk
along with its alumnae chapter, Iota Sigma, and contributed to the $500 that was raised.
In conjunction with Iota Sigma Chapter, Soror Sealey successfully worked with and held
the annual Sigma Spooktacular, a safe trick-or-treating alternative for the community.
Founders’ Day was celebrated as Soror Sealey received the Iota Sigma Undergraduate
Pulse Certificate for outstanding works. Tau Chapter had an interactive session
on “Abolish the “N” word. Soror Sealey was also a major participant at the Eastern
Regional NPHC conference serving as a voting delegate for the NPHC of Virginia Union
University. Soror Sealey has done all of this while still upholding a strong GPA, which
maintains her place on the Dean’s List. As Soror Sealey prepares for graduation, she
continues to keep the campus in the palm of her hand through scholarship and service.
For Soror Sealey, running a one-woman show has had its ups and downs of course,
and no one can do it alone. Behind the scenes, Iota Sigma, surrounding undergraduate
chapters and advisors has helped with everything. A special thanks goes to Iota Sigma
for keeping Tau Chapter in line and being true sorors. Visit the Tau chapter website at
http://www.angelfire.com/va3/tau/ for more information on chapter events.
Contact: Soror Tinia Sealey, Basileus & Soror Tameka Winston (Co-Advisor)
34
Undergraduate Pulse
Theta Lambda
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Spring into Sigma
The members of Sigma Gamma Rho are known for creating programs that help
communities both locally and nationally. Theta Lambda has participated in numerous
events and programs that have benefited the communities of the University of Virginia
and Charlottesville. These events and programs include the national programs of Sigma
Gamma Rho and newly created events by Theta Lambda.
Before giving thanks to anyone, God is first and foremost in all that is done. Theta
Lambda and Alpha Iota Omega Christian Fraternity, Inc. held a Day of Praise in which
the university community was invited to come and spend an evening celebrating in
the Lord. The ladies then hosted a Greek Unity Luncheon, inviting all of UVA’s NPHC
Greeks out for some fellowship and fun to show that brotherhood and sisterhood come
in all colors. Theta Lambda partnered with EMC Talent Group to host “Battlegrounds”,
UVA’s first hip-hop dance and freestyle rap competition. The event was raved as a huge
success with performances “so huge they could hardly be contained within the walls
of the building”
Theta Lambda took Operation BigBookBag to a whole new level. It was not your
average collection of school supplies; it was a 12 hour lock-in at Clemons Library from
8pm-8am. The ladies devoted their entire night to collect school supplies for local
children. This was more than a collection of school supplies; it was a collection of time,
effort, and cooperation of the University of Virginia and the Charlottesville community
at large. The next day the school supplies were donated to a local community center. The 1st Sigma Send-off was held for the graduating members of Theta Lambda, Ebony
McCracken, Ericka McCracken, Nakita Johnson, Rasheda Bowman, and Sheronica
Barcliff. A closed program was to pay tribute to the good times, the funniest moments,
and the heart-felt emotions shared with the graduating members. It was a time of
reflection while looking towards the future. All of the graduating members will be
dearly missed but their devotion and creativity will never be forgotten as members of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.
Contact: Soror Justina Foggie
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Pride Cometh
Before the Fall
Author Anonymous
We walk with our heads held high
And our call can be heard afar
But when they tear apart the pieces
Are we really who we say we are?
We call each other Sorors
Saying you will always have my back
But when it comes to my process
Can I really trust you with that?
We pride ourselves on our quality of
sisterhood
All for one, one for all
But beware of the traditional
expectations
Because PRIDE COMETH BEFORE
THE FALL.
36
Alpha Mu Sigma
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Staying Close to the Community
Alpha Mu Sigma has been busy promoting
“Greater Service, Greater Progress” in the Winston
Salem community. Alpha Mu Sigma sponsored
its 5th Annual E. Jerry Jones Spring Festival Golf
Tournament. The tournament raises scholarship
funds for deserving high school students. This year’s
scholarship recipient was Carmen Stackhouse, a
senior at Glenn High School.
Additionally, several ladies participated in the
2006 Winston Salem State University Homecoming
Step Show. Sadio-Tene Lloyd and Dakisha PayneWilliams of Alpha Mu Sigma and Margaletta Smith of
Delta Sigma Sigma along with some of the chapter’s
children performed an outstanding Wizard of Ozthemed show. This was Sigma Gamma Rho’s first
“repRHOsentation” in a WSSU step show in four
years.
Alpha Mu Sigma participated in a Project
Homestead’s Women’s Build project. On this day,
several ladies helped to physically build a home for
an anxiously waiting family.
The chapter would also like to take a moment to
recognize Soror Earline Sutton for being the recipient
of the 2006 Alpha Mu Sigma Alumnae Chapter Soror
of the Year Award. This award was presented to her at
the chapters Founders’ Day banquet. She has been
called diligent, faithful, patient, motherly, kind, and
loving. Alpha Mu Sigma is certainly proud to have
such an illustrious woman as a dedicated member.
Finally, Alpha Mu Sigma welcomes its three newest
members: Talia Scott, Jonee’ Taylor, and Shantelle
Williams. These ladies have proven that they are
worthy to be called by that great name, Sigma, and
will certainly make her proud.
Contact: Candace Gorham, Epistoleus
Alpha Omicron Sigma
Dallas, Texas
Doing AMAZING things in Dallas
The ladies of the Alpha Omicron Sigma Chapter
are doing amazing things in Dallas. Alpha Omicron
Sigma has actively contributed to community service
through The American Care Foundation with the
Back to School Celebration. They worked with the
American Care Foundation to educate children on
obstacles they have to face by being children in
today’s society. Alpha Omicron Sigma also supported
the Arlington Alumnae Chapter, Zeta Delta Sigma,
in a Health/Career Fair. The ladies were involved
in a Greek Forum held on the campus of Southern
Methodist University. The sorors used their creative
strengths in an AIDS Arms for Life walk in Uptown
Dallas. Did you know that every 21 seconds someone
is diagnosed with diabetes? Alpha Omicron Sigma
does, and the ladies were active in the American
Diabetes Association’s premier fund-raising event,
America’s Walk for Diabetes. The sorors were also
active in both philo and rhoer activities.
Alpha Omicron Sigma, taking a breath after hosting
this past Boule, continue to have bonding events that
build sisterhood within the chapter. The sorors of
the Alpha Omicron Sigma Chapter continue to be an
example of “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”
Alpha Omicron Sigma Chapter members
Beta Epsilon Sigma
Columbia, South Carolina
Beta Epsilon Sigma started the year strong.
Beta Epsilon Sigma had their annual rededication
ceremony. The members talked about when they
joined Sigma, what brought them to Sigma in the first
place and what they have learned from Sigma. It was
a great reminder. BES also participated in the South
Carolina First Ladies Walk for Breast Cancer. It was
an invigorating morning that brought the Columbia
community together for a worthy cause. BES also
The
Aurora 37
sponsored an October Fest for the community. The
undergrads, Beta Epsilon, Zeta Theta, Iota Eta and
BES had games for the youth and prizes and food.
The philos sold fried fish plates.
BES celebrated Founders’ Day with an annual
brunch. Soror Liza Tucker was awarded Sigma of the
Year. Asia Casey was awarded Rhoer of the Year and
Deloise Jones was awarded Philo of the Year.
Contact: Deneitra V. McElrath, Historian
Beta Lambda Sigma
Raleigh, NC
Celebrating 57 Years of Excellence
The ladies of Beta Lambda Sigma have kept quite
busy this past sorority year. The chapter attended its
Area III meeting, participated in Grandparent’s Day,
and the George Colburn Walk-A-Thon. They also
supported Nu, one of its sponsored undergraduate
chapters, in their Annual Homecoming Greek Campus
Cookout and the chapter joined forces with Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF)
for the Walk to Cure Diabetes.
The JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes is family-friendly
walk this is held at Nortel in Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina. The Raleigh Alumnae Chapter was
one of the 500,000 people at JDRF’s 200 Walk
sites nationwide this year who made a difference
in the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes. The
Raleigh alumnae sorors and friends had a great time
enjoying the entertainment, food, and fun. The
event provided the opportunity for people to come
together in a healthy activity for a worthy cause, and,
most importantly, Beta Lambda Sigma was a part
of the cure by raising money to help find a cure for
diabetes.
The chapter celebrated the sorority’s 84th
Founders’ Day at the Garner Road YMCA. The
celebration included a tribute to our seven founders
and the honoring of two sorority members for their
outstanding work in the community and dedication
to the sorority.
The honors awarded at the 84th Founders’ Day
celebration included the Yellow Tea Rose Award and
the Golden Cup Award. Effie Saunders was honored
with the Golden Cup Award and Virginia Wall with
the Yellow Tea Rose Award. Saunders, an educator
in the Wake County Public School system has been
38
a member of the sorority for more than 30 years and
was honored for her professional achievements and
dedication to the sorority. Wall, a retired educator in
the Wake County Public School system, was honored
for her
dedication and outstanding work to the community
at large.
Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter continues to support
the Glory to Glory Ministry in Raleigh, NC. The
ministry is a place where HIV positive women are
housed. The chapter donates supplies on a monthly
basis to help sustain the house and visits the house
monthly.
For information about Beta Lambda Sigma chapter
of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Inc. or its events, please visit them on the web at
http://www.geocitites.com/raleighsgrho.
Contact: Rachel Morris, Basileus
Beta Pi Sigma
Durham, North Carolina
Establishing a Bond through Service
The Beta Pi Sigma chapter hosted its annual
Operation Big Book Bag service event with The Good
Samaritan Inn. The Good Samaritan is a shelter for
homeless women and children located in Durham,
North Carolina. The two organizations thoroughly
enjoyed the experience and will be collaborating for
future service projects in the Durham community.
The ladies of Beta Pi Sigma truly believe that with
“Greater Service” there can be “Greater Progress”.
Getting Back to the Roots of Sisterhood
Beta Pi Sigma Chapter
The ladies of Beta Pi Sigma hosted their annual
Area III meeting. The meeting was held on the
campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. The chapter thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity
to plan, host, and facilitate different aspects of the
meeting. It was a great opportunity for the chapter
to give back to the sorority and bond with their great
sisterhood.
Ronetta Walker, Public Relations Director
Delta Kappa Sigma Plainfield, New Jersey
Sigma News
chapter. Delta Kappa
Sigma continues to
make strides in serving
the community. The
c ha p t e r c o nduc te d
Operation Big Book
Bag and donated book
bags filled with school
supplies to Women
Aware, a local battered
women’s shelter. The chapter also participated in the
Walk for Autism. For the past few years the chapter
has walked for “Sydney’s Dream Team” and made an
additional donation to Autism research. Delta Kappa
Sigma also participated in collecting coats for Central
New Jersey’s NPHC Coat Drive. Over 300 coats were
collected and donated to Goodwill.
Contact: Noah Joseph
Delta Psi Sigma
Seattle, Washington
Delta Kappa Sigma Chapter inducted its newest
member, Soror Ajaiah Roulette. Soror Roulette
is a recent graduate of Rutgers University – New
Brunswick, College of Engineering. Ajaiah was first
drawn to Sigma as an undergrad and continued
in her pursuit of Sigma upon graduation. She has
much talent and creativity and her contributions to
the chapter and the sorority will hopefully be great.
Delta Kappa Sigma has also reactivated two sorors.
Soror Cynthia Browning-Smalls and Soror Tracey
Edwards, both by way of Eta Upsilon Chapter - Rutgers
University, bring a revived spirit and dedication to the
Working and Playing Hard in Seattle
It has been a wonderfully busy season for the
ladies of Delta Psi Sigma in Seattle.
The ladies participated and co-sponsored the Rally
for Hope, a citywide event celebrating young people
and Christian music of all kinds. The day started off
rainy, but the clouds cleared once the music started
and a good time was had by all.
The ladies held a family barbeque with members
of Omicron Zeta (University of Washington). Sorors’
families and friends were also on hand to enjoy each
other’s company and food. Interested young ladies
for both the undergrad and grad chapters were
invited to view what true sisterhood looks like.
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness,
members of Delta Psi Sigma and Omicron Zeta
participated in the Annual Breast Cancer Walk. The
rain did not stop these sorors from fulfilling their
pledge to walk and raise awareness.
Finally, Delta Psi Sigma hosted the Pacific Northwest
Area meeting. Sorors from all over the area came out
to get updates on the sorority business, reconnect
and fellowship Thanks to Syntakes Nelson and UCC
Franklin for coming to the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Arizona Proctor
The
Aurora 39
Delta Sigma
Chicago, Illinois
Starting the Year Anew, Bonding with Sorors
Delta Sigma started the year with a weekend
filled with fun, education and training at the chapter
retreat. On Friday, chapter members enjoyed an
evening of food, games and fun. They participated
in a pajama party, sang songs, and shared stories to
update sorors on their summer. Saturday included
a full day of workshops that were designed to
help members become more acquainted with
sorority protocol and to help build unity within
the chapter. Workshops on the agenda included:
“True Colors-Team Building; Valuing Differences;
Creating Unity,” “Recruiting a Sigma Woman-What
is the Sigma Image?,” “Protocol: What is it? – How
does it affect me?,” “Conflict Resolution-Is it Good or
Bad?,” “Preparing for Leadership-Tips for Members,”
“Chapter Communication-How can I stay informed,”
and “Parliamentary Procedure-Having Your Say.”
To start the sorority year in Chicago, chapter
members participated in a civic activity. Delta Sigma
represented with an abundance of blue and gold at
The 23rd Annual Chicago United Negro College Fund
(UNCF) Walk, Run, Bike, and Skate –a-thon. Sorors
that came out bright and early to set up the tent for this
event included Kirsten Alley, Civic Chairperson; Bonita
Herring, Basileus; and Michelle Neal, Parliamentarian.
Members of the chapter walked the distance to
raise money for the organization whose motto is
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” The chapter’s
participation in this event is an effort to continue the
vision of our Founders-a focus on education, service
and progress.
Contact: Jameelah Morgan, Epistoleus
Epsilon Lambda Sigma
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sigma’s Torch Shines Throughout Cincinnati
Sorors of Epsilon Lambda Sigma kicked off the
year cruising the Ohio River for a good cause.
Epsilon Lambda Sigma, along with Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity, Inc., hosted “The Midnight Voyage” at B& B
Riverboats in nearby Newport, Kentucky. A portion of
the event’s proceeds benefit Operation Big Bookbag
and other area youth programs. Of the 216 guests in
40
attendance, 124 were sorors.
September marked the third year for Epsilon
Lambda Sigma and the Cincinnati African American
Firefighters (CAFA) Operation Big Book Bag
collaboration to benefit Parham Elementary School
and the Families Forward program. Items such as
book bags, notebooks, pencils and pens were handdelivered to the school to children eagerly waiting to
use them.
Congratulations goes out to the Cincinnati Grad
Step Team as they pummeled their competition,
taking 1st place in step shows at the University of
Cincinnati and Wilberforce University and 2nd place
at Central State University. They collected over $2,000
in prize money in a week’s time and represented
Sigma well in their tribute to the Founders.
November not only marked 84 years of “Greater
Service, Greater Progress,” but the E. Kathleen Cooke
Unsung Heroine Scholarship Luncheon as well. The
weekend started with a Meet and Greet and ended
with a rededication ceremony on the evening of
November 11. This annual tribute recognized and
honored 8 area women and their commitment to
serving the people of Greater Cincinnati, upholding
our beloved motto “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”
Soror Loveless was the speaker of the day and the
event was supported by sorors throughout Ohio and
Kentucky. Soror Mother Love also participated in the
celebration. Sorors also supported undergraduate
chapters Nu Gamma and Pi Upsilon in their honoring
of Founders’ Day.
Contact: Charmaine J. Davis, Epistoleus
Eta Iota Sigma
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Eta Iota Sigma Elects Its Youngest Basileus
If you are not acquainted with Soror Natalie
Bennett, “Get Ready”, as this Sigma is soaring upward.
At age 26, Natalie is the youngest soror to serve as
basileus to Eta Iota Sigma Alumnae Chapter.
(1966) and current member of Iota Sigma.
During her teens, Natalie was a member of the
Rhoer Club, was named Miss Northeast Region
Rhoer, and was a Sigma debutante. At the 1996
Boule, she won 1st runner up in the International
Rhoer Pageant.
Presently, Natalie is pursuing a Masters in
Management at the University of Maryland. She is
employed as the Administrative Coordinator in the
Office of Development and Communications for the
DC College Access Program, a non-profit organization
that assists District of Columbia public high school
students to enroll and graduate from college.
Contact: Robin Goudy, Epistoleus
Eta Nu Sigma
Soror Natalie Bennett with mother and soror, Glorious
Bennett.
Since Natalie’s induction as a Mu Omega
undergraduate at George Mason University, Virginia
in 1999, she has served as tamiochus, anti-basileus
and basileus.
In 2002, Natalie received her degree in Integrative
Studies. He later transferred to the Eta Iota Sigma
graduate chapter where she served as the 1st AntiBasileus and Undergraduate Advisor under the
leadership of the former basileus, Deborah Walsh.
Natalie’s vision for the chapter focuses on
membership development, community relations
and promoting Sigma. She serves as the basileus
to the International Grand Basileus, Dr. Mynora J.
Bryant and the Northeast Region Syntaktes, Felicia
Blakeney.
If you are wondering how this accomplished
soror got her start, she is a Sigma legacy. Natalie is
the daughter of Willie and Glorious Bennett. Soror
Glorious Bennett is a former member of Tau Chapter
Brooklyn & Queens, New York
With the start of the sorority year, Eta Nu Sigma
assisted the Brooklyn and Queens communities of
New York via Operation Big Book Bag. Eta Nu Sigma
Chapter partnered with Safe Horizon, an organization
that assists women and families of domestic violence,
to donate over 40 filled book bags to the children of
three of their shelters. The sorors of Eta Nu Sigma
began each session by discussing the history of
Sigma Gamma Rho as well as the significance of
Operation Big Book Bag.
Founders’ Day would not have been complete
without a party to celebrate Sigma Gamma Rho’s 84
years of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service. Working
with area undergraduate and graduate chapters, the
theme, “The Legacy: 84 Years of Bringing Sexy Back”,
could not have rung truer as countless sorors helped
to commemorate the founding of our illustrious
sorority at Fashion 40 Lounge in Times Square.
Members of the NPHC were also in attendance to
help celebrate Founders’ Day.
Contact: Djenny Passé-Rodriguez, Epistoleus
Eta Omicron Sigma
Waldorf, Maryland
Reviving Sisterhood and Service in Southern
Maryland
The Eta Omicron Sigma Chapter is affirming that
a chapter need not hold seniority to create visibility
and enhance the needs in the community. The
The
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chapter has not been reactivated for a full year and
has already left an imprint in the community proving
that with dedication and determination much can be
accomplished within a short time. The chapter held
its first Operation Big Book Bag at the Sam’s Club,
which was a great success. Items were donated to
students at Mattawoman Middle School. The sorors
participated in bagging food donations at the SHARE
Food Warehouse. The chapter made Sigma history
as they were the first chapter to ever participate in
the P.G. County Safe Passage Program’s Domestic
Violence Walk. There was a soror only chill out at Red,
Hot and Blue. In celebration of Founders’ Day a dinner
was held at Jasper’s restaurant. The chapter will host
a bowling tournament. This chapter is definitely
full of vibrant, innovative, eager sorors who are
working diligently to provide for the neighborhoods
in Southern Maryland by showing what “Greater
Service, Greater Progress” means.
Regions’ Area I Workshop/Meeting at Holiday Inn
Financial Plaza. Area 1 Coordinator Loretta Jernigan
served as hostess. Presidents of Eta Psi Sigma and
Beta Omega Sigma chapters showcased one of the
sorority’s national projects – Project Reassurance by
presenting two baskets of baby needs to Sutton’s
Childrens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Christus
Schumpert Health System.
Workshops presented were Membership Intake
by the Southwest Regions’ Undergraduate Chapter
Coordinator Brenda J. Canty, Financial Procedures
presented by Deborah Daniels and Sorority Protocol
presented by Janet E. Armand. Regional Syntaktes
Brenda Sloan-Johnson ended the meeting with
a dynamic presentation of goals for the 20062008 administration. The administrative theme:
“The Journey Begins and Ends with US, Increased
Membership, Increased Responsibility.”
Contact: Loretta C. Jernigan
Eta Rho Sigma
Buffalo, New York
Reactivated and Ready To Go!
Eta Rho Sigma was reactivated this year by five
diverse and dedicated sorors representing the
Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada
areas, who have united to spread their message of
sisterhood, scholarship and service to others. The
sorors have already made their presence felt in the
region by donating needed items to Haven House, a
“haven” for victims of domestic violence.
Contact: Soror Jasmine Hillyer, Epistoleus
Eta Psi Sigma
Shreveport/Minden Area
Members of the Eta Psi Sigma chapter of
Shreveport/Minden area hosted the Southwest
42
From l to r: Sorors Romunda Harris-Fonville, Della Harris,
Alexis Smith, Shawn Rich, Jeannine Hunte, and Fatima
Morrell.
Eta Rho Sigma Sorors Jeannine Hunte (l.) and Shawn Rich
with Soror Tonya Lee Williams.
During the Toronto International Film Festival,
the sorors showed their support to Soror Tonya
Lee Williams (“The Young & The Restless”) at a
“First Fridays” event in the city. Soror Williams was
promoting the ReelWorld Film Festival (http://
www.reelworld.ca), which she hosts every spring
in Toronto. The festival creates a forum where the
works of racially and culturally diverse film and video
makers are displayed to the world. The ReelWorld
Foundation also provides training programs and
apprenticeships to give opportunities to tomorrow’s
film makers in Canada.
For more information about Eta Rho Sigma Chapter
and its programs, go to their website at http://www.
geocities.com/sgrho_etarhosigma.
Contact: Jeannine Hunte, Epistoleus
Eta Xi Sigma
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Renewed … Restored … Ready !
The sorority year for Eta Xi Sigma includes a golden
agenda for service, sisterhood and scholarship. Eta
Xi Sigma Alumnae chapter celebrated 14 years in
the sorority. The legacy of service and scholarship by
the illustrious members of the chapter continues to
honor the vision of our seven founders and promote
the sisterhood of our sorority.
Renewed sorors bonded at an all inclusive spa and
chapter retreat to recommit and rededicate their best
efforts for participation in the chapter’s community
service and national projects. In celebration of
the chapter’s 14th year anniversary, sorors came
together at the annual Sigma Roundup picnic inviting
family and guests to join in fun, fellowship and
support of the Operation Big Book Bag project. The
youth in attendance received book bags filled with
age appropriate school supplies and great sigma
fellowship was had by all.
Restored sorors entered the sorority year with
enthusiasm for the calendar of events and upcoming
national projects and community service events.
Sorors have participated in the Fall Festival and Giving
Thanks projects in partnership with the James Jordan
Boys and Girls Club of Chicago. The presence of
sorors in the affected community has made a social
and economic difference in the lives of many families.
There is great appreciation for the ladies in royal blue
and gold who are preserving the standards of our
great sorority.
The newest members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
from Eta Xi Sigma (left to right) Danielle Green, Tamika
Oliver, Anika Gary, Basileus JoAnn Hawkins White, Brandie
Franklin, Pamela Sanner, and Ericka Patterson.
Ready to work for Sigma is the common goal in
the marketing of our sorority by Eta Xi Sigma. The
membership committee led by Soror Sydney J.
Stewart; members of Eta Xi Sigma Alumnae Chapter
and Basileus JoAnn Hawkins White have excelled
in the recruitment, retention and reactivation of
sorors. The chapter has reactivated 15 sorors and
inducted six members into the sisterhood of Sigma
Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The new inductees of
Eta Xi Sigma are Danielle Green, Brandie Franklin,
Anika Gary, Tamika Oliver, Ericka Patterson and
Pamela Sanner. These new sorors bring a diverse and
outstanding background of academic achievements
and professional careers to enhance the “Greater
The
Aurora 43
Service, Greater Progress” motto of Sigma Gamma
Rho Sorority, Incorporated. “We don’t achieve success
by accident, we achieve success through our works”.
Contact: Linda D. Brown, Epistoleus
Gamma Phi Sigma
Houston, Texas
Sigma Galveston, Texas, Soror Carolyn Crockett,
Basileus, Gamma Sigma, Houston, Texas Dr. Darly
Lott, Basileus, Bobbie Williams, Alpha Psi Sigma
Chapter and undergraduates from Mu Epsilon
Chapter. Beaumont, Texas. Special Kudos were
acknowledged to those sorors who sold above
the requested number of tickets required for each
chapter member. Recognized sorors were Janice
Sexton, Karen Williams, Janice Walker and of course
basileus, Sarah Alexander. This event was chaired by
Dr. Gwendolyn Y. Ward.
Contact: Janice M. Sexton, Epistoleus
Gamma Pi Sigma
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sorors, undergraduates, philos and rhoers from Gamma
Phi Sigma, Gamma Sigma (Houston, Texas), Alpha
Theta Sigma (Galveston, Texas), and Alpha Psi Sigma
(Beaumont, Texas) in attendance at the Ensemble Theater
presentation, “Get Ready.”
Scholarship and Celebration
Gamma Phi Sigma held its first scholarship
fundraiser by entertaining sorors, undergraduates
(Delta Alpha), philos, rhoers and the Houston
community with a fantastic musical at the Ensemble
Theater. The musical was “Get Ready” by Joe
Plummer. Set in the 1980, Get Ready is the backstage
show biz saga of an “old school” singing group named
the “Doves” that gave a look at all of the frustrations
and anxiety of a singing group that struggles amongst
themselves, backstage and in private, yet pulls it all
together for their big comeback show. (reminisce of
The Five Heartbeats or Temptations).
Broderick Jones, a former Debonaire, was superb
as the production’s worldly wisdom as Knobby, the
feisty, savvy, irascible oldster who knows his way
around. and helps the group with their moves.
The chapter was host to special guest in the
audience. There were Bishops and their wives who
were attending the International Christian Methodist
Episcopal Convention in Houston. The delegation
was from the United States, Africa, Haiti and Jamaica.
Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb the International President
of the Women’s Missionary and Rita Washington,
Missionary President, Southeast Texas Region were
also in attendance.
Other sorors in attendance were Alpha Theta
44
Carl Thomas Meets Sigma Gamma Rho
What do you get when you add Carl Thomas and
a splash of RHOyal Blue? You get the 8th Annual Fall
Gala, “RHOyal Explosion”. Gamma Pi Sigma chapter
celebrated founders day with their 8th Annual Fall
Gala, “RHOyal Explosion”. Gamma Pi Sigma sorors
worked the room adorned in their beautiful RHOyal
Blue, greeting more than 400 guests. If you missed
this event, you missed out on a treat. Guests enjoyed
soulful sounds from Carl Thomas, casino style gaming
and a soul food buffet. The Fall Gala is the chapter’s
signature event that only gets better and better year
after year. Plans for next year’s Gala are already in the
works. State Farm Insurance served as the corporate
sponsor for the Gala, providing guests with insurance
information as well as employment opportunities.
This Milwaukee Alumnae chapter is also making
Wisconsin history as the first chapter to charter a
Philo Club. They welcomed nine women into their
Gamma Pi Sigma Philo Club. The members are as
follows: Wanda Baylis, Tamara Walker, Joyce Nelson,
Cassandra Perrine, Frances Jackson, Chandra Morris,
Bertha Lipsey, Katrilla Cottingham, and Charlie
Morris. Truly a chapter on the move, Gamma Pi
Sigma chapter is relentless in community not only
showcasing their ability to market the sorority but
also blazing new trails.
Contact: Evann D. Franklin, Epistoleus
Gamma Tau Sigma
Long Beach, California
Celebrating Scholarship, Sisterhood, and Service
The ladies of Gamma Tau Sigma in Long Beach,
California continue in their diligence towards “Greater
Service, Greater Progress” by spearheading many
programs and activities within the community. With
service as the main theme, the chapter kicked off the
sorority year with Operation Big Book Bag, providing
school supplies and backpacks to children housed at
the Midnight Mission Outreach Facility in Inglewood,
California. Yet Gamma Tau Sigma does not stop there
in serving the community. The chapter is dedicated to
many programs, such as feeding the homeless, bone
marrow drives conducting various food drives, and of
course the national projects.
Embracing sisterhood, Gamma Tau Sigma actively
participates in various bonding events that range
anywhere from a day at the spa, to road trips, to
celebrating one another’s accomplishments such
as graduation, retirement, or birthdays. The chapter
is proud to announce its participation in hosting
the annual Founders’ Day Banquet, which is held
in conjunction with neighboring graduate and
undergraduate chapters.
Service and sisterhood cannot be complete
without scholarship, an ideal that Gamma Tau Sigma
fully supports with its involvement in local after
school tutoring programs and its Rhoer Club. In
addition, the chapter also gives away scholarships to
outstanding college bound high school students.
With “Greater Service, Greater Progress” always
in the forefront, the ladies of Gamma Tau Sigma are
looking forward to a wonderful sorority year filled
with scholarship, sisterhood, and service.
Contact: LaToya Thurman, Epistoleus
Iota Eta Sigma
Troy, Alabama
Iota Eta Sigma holds Rhomania Awards
Banquet
Iota Eta Sigma Alumnae Chapter recognized the
achievements of sorority members at the annual
awards banquet. This year’s banquet “An Evening
of Elegance” was held in the Troy University Trojan
Center. Members were recognized for the following
achievements for the 2005-2006 year: Alumnae
Soror Yolanda Walker was voted by her peers as the
2006 Alumnae Soror of the Year. Soror Jennifer
Garrison received the 2006 Iota Eta Sigma Image
and Leadership Award. Iota Eta Sigma also inducted
new members - Sorors Shemekia Foster, Regina
Jones, Jennifer Garrison and Darleen Hill.
The 2006 Undergraduate Academic Excellence
Award winners were: Sorors Lynell Boswell, Henrietta
Crandle and ReShondra Johnson. Paris Anderson and
Tenika McCarter for Superior Academic Undergraduate
Achievement. The 2006 Omicron Pi Undergraduate
of the Year was Soror Henrietta Crandle.
Contact: Tracia Holland, Epistoleus
Iota Sigma
Richmond, Virginia
Service Through Sisterhood, Love and Hard
Work
The Incomparable Ladies of Iota Sigma Chapter
are truly exemplifying the founding principles of this
sorority. After returning from a short summer break,
the chapter was refreshed and ready to work. We
started by promoting the name of Sigma Gamma Rho
Sorority, Inc. at the 2nd Street Festival in Richmond,
VA. This is an annual event to celebrate the past when
2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond’s
African-American community. During the festival we
distributed information about our service programs,
Rhoers Club, Philos Club and supplied needy children
with school supplies and reading books. This was in
an addition to the kick off of Operation Big Book Bag
Project where 15 foster children were supplied with
new book bags and school supplies.
It was a “priceless” event when Iota Sigma attended
St. Paul’s Baptist Church to support our newly
inducted Soror Kelly Price as she performed for Pastor
Lance Watson’s 21st anniversary ceremony. It was
here were Soror Price announced to the congregation
that she truly feels the love that her sorors show
her everywhere she goes and that she is happy to
a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Iota
Sigma was the first chapter to welcome Soror Price to
their town with open arms.
With the spirit of service fresh in the air, the Iota
Sigma family, including sorors, philos, Rhoers and
friends assisted in raising over $500 to continue the
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fight against breast cancer for the Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer event. The chapter is happy
to say that everyone walked and completed the 3.1
miles course TOGETHER! After a strenuous walk, the
chapter celebrated Iota Sigma style by having a family
brunch.
To un-“wine” for the month, we toasted at the
Annual Jazz and Wine Tasting Soiree to benefit the
Elizabeth Johnson Scholarship Fund on October 27.
This event was a success. The event raised $350 for
scholarships to benefit local area children.
Iota Sigma and Tau chapters sponsored Sigma
Spooktacular, a trademarked event for Iota Sigma that
provides a safe trick or treating event for area children.
This event consisted of face painting, movies, games
and the Sorors regressing back to the hula-hoop era!
Iota Sigma began the month of November off by
introducing young people in the concept of saving and
investing through Project Wee Savers. The Ladies of
Iota Sigma diligently assist the National Pan-Hellenic
Council- Metro Richmond chapter in the Eastern
Regional Conference. Soror Margaret Osei, NPHCMR 1st Vice President, actively assisted in planning
the conference along with the other members of the
NPHC; Soror Marian Martin conducted a workshop on
parliamentary procedures; Soror Racquel Dozier was
the speaker during the Ecumenical Ceremony where
she spoke very eloquently; and Soror Trina Davis set
the spiritual mood giving the prayers during several
sessions and presenting the awards during the award
ceremony. The entire chapter of Iota Sigma worked
together in completing the souvenir journals for the
Eastern Regional NPHC Conference which was held
in Richmond.
Sorors of Iota Sigma attended a special Founders’
Day worship service at Highland Park United Methodist
Church where Soror Lynda Moore officiated. The
theme of this event was “A Sisterhood Unbroken
Bonded Together for Life.” After the service, Iota
Sigma honored the undergraduate sorors of Tau and
Epsilon Zeta Chapter, for their continued contributions
to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Each member
was awarded Iota Sigma Undergraduate Pulse
Certificates.
Find out more about our events on our website at
http://www.sgrhoneregion.org.
Contact: Trina Davis, Epistoleus
46
Kappa Sigma
New York, New York
Kappa Sigma Founders’ Day Celebration
Kappa Sigma Chapter celebrated Founders’
Day at the World Famous Alhambra Ballroom in
Harlem, New York. The members of Kappa Sigma
Chapter, along with affiliates and guests dined on a
scrumptious meal and danced the afternoon away.
Guests were treated to a Fashion Show Extravaganza;
the theme for the event was “Remembering the
Time.” The selected theme captured the essence of
history, fashion, and music from the time eras of 1920
to 2006. It was choreographed by our very own Soror
Laura Edmundson and the commentator was Soror
Alfrae Johnson-Ragins.
Soror Rosa Walker was honored with the
prestigious Sigma of the Year Award. Soror Walker
is a dedicated member of Kappa Sigma Chapter
and is known for her humble and gracious spirit.
Soror Mary A. Douglas, Kappa Sigma Chapter’s Philo
Advisor received the Community Service Award
for her outstanding community service endeavors.
Basileus Tonya Holloway presented awards to Philo
Josephine Flowers and Rhoer Vanessa Velesquez. All
guests were favored with our “Yellow Tea Rose” in
celebration of Kappa Sigma’s 70th Anniversary.
To celebrate Founders’ Day, over a dozen sorors
worshipped at Grace Congregational church in
Harlem, NY. Kappa Sigma Sorors, Johnson-Ragins,
Minor and Ward, members of the congregation
extended warm words of welcome to sorors as they
celebrated 84 years of service. Immediately following
the service sorors gathered for a small repast in the
church’s fellowship hall and then dined at Londell’s
a famous Harlem Restaurant.
Contact: Cheryl Riley, Founders’ Day Committee Chair
Northeast Region Member At Large
Katina F. Webster
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Breaking Barriers through Entrepreneurship
Congratulations to Soror Katina Webster, Member
at Large for the Northeast Region, who one month
prior to Boule, opened a Color Me Beautiful Kiosk in
Apple Blossom Mall located in Winchester, Virginia.
As one of very few black-owned Color Me Beautiful
Kiosks serving both the general and ethnic market,
she did exceptionally well! During Boule, Soror
Webster shared her cosmetics, her beauty tips and
talents with Sorors from every region. She also had
the distinct honor of personally attending to the
make-up of the Grand Basileus, Dr. Mynora J. Bryant
as well as all past Grand Basilei in attendance. It
was an experience that will never be forgotten! By
September, Soror Webster’s business flourished.
When the opportunity came for her to relocate
her business to her own community in downtown
Martinsburg, she took it! By faith, she was able to rent
an 800 sq.ft storefront. On October 8, 2006, SASHAY
“The Unique Boutique” was born.
SASHAY brings a touch of “city life” home to
Martinsburg. The boutique features stylish hats,
handbags, hand crafted jewelry, accessories and, of
course, Color Me Beautiful/Flori Roberts skincare and
cosmetics. Sashay is a member of the local Chamber
of Commerce and the Christian Business Directory.
Along with her husband, Soror Webster hopes to
become a catalyst for change in a community that is
becoming more and more diverse and sophisticated
everyday. The needs and the face of the community
are changing and Soror Webster intends to be an
integral part of that history making process!
For more information about SASHAY “The Unique
Boutique”, contact Soror Katina Webster at www.
[email protected]
Rho Sigma
Detroit, Michigan
Celebrating Founders and Fashions
Rho Sigma turned the spotlight on our illustrious
seven founders and four innovative forces in Detroit’s
fashion design community. Soror Deanne Saffold
chaired a committee of hard workers including sorors
Claudia Clark, Uolanda Davis-Campbell, Brenda
Hamilton, Darlene House, Valerie Hunt-Barker, Ava
Jackson, Ramona January, Precios Johnson, Pamela
Lee, Carmen Sims, Kim Taylor and Fannie Williams.
Soror Floria Willis shared her poetry and was
joined by the highly-energetic Body Rhythm Dance
Theatre in a tribute to our founders acknowledging
our roots and proud heritage. The Theatre was
founded in 2004 by Shirley Bryant. Its dancers are
of various ages, ethnicity and backgrounds. They
unite for training in African, Modern, Dunham, Jazz,
Ballet and Horton dance techniques. The company
mission is to encourage and promote growth of
dance for children and adults in Detroit metropolitan
communities.
Another program highlight featured Detroit
designer fashions modeled by sorors Zhe Clampitt,
Addie Douglass, Gwendolyn Lewis, Jamie McKinney,
Eukila Robinson, Aisha Ruffin, Kim Taylor and Fannie
Williams. As commentator Soror Davis-Campbell
pointed out, the motor city automotive capital of the
world was also the home of world class fashions.
Everyone took note of diverse Detsitti, B’Dazzling
Knit Collection, Elegant and Kreative Fashions by Eva
Fullwood and Flo Boutique’s “Second Life and Naji’s
Collection”.
Other program participants included sorors Dana
Hughes (MC), Charlotte Wilson (singer), Jacqueline
Moore (basileus), Martha Cooper (invocation and
benediction) and Brenda Hamilton (scholarship
chair/presenter). Three young women were awarded
scholarships during the luncheon.
Contact: Darlene House
Theta Epsilon Sigma
Culver City, California
Theta Epsilon Sigma Working It in Culver City
The proud members of Theta Epsilon Sigma
alumnae chapter started the sorority year on the
right foot with Operation Big Book Bag. Continuing
in the tradition of “Greater Service, Greater Progress,”
Theta Epsilon Sigma provided back packs filled with
school supplies to young children living in a Family
Crisis Center. The children were overjoyed with the
supplies, and it was the beginning of greater things
to come for the chapter.
Buckle Up America proved to be successful for
the chapter and the residents of Culver City alike.
During this project, the chapter members passed out
informative fliers about the importance of wearing a
safety belt to different venues throughout the Culver
City area. Many community members were very
pleased that the chapter was informing the public
with such important information.
Chapter members not only donated their time but
also clothes, canned goods, and hygiene kits to the
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Greater Missionary Starlight Baptist Church. All of
these items were handed out at the annual rally.
Last, but certainly not least, the chapter collaborated
with the local chapters of the joint council to host the
2nd Annual Founders’ Day Weekend Celebration. The
celebration consisted of a rededication ceremonial
luncheon on Saturday and a Founder’s Day picnic.
Sorors from all over the Los Angeles area thoroughly
enjoyed themselves. At the weekend activities Theta
Epsilon Sigma sorors were joined by their Neos, who
were inducted, Sorors Altovise Abner, Chrisshele
Griffin, and Ebony Jones.
Contact: Soror Ashley Willis
Theta Phi Sigma
Jersey City and the Oranges, NJ
Habitat for Humanity Day of Service
Theta Phi Sigma Alumnae Chapter recently came
together in a collaborative effort with members
of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Essex
County (NPHCEC) to serve people in need by
volunteering with Newark’s Habitat for Humanity
(HFH). According to HFH staff, utilizing volunteers
and other community resources such as gifts and
donations allows the program to allocate funds to
construction and management needs while reducing
labor costs. Led by HFH Project Manager Fred Powell,
volunteers caulked walls, laid sheet rock, swept
dusty floors, hauled debris and hammered nails as
they pitched in to assist with the redevelopment
of the City of Newark – a community vying to
provide quality homes for everyone and improve
the neighborhood, one house at a time. Residents
and staff were on hand to reaffirm to volunteers the
significance of their contribution to the continuation
and success of HFH Newark. For more information on
Theta Phi Sigma, please visit their website at www.
SGRhoThetaPhiSigma.org.
Contacts: Sorors Deanine Johnson and
Kiameesha Evans, Epistoleus
Psi Sigma Alumnae Chapter are prime examples of the
true meaning of “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”
These ladies began the sorority year by participating
and making monetary contributions to the 9th Annual
Walter E. Brandon Sickle Cell walk, Philadelphia AIDS
walk and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
walk. Theta Psi Sigma also donated canned goods to
the Atlantic City Rescue Mission and toiletries to help
assist the citizens of Buffalo, New York. In addition,
the chapter donated book bags filled with school
supplies to the students of Leeds Middle School as
part of Operation Big Bag.
These determined and dedicated women also
began working with the Teenagers in Charge (TIC)
program by mentoring. This program’s mission
“is to help teens build their self-esteem, heighten
their cultural and community awareness and most
importantly, teach teens how to take charge of their
lives.” Theta Psi Sigma attended TIC’s open house
and began by getting to know the teenagers one
on one. The event quickly turned into a talent show
with TIC members dancing and sorors performing
steps and party walks for the teenagers. TIC members
were thrilled to have Theta Psi Sigma members in
attendance and stated they could not wait until the
next event.
Look out for these service-driven sorors of Theta
Psi Sigma.
Contact: Soror Tamika McNair, Epistoleus
Theta Zeta Sigma
Aurora, Colorado
Theta Psi Sigma
Chester, Pennsylvania
Service Never Ceases
Under the direction of Basileus Jazzmea Houghton
and 1st Anti Basileus Nicole Scott, the sorors of Theta
48
Theta Zeta Sigma supported Sable Elementary School with
supplies and book bags
Sigma Shares
The new school year approached and the members
of Theta Zeta Sigma and its Rhoer Club took some
time to remember needy students in their Aurora
community. Sable Elementary has more than 73%+
of their students on a free or reduced lunch program
that have a need for backpacks and other school
supplies. Sable Elementary student body consists
of 54% Hispanic/Latino, 24% African American,
11% White/Anglo and 11% Other (Native American,
Asian American, International Students, Pacific
Islander). Sorors and Rhoers said yes to the proactive
approach in training, equipping and empowering
the parents at Sable. “Often, the parents lack the
supplies and materials needed to support literacy at
home and to reinforce strategies teachers use in the
classrooms”, said Mr. Pagan. So, Theta Zeta Sigma
accepted the challenge to assist Sable Elementary.
When the parents finish their training, they will
receive their personal
“Home Toolkit” with
school supplies to assist
their son/daughter at
home.
Through Theta Zeta
Sigma’s fundraising
efforts and in so many
other ways, sorors
and rhoers have
shown themselves to
be caring individuals
who are committed
to public service. They
have definitely shown
Dr. Gesna M. Scott was
these students what
presented the Corine J. Green
they can do through
Anchor Award by Past Grand
“Greater Ser vice,
Basileus Corine J. Green and
Soror Ollie Smith.
Greater Progress.”
Zeta Delta Sigma
A Season To Remember
More than 60 members of the DeSoto, Texas
community attended the Zeta Delta Sigma Annual
Career & Health Fair. More than 15 vendors were on
hand to reach out to the community. Blood Pressure
tests, dental health packets and financial advising
were just a small fraction of the opportunities that
attendees could benefit from. Zeta Delta Sigma also
donated more than 75 packets of school supplies for
Operation Big Book Bag during the event.
Zeta Delta Sigma Supporting Operation Book Bag
Zeta Delta Sigma also celebrated the Inaugural Zeta
Delta Sigma High School Stepshow. The event, held in
conjunction with the Singing Hills Recreational Center
proved to be a success with more than 200 guests
attending. High school teams from Dallas, Garland,
Arlington, Irving and Mesquite participated. The top
step team, LD Bell High School was awarded $300.
Soror Letrice Chanel served as DJ and Paul Jones of
Omega Psi Phi was the emcee. A cheering squad and
double dutch team provided the intermission events.
Yung Texas Ballaz, a local rap group also performed.
As a result of the event funds were raised for the
Sigma Gamma Rho Scholarship Fund.
Zeta Delta Sigma also celebrated Founders’ Day
with a weekend full of fun and sisterly bonding. The
sorors enjoyed a sister to sister event at the Crowne
Plaza suites. The sleepover included food, fun and
games. Zeta Delta Sigma hosted a Founders’ Day
Celebration at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The exquisite event included members of the Alpha
Omicron Sigma chapter of Dallas, Texas and the
UT Arlington undergraduate chapter. Soror Q. S.
Robertson and Soror Shirley Roland were recognized
for their establishment of the Zeta Delta Sigma
Chapter Arlington, Texas. To conclude, Zeta Delta
Sigma attended the Antioch Missionary Baptist
Church with sorors of Alpha Omicron Sigma and
dined at the famed Billy G’s Soul Food Restaurant in
Dallas, Texas.
Contact: Jasmine Stewart
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Zeta Eta Sigma
Pontiac, Michigan
Aims soaring upwards until they reach the sky
The Zeta Eta Sigma Chapter has been busy carrying
the torch of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
The first ‘Gospel Celebration – Music for the Soul’
in Bloomfield, Mi was held. This celebration acted
as the conclusion to the 2006-2007 Scholarship
Contest where Miss Latoya Patterson, a Michigan
State University Freshman was recognized with a
$500 scholarship. Almost 100 supporters filled the
room, including fellow Greeks, family, friends and
local pastors including Pastor Charles K. Bender
of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac,
MI. Zeta Eta Sigma’s Gospel Celebration was filled
with great food, awesome praise dances, solos, and
instrumental numbers performed by the talented
members of the community and lovely sorors. Pastor
Douglas P. Jones was honored for his outstanding
service to the community with a regal royal blue and
gold plaque. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc – Zeta
Eta Sigma Chapter blessed the community and sent
them home filled with the spirit.
The Zeta Eta Sigma chapter has not only serviced
the community, but has also done great things
within the chapter. Membership has increased
by 50%. Thanks to the dedication and loyalty of
a Sigma woman to Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Eta
Sigma has welcomed two transfer soror from the Pi
Nu undergrad chapter and three reactivated sorors
from the Pontiac area. Welcome sorors: Tyshara
Lawson, Monisha Harris, Liz Bond, Naomi Burton,
and Marquita Primm.
With extra Sigma hands and the holiday season
approaching the chapter plans on contributing to
many families in need.
There is a lot to be done, but … ”Greater Services,
Greater Progress”!!
Contact: Kimberly Banguil
Zeta Omega Sigma
Baltimore County, Maryland
A Rhoyal Legacy Continues
The Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter, Zeta
Omega Sigma, inducted Soror Eunique Gray (shown
on the far right), the seventh member of Sigma in
50
her family. The induction ceremony was held at the
Pikesville Hilton in Baltimore County, Maryland. Soror
Gray proudly joins five of her family members who
are all active with the Zeta Omega Sigma Chapter.
These members (l to r), include the Basileus and
Life Member Sandra Mitchell (aunt), Bernice Legros
Barry (aunt), Life Member Dr. Cheryl Simmons-Gray
(mother), Theresa Blanks (aunt) and KimberlyMitchell-Corpew (cousin). The first sorority member
from the Simmons family is a great aunt, Soror Willa
Simmons-Hammons who resides in central Region.
Zeta Omega Sigma introduces their four newest sorors (l
to r): Sorors Eunique V. Gray, Katrina Robinson, Cynthia
Jordan, Esq., and Kimberley N. Moore. Their excitement,
enthusiasm, and creativity promise to help propel Zeta
Omega Sigma to heights of even greater attainment.
They are shown at Hebbville Elementary School where the
chapter’s Wee Savers program was launched.
The ladies of chapter realize the importance
and special bond that legacy holds and in a special
“legacy ceremony” held during the induction dinner
reception these dynamic sorors vowed to continue
to past the torch down the family line.
Contact: Sandre Mitchell, Basileus
Zeta Tau Sigma
Mount Rainier, Maryland
Christmas Toy Drive
health care and public safety, Soror Braveboy worked
the campaign trail. She was the highest vote receiver
among the District 25 candidates.
We congratulate Soror Braveboy on her victory.
Because of her experience as an attorney, knowledge
of the legal system and commitment to serving the
community, we know that she will represent her
constituents well.
Soror Tracee Goode was highlighted in The
Gazette for her work assisting adults with accessing
college, including admissions, financial aid and career
counseling.
Zeta Tau Sigma Chapter donated over $200 of
school supplies to Shepherd’s Cove. The homeless
shelter provides services to women and children
in need of emergency shelter and assistance with
getting back on their feet.
The chapter participated in the Diabetes Walk,
hosted by the American Diabetes Association. The
chapter raised over $500 to fund ongoing research,
education and advocacy efforts. Over 20 million
children and adults live with Type 1 and Type 2
Diabetes everyday.
In recognition of Founders’ Day 2006, Zeta Tau
Sigma Chapter sorors along with other Washington,
DC metropolitan area sorors participated in worship
services at Grace Christian Church and a rededication
service and reception later that day.
Contact Name: Tracee Goode, Epistoleus e-mail
– [email protected]
Step Show Winners
2006 Kathleen Cooke Unsung Heroine Luncheon
Sigma enters the House of Delegates
Election Day, was a long day, as we awaited the
Maryland House of Delegate results for District 25
representing Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Sorors of the Zeta Tau Sigma Chapter spent countless
hours assisting Soror Aisha Braveboy with her first
run as delegate to represent our community. With
her message of creating quality housing, education,
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Affiliate News
BETA EPSILON SIGMA RHOERS
Columbia, South Carolina
activities scheduled for the year included a Breast Cancer Walk,
Miss Rhomania Pageant, various community services, a youth
symposium and a Broadway play.
The sorors of Beta Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho
Sorority, Inc. would like to give a heartfelt congratulations to their
rhoer, Skye DeSon Robinson Dunbar for an article printed in the
St. Luke’s Times entitled “Our Problem: Children vs. Adults”.
This article reminds adults that children are watching and learning
from everything they do and in order to be a positive influence on
children, adults must treat the children with respect and in turn, the
children will treat them with respect. Well said, Skye!
To this end, the Iota Alpha Sigma Rhoer Club has been approved
by the NJ State Superintendent for Paterson, N.J. and the Sector
Superintendent to be an official extracurricular program at Paterson
Public School Number Thirteen where the advisor, Soror Linette
Y. Caroselli teaches English to eighth graders. If the program is
successful, it will be approved for the entire city of Paterson. Soror
Andrea C. McElroy is the co-advisor and liaison for the rhoers
residing in Irvington.
Contact: Deneitra V. McElrath, Historian
Contact: Soror Linette Y. Caroselli
EPSILON LAMBDA SIGMA RHOERS
Cincinnati, Ohio
Troy, Alabama
New Butterflies
Iota Eta Sigma holds Rhomania Awards Banquet
The ladies of the Epsilon Lambda Sigma Rhoer Club are proud to
announce their newest members: Blanche Booker, Tiana Dunham,
Ronisha Jones, Bryana Sanders, and Dachari Strong. Along with
returning rhoers Alexis Flowers, Marsharika Montgomery and
Charnae Thompson, the rhoers are on the move for Sigma.
The Iota Eta Sigma Alumnae Chapter recognized the achievements
of the Rhoer Club at the Trojan Center Ballroom.
Congratulations goes out to Rhoer Candace Moore as she will be
attending Wright State University next fall.
Mwanamugimu Essay Contest - 1st place Aliyah Holland and 2nd
place Amber Walker. Who’s Who Awards winners: Most Dependable
- Porshia Hall and Jureka Marcus, Best Personality - Paige Foreman
and Shameya Boykins, Leadership Awards - Ashley Mallory and
Meagon Bean, Spirit Awards - Kim Collins and Tara Youngblood.
2006 Rhoers of the year honors were received by Cameron Debose
and Starshia Andrews. Medals of Academic Excellence for A&B
Honor Roll: Starshia Andrews, Jamilya Coleman, Cameron Debose,
Porshia Hall, Erica Henderson, Allison Holland, Shaquetta Jones
and Cinnamon Wilson. Academic Excellence Medal for making All
A’s was received by Alexis Carter.
Contact: Soror Charmaine J. Davis
IOTA ALPHA SIGMA RHOERS
Hackensack, New Jersey
Chartering Extravaganza
Introducing the newest Rhoer Club of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Inc. … Iota Alpha Sigma Rhoers! These young ladies were chartered
in Irvington, New Jersey. Along with the Rhoers, six sophisticated
ladies were inducted to charter a Philo Club thus adding to the
Sigma Family.
Inducted were 23 young ladies from Irvington and Paterson, N.J.
Rhoers who have been inactive have transferred into the Iota Alpha
Sigma Rhoer Club bringing the total membership to 43 young
ladies. The ceremonies were followed with a short program and a
luncheon reception. Each new rhoer was presented with several gifts
and yellow daisies.
The Mayor of Irvington, the Honorable Wayne Smith was on
hand to congratulate and meet the new Rhoers. Some of the
52
IOTA ETA SIGMA RHOERS
Members were recognized for the following achievements for the
year:
Contact: Tracia Holland, Epistoleus
THETA EPSILON SIGMA RHOERS
Culver City, California
The Rhoer Club of Culver City, CA hit the map in 1992 and
has been successfully going for 14 years. The 2006-2007 year is
no exception for Theta Epsilon Sigma’s Rhoer club because these
young ladies have started off with a bang. The Rhoers have attended
a Youth Summit, elected officers, had a successful Shakey’s Night
fundraiser, volunteered at the Junior Blind Foundation for the
Halloween Carnival, and participated with the Southern California
Affiliate News
Joint Council’s Founder’s Day Weekend Celebration.
Rhoer Club, including the 2006 Boule in Dallas, Texas.
There are currently eight active rhoers and a Rhoer roundup is
scheduled. Look out Culver City, the Western Region Rhoer club
of Theta Epsilon Sigma is doing G-R-E-A-T things!
Both young ladies will be installed in the Spartanburg High School
Beta Club.
Contact: Soror Sonya Battey
THETA ZETA SIGMA RHOERS
Aurora, Colorado
Theta Zeta Sigma Rhoers Partners with Local News Station
Contact: Evelyn P. Tice
KAPPA SIGMA PHILOS
New York, New York
Congratulations were in order to Philo Josephine Flowers who
received the Philo of the Year Award at the Kappa Sigma Chapter of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated’s 70th Annual Founder’s
Day Celebration.
Kappa Sigma Philos donated over 50 school books to individual
students and over 100 school books and supplies to the Tonya S.
Holloway Learning Center. Tonya S. Holloway is the basileus
to the Kappa Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Incorporated.
Contact: Philo Yvonne E. Dixon, Historian
The members of Theta Zeta Sigma Chapter Rhoer Club have been
committed to their community to collect coats for individuals in
need. A plea from their local television station (7 NEWS) to receive
assistance in meeting a huge request of coats for children and adults
for the winter, inspired the rhoers to take action. Over 100 coats were
collected to meet their goal to keep Colorado residents warm.
Contact: Leah Wiggins-Marshall, Epistoleus
XI SIGMA RHOERS
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Rhoers on the Move
The young ladies of the Xi Sigma Rhoer Club are distinguishing
themselves academically, in leadership roles and other positive
activities. Rhoer Club President, Ashley Byers spent 15 days in
Europe with the Spartanburg High School Orchestra during the
summer of 2006. As a student leaders, Ashley and fellow Rhoer
Keisha Clawson, traveled with Spartanburg High School leaders to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boston, Massachusetts and Washington
DC during the 2006-07 school year.
Keisha maintains a 3.83 GPA and Ashley a 3.8 GPA. These juniors
are ranked 118 and 124 respectively in their class of 642. Ashley
regularly attends regional and national conferences to represent the
XI SIGMA PHILOS
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Philo Tameka Evans was crowned Queen of the Mae R. Scholarship
Pageant at the Southeast Regional Conference. From there she
represented all of the philos of the Sourtheast Region at the Boule
where she was named and crowned as the winner of the National
Philo 1st Lady.
In celebration of one of the annual local projects, Xi Sigma Philos
awarded book scholarships to three young people:
Willie Lynch, Jr. – South Carolina State University
Audrey Gary – Greenville Technical College
Luonne Humphrey – Spartanburg Technical College
The philos traveled and attended the South Carolina area meeting
that was located at Frances Marion College in Florence.
At the 51st Boule, seven members of Xi Sigma philos received their
25-year membership pin. They were:
Philo Melba Blakely 31 years
Philo Joan Brightharp 25 years
Philo Mary Byers 31 years
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Aurora 53
Affiliate News
Philo Lelia M. Collins 25 years
A certificate was presented to:
Philo Brenda Foster 28 years
Philo Phyllis Hosley 21 years
Philo Dorothy Littlejohn 25 years
Philo Elretha Wade has completed requirements for becoming a
member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
This qualifies Philo Wade to be called upon by the SC Emergency
Response Team or by FEMA. This course was offered by the
Emergency Preparedness Community Project.
Philo Dobbie S. Williams 31 years
Contact: Reena M. Tucker, Reporter
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PHILOS, & RHOERS
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Please Print
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54
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Soror Julia B. Rogers Bennett
Xi Sigma Chapter, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Omega Rho - April 26, 2006
Soror Julia B. Rogers Bennett was born to the late James and Fannie B. Rogers on January 29, 1918. She was the
widow Freddie Bennett Sr. She is survived by a daughter Soror Helen Bennett and, a son Freddie and his wife Georgia,
all of Spartanburg, SC.
Soror Bennett graduated from Allen University and the South Carolina State College (University) with degrees in
Elementary Education and advanced degrees in Special Education. She taught fifth grade and special education classes
for forty-two years in Spartanburg County before retiring in 1981. Soror Bennett was a pioneer in the Special Education
sector having established a premier demonstration/teaching classroom for public school special education students. She
received recognition and citations for this and other accomplishments in education from Women of the Upstate, Allen
University Alumnae, Spartanburg Progressive Men’s Club and Spartanburg County School District Seven.
Soror Bennett was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho for 65 years – and until the last four years of her life was an active
member of Xi Sigma Chapter. She played such a vibrant role in the development and activities of Xi Sigma that new
inductees thought of her as a “founding member” of the chapter. Her second proudest moment was the pinning of her
daughter, Helen, as her “sister.”
Soror Bennett’s life was one of dedication to her family, dedication to her students and diligence in any activity or
project she pursued. Sweet, frank, strong, honest, earnest, compassionate, adventurous, insightful and “a sister until the
end” are words usually stated when Mrs. Bennett’s name is mentioned.
Soror Olivia Doyle Boswell
Omega Rho - August 14, 2006
Soror Olivia Doyle Boswell passed away in Oakland, California after a long illness. Throughout her life, she was well
known and very involved in the Bay Area community. She held many local, state and national offices in numerous civic and
fraternal organizations. Soror Boswell was a charter member of Beta Theta Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Inc in 1947. Her dedication and love for the sorority was legendary among her family and friends.
Soror Boswell attended LeMoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee, later the University of California in Berkeley. Mrs.
Boswell retired from the Naval Supply Center after thirty-three years of service. She leaves two sisters, Woodred Doyle
Savage and Gwendolyn D. Poston - Wade, to cherish her memories.
The
Aurora 55
Soror Marian Eugenia Bianchi DeBerry
Zeta Tau Sigma Chapter; Mt. Rainier, Maryland
Omega Rho - April 17, 2006
Soror DeBerry was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina on November 15, 1906, and entered Omega Rho on April 17,
2006. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Howard University in 1929 and a Master of Arts
Degree from the District of Columbia Teachers’ College. She also had an opportunity to study in Europe. For over 40
years Soror DeBerry served the District of Columbia as a Mathematics educator at several junior high and high schools.
Soror DeBerry adopted each and every Soror of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority from her onset as a member. She was
a charter member of Phi Sigma Chapter in Washington, D.C. which was formed on August 13, 1938, along with her
sisters, Beatrice, Luther and Ethel. Her sister, Martha later joined the sorority and her niece, Lynn Armstrong Patterson,
continues the legacy as an honorary member.
She was also a charter member of Zeta Tau Sigma Chapter in Mt. Rainier, Maryland. Soror DeBerry served the sorority
faithfully for almost 68 years in many capacities such as Northeast Region Epistoleus, Basileus, Epistoleus, Tamiochus,
and chairperson of various committees. Soror DeBerry was the recipient of many honors including induction into the
Northeast Region’s Hall of Fame and recognition as a “Cultured Pearl.”
Soror DeBerry was a member of many organizations including the Phillis Wheatley YWCA Board of Directors,
Howard University’s Women’s Club, National Association of University Women, Top Ladies of Distinction, National
Council of Negro Women and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was a founding
member of the District of Columbia Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
An excerpt from a poem written by her describes much of her life:
Hear me, Oh God, my life is touched,
With wisdom of passed passion
For all of my life is such,
That I might be compassioned
56
Soror Esther E. Elkins Giles
Omega Rho – August 21, 2006
Soror Esther E. Elkins Giles was born to the late Clarence and Elizabeth Suber Elkins on August 3, 1914. She was the
widow of Gary Thomas Giles. She is survived by two children, Soror Saundra G. Gaffney of Spartanburg, South Carolina
and Leslie R. Giles, Sr. of Naples, Florida.
Soror Giles was educated at Cummings St. School in Spartanburg. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Benedict College
in Columbia, South Carolina and a Masters of Education degree from New York University. She served Macedonia Baptist
Church faithfully as a deaconess, W.L. Wilson Gospel Choir and the Susie Joyce Missionary Circle. Professionally, Soror
Giles was a retired Spartanburg County school teacher.
In addition to active membership in the Xi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Soror Giles was a member of Pride
of Spartanburg Chapter #98 OES.
Soror Addie Haggens
Delta Gamma Sigma Chapter
Soror Addie Haggens was a dedicated and committed soror until her illness and was a charter member of Delta Gamma
Sigma and also a life member at the time of her death. Soror Haggens has traveled all over the world representing our chapter
and Sigma Gamma Rho.
Many of the more seasoned sorors will remember her. She and Soror Evelyn Durham usually traveled together. Soror
Rivera and her daughter, Glenda, joined the sorority at the same time. Soror Haggens was well loved and respected in the
community. She will be missed.
The
Aurora 57
Soror Jessie Bell Miller Hunter
Omega Rho – June 24, 2006
Soror Jessie Bell Miller Hunter was born to the late Furman and Bessie Miller on February 7, 1923. She was the widow
of William Rufus Hunter. Soror Hunter is survived by a son, William S. Hunter of Taylors, South Carolina and Richard F.
Hunter of Durham, North Carolina and a surrogate daughter, Betty M. Cooper of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Soror Hunter taught school for more than thirty-five years. During her long and blessed life, Mrs. Hunter was involved
in a number of community, civic, educational, political, social and religious organizations. They included the Spartanburg
Health Planning Committee, the Spartanburg Human Relations Commission, Southside Neighborhood Action Partnership,
St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic Board, American Association of University Women and the Julia Chapter of the Eastern Star
under the A&A S.R. Masons. During the more than forty-five years of membership at Mt. Moriah Church membership
she served faithfully and with dedication until the end.
Soror Altamease “Measie” Bryant Littles
Beta Kappa Sigma; Tampa, Florida
Omega Rho - August 7, 2006
God’s promise of love was given to the late Melville and Maude Threadcraft Bryant with the birth of Altamease Winifred
Bryant on August 3, 1913 in Fernandina Beach, Fl. Altamease chose a life of love, faithfulness, and joy. Her greatest joy came
from playing the piano, educating anyone with a desire to learn, and sharing pictures and stories of her grandchildren.
58
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, a Masters of Arts in English
from Hampton Institute, a Masters of Science in Library Science from North Carolina Central University in 1958, and post
graduate studies at Columbia University in 1947-1948.
On May 27, 1954, Altamease was united in holy matrimony to Perry L Littles of Lake Wales, Florida.
In 1933, her career began as an elementary school teacher in Nichols, Florida. After eight years, she moved to Lake
Wales, Florida, and began teaching at Roosevelt High School, becoming the school librarian in 1955, remaining in that
position until retirement. Mrs. Littles also worked as a coordinator of Adult Education from 1966-70, where she helped
many students accomplish their high school GED. She left a lasting impression on the many lives she touched, and was
loved and admired by her students. They will fondly remember her as “the librarian who insisted on students using correct
grammar at all times.”
She served faithfully on numerous committees, boards, and clubs where she received many awards and recognition.
Affiliations included: Girl’s State Chairman; American Legion Auxiliary, 1960-; Executive Board Civic Club, 1965-; Trophy
Recipient for work with students-Roosevelt High School; Roosevelt Student Council Advisor; member of A.L.A.; Florida
Education Association; Polk County School Association (Regional Secretary, 1970-72); Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
(Basileus, 1967-72); Sorority’s Distinguished Service Award, 1972; and member of the sorority for over 70 years; Daughter
of Elks Club: Entre Nous.
On Monday August 7, 2006, Altamease B Littles departed this life. She leaves many relatives, friends, sorors, and loved
ones to cherish her memory.
Soror Helen Naomi Nottage-Cook
Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Omega Rho - September 14, 2006
Helen Naomi Nottage-Cook- Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter Philadelphia, PA In 1944, Helen, her sister, Grayce Nottage
and Essie Thomas founded the Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter of the Sorority of Sigma Gamma Rho, at Cheyney State College.
Helen to this day states that although she is listed in the Aurora Magazine as the founder of that chapter, that the records
need to be corrected to include Grayce and Essie, since they all began the chapter together. She passed away on September
14, 2006 peacefully in her sleep at the age of 95.
The
Aurora 59
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. mourns the passing of
Soror Lena King Lee, Alpha Alpha Sigma Chapter
‘She stood very tall’
Educator was one of first black women in General Assembly
By Frederick N. Rasmussen
Sun Reporter
August 26, 2006
Lena K. Lee, an educator and attorney who was one of the first African-American women elected
to the Maryland General Assembly, died in her sleep Thursday evening in her home in the 1800
block of Madison Ave., where she had lived since 1940.
She had celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
The daughter of a coal miner, Mrs. Lee taught in the city schools, earned a law degree in her 40s
and wasn’t elected to state office until she was 60. But her life and devotion to public service were
praised yesterday by a number of political and civic activists.
U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings recalled that he wouldn’t be in politics had it not been for Mrs.
Lee. He was elected in 1982 to Mrs. Lee’s seat in the old 39th District (now the 44th).
“When she was passing the baton in 1982, she said to me, ‘I’m getting up in age and I’m looking
for someone who is a woman and a lawyer. And even though you’re a lawyer but not a female, you’ll
do,’” he said. “She raised money and campaigned for me. That’s how I started in politics.”
“Some people come along in life, and they touch you and then move on. Her touch changed my
life,” Mr. Cummings said. “Lena always said, ‘Don’t be about celebrity. Be about service.’”
Mrs. Lee was born Lena King in the coal mining community of Sumter County, Ala., where her
father, Samuel Sylvester King, was a miners’ activist. In addition to being a miner, he worked as a
chauffeur and butler to earn extra income for his family.
›
60
Mrs. Lee was raised in Alabama, Illinois and
Pennsylvania, where her father moved his family while
seeking work as a miner. He became prosperous enough
to send Mrs. Lee, her sister and her brother to private
boarding schools operated by black churches.
She graduated in 1925 from high school in Tarentum,
Pa., third out of a class of 70, and was awarded a
scholarship to Cheyney Training School for Teachers in
Cheyney, Pa., now Cheyney University of Pennsylvania,
near Philadelphia.
Mrs. Lee began her teaching career in Annapolis and
moved to Baltimore in 1931, where she taught sixth grade
in city schools while she continued her education.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now Morgan
State University in 1939. Because blacks were forbidden at
that time from attending graduate school at the University
of Maryland, College Park, she traveled each weekend to
New York City by train, earning a master’s degree in 1947
from New York University.
Mrs. Lee later enrolled at the University of Maryland
School of Law. When she earned her degree from there in
1951, she became the third African-American woman to
graduate from the school, after Juanita Jackson Mitchell
and Dr. Elaine Carsley Davis.
She was admitted to the Baltimore and Maryland bars
in 1952 and continued working as an educator while
practicing law. She was principal of Henry H. Garnet
Elementary School, at Division and Lanvale streets, from
1947 until she retired in 1964.
As a member of the American Federation of Teachers,
she also pushed for teachers’ rights.
Mrs. Lee was married for many years to Robert R. Lee,
a Baltimore businessman who owned the Biddle Theater
and died more than 40 years ago, friends said.
“I was married to a man who felt you had to be very
forward about your rights,” Mrs. Lee told Crisis magazine
in a 1996 interview. “You were made to feel that as an
agitator you were above certain activities. He was with me
all the way, pushing.”
Legislative priorities
When she was 60, Mrs. Lee turned her attention to
the House of Delegates and won a seat in the former 4th
District. (It later became the 38th, then 39th and is now
the 44th.)
“She stood very tall in the House of Delegates and was
very active in civil rights and many other good causes
throughout her life,” the Rev. Marion C. Bascomb, former
pastor of Douglas Memorial Community Church, said
yesterday.
In Annapolis, colleagues referred to Mrs. Lee as “The
Killer” and “The Fearless One,” for her instinctual
ferreting out of bad bills.
“I am a legislator who dedicates most of her time
to fighting bad law. I’m always telling my colleagues,
especially the blacks, that their greatest duty is to smell out
the snakes and kill bad laws in committee; if not, then on
the floor,” she told The Evening Sun in 1976.
“I do not spend even one-tenth of my time getting a
piece of legislation through. First, I’m not one of the ‘in’
crowd. Second, getting one bill through eats up one’s
vitals. Third, the administration bills take precedent, and
are usually the ‘biggies’ in the interest of the state, although
we often find it best to kill some of them,” she said.
She added: “No legislator is infallible and when he
passes a bad law he should be the first one to work for its
repeal.”
In 1970, she founded the Maryland Legislative Black
Caucus, and in the Crisis magazine interview, she said,
“There was a need to huddle together. There’s still a need
and we don’t realize it. We think we’ve made it. I often
wonder where we’re going.”
›
The
Aurora 61
‘Quite a lady’
A diminutive and energetic woman, Mrs. Lee’s face was
highlighted by large horn-rimmed glasses and a thick head
of dark hair.
“She was quite a lady,” said former state Sen. Julian L.
Lapides. “For someone who lived to be 100, she could
appreciate the tremendous strides that were made on
behalf of racial equality during her lifetime. And she was
responsible for many of those changes.”
He added: “And her many accomplishments were in
inverse proportion to her size.”
“I was always very impressed by Lena’s willingness to
spend time with younger folks to share her experiences
so they could avoid some of the pitfalls she encountered
during her lifetime,” Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert
M. Bell, said yesterday.
“Her advice was, ‘You do things because they’re the right
things to do, and when you’re doing the people’s business,
it’s best to be a leader rather than a follower.’ And she did
it fearlessly and with certainty and gusto,” he said.
In 1972, Mrs. Lee proposed a bill that would have
eliminated the Maryland State Board of Censors. For
years, it had been presided over by Mary M. Avara, a
South Baltimore bail bondswoman, who was once called
“America’s Mother Superior of Censors.”
“The Censor Board is one of the political plums. ... It
is purely a political patronage thing,” Mrs. Lee told The
Evening Sun at the time.
“There is no one person who has the right to say to
me that ‘you should not see this picture at all.’ They have
gotten in a darkroom and had a sadistic delight in seeing
all the goodies of the picture for themselves and then
they tell me I should not see it,” she said. The board was
eventually abolished in 1981.
Named in her honor
The House of Representatives voted in December to
name a post office at 1826
62
Pennsylvania Ave. in her honor, and Mrs. Lee attended
the dedication ceremony in June.
“She had a wonderful sense of humor. She was 99 then
and said to the crowd, ‘I turned over the reins 25 years too
early,’” Mr. Cummings said with a laugh.
Mrs. Lee had served on the City Redevelopment
Commission, the Urban Renewal and Housing
Commission, the Advisory Council on Higher Education
in the State, the board of governors of the Barrett School
for Girls, the Women’s Committee for Civil Rights and
the Provident Hospital board.
“Up until the end of her life, she was in full possession
of her faculties and memories. Her voice was as strong as it
was during her days in Annapolis,” said Larry S. Gibson, a
University o f Maryland law professor.
“We had a celebration at the central Pratt Library
recently, and she stood up without a cane and spoke for
20 minutes without any notes. She was truly a remarkable
woman,” he said.
Mrs. Lee was a longtime member of Sharp Street
United Methodist Church.
At her request, there will be no services or memorials,
said Louise Michaux Gonzales, a Baltimore lawyer and
Mrs. Lee’s property guardian.
Surviving are a nephew, Dr. Ronald King of Owensboro,
Ky.; and several step-grandchildren.
X
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Accessories Unlimited
Jackie Bunch
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After Crossing
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Art Addiktion
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Greek OrRiginals
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Greek Unity
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Nubian Nation
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Pretty Impressive
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Professional Sorors
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148 E. Broadway
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426 LANSDOWNE RD.
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Joyce Siler
PO Box 15057
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9544 South Winchester Avenue
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Fourteen Karat Plus, Inc.
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10272 Antlers Ridge
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KB’s Craft Designs
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1729 N. Elmer St.
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Kreative Klothes
Peggy Hoffman
3886 Beech Drive
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Nana Hook
Wanda Smith
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Charmayne Nesbitt
204 Caesar Way
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The T-Shirt Corner, Inc.
Landon Robinson
PO Box 1520
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(404) 933.9120
[email protected]
UniCell, LLC
Dia Collins-Jackson
3069 Cumberland Road, Ste 102
Fayetteville, NC 28306
www.unicellonline.com
Walk For Me
Morlena Robinson
267 Edgecombe Avenue, #5N
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WJ Sportswear Gear
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[email protected]
Set Yourself Apart … The AURORA is currently seeking website and/or email
address information for all vendors to increase your sales. Advertising opportunities
are also available. Please contact the staff at [email protected].
The
Aurora 63
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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Email submissions directly to [email protected] or via the national website.
All documents should be submitted using MicrosoftWord
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Submissions for Alumnae on the Move,Undergraduate Pulse and Affiliates must be 250 words or
less. End of the year reports and newsletters are not acceptable.
Include contact name, chapter name, location,school, city, state and headline.
All submissions are subject to editing and potential exclusion based on timeliness of content.
Submissions should be written in reporter format,excluding words such as “we,” “our,” and “us.”
Indicate chapter name in the subject line of all electronic submissions.
DEADLINES
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Individual Image - $15
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ATTN: The AURORA Magazine
Cary, NC 27513-8628
November
15
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15
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(Mar-Jul Events)
Spring Issue
(Jul-Nov Events)
Summer Issue
(Nov-Mar Events)
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2
Feature Writers
2 Regional News (from each Regional Epistoleus)
2 Outstanding Undergraduate Nominations
2 Sister’s Keeper Questions
2 Book Reviews (preferably of soror writers)
If you are not currently receiving The AURORA, please verify your mailing address with National
Headquarters and/or submit the form established by the Grand Grammateus.
64
Where is
my AURORA?
The AURORA is produced at
least three times per sorority
year for all financial members
at the time of print. The
publication is mailed over a
10-15 business day time span.
With this, the delivery of your
publication is largely dependent
upon your local post office.
To ensure the delivery of your
publication:
uMake sure a Change of
Address/Information
form has been properly
filed with the Grand
Grammateus and/or the
with your current address.
A remittance form sent
by your chapter is not
sufficient.
uMake sure that a forwarding
address card has been filed
with the United States Post
Office when relocating.
uRemit dues and induction
fees timely to be included in
the database extract used
for the mailing list.
If you have not received
your publication, contact the
and/or the Grand Grammateus
to verify your mailing address
and financial status.
This
is the first day of many
new upcoming experiences:
– Being officially on your own;
– Seeking or beginning your new career;
– Planning a definitive future with that “man of your dreams;”
– Starting and raising a family;
and
JOINING YOUR LOCAL ALUMNAE CHAPTER
OF SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC.
Remember how your undergraduate sorors were always an integral part
of your most joyous moments, as well as in finding solutions to some of
your greatest problems? Membership in your local alumnae chapter will
provide a whole new level of the same sisterly support and assistance.
Are you moving to a new city or town? Need to know the real 4-1-1
on the company for which you have an interview or where the
best and worst places are to live? Just moved and need
to discover the real-deal shopping areas? Your local
alumnae chapter is just waiting to welcome you and
point you in the direction you need.
Contact Sigma Gamma Rho Headquarters,
(888) 747-1922, for chapter names and
contacts in your local area.
Address correction requested
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT No. 1982

Soror Kelly Price - Amazon Web Services

Transcription

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