January 2015 Newsletter

“The Poodle Call”
Happy New Year!!
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Brenda H. Smith, Basileus
“Impacting Communities through Transformational Leadership”
January/February 2015
Basileus’ Message
Happy New Year everyone and
Happy Black History month.
Here we are, another year has
come and gone. It is always
good to look back to review our
past, what you have done in
order to make a path forward.
The Sankofa Bird symbolizes this. The concept
of Sankofa is derived from King Adinkera of
the Akan people of West Africa. SANKOFA is
expressed in the AKAN lauguage as “se wo
were fi na wosan kofa a yenki.” Literally
translated it means “ it is not taboo to go back
and fetch what you forgot”.
“Sankofa” teach us that we must go back to our
roots in order to move forward.
That is, we should reach back and
gather the best of what our past has
to teach us, so that we can achieve
our full potential as we move forward.
Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone or
been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived,
preserved and perpetuated. How beautiful and
how true!! This is so important concerning all
walks of life: our heritage, our personal life,
our faith, our family, and even our sorority.
The month of December and January was very
busy, as Mu Sigma continues its “ Greater
Service” for the community. We completed
Operation BigBook Bag and Toys-for-Tots
event with the Greater Baton Rouge PanHellenic Council. January began with our
beautiful, 19th Annual
Debutante Cotillion, Mwanamugimu Essay
Program, Project CRADLE Care, membership
intake and getting prepared for the 74th
Southwestern Regional Conference. All will be
reviewed in this newsletter.
Sorority Meeting
February 13, 2015 @ 6:00PM fellowship
7:00PM meeting
Mu Sigma Sorority House
1783 Harding Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807
Who attends: All sorority members active and
inactive, Undergraduate representatives are
welcomed.

2/7 Formal Tea (Mu Sigma) 3:00 PM,
MLK Center SU


2/7 TORCH Training
2/8 Philo’s Tea

Carver/King Display Greenwell Spring
Regional Library (month of February)
In this edition of “The Poodle Call” We will
 2/12
Mwanamugimu
Essay
due Chapter
celebrate
members
in our Mu
Sigma

2/11 Beta Alpha “Pretty Wednesday
12noon -2:00PM SU Union” MOD
Early bird
registration has opened for the SW
fundraiser
Regional Conference.
 2/11 Pan Hellenic Summit: BR Delta
.
Now,
think you
the routine,
let me
 IFebruary
22,know
Sunday:
Black History
th
introduce
you
to
our
4
Anti-Basileus,
Soror
Program and Mwanamugimu Awards
Deborah
Williams, advisor
of PiLibrary
Iota Chapter at
Presentation,
Goodwood
Southeastern Louisiana State University.
Let’s get started:
Meet your Grammateus!!!
Soror Melissa Chavis Charles
Soror Charles is a
native of Opelousas,
Louisiana and is the
proud wife of Darryl
and blessed mother of
Malik who is currently
a senior at Walker
High School.
The
other joys of her life
are her 2 fur babies,
Isaiah
(Pomeranian)
and Snowflakes (white lab). Melissa is a
member of Gloryland Baptist Church under the
Leadership of Pastor Dr. Rayford T. Iglehart,
where she sings soprano and serves as the Vice
President of the Sanctuary Choir. She and her
husband serve as Co-Chairperson of the
Marriage Ministry.
She is a 1991 graduate of Southern University
"Go JAGS!”, where she earned her Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Management.
Melissa has been employed for 26 years by the
United States Geological Survey, where she is
the Management Officer for the Southeastern
Ecological Center in Gainesville, Florida and
the National Wetlands Research Center in
Lafayette, La. She oversees the Human
Resource, Funding and Budgeting Divisions for
both centers. She has also served as the
Administrative Officer for the Louisiana Water
Science Center in Baton Rouge. She has been
recognized by the National Bureau Outreach
Board in the area of diversity in recruitment.
Soror Charles is a dedicated member of Mu
Sigma,
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Incorporated, where she currently serves as Mu
Sigma's Grammateus. Soror Charles journey in
Sigma began with her as a member of the
Rhoer Club of Epsilon Alpha Sigma in
Opelousas, Louisiana. She pledged Sigma
Gamma Rho Sorority at Southern University,
Baton Rouge in the Bata Alpha Chapter the
Spring of 1987. She has been a beautiful and
sophisticated poodle for 28 years.
After joining Mu Sigma Chapter, her love for
community and the youth continued to
blossom. She has served as Chair of the Black
History Program, Co-Chair of the Debutante
Cotillion and has been instrumental in our most
successful and enjoyable Founders Day
Celebrations. Additionally, she has served on
Project Reassurance along with many other
committees.
Soror Charles and her loving spirit shines in
everything that she does. She puts her heart and
soul in making a program or event for Sigma
Gamma Rho, the best that it can possible be.
She is a great play writer and director. A
creative genius she is. Soror Charles believes
in doing the right things for the right reasons
and treating everyone with respect and
kindness. Her God given light illuminates in
the work she does for community, in and
outside of Sigma.
Melissa is a past president of the Women's
Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Under her
administration the Silver Magnolias were
born.. She is a former Chairperson for the
Combined Federal Campaign for the Louisiana
Middle District through United Way. She states
that her most profound involvement in
community services was not only when she
served on the Board of Directors for CASA
"Court Appointed Special Advocates", but also
when she was a CASA volunteer, advocating
for abused and neglected children during
juvenile
court
and
child
protection
proceedings. For that reason she was
recognized by WAFB during the "Where
Service Matters" segment. So deserved!!
Sorors, Philos and Rhoers I present to you a
humble Sigma, a heart of gold Sigma, a God
loving Sigma who lets her light shine through
her daily service to mankind.
Toys for Tots
Mu Sigma Chapter participated in the Toys-forTots event as a member of the Greater Baton
Rouge Pan-Hellenic
Council
on
Saturday, December
20, 2015 at the
Charles R. Kelly
Center. Each chapter
of the GBR PanHellenic Council donated $100.00 of toys for
this event. Thank you to Sorors Tonya Lands
and Sylvia Smith for shopping and delivering
the toys to the center.
The children and the
parents were excited and
thankful to the council
and the Kelly Center for
helping to make a joyous
Christmas for them.
Members of the Divine
Nine and youth groups
from
Mu
Sigma and Mu
Zeta Chapters
help to serve
breakfast, assist
with
games,
distribute toys
to the families
and bring the children outside for a special treat
and to meet SANTA!
Mu Sigma Rhoer,
Akiliah Turner did
a magnificent job
in captivating the
children as she
read the “Night
Before
Christmas”. Rhoer Turner was praised for a
wonderful job. Sorors who participated were
Jacqueline
Burton,
Tonya
Lands,
Sylvia
Smith and
myself,
Brenda
Smith.
The Rhoer Club had a great attendance and we
thank their advisor, Tonya Lands for her
dedication in keeping them focused on giving
back to the community. Thank you Rhoers.
MWANAMUGIMU
The Mwanamugimu Essay Contest Project’s
goal is to provide an opportunity for students to
increase
their
knowledge of the historical and contemporary
development of Africa. It’s objectives are to
provide the targeted population with the
opportunities that allow structured ways to
learn about Africa; heighten awareness of
African cultural heritage; and improve writing
and research skills for our youth.
Mu Sigma Chapter had its informational to
introduce this year’s program to youth of our
community on Sunday, December 21, 2014.
The overall theme for the 2014-15 year is:
“Accentuating Africa and Our Local
Communities”. The kick-off was well attended
with over forty guests at the sorority house. The
program began with a prayer by soror Jackie
Burton, a warm welcome by Soror Jocha
Gordon, and an
overview of the
Mwanamugimu
program was
given by Soror
Elouise
Colbert.
Followed by the guest speakers, Dr. Grace
Namwamba and Dr. Fulbert Namwamba, an
explanation of the program packet by Soror
Kayla Ford and remarks by Basileus Brenda
Smith.
This was an exciting
kick-off. Our guests
speakers, a husband and
wife team and professors
at Southern University,
had everyone in Awe as
they
navigated
us
through the beautiful
country of Kenya. They
told how proud Kenyans
are, that the President of the United States has
roots in their country. She told about how the
country
celebrated
President
Obama.
Additionally, they
dispelled myths about
Africa and talked of Kenya’s people, land,
natural resources, languages, schools and
government. They also brought items from
their country.
On
January
4, 2015,
a
Research Skills workshop was held at the
Scotlandville Branch Library. The workshop
was conducted by Soror Clara Williams, Soror
Debra Williams
and
Teen
Librarian, Allison
Grianelloni. The
students reviewed
the topics and
narrowed their topic selection to two. Soror
Clara Williams, who is
a retired librarian, gave
tips on research, and
Soror Debra Williams
reviewed
the
requirements
and
expectations. Librarian
Grianelloni, did an excellent job in giving an
online presentation of resources available and
how to navigate the on-line
system. The students were
then taken out into the
library where they begin
looking for their references.
This was a very productive
workshop.
At the Sorority house on January 25, 2015,
Sorors Niakatia LeBlanc
and Debra Williams gave
the
writing
skills
workshop. They had a
hands on style Essay
Writing
workshop.
Students were given a
Writer’s Checklist and
essays, that the students used to identify good
and bad writing practices. Congratulations and
thank you for an excellent presentation. The
students learned a wealth of knowledge. The
students final papers are due February 12,
2015 and the first place winner’s papers will be
forwarded for
regional
compition on
February 16,
2014.
Additionally,
the
Mwanamugimu Awards presentation will be
held at the Black History Program on Sunday,
February 22, 2015 at the Main Library on
Goodwood Blvd.
Members of the committee are: Jocha Gordon,
Tonya Lands, Jacqueline Burton, Janice Hives,
Niakatia LeBlanc, Debra Williams, Clara
Williams, Kayla Ford and Elouise Colbert.
Nineteenth Annual Debutante Cotillion
“Mu Sigma’s Precious Jewels: Refined and
Cultivated”
The ballroom was elegantly dressed with white
linen covered tables and chairs, and the stage
awaited the royal court. Mu Sigma guests
arrived in impeccable attire, with the band
playing joyous sounds surround. All waiting to
get a glance of Mu Sigma’s Precious Jewels:
Refined and Cultivated. It was a beautiful
affair, better than anyone could have imagined.
As the program opened, our Mistress and
Master of Ceremony were just stunning.
Melissa and Darryl Charles did a fabulous job
in keeping our guests focused on the occasion.
Our 2013 queen, Da’Jiaron Houston, took her
final promenade
followed by the
entrance of our
Junior
Debutantes, in
their
lovely
royal
blue
semiformal dresses. The Junior Debutantes
were: Chardae Arnold, Betty Freeman, Dejiona
Jackson, Jada James, Miyante Lafayette and
Ty’Quieria Lodge. Then, the entrance of the
proud parents of the debs and escorts
performing the traditional Grand March, set
the tone of the evening. The moment had
come for the presentation of our beautiful
Precious Jewels, Second Princess, Jyla Lynette
Ford, First Princess,
Morgan
Dee
Georgetown and our
2014
-15
Queen,
Albrittany
A’daria
Chambers. Da’Jiaron
crowned
Albrittany
Chambers.
The
promenade of
the
2014
queen and the
dedicatory
Song
“
Encourage yourself” Sung by our Sorors, Kayla
Ford, Niakatia LeBlanc, and Tamara Mosley,
accompanied by Marcella Ratcliff.
Presentation of Scholarships and Awards,
special recognition and Remarks preceded the
Cotillion and Dedicatory Waltz.
Guests
enjoyed dancing to the Leroy Pero Ensemble.
What is it? The Project Reassurance Healthy
Generations – Project CRADLE Care is a
prenatal education and incentive program
that seeks to improve pregnancy outcomes
in the community by increasing the number
of women of childbearing age who get
prenatal education and adequate prenatal
care, and increase the number of women of
childbearing age who have a better
understanding of infant care and child
development.
Project CRADLE Care seeks to:
 Improve pregnancy outcomes in the
community among women of
childbearing age through assisting
with prenatal education and care.
 Increase
awareness
and
understanding among women of
childbearing age regarding infant
care and child development.
 Collaborate with hospitals, managed
care organizations, community-based
prenatal care providers, churches,
and other organizations.
On Saturday, January 31,
2015, Mu Sigma Chapter
held its Project CRADLE
Care program at the
sorority house under the
theme: H3: It’s All About Me!
Healthy Choices, Healthy
Living, Healthy Generations.
The morning began
with registration and
Pre-Surveys completed
by our community
guests, Prayer for our
Future Generations by
Mu Sigma’s Chaplain,
Jacqueline Hunt; Welcome and reading of
Proclamations from State Representative,
Dalton Honore and Mayor Melvin Holden by
Soror Lyn Hakeem. Soror Brenda Smith
acknowledged
the
PCC
committee,
Community Partner and panel of experts.
The Community Partners/vendors were:
March of Dimes, Department of Health
and Hospitals, Department of Children
and Family Services, WIC, Family Road of
GBR, Women’s Help Clinic, Allstar
Community Care, Cindy’s Little Angels
and 225 Dance Fitness.
Our panel of experts were: Tasha Cooper,
Capital Area Division Director, March of
Dimes; Dr. Charles Thomas, Executive
Director, Women’s Help Clinic; Soror
Natasha James, Owner: Allstar Community
Care; Dawn R. Marcelle, MD, MPH,
Pediatrics; Joseph Diggs, MD, OBGyn,
Internal Medicine; and Soror Jacqueline
Burton, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.
The
panel
discussion
offered
a
wealth
of
information
ranging from
Louisiana
stats,
resources available, the community needs,
mental health and development of our
children, causes contributing to low birth
rates, making healthy choices through
exercise, prayer and diet and much, much
more. The question and answer segment
was awesome.
The Prenatal Fair
participants/venders shared what their
particular agency provides as resources.
Guests completed the Post-Surveys, visited
the vendors, won door prizes, certificates of
participation
and
lunch.
It
was
acknowledged by everyone in attendance,
that there is a great need in our community
for more education and programs like
Project CRADLE Care. It was suggested that
the program be offered more than once a
year at different locations in the community.
The Project CRADLE Care Committee
members are: Jacqueline Burton, Melissa
Charles, Elouise Colbert, Lyn Hakeem,
Rochelle Howard, Shanna Magee, Dr.
LaTonya Rounds, Sylvia Smith and Sharon
Weatherspoon. A big thank you to the
committee for a job well done and the sorors
who came out to support the event. See
additional pictures of the event under,
“More Pictures”.
Black History
Save-The-Date for Mu Sigma’s Black History
Program scheduled for the last Sunday in
February. Our play director, Melissa Charles
and cast of Rhoer, Philos and Sorors are
ready for ACTION. So, on February 22, we
will be looking for you… at the Goodwood
Main Library.
Meanwhile, we
still go forward
but
looking
back at our
past as Mu
Sigma
once
again
showcases our
Black History
with the Carver/King display at the Greenwell
Springs
Regional
Library.
Sorors,
Deborah
Daniels,
Jacqueline
Hunt and Niakatia LeBlanc did a fabulous job
with the entrance and exit showcases. Please
go and see the displays. Soror Hunt showcased
her black dolls in the entrance cases and Soror
Daniel’s and LeBlanc displayed the works of
George Washington Carver and the Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. in the exit cases. Thank
you sorors for your service.
The debutante committee continues to
mentor our Junior Debutantes with an outing
to watch the
movie
“Selma”.
Like
the
“Sankofa”,
we should
reach back
and gather
the best of what our past has to teach us, so
that we can achieve our full potential as we
move forward. Thank
you to Soror Sylvia
Smith,
Junior
Debutante
chairperson
and
Soror Deirdre Stepter
overall
Debutante
chairperson, for the
mentorship of our
Junior Debs. They had a wonderful evening
while learning about our past.
In early 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
(SCLC) made Selma, Alabama, the focus of its
efforts to register black voters in the South.
That March, protesters attempting to march
from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery
were met with violent resistance by state and
local authorities. As the world watched, the
protesters (under the protection of federalized
National Guard troops) finally achieved their
goal, walking around the clock for three days

to reach Montgomery. The historic march, and

King’s participation in it, greatly helped raise

awareness of the difficulty faced by black
voters in the South, and the need for a Voting
Donate Socks & Blankets @ Public
Meeting (Bring to conference)
Mwanamugimu Essay Winner due to
Regional Chair, February 16th
Awards Application deadline Feb.
14th
Rights Act, which passed later that year.
Life Member Shining Stars
Undergraduate News
HEAR ALL ABOUT IT !!!!
Poodle Call
Beta Alpha
Look for Gamma Pi and Pi Iota
Chapters news in next Poodle
Call!!!!
74th SW Regional Conference News




Oklahoma City, Ok., March 26 -29
Registration ends Feb. 28th , No onsite registration
Hotel Registration Deadline , March 4th
Thursday,
March
26
CASINO
Trip;
RSVP:
[email protected], $10.00/person



Friday, March 27th Blue Attire
Saturday, march 28th Gold Attire
Order your Rhoyalty Shirt deadline,
March 14
Life Members Shining Stars who have
supported the sorority and gone above and
beyond, will be celebrated and praised for
their hard work. Each chapter must select 2
Life Member Shining Stars.
Qualifications
 Have an unquestionable character.
 Has been continuously active in her
chapter for 19 years or more
 Contributes physically, financially
and emotionally to the programs of
her chapter.
 Attends local, area, regional and
national meetings as scheduled.
 Actively supports her chapter’s
activities to ensure their success
 Strives to maintain peace and
sisterhood on all levels
Life members with 19 years are:
Irma Allen, Peggy Banks, Brenda Canty,
Deborah Daniels, Elaine Doyle, Dorothy
Haysbert, Jacqueline Hunt, Lillian Jackson,
Myrtle Moran, Ruby Sanchez, Johnita Scott,
Deirdre Stepter, Brenda Smith, Sybil Thomas
Happy Birthday!!!!
February:
Melissa
Chavis-Charles
2/10,Tonya Lands 2/10, Britney Bell
2/10, Tamara Alexander 2/23
I end this Newsletter with a quote from
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
March 25, 1965
Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery
March
"I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult
the moment, (Yes, sir) however frustrating the hour, it
will not be long, (No sir) because "truth crushed to earth
will rise again." (Yes, sir)
How long? Not long, (Yes, sir) because "no lie can live
forever." (Yes, sir)
How long? Not long, (All right. How long) because "you
shall reap what you sow." (Yes, sir)
How long? (How long?) Not long: (Not long)
Truth forever on the scaffold, (Speak)
Wrong forever on the throne, (Yes, sir)
Yet that scaffold sways the future, (Yes, sir)
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Project CRADLE Care
Keeping watch above his own.
How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral
universe is long, but it bends toward justice. (Yes, sir)
How long? Not long, (Not long) because:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the
Lord; (Yes, sir)
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of
wrath are stored; (Yes)
He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift
sword; (Yes, sir)
His truth is marching on. (Yes, sir)
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call
retreat; (Speak, sir)
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment
seat. (That’s right)
O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on. (Yeah)
Glory, hallelujah! (Yes, sir) Glory, hallelujah! (All right)
Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on”]
MWANAMUGIMU
TOYS FOR TOTS
Debutante Cotillion