IVYETTE TH

EGreetings from the Basileus

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Zeta Chi Omega Chapter

P.O. Box 25763 Alexandria, VA 22313

VOLUME II

MAY 2011

Dear Zeta Chi Omega Sorors, I am so excited to report to the Chapter that Zeta Chi Omega not only had a record attendance at the Mid‐Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC), but we received a total of seven Chapter and individual awards!!! It takes a lot of time and energy to put together a packet/submission. You all are winners for stepping up to do this awesome task, and I thank you for it. The Chapter nominated Ms. Lavern J. Chatman for the “Citizen of the Year Award,” and the award was presented to Ms. Chatman at the Public Meeting. A very special “thank you” to Sorors Lula Lang‐Jeter, Linda Newman, Darhyl Jasper, and Joyce Henderson for agreeing to serve and put together an award‐winning submission. At the MARC formal gala, the Chapter was honored with the AKA Connection Award. “Thank you” to the Connection Committee and Soror Betty Morri‐son, Chairman. The Committee worked diligently to create an award‐winning packet. The Ivyette won the award for Outstanding Chapter Newsletter. Thanks to all sorors for your monthly submissions to the 2010 Ivyettes. Congratulations to Sorors Starr Garrett (Humanitarian and Caring Soror), and Kendra Gilles‐pie (Civic Leader and Soror of the Year Awards).

Congratulations and “a job well done” to the MARC Workshop and Gala Committees. “Thank you” to all of the sorors who stepped up to serve during the conference. It did not go unnoticed!!! Congratulations to Sorors Barbara Bellamy, Joyce Henderson, LaFrances Williams and Rhonda Luss for their contributions to making the MARC a success. Sorors Valerie Flournoy and Doretta Davis were awesome in their roles as MARC Awards Chairman and Exhibit Chairman, respectively. Congratulations Sorors! Finally, I would like to thank the Chapter for allow‐ing me the privilege to serve in the capacity of Basil‐eus. I am thrilled and humbled to receive the Basil‐eus of the Year Award. The credit for the award be‐longs to the Chapter, for all of your hard work and dedication in implementing the Sorority’s programs in the community, following the national docu‐ments, and for just being an awesome, dynamic Chapter. Thank you for all that you do in making Zeta Chi Omega supreme in service. If you attended the MARC, don’t forget to log in your attendance with the Grammateus, Soror Vanessa Jackson, or Anti‐Grammateus, Soror Eloise Hudgins. This information is needed for the Chap‐ter’s files. All delegate reports will be posted online in the “Member’s Only” section of the Chapter’s website. If you do not have internet access and de‐sire a copy of the reports, please contact the Gram‐mateus, Soror Vanessa.

Continued on page 22

ISSUE 5

May 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 Tutoring-St. John’s BC 4:30PM

3 4 5 Executive Com-mittee Meeting—7:00 PM Charles Houston Center

6 7 Chapter Meet-ing—Patrick Henry Elemen-tary School 10:00 AM

8 Mother’s Day

9 Tutoring-St. John’s BC 4:30PM Mbrsp. Cmte. Mtg. —Lee Cen-ter—7PM

10 Mentoring—Charles Houston Center 5:00 PM (Nurse’s Day)

11 12

13 NPHC Game Night 8:00 PM-12:00 AM.

14 Leadership Training—Sherwood Hall Library

15 Black Scholars Award Program - Mt. Vernon High School 3:00 PM

16 Tutoring—St. John’s BC 4:30PM

17 18 19 Environmental Stewardship Community Fo-rum - CHC

20 21 Relay for Life

22 23 Tutoring-St. John’s BC 4:30PM

24 Mentoring—Charles Houston Center -5:00 PM IFNV Meeting 7:00PM **

25

55th Anniversary

26 27 28

29 30

31 *For information only; an IFNV event **For information only

Celebrating 55 Years of Service to All Mankind Arthritis Awareness Month

National High Blood Pressure Month

Memorial Day

3

“My Mom” ‐ Reflection and Inspiration

Every May we celebrate Mother’s Day. It is a time when we share 360 degrees of emotions. It was placed on my heart to ask some of our sorors to share their thoughts about their mothers. As you read these sentiments, see the love, the legacy, and the lasting impressions left by the “Moms” in our lives.

Although my mother is no longer here on earth with me, she still lives in my heart. My mother and I were very close and like girlfriends who talked on the phone two or three times a day. Family was very important to her, so my father, sister, brother and I were the CENTER of her life, and everyone who knew her was well aware of that. Family gatherings, visits and socializing together were common and frequent in our family because Mom loved being with her family. I guess I get it naturally because family means the world to me, also. My kids (children, grandchildren, and daughters‐in‐law) and I talk on the phone frequently, get together on a regular basis, and take at least one “family vacation” together a year. I love every minute of it! I thank my Mom for instilling in me the importance of family.

– Soror Paula O. Blunt

She stopped by to tell me, I was not alone; She stopped by to tell me to be "her big girl" and it would be okay;

She stopped by to tell me "help Daddy take care of your sister and brothers;" She stopped by before dawn on Easter Sunday when I was 10 years old to kiss my forehead before

God took her home. Although she came while I was sleeping, I knew enough, even then, to know that she was not a dream,

And I will always believe that I am the blessed woman I am today, because she stopped by. — Soror Carol A. Campbell

My mother, Eunice Quander Lewis, was a quiet spirit who led by example. She was a very patient and com‐mitted mother who always made my heart feel light with words like "I'm so proud of you," " things will be all right," "you can do it," and then let me try my wings. I, as well as my four siblings, continue to follow her ex‐ample and call her blessed.

— Soror Naomi Lewis Brooks

Growing up, I observed my mother love her husband, go to work and care about her students, go to church and actively participate, raise me and my brother and support our activities and still find time to help in the community. My mom is truly a Proverbs 31 woman and what an example that is for me as her daughter. Most of all, my mother is my friend whom I can always confide in, lean and depend on. I love you, mom!

Soror Michele Crawley Taylor

Continued on page 4

Soror Patricia Wallace, Chairman Spirit & Inspiration Committee

The Importance of Family

Blessed

Led by Example

A “Proverbs 31” Woman

4

Continued from page 3

My mother taught me the ultimate love of God and Jesus Christ, starting at the earliest age I can remember. She modeled and involved me actively in culturally enriching experiences and Sunday School/church activities at Wilson Chapel Baptist Church and Saint Paul's College. My mom emphasized to me that you should love everyone and, not hate. Most of all, she taught me to be strong, caring, intelligent; independent, helping others, living with integrity, while standing for what is right and true. I am so proud of what she instilled in me. The closeness of the three of us, guided by my mother, along with my father, has sustained me in ways I cannot explain other than, it is a permanent bond of love and respect that no person or thing could separate. It is because of my mother's tremendous demonstrations and sharing of leadership, prayers, compassion, words of the Bible, and wisdom that I have been able to withstand trials, challenges, and tribulations. Most of all, my mother laughs, celebrates, and talks to me about any subject anytime every day. When my pa‐tience gets thin, she reminds me, "I am your Mother!" I thank God for her, because she is love.

— Soror Blanche "Cookie" Mays Maness

My Mother, Mrs. Lizzie M. Jeter was my best friend who raised 5 children. She always encouraged me to have faith in God and to always strive to be the best that I could at any task that I chose to take. She was a strong and spiritual Mother who persevered through many challenges. She was ALWAYS here for me, and she was my rock. She taught me humility, patience and love. When she ascended to Heaven a little more than 2 years ago, God only knows that I, once again, lost my Best Friend. She was always proud of me and my accomplishments, and now I truly know that I now have ANOTHER Angel watching over me, and I look forward to seeing her again.

‐‐ Soror Julia Cleckley

I am so thankful for the spiritual gifts that my mother gives me. Soror Betty Smith, my mom, is quite the mentor. The way she cared for and educated me is evident in my mothering. Sometimes I hear myself speak her words of faith, encouragement, and compassion. That amazes me. I pray that I mentor my children as she has mentored me.

‐‐ Soror Constance Bell

My mother, to me, was one of a kind ‐ Thoughtful, Caring, Generous, Loving, Cute, Couldn't Cook, Talkative and Loved her two girls. I see myself everyday in her, especially in the cooking department. She used to say to us, "go down to mama’s house if you want to eat. I just got home from school and I'm tired." (She was a teacher.) So, my sister and I would walk to my grandmother’s house for dinner. When my grandchildren come to my house looking for food, I have popsicles, blueberries, strawberries, and jello waiting for them in the refrigerator because they know grandma “don't cook” — not because she doesn’t want to, but because she never learned. I miss her every day since she passed away, but my thoughts of her go with me all the time.

-- Soror Margarette Peterson Continued on page 22

She is Love

My Best Friend

My Mother, My Self

“Mama Don’t Cook”

Officers’ Reports

5

Upcoming events:

May 14th – Leadership Training — Sherwood Hall Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA.

May 19th – Forum – “Urban Gardening” – This falls under (Initiative II) the Environmental Stew‐ardship; promoting strategies and awareness campaigns to encourage energy efficiency, con‐servation, eco‐living, reforestation, urban gar‐dening, education and empowerment of con‐sumers with limited resources. The forum will be held at the Charles Houston Center, 901 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA.

May 21st – Relay for Life – Thomas Jefferson High School

June 4th – Race for the Cure

On the calendar with details to follow June 17th – Dine out for Heifer – more details to

follow in the Monday memo. June 18th ‐ Juneteeth Celebration in Alexandria –

Collaboration with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

On Friday, April 8th, the Emerging Young Leaders Committee (EYL) had the opportunity to personally

Soror Leslie Dey Anti-Basileus

Initiative I Sorors with —Emerging Young Leaders

meet the five young ladies in our inaugural class of Emerging Young Leaders and their families. Tia Page, Kaylah Strother, Denver Edmonds, Jateah Green, and Jayla Tolson introduced themselves to the sorors in attendance. These young ladies are 6‐8th graders in school in Arlington and Alexandria. The first EYL event that the committee has planned for the ladies was a trip to see the “I Am” exhibit in Washington, DC, which was held on Saturday, April 30th. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Sorors what do you, Nordstrom’s and IBM have in common? Find out on May 14th at Zeta Chi Omega’s kick‐off event for Global Initiative VI Internal Leadership Training for External Service. You are invited to a workshop on personal and chapter branding. Branding is a “trademark” that people associate with you when they see your name; it sets up an expectation of an experience. Come out and participate in fun exer‐cises that will help you define your brand and the brand of Zeta Chi Omega. There will be a sign up sheet in the lobby after the May chapter meeting. The committee looks forward to seeing you at the Sherwood Hall Library at 10:30 on May 14th! For additional information contact the committee chairman, Soror Laurell Jones, or any member of the committee (Sorors Starr Garrett, Kendra Gillespie, Lolita Harris, Tia Johnson, Crystal Lander.)

Officers’ Reports

6

2011 Relay for Life at

Thomas Jefferson High School The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is more than just a fundraiser. It is a life‐changing event that gives communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled can‐cer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against this disease. Team Zeta Chi Omega needs your participation to help the American Cancer Society to save lives.

Saturday, May 21st, 2011 Thomas Jefferson High School

6560 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312

To join the Zeta Chi Omega Team, access the link below: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=32760&team_id=894614

To make an online donation to the Zeta Chi Omega Team, access the link below: https://secure3.convio.net/tacs/site/Donation2?idb=1391193800&df_id=1008607&1008607.donation=form1&FR_ID=32760&PROXY_ID=894614&PROXY_TYPE=22&JServSessionIdr004=5e0e6uyxy2.app314a

Our hours of participation and more details will fol‐low. Questions regarding the Relay can be directed

to the ZXΩ Health Initiatives Program planning

team: Betty Smoot, Sandra Washington and Cassan‐dra Borden.

Soror Joyce Brooks, Chairman Health Initiative Committee

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure To register and join the Zeta Chi Omega‐Alpha Kappa Alpha team, go to http://globalrace.info‐komen.org/goto/Zeta_Chi_Omega Or, if you are unable to walk or run with us at the Mall on Race Day, please consider registering to Sleep In for the Cure®. Or, simply show your support by making a tax‐deductible donation.

Officers’ Reports

7

May is Arthritis Awareness Month

The word arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases and conditions that affect the joints and tissues around the joints. Some of these diseases also can affect other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and deformity of joints that often results in limited ability to use the joint. Arthritis includes diseases such as osteoarthritis, gout and lupus. Arthritis is one of the most common conditions re‐ported among African‐Americans. Exercise can help reduce the pain of arthritis and improve your flexibility. Exercise: Keeps your joints moving. Keeps the muscles around your joints strong. Keeps bone and cartilage tissue strong and

healthy. An exercise program can be created for everyone. Your doctor can help you figure out how often you should exercise and what kinds of exercise are best for you based on: The type of arthritis you have. Which joints are affected. The severity of your arthritis. Any other health problems you have. Sources: www.arthritis.org Keep Moving ‐ Arthritis Foundation Fact Sheet Submitted by Soror Loretta H. Berry

Every 45 seconds a child dies from a preventable and completely treatable disease. The disease is malaria, and last year more than 3 million persons died. Most of the dead lived in sub‐Saharan Africa, and 85% of them were younger than 5 years old.

An individual can only contract malaria through the bite of a mosquito. Mosquitoes bite infected persons and then pass the parasite to healthy persons through their bites. If we can prevent the bite, we can stop malaria. Bed nets are the most effective and cost efficient way to stop malaria. Infected mosqui‐toes usually bite at night while people are asleep. Bed nets prevent the mosquitoes from biting sleeping individuals while the insecticide on the nets kills the mosquito when it lands on it.

World Malaria Day was April 25, 2011, and much is being done to make the world aware of the devasta‐tion this disease brings about. As Chairman of the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Initia‐tive, I propose that the Sorors of Zeta Chi Omega take the lead in eliminating this insidious, yet preventable, disease by partnering with the Buy‐a‐Net Foundation and begin purchasing mosquito nets for families in Uganda, the country with the highest death rate from malaria. The cost of purchasing mosquito nets for a family would be just $7 (seven) dollars a month!

Soror Robin Mazyck has suggested that each month at Sorority meeting we ask Sorors to donate the “pennies in their pockets” to this project. If we have on average 150 Sorors at each meeting and each do‐nates just five pennies (of course we would not be adverse to accepting other than pennies), we would have more than enough to purchase nets each month for a family.

Soror C. Elisabeth Palmer Johnson Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Initiative

Officers’ Reports

8

May Birthdays:

Kimberly Conner – 3 Alesha Jordan ‐ 4 Musetta (Tia) Johnson ‐ 5 Tonya Allen – 7 Kellie Buck – 7 Mathelle Lee – 7 Doretta Davis ‐ 12 Barbara Bellamy – 13 Erika Bouknight‐ 17 Channaile Clark ‐ 18 Thomasine Coates – 19 Lula Lang‐Jeter – 19* Shani Provost ‐ 19 Iburia Hall‐Haynes – 21 Eloise (Elle) Hudgins ‐ 21 Barbara Evans – 28* Anna Ferguson ‐ 29 Sherri Jordan ‐ 29 Tanya Brown – 30 Kathleen Collier – 30 *Golden Soror

Join the May birthday celebrants for lunch at Hana Tokyo Restaurant 4603 Duke Street (Foxchase Shopping Center) following the May meeting. Contact the Directory Committee Chairman, Soror Eloise Hudgins, if your birth date is not included in the 2011 Chapter Directory.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SORORS

Soror Carol Turner’s mother, Carmeen Adams El‐more, who is recovering from pneumonia, is cur‐rently at Leesburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Cen‐ter.

Soror Sternonia Dunston and Honey‐Do Darryl, wel‐comed baby boy Malachi Mandela Mattocks on March 23, 2011.

Soror Maudy Mays and Honey‐Do Gilbert cele‐brated 69 years of marriage on April 5.

Soror Robin Mazyak recently produced a story for the 700 Club on a little known black history fact that is a very important piece of Alexandria his‐tory. “The Escape of the Pearl” is the story of Mary and Emily Edmondson and their four older brothers and their attempted slave escape. http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/April/Slave‐Descendants‐Remember‐Escape‐on‐the‐Pearl/ The lovely actresses who recreated parts for the story are Mallory and Casey Bell, the daughters of Soror Constance Bell.

The following sorors have either reactivated their memberships in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incor‐porated or transferred to Zeta Chi Omega.

Denise (Dee) Hillery

Lynsey Lanier

Chara Singleton

WELCOME SORORS

GET WELL WISHES

CONGRATULATIONS

Soror Cora King Hodegos

Officers’ Reports

9

Sorors, please remember to update your contact information in the “Members Only” section of the Zeta Chi Omega website. Additionally, when signing in at Chapter meetings, please ensure that your in‐formation printed on the roster is correct; if not, please update it. You may email your updated infor‐mation to cwestyun@yahoo.com. If you invite a guest soror to a meeting, please in‐form her to bring proper credentials in order to at‐tend the meeting. The credentials required must be one of the following: A financial card (old or current) A copy of her certificate A faxed verification letter or an email confirma tion from the Corporate Office Thank you for assisting our efforts to go green, and don’t forget to turn your voter’s card in at the sign‐in table at the end of each Chapter meeting.

Soror Katrina Pritchett Philacter

In honor of our newly minted Golden Soror and Sil‐ver Stars, I’d like to take this opportunity to provide additional detail on the process. All sorors eligible for Diamond (75 years), Golden (50 years) or Silver Star (25 years) recognition are required to complete the appropriate form and submit fees, where appli‐cable, as follows: Lorraine Richardson Green (Diamond) – no fee Golden Soror Medallion Form – no fee Silver Star Medallion Form ‐ $67 fee ($60–

certificate/medallion; $7‐shipping) The forms are located in the ‘Members Only” sec‐tion of the corporate website; specifically, Docu‐ment Archives/Chapter Operations Book/ Honors, Awards and Recognition. If you are approaching this milestone, guide yourself accordingly, or if you would like for the chapter to submit your fees and/or paperwork on your behalf, we are happy to do so. If being processed via the chapter, checks should be made payable to Zeta Chi Omega. Should you choose to submit yourself, please remember that Corporate Office does not accept personal checks. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about this or any other sorority‐related financial matter.

Friendly Amendments

A n amendment modifies the wording and, within limits, often the meaning of the main motion. An amendment should say exactly

where in the main motion the change is to be made and precisely what words to use. It should be pre‐sented to the Chairman or the secretary in writing.

Continued on page 10

Stephanie Woodland Kelly Pecunious Grammateus

Happy Mother’s Day Sorors!! I honor all who mother whether the children are your own or you are standing in the gap for those who need assistance or aren’t able. Congratulations to all of the sorors who worked so hard to make the 58th Mid‐Atlantic Regional Confer‐ence an awesome success, and congratulations to our new Jewels!!

Soror Robin Mazyck Parliamentarian

Officers’ Reports

10

Continued from page 9

“Friendly” amendments are amendments that are sympathetic to the main motion and will increase the chances that the motion is adopted. “Friendly” amendments” are either “accepted “ or “rejected” by the maker of the main motion. This is incorrect. Once a motion is presented to the body and sec‐onded, it belongs to the body. It no longer belongs to the maker of the motion. Any amendment, “friendly” or otherwise, must be opened up to de‐bate and voted on formally or by unanimous con‐sent. Remember: the motion must still be adopted if the amendment passes or if the amendment fails. For more information, see Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th ed, p. 154.

Activities for Sigma Alpha Chapter are as follows:

Attended the 58th Mid‐Atlantic Regional Con‐ference (MARC) and co‐sponsored the Under‐graduate Luncheon.

Sponsored SophistAKAtion Week from March 28th through April 3rd, 2011.

Kudos to Sorors Karyn Berry, Julia Cleckley and Sherry Billingsley for providing Graduate Advisor oversight for these events. Kudos to Sigma Alpha sorors for holding a very suc‐cessful week of daily events:

Monday, March 28, 2011‐ Beau Tea Party

Langston Hughes Community Center, Arlington, VA

Tuesday, March 29, 2011‐ Effective Communica‐tion‐‐Book Review of the “Conversation” by Hill Harper; hold conversations about relationships; Langston Hughes Community Center, Arlington, VA

Wednesday, March 30, 2011‐ Success Bound‐featuring young entrepreneurs (Ashleigh Holmes, Matia Johnson, Yolanda Barbier (ZXΩ )), Langston Hughes Community Center, Arlington, VA

Thursday, March 31, 2011‐ Working it Out, Zumba workout session with Ashanti Newkirk, Langston Hughes Community Center, Arlington, VA

Friday, April 1, 2011‐ Party in the Fast Lane, Bowl America, Falls Church, VA

Held Chapter Meeting April 4th, 2011, Charles Houston Center, Alexandria VA., 1:30 to 3:30 PM

Supported The National Walk for Epilepsy® on Sunday, March 27, 2011 and in support of Soror Candace Fields‐Rogers, ZXΩ . Soror Lula‐Lang Jeter sponsored the registration for Sigma Alpha to participate and support this effort.

Participated and attended Portfolio in Motion 2011, 8:30 PM, April 15th and 16th, one of Marymount University's Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising programs. The fashion show featured Sigma Alpha Seniors showing their designs. In addition, Sigma Alpha sorors managed the production of this show. This event was a fundraising event for Marymount University Scholarships.

Sponsored a drive to collect prom dresses for T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria, VA

Soror Carol Turner Graduate Advisor

Committees’ Reports

11

gemstone and jewelry company). Her hard work in this company awarded her a cruise which she en‐joyed with her husband, Brian, based on her 2010 sales. She has been happily married for 16 years. She was also the Chairman of the Vendors for this year’s Mid‐Atlantic Regional Conference in Rich‐mond, VA. Her hobbies include reading and crafts. Welcome Soror Soror Yvette Riddick was initiated into Xi Omega Chapter in Washington, DC in 1995 and recently trans‐ferred into Zeta Chi Omega Chapter. She currently re‐sides in Waldorf, Maryland and states that Waldorf isn’t too far, but right over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Soror Yvette is a graduate of Howard University where she received a BA in Journalism and Criminal Justice, and an MSW degree with a concentration in Family and Child. Soror Yvette has served as Graduate Advisor, Mem‐bership Reclamation, Chairman; Exceptional Ladies In Training for Excellence (E.L.I.T.E.), Chairman (that was changed to Emerging Young Leaders, and EYL); Newsletter Editor‐in‐Chief and Publisher, just to name a few leadership positions. She has transi‐tioned well into Zeta Chi Omega Chapter and is cur‐rently working on Standards, Scholarship, and the Membership Committees. Soror Yvette is the 2011 Zeta Chi Omega Chapter Retreat Chairman and em‐phatically states (with a smile) that it is with the wonderful assistance of the Standards Committee members. The next Membership meeting will be on Monday, May 9th at 7:00 PM at the Lee Center.

“Strengthening our Sisterhood”

Protocol Books Available If you ordered a new Protocol book at the January chapter meeting, you may pick up your book at the May Chapter meeting. Sisterly Social Hour ‐May Reactivation/Sisterly Re‐lations Activity The Membership Committee invites current Zeta Chi Omega sorors as well as inactive sorors you may know to a Sisterly Social Hour on Friday, May 20, 2011. The location is to be determined. If you know if an inactive soror, please send her email address to Soror Tiffany at tiffanyemont@hotmail.com. We hope you can come out and do some sisterly social‐izing!

Soror Spotlight Soror Stephanie Woodland Kelly was initiated in Zeta Chi Omega in 2003. She is origi‐nally from Landover, MD. She attended North Carolina A&T State University, which she is very proud of. Soror Stephanie is an accountant, and currently she is the Comptroller for the Christ Church in Old Town Alex‐andria. Stephanie is very active in our Chapter hav‐ing served as the Hodegos, Standards Chairman and she is currently the Pecunious Grammateus. Soror Stephanie is an independent representative for Sil‐

Membership Committee Soror Connie Greene, Co-Chairman

Soror Tiffany Montgomery, Chairman

Soror Stephanie Woodland Kelly

Soror Yvette Riddick

Committees’ Reports

12

The Standards Committee is excited to announce the

Zeta Chi Omega 2011 Chapter Retreat

Saturday, August 27, 2011 Check‐in starts at 9:30 AM

at Spates Community Club & Conference Center Joint Base Myer‐Henderson Hall (Fort Myer)

Arlington, Virginia

In response to your 2010 Retreat evaluation com‐ments, we’ve planned a fun event!

Sorors, join us at the Post-Retreat Teambuilding

Bowling Party at

Fort Myer Bowling Center Participate on a bowling team or a socializing team ‐‐ this event is for all sorors to enjoy.

Sorors, please mark your calendars. Advanced regis‐tration is required. Registration forms will be posted on the Chapter website and available at the May and June Chapter meetings.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of the Standards or Retreat Chairmen,

Soror Yvette Riddick, Retreat Chairman Soror Crystal Lander, Retreat Co‐Chairman

Soror Melanie Hurley, Co-Chairman

Soror Judith Lopez, Chairman

Soror Whitney Joyner, Co-Chairman

The Newsletter Committee, offi‐cers and committee chairmen work diligently to provide news and information to the Chapter through the monthly publication of The Ivyette.

Chapter Officers and Committee Chairmen submit material for the Ivyette by the 15th of the month for the next issue of the Ivyette. Articles are submitted to the Epistoleus, Soror Gloria Bell at contactgloria@verizon.net.

Members of the Chapter can submit material for the Ivyette to the appropriate Chapter Offi‐cer or Committee Chairman/Co‐Chairman. For example, an‐nouncements and prayer re‐quests should be sent to the Ho‐degos, Soror Cora King (ck1bueller@verizon.net); health‐related news, events and activi‐ties should be sent to the Health Initiative Chairman, Soror Joyce Brooks (Joyce.M.Brooks@cox.net).

Please contact Soror Gloria Bell, Epistoleus, at contactgloria@verizon.net

if you have questions.

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Are you a Scout? Have you seen a soror going above and beyond the call of duty that we haven't recognized yet? If so, it is your duty as an Unsung Hero Scout to let the Chapter know about her! Please send a letter describing how you have seen her going above and beyond the call of duty to Soror Gayle Jordan at AvailingSpirit@yahoo.com. Your letter and a certificate will be presented to this val‐ued soror. What are the guidelines for Unsung Hero Scouts? Glad you asked! They are as follows:

These contributions go beyond any responsibilities required by a committee she is on and show a level of commitment to sisterhood that should be recog‐nized and celebrated.

Demonstrates selfless service in assisting a so‐ror. Regularly spending time with sick or shut‐in so‐rors. Contributed greatly to a project where she was not a committee lead.

Willingness to help in whatever capacity neces‐sary.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD

Sorors Barbara Bouldin, Gayle Jordan and Chandois Phillips, Co-Chairmen

Awards Committee

CONGRATULATIONS TO

fÉÜÉÜ ZxÜtÄw|Çx _xã|á AND

fÉÜÉÜ _ÉÜxààt UxÜÜç

WHO RECENTLY WON

UNSUNG HERO AWARDS

Zeta Chi Omega Committees and Chapter sorors submitted nine nominations for awards to the 58th MARC Awards Committee. The conference was held in Richmond, VA on April 21‐24. Zeta Chi Omega Committees/Sorors brought home the following awards:

PAULINE C. MORTON AWARD (Alumnae Basileus of the Year)

Soror Michelle Jones, Basileus, Zeta Chi Omega

AKA CONNECTION AWARD Connection Committee

DORIS R. ASBURY ONE‐TO‐ONE AWARD (Newsletter)

Newsletter Committee

ANNIE L. HARVEY AWARD (Outstanding Graduate Soror)

Soror Kendra Gillespie

ELIZABETH SCHMOKE RANDOPLH AWARD (Civic Leader)

Soror Kendra Gillespie

CLARA M. HINES AWARD (Humanitarian and Caring Soror)

Soror C. Starr Garrett In addition, Zeta Chi Omega nominated Ms. Lavern Chatman for the “Citizen of the Year” award and Mrs. Chapman walked away with that award. Congratulations to the winners!

THIS IS HOW WE ROLL. . . . .

14

Soror Doretta Davis (MARC Exhibits Chairman)

Soror Valerie Flournoy (MARC Awards Chairman)

(Above) Soror Carolyn House Stewart, Supreme Basileus, presents “Citizen of the Year” award to Ms. Lavern Chatman (5th left), as Members of Zeta Chi Omega look on. (Left) Ms. Chatman poses with Soror Michelle Jones, Basileus, Zeta Chi Omega.

Soror Carolyn House Stewart, Supreme Basileus and So‐ror Linda Gilliam, Mid‐Atlantic Regional Director, pre‐sented awards during the Leadership Breakfast. Sorors Michelle Jones and Kendra Gillespie (center right ‐left)were award recipients.

Soror Starr Garrett brought home the Clara Hines Award. Pictured here with Soror Linda Gilliam, Mid‐Atlantic Regional Director (left) and Soror Clara Hines (below).

WINNING!

Committees’ Reports

15

The Diamond Golden Silver Committee has designed the month of May as “Jewels Month.” We’re hon‐ored to recognize all of our precious jewels. There will be reserved seating for all of our honorees at the May chapter meeting, and we encourage you to sit in the designated area and receive our token of love. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the lunch and bingo affair for all Zeta Chi Omega jewels (Diamond, Golden, and Silver) scheduled for May 14th has been postponed until the fall. Tea roses to all current buddy sorors! Your support is greatly appreciated! If there are any other sorors interested in becoming a buddy soror for a Golden and/or Sick/Shut‐In soror, please contact the Com‐mittee Co‐Chairmen.

Soror Frances Wood

Soror Frances Wood, a life member of more than 60 years of our beloved Sorority, was initiated into the Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Virginia State University in the fall of 1950. She joined Zeta Chi Omega in September, 1955 and has held numerous leadership positions, including Basileus, Parliamentarian, Bylaws Committee Chair‐man, Founders’ Day Chairman, Cotillion Chairman and Co‐Chairman, as well as regional committee chairman. Her career began in Richmond in 1953 and brought her to Northern Virginia a few years later. Soror Wood was an elementary education teacher, specifi‐cally, 5th grade, for 15 years. In addition, she has served as a school social worker, coordinator for special education and Northern Virginia adult educa‐tion coordinator. Her professional associations in‐clude the National Education Association, VA Educa‐tion Association, Arlington Education Association, and the NOVA Chapter of the Coalition of 100 Black Women. She is also a member of the Cranium Club, a group of senior citizens who meet monthly and play board games as a hobby. Her other hobbies include homemaking and decorating.

Continued on page 16

Soror C. Starr Garrett, Co-Chairman Soror Cassandra Borden, Co-Chairman

DGS Committee

GOLDEN SOROR SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating 55 Years Serving All Mankind

Committees’ Reports

16

Continued from page 15 She met her husband of 58 years, Dr. Garnett Wood, Sr., a retired research chemist for the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), while at Virginia State where he tutored her in science. They had two sons, Gar‐nett, Jr. and Kenneth. They have four granddaugh‐ters, the eldest of which is graduating this year from her grandfather’s alma mater, Georgetown Univer‐sity. They are longtime and very active members of Michigan Park Christian Church, where Soror Wood serves as a member of the church’s board, an elder and a choir member.

Soror Elaine Trivers

Soror Florence Elaine Trivers was initiated in the Al‐pha Epsilon Chapter where she was called Worm Queen Boo Hoo at Virginia State University (then Virginia State College), Petersburg, Virginia in 1953. She served as Tamiouchos in the Alpha Epsilon Chapter. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Administration and Supervision. Soror Elaine is married to Mr. Glen Trivers, PhD, who performs cancer research at the National Insti‐tute of Health, and has one granddaughter, Morgan Elaine, and one son, Glen Jr. Her sisters also have strong ties to ZXΩ: Soror Helen Smith was a Charter member of ZXΩ, and Soror Betty Montgomery is a longtime member of ZXΩ. Additionally, she has a non‐Greek sister, Jane Gaskill.

GOLDEN SOROR SPOTLIGHT

Soror Elaine served as a delegate at the 2nd Regional Conference held in Richmond, VA and served as Re‐gional Conference Grammateus during Soror Janet Ballard’s reign as Regional Director. At the National level, Soror Elaine served as chairman for election of officers at the Washington, DC Boulé in 1984 and at the Detroit Boulé in 1986. She attended leadership conferences held in Atlanta and on the SSNorway Cruise ship. While a member of Zeta Chi Omega, she has served as Grammateus, Pecunious Grammateus, Parliamen‐tarian, and a member of the Finance, Education, Nominating, By‐laws, Music, Cotillion, and Lunch‐eon/Fashion Show Committees, to name a few. While she was Parliamentarian, Soror Elaine, along with other ZXΩ sorors initiated the Policies and Pro‐cedures Handbook. Soror Elaine has fond memories of side trips while driving with sorors to Regional and National meetings, stopping to shop at every outlet along the way and taking a boat ride down the river en‐route to Chicago. Prior to retirement, she taught Business Education classes. She also has been active in her church at St. John’s Baptist Church in Arlington where she has enjoyed membership in the choir and on the Schol‐arship Committee. Soror Elaine’s professional asso‐ciations include the Elite Eleven, National Business Education Association, and Eastern Business Asso‐ciation. One of the most enjoyable positions Soror Elaine held within Alpha Kappa Alpha was as Pecuni‐ous Grammateus. She enjoyed getting to know all of the sorors in the Chapter and was known for rec‐ognizing the sorors’ voices without seeing the faces when motions were made. Soror Elaine encourages sorors to get to know each other by getting involved on the committees. Her special motto is: "This, too, shall pass."

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Soror Virginia Graves (Golden)

Diamond Soror Ophelia Pinkard

Soror Deloris Evans (Golden)

Sorors Barbara Bouldin & Angela Russell (Silver Stars)

Soror Regina Crawley (Silver Star) & Lula Lang‐Jeter (Golden)

Sorors Sharon Gibson & Joyce Henderson (Silver Stars) Soror Mary Dupree (Golden)

Soror Frances Wood (Golden)

Soror Barbara Evans (Golden)

Golden Sorors Delores Copeland, Carrie James & Doris Shannon Soror Darhyl Jasper (Silver Star) Soror Margarette Peterson (Golden)

PRESENTING. . . . . . . .SEVERAL PRECIOUS JEWELS . . . OF ZETA CHI OMEGA.

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OUR NEWEST JEWELS. . .

. . . IN ATTENDANCE AT THE 58TH MARC

Golden—Soror Irma Bogan

Silver Stars — Sorors Elisabeth Palmer‐Johnson &

Melanie Pearson Hurley

Silver Star —Soror Connie Greene

Committees’ Reports

19

Upcoming events of the National Pan‐Hellenic Coun‐cil of Northern Virginia: Save the Date for the National Pan‐Hellenic of Northern Virginia Happy Hour on Thursday, May 5, 2011. Additional details will be provided as soon as they are finalized. The National Pan Hellenic Council of Northern Vir‐ginia will present its annual Black Scholars Award Program on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3:00 PM. The event will be held at Mt. Vernon High School in Alex‐andria, VA. Please come out and support our Black Scholars. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Theta Tau Sigma Chapter will host a Health Fair on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Additional details to be provided at a later date. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Woodbridge Alumni Chapter will host its 3rd Annual Nupe Madness Bas‐ketball Tournament on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Gar‐Field High School in Woodbridge, VA. Doors open at 9:00 AM. For additional information, please contact Jeremy Coleman at info@nupemadness.com Save the Date for the National Pan Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia’s Annual Cookout on Sunday, June 26, 2011. Additional details will be provided as soon as they are finalized. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Psi Alpha Alpha Chap‐ter, will host an “All White” party on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. The event will be held from 8PM‐2AM. The

Soror Angela Turner, Chairman NPHC—NoVA Committee

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Cost of the event is $40 in advance, 2 tickets for $70 and $50 at the door. For additional information, please go to www.ques.psiaa.org. Meetings of the National Pan‐Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia are held on the First Tuesday of each month (excluding July and August) at 7:00PM at Sherwood Hall Library, unless otherwise stated. National Pan‐Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia

Game Night The National Pan‐Hellenic Council of Northern Vir‐ginia will host its Annual Dance and Game Night on Friday, May 13, 2011. The event will be held at the Kappa Facility, 6343 S. Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA from 8:00 PM ‐ Midnight. Tickets will not be available for this event, but you may pay for the event and place your name on the Guest List at the May Chapter Meeting. The cost is $25.00, and Soror Angela Turner will be collecting monies and names at the meeting. You may also pay at the door on the night of the event.

Committees’ Reports

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Sorors, Words cannot express the intense gratitude and joy I feel toward the members of the MARC Gala Committee and other members of Zeta Chi Omega who worked with me on the MARC Gala.

I will simply say “Thank You.” Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for your patience and positive attitude. Thank you for all of your energy and ideas, And, thank you for all of your hard, hard work. Madame Mid‐Atlantic Regional Director told me that, “the Gala was simply FABULOUS in every way and everything that she wanted.” I told her, “I had a simply FABULOUS

committee!!”

Soror Tiffany Montgomery 58th MARC Gala Chairman

Soror Tiffany Montgomery, Gala Chairman and Mistress of Ceremony, posing with Alpha Phi Alpha Gentlemen

Soror Barbara Bellemy (looking fabulous); pre‐paring to introduce the Mid‐Atlantic Regional Di‐rector

Soror Yvette Darnaby gave a moving and inspirational speech during

the gala.

Committees’ Reports

21

Soror Michelle Jones, Basileus ZXΩ, welcomed sorors to the gala.

Sorors Irma Bogan

Regina Crawley Margarette Peterson

‐ FABULOUS ‐

Soror Linda Gilliam, Mid‐Atlantic Regional Director and Soror Caroline Lattimore were escorted into the ballroom.

22

Continued from page 1 Congratulations to the Cotillion Co‐Chairmen, Sorors Demaris Thompson and Carolyn Rowe and the en‐tire Cotillion Committee for an outstanding Cotillion Season. The season ended with the presentation of 12 young women to society on April 16, 2011. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the young ladies and their families.

Happy Mother’s Day Sorors! Yours in global service,

Soror Michelle M. Jones

O f all the fruit that life can offer, a mother’s love is the sweetest. A mother’s love is a light that can never be extinguished; an eye

that never shuts; an ear that never closes; and a heart that never grows cold. When it comes to love, mothers wrote the book! A father may turn his back, siblings may stop speaking; Lifelong friends may depart, but a mother’s love en‐dures to the end.

By Flora Kelly in

“What Keeps Me Standing” by Dennis Kimbro

A Renaissance Woman

Continued from page 4

My mother was a Renaissance woman. Like Ester, she understood that she had been created for such a time as this and embraced every challenge with gusto. She was a maid to some and also made our house a home, creating an atmosphere of love, laughter, discipline and encouragement. Her deli‐cious blackberry and peach cobblers were the best in NC. Although we lived at the poverty level, she never made us feel impoverished; redecorated our house twice a year at Christmas and in summer. She was a winner and not a whiner; she made things work for good. Mom was a leader, not a follower; protesting injustices from our little community to Washington, D.C. She was a victor and not a victim having survived multiple strokes and heart attacks; she became known by the doctors as the woman with “nine lives.” I’ll always love and miss her, espe‐cially at Easter, which was the day she was buried.

—Soror Patricia Wallace

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Zeta Chi Omega Chapter P.O. Box 25763 Alexandria, Virginia 22313

Email address: zetachiomega@gmail.com\ Website: www.aka-zco.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Basileus, Michelle M. Jones Anti-Basileus, Leslie Dey Grammateus, Vanessa Jackson Anti-Grammateus, Eloise Hudgins Tamiouchos, Patricia Harris Thomas Pecunious Grammateus, Stephanie Woodland Kelly Anti-Pecunious Grammateus, Katrina Moss Epistoleus, Gloria Bell Parliamentarian, Robin Mazyck Ivy Leaf Reporter, Sherri Jordan Historian, Jeanne Melvin-Martin Hodegos, Cora King Graduate Advisor, Carol Turner Philacter, Katrina Pritchett

Standards, Judith Lopez Membership, Tiffany Montgomery Connection, Betty Morrison/Margarette Peterson Scholarship, Ester Stubbs-Varnado Founders’ Day, Yvette Darnaby Contracts, Irma Bogan Awards, Barbara Bouldin/Chandois Phillips/Gayle Jordan IFNV Liaison, Kendra Gillespie Protocol, Theresa Emanuel Nominating Committee: Chairman, Darhyl Jasper Gloria Bell, Hazel Cameron, Stephanie Harrison Hubbard Lucretia McClenney, Lydia McLeod, Lula Lang-Jeter Rhonda Luss, Linda Newman

Immediate Former Basileus, Joyce Henderson

The Ivyette

Editor: Gloria Bell (contactgloria@verizon.net) Production Staff: C. Starr Garrett Yvette Darnaby Patricia Wallace Leslie Dey