Eyes On Our Youth - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Inc.

DELTA
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
JOURNAL Winter 2008
Eyes On
Our Youth
INSIDE Coverage of Delta’s
Education Symposium in
New Orleans
CONTENTS
Departments
3
20
22
24
25
27
34
40
50
63
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS
4
PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH
POLITICAL AWARENESS
CHAPTER NEWS
DELTA WOMEN
ON THE YARD
OMEGA OMEGA
11
Features
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7
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EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
“Eyes on Our Youth”
49TH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN ORLANDO
AFRICAN AMERICAN ART HANDBOOK
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY
Dorothy P. Harrison
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RECLAMATION
Embracing 2,008 Deltas in 2008
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DELTAS WELCOME NEW TECHNOLOGY
DELTAS HOST CBC RECEPTION
SISTERHOOD AND CALIFORNIA FIRE SEASON
EBONY FASHION SHOW
50th Anniversary
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PHILADELPHIA ALUMNAE’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY
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A JOYOUS HOMEGOING FOR
FRANCES L. MURPHY, II
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DELTAS MAKE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS
DELTAS MAKE THEIR MARK IN LITERARY WORLD
DREF NEWS: 40th Anniversary Kick-Off and
DENVER ALUMNAE SOROR DONATES to
Delta Foundation
2007 REGIONAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
ELECTION RESULTS
FROM THE DELTA ARCHIVES
ON THE COVER
Soror Beverly Johnson Jelks, principal, checks in on her elementary
students at Murray Henderson School in New Orleans. The school was
the site of a press conference which kicked off Delta’s Education
Symposium: Eyes on Our Youth. PHOTO BY WILFRED DENNIS
SEE STORY ON PAGE 4.
DELTA JOURNAL Winter 2008
PUBLISHER
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Dr. Louise A. Rice
NATIONAL FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre
NATIONAL SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Eunique N. Jones
NATIONAL SECRETARY
Pamela E. Smith
NATIONAL TREASURER
Carolyn E. Lewis
CO-CHAIR, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Deborah Peaks Coleman
CO-CHAIR, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Therese A. Griffin
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Roseline McKinney
DIRECTOR, PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Ella M. McNair
PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Lakeisha Scott
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Five-Point Program Thrust
Δ
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Sorority continuously records and disseminates information to chapters
in reference to supporting minority owned programs, seminars and workshops on procurement and entrepreneurship, Adopt-a-Black-Business in
support of local Black businesses and information on business financing
and management. An important component is emphasis on personal financial planning and management of assets.
Δ
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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Delta Chapters conduct programs/projects designed to address the need
for excellence in education. On national and local levels, these programs
range from tutorial services to the awarding of scholarships and grants.
INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
Through international projects, Delta women have been able to broaden
their knowledge and understanding of nations other than their own, to
increase interest in international affairs, and to aid in developing a greater
appreciation for people of different backgrounds and cultures.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
Delta’s work in prevention and wellness translates into health education
programs, health fairs and provision of health care services for those in
need. Delta also supports medical research that examines illnesses that victimize specific segments of the nation’s population, particularly AfricanAmericans.
Δ
POLITICAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
The Founders participation in the Suffrage March for Women to Vote in
March 1913 signaled the first act of political awareness and involvement.
Public Policy awareness in African-American communities continues to
guide activities of the Social Action Commission. The Sorority’s “need to
know” and the accountability of elected officials has been the basis for
public service programs in this area of political awareness and involvement. The focus has been on those issues that greatly impact the AfricanAmerican community. Through Social Action, the members of the Sorority,
and their respective communities gain greater appreciation of their potential for influence in their communities.
Gwendolyn Crump
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS:
1707 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.986.2400
www.deltasigmatheta.org
The DELTA Journal is the official publication of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It is designed to foster ideas and disseminate
information that focuses on Black women universally.
Published periodically, the Journal communicates the programmatic thrust of the Sorority, as well as states the Sorority’s position on public policies. Articles by guest authors do not necessarily represent the views of Delta and Delta reserves the right to edit
or reject any articles submitted. All articles become the property of Delta Sigma Theta.
The DELTA Journal is published semi-annually and The DELTA Newsletter is published quarterly by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc. Send all materials for publication to the editor. No portion of this Journal’s contents may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.
A $20 processing fee will be charged for each photograph submitted for Delta Women and Chapter News. Internet photographs
are not acceptable. Mail a cashier’s check or money order payable to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 1707 New Hampshire Ave.
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, c/o DELTA Journal.
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Other foreign subscriptions add $5 a year. Payable in advance; U.S. currency only. Address all subscriptions to Delta
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Message from the National President
Dear Sorors,
A
s I was reading the February issue of Ebony magazine, I was drawn to
an article on Black Greek sororities and fraternities and how far we
have come over the years. The writer referenced Jena 6 and other
social and political issues of importance to African-Americans.
While reading the Ebony article, what brought a smile to my face was the
photo of a group of Deltas holding a banner during the historic Save Darfur
Million Voices Rally in Washington, D.C. Incidentally, Delta photographer
Soror Sharon Farmer snapped that photo.
As Deltas, we have always made our presence known on relevant issues
Louise A. Rice, Ph.D.
impacting Black people in our hometown and in our homeland. For example, we have not forgotten about the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast
Region, which were devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
This past September, we hosted an Education Symposium in New Orleans where we examined
strategies proven to be effective in educating Black children. Educational Development continues
to be a major emphasis of the Sorority and, as Delta women, we realize that education is a great
“equalizer” in our society. Thus, our convening the Symposium created an opportunity for us to
explore how all stakeholders (teachers, parents, administrators, elected officials, community leaders, and others) can close the educational gap between minority students and the majority population. I hope you will find the article about the Symposium informative and inspiring.
Speaking of Louisiana, our collegiate sorors have been heavily involved in bringing attention to
“the Jena 6.” The city of Jena, Louisiana received national attention for unjust punishments after
six Black teens were accused of beating a White classmate after nooses were hung from a tree at
Jena High School. You can read more in this issue about how our collegiate sorors are demonstrating the indomitable spirit of our Founders.
There is so much at stake in the 2008 Presidential election. Therefore, I encourage each of you
to be civic minded by participating in voter education and registration efforts and by holding
forums to ensure that members of our communities are aware of issues that affect them.
This DELTA Journal includes highlights of the 2007 Regional Conference Cycle. I hope that it will
inspire you to participate in the 49th National Convention. More information about the post convention cruise is coming your way soon.
I am counting on each of you to reclaim inactive Deltas. The Membership Services Committee’s
goal is 2,008 sorors in 2008. I am very pleased to announce that we have surpassed the midway
point with more than 1,400 sorors reclaimed to date. This is a great time to be a Delta. I implore you
to stay focused on what matters.
ΔΣΘ
Sisterly and sincerely,
Louise A. Rice, Ph.D.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
JOURNAL Winter 2008
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Sharing the “it takes a village”
mentality, more than 300 members of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, other
Pan Hellenic representatives and
community leaders convened during
the three-day symposium in
September entitled “Eyes on Our
Youth” to address the critical issues
of education and the education of
African-American children.
“We are gathered at this sympo-
sium to develop strategies that can
be replicated to positively impact
our local communities and ultimately result in improved achievement
for
African-American
students
throughout the United States,” Dr.
Rice said, during a news conference.
“Our purpose is to examine the hidden pitfalls for African-American students and to dispel the myths that
they face in education.”
The Education Symposium was
the vision of National President Rice.
The symposium is a continuation of
UC
n the tradition of the Masai
tribe of Africa, Delta’s
National President Louise A.
Rice, greeted the audience at
the National Education Symposium in New Orleans, by
asking, “How are the children?”
The response to this East African
idiom should be, “The children are
well,” Soror Rice explained. It means
that the children are protected and
the community is stable and thriving
as a result.
uth
BY GWENDOLYN CRUMP
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Eyes on Our Youth
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INSIGHT • INSTRUCT • INVOLVE • INSPIRE • INTERVENE • INVITE •
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the summer of 2006, Delta Sigma
Theta made headlines when it
awarded $250,000 each to Dillard
and Xavier Universities as part of a
Hurricane Recovery Grant. Delta
Mona H. Bailey, 17th National President (CENTER) pays tribute to the late educator and historian Asa Hilliard, III. (LEFT TO RIGHT) Symposium chair Doris McEwen Harris, Program
Planning and Development co-chair Maxine Cormier, 23rd National President Louise A.
Rice, Soror Bailey, National First Vice President Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, National Secretary
Pamela E. Smith, and keynote speaker George McKenna, III. PHOTO BY WILFRED DENNIS
Delta’s commitment of service and
support for the rebuilding efforts of
the citizens and city of New Orleans,
which was devastated by Hurricane
Katrina.
At the Sorority’s 48th National
Convention in Philadelphia during
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
also awarded Southern University at
New Orleans $200,000 for the
Distinguished Professor Endowed
Chair Award.
Norman Francis, president of
Xavier University and Victor Ukpolo,
chancellor of Southern University at
IMPROVE • INSIGHT • INSTRUCT • INVOLVE • INSPIRE • INTERVENE
New Orleans attended the Education
Symposium. Dillard University representative Troy L. Baldwin attended
on behalf of president Marvalene
Hughes. Dr. Rice presented them
with
additional
contributions
received from members over the
past year.
students’ success including having a
clear and focused mission; instructional leadership; providing a safe
and orderly environment for students and faculty; operating in a climate with high expectations; providing frequent monitoring of student
progress; opportunities to learn and
positive home school relations.
For example, Arthur
Thomas, Esq., Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity’s 31st international president led a discussion
group that tackled providing
a safe and orderly environment for students and faculty. The group recommended
a school-based mental health
early intervention program
that would address anger
management. They outlined
a strategy in which families
loss of homes, lives uprooted, children scattered in all 50 states.”
“Any vision of New Orleans’
rebirth must begin with the rebirth
of its city schools,” Kilbert said.
Before Hurricane Katrina hit, the
Orleans Parish schools were among
the lowest performing in the nation.
Prior to Katrina the school district had
an enrollment of approximately 66,000
students. At the end the 2006-2007
school year, 26,000 students were
enrolled. Still Kilbert is encouraged. He
said 97 percent of the district’s seniors
graduated on time last year.
The Education Symposium
brought together some of the
nation’s top visionaries, policy makers, and leaders including Delta’s
own National First Vice President
Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, a personnel
administrator with the Jefferson
Parish Public Schools in Louisiana.
Educator George McKenna, III delivers his
keynote speech. PHOTO BY WILFRED DENNIS
A staff member from the office of
New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin
presented Dr. Rice with a proclamation thanking the Sorority for its continued support in bringing New
Orleans back.
“We decided we would be here
for the long haul,” said Soror Maxine
Cormier, co-chair of the National
Program Planning and Development
Committee. “Sorors have responded
unbelievably well.”
Immediate past national secretary Doris McEwen Harris, served as
chair of the Education Symposium
and gave participants the charge to
follow the framework of seven correlates of effective schools research as
outlined by late educator Ron
Edmonds. Participants engaged in
roundtable discussions focused on
methods designed to empower students academically. Those correlates are insight, instruct, involve,
inspire, intervene, invite, and
improve.
The roundtable discussions centered on various topics that relate to
National President Louise A. Rice presents monetary gifts to Xavier President Norman
Francis, Dillard University representative Troy L. Baldwin, who serves as development
director for annual giving and special events, and Southern University’s Distinguished
Professor Endowed Chair Victor Ukpolo. PHOTO BY WILFRED DENNIS
could be referred to mental health
services if necessary.
Darryl Kilbert, Superintendent of
New Orleans Parish Public Schools
said that Hurricane Katrina left some
school children traumatized by a
drop of rain.
“Hurricane Katrina changed the
education
landscape
forever,”
Kilbert said. “Overnight we were
struggling with the loss of teachers,
The program opened with 17th
National President Mona H. Bailey
presenting a tribute to her friend and
mentor—the late educator, historian
and psychologist Asa Hilliard, who
passed away in Cairo, Egypt. Hilliard
accepted the role as keynote speaker
for the symposium.
Renowned educator George
McKenna, whose life was chronicled
in the “George McKenna Story,” was
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INSIGHT • INSTRUCT • INVOLVE • INSPIRE • INTERVENE • INVITE
the opening keynote speaker.
McKenna had served as the principal at George Washington Preparatory High School, one of the most
violent high schools in South Central
Los Angeles. McKenna developed
and implemented the Preparatory
School Model, a program stressing
academic excellence. In four years,
he successfully transformed the low
achieving inner-city high school into
a school with an attendance waiting
list, and nearly 80 percent of the
graduates enrolled in college.
“Schools that don’t work are normal,” McKenna said. “Children who
have the greatest need rarely get
teachers who have the most to
offer.” He said that improving high
school graduation rates starts in
middle school and that peer counseling keeps children in school.
McKenna, who was born and
reared in New Orleans, blasted the
city and government leaders for decisions that affect children. “Katrina
opened the doors to profiteers,”
McKenna said. “The first thing that
got fixed was the Superdome. Kids
are still in trailers. God bless the
teachers who come back.”
Adolph Brown III, dean of
Graduate Studies at Hampton
University, was the luncheon keynote speaker. Brown said that many
African-American teachers make
judgments about students based on
the way they dress.
He encouraged the audience to
use the four “Fs” when dealing with
children. “Be fair,” Brown said.
“Don’t have your eyes on some and
not others. Be firm when you see
something. You’ve got to be fun. Do
those three and you will be fine.”
The Education Symposium included a town hall meeting featuring
Deborah Hunter-Harvill, president of
the National Alliance of Black School
Educators (NABSE), along with other
panelists representing organizations
focusing their attention on the educational achievement of AfricanAmerican students and why children
are failing.
Symposium participants were
urged to take the information they
received back to their own communities and hold symposiums that
involve parents, teachers, community
leaders, and students and to develop
strategies and programs to address
students’ educational needs.
The Education Symposium was
supported by the following sponsors: the Delta Research and Educational Foundation, the Institute for
the Advancement of Multicultural &
Minority Medicine, Science and
Everyday Experiences Program,
Algebraic Thinking, and Showtime
Expo. ▲
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1. National Secretary Pamela E. Smith, National First Vice President Cynthia
Butler-McIntyre, 23rd National President Louise A. Rice, Dean of Hampton
University's Graduate College Adolph Brown III, 16th National President
Thelma Daley, Program Planning and Development Co-Chair Maxine
Cormier, National Treasurer Carolyn E. Lewis, Chair of Education Symposium
subcommittee Doris McEwen Harris. 2. New Orleans Alumnae Chapter
President Sharon Barnett-Starks, 23rd National President Louise A. Rice,
National First Vice President Cynthia Butler-McIntyre (New Orleans Alumnae
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Chapter), National Treasurer Carolyn E. Lewis (New Orleans Alumnae
Chapter). 3. Edward Judie, director of student services for the Clover Park
School District in Lakewood, Wash., Soror Madeline Lawson, executive vice
president of the Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural & Minority
Medicine, and Rev. Gary Houston, executive director of Youth Excitement
Team, Inc. in Meridian, Miss. 4. Symposium registrants participate in a
break-out session. 5. Then Rep. Cheryl Gray (D-La.), then Hon. Diana Bajoie,
State Sen. (D-New Orleans), Program Planning and Development Committee
members: Laverne Davis, Sheila Dobbins, and Linda Bates Leali, and Rep.
Juan Lafonta (D-New Orleans). PHOTOS BY WILFRED DENNIS
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DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
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Orlando Sorors Recognize
DST Executive Board at
Convention Kick-Off Event
BY DEBORAH PEAKS COLEMAN
T
he Greater Orlando Chapters of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presented a kick-off event last fall,
launching the Sorority’s upcoming
49th National Convention promotional activities. Held during the
weekend of Delta’s October 2007
National Executive Board meeting,
the event was entitled “The
Premiere: A Celebration Breakfast”
and included a tribute to the board
members.
Citizens from throughout the
Central Florida area joined sorors
from the hostess chapters: Mu Iota,
Orlando Alumnae, Orange County
Alumnae, and Sanford Alumnae at
the Rosen Centre Hotel for the
“Premiere” special event. Soror
Martha Lue Stewart, Ph.D, a member
of the National Scholarship &
Standards Committee and Orlando
Alumnae Chapter led the tribute to
the National Executive Board using
the theme: “Lights, Camera, Let’s
Take Action.” Soror Lue Stewart
cited the national leadership for
upholding the Grand Chapter tradition in taking action to promote academic excellence and to present
service initiatives that advance
human welfare.
Members of the hostess chapters who have achieved pioneering
accomplishments in their respective
fields were also recognized for “taking action” to improve lives in their
Central
Florida
communities.
Among the local sorors recognized
were Rhonda Anderson, ambassador
for the Walt Disney Company;
Sondra Calloway Brown, social worker; Mercerdese R. Clark, nursing
director; Anne Mitchell Felder, charter president of Orlando Alumnae
and decorated woman in the mili-
Orlando, Fla. Coordinators of the 49th
National Convention of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc., (L-R): Sorors Brenda
Woodbury and Monica Riley, give greetings at convention kick-off event.
PHOTO BY A. ANAIZ PHOTOGRAPHY
tary; Harriet Elam-Thomas, foreign
service honoree; Vicki-Elaine Felder,
actress/arts activist; Ella J. Gilmore,
manager, Orange County government; Dr. Barbara Kirby-Bentley,
principal; Elnora Holt, nursing
instructor; Dr. Gena M. Humphrey
Henderson, Ph.D. in engineering; Dr.
Janet McDowell-Travis, regional dental consultant for the U.S. government; Dr. Toni Moody, health advocate; Altamese Pinder, Orlando
Alumnae’s first scholarship recipient
(1954); Estelle Price, computer education teacher; Dr. Dorothy HaleySmith, education administrator; Willie Ford Thomas, higher education;
Martha M. Williams, president,
Orange County School Librarians
Association; Dr. Monika Williams
Shealey, higher education; and
Adelle Wilson-Baker, national archiv-
ist-historian. The recognition of the
Central Florida Deltas was presented
by Soror Jacquelyn Ford.
National President Louise A. Rice
announced that the national convention coordinators of the 49th
National Convention are Sorors
Brenda Woodbury and Monica Riley.
Soror Christine Nixon, Southern
Regional Director, and a resident of
Pensacola, Fla., extended greetings
on behalf of the host region.
The program continued with a
keynote address by Soror Valdez B.
Demings, deputy chief of the
Orlando Police Department (since
the event was held, she has been promoted to the rank of chief). Soror
Demings addressed the topic,
“Celebrating Excellence through
Achievement and Service.” She stated: “True excellence can only come
through achievement and service.”
Other program participants
included Soror Barbara KirbyBentley, Ph.D., who presided; Shirley
Sharpe-Terrell, who gave the invocation; Phe’dre M. Bown, soloist;
National Convention Coordinators
Woodbury and Riley, who introduced special guests; Orlando
Chapter President Valicia Dunomes,
who introduced the keynote speaker; and performers SAIJ, who presented a medley of musical selections.
The Greater Orlando Chapters of
Delta recognized the event sponsors:
Marvin C. Zander Funeral Home,
Postell’s Mortuary, Front-Line Promotions & Marketing, Inc., South
Apopka Ministerial Alliance, Bill
Donegan (Orange County Property
Appraiser), Kenard Lang Foundation,
and Carver Theater Developers, LLC.
Appreciation was also extended to
JOURNAL Winter 2008
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Commissioner
Fred
Brummer,
Superior Hospitality Management,
LLC, Corlee Water Corporation
“IQULA,” Ella J. Gilmore, Broadway
Cleaners, SHZ Construction, Inc., the
memory of Thelma Crump Robinson,
Dr. and Mrs. Roberts Baker, and Bill
Cowles. Additionally, the chapters
extended gratitude to the Orange
County Supervisor of Elections, the
African American Chamber of
Commerce and Wilson-Eichelberger
Mortuary. ▲
Orlando, Fla. Soror Valdez B.
Demings (LEFT), then deputy
chief of police of the Orlando
Police Department and
keynote speaker at convention kick-off, is pictured with
DST National President Louise
A. Rice. Soror Demings was
recently promoted to chief of
the police department.
PHOTO BY A. ANAIZ PHOTOGRAPHY
The Orange County Convention Center is the site of the 49th National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to be held July 2430, 2008. Here the plenary sessions, workshops, and special events will be held. The Sorority last convened in Orlando in 1996.
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DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.